Author: kymdt
Artisans…
An artisan is a person skilled in making a product by hand – according to the dictionary. But, perhaps it’s more than that – a focus on the product almost to the exclusion of reason…
They appear in the most unlikely spots – usually where they love to live – not where the most feet fall.
Thus, it is was with some surprise that- but perhaps not really in Japan – that we happened across an artisan chocolate store in the middle of fields on the way to the Izumo airport. This isn’t Haighs it has a dedication to seasonal chocolates and the variation of flavour based on different sugar sources. Made by hand and with love.
It makes a hot chocolate and a chocolate muffin something very special.
It’s raining again…
We’re at Huge Shimenawa at it’s wet
We ride rain, hail and shine!
Excellent day riding – it started with rain, had great sunshine and finished with hail. But, when your on your bike you got to keep riding to get to your destination.
I apologise for the lack of hail pictures, you don’t really think of taking photos!
In the suburb of Hitari I enjoyed conversing with local high school students at the local market. I was surveyed about the average age of persimmon farmers in the area (67.3) and received a free persimmon sandwich as a gift. It was delightful.
Our riding companions from across Tokyo are tough and well spirited. We very much enjoy their company.
Below is a photo dump some are mine but probably most are Helen’s.
Knight and his lady friend
Enjoying the atmosphere at Brompton in Palace…
Time for brunch
Getting a little slower… lots of activity is leaving me a little tired. Nothing, though, a good breakfast and kohi can’t fix.
We are here at Sol’s Coffee Roastery in Kuramae (https://sols-coffee.com)today….
Not a bad deal two delicious set breakfasts caffe latte for $25!
Glitch
According to my records we first came here in 2017. Here is the first photo we took back then.
We have grown in our coffee snobbery and moved with Glitch as they explore more interesting styles of coffee – black pour over now preferred and a staple of our home.
Today no milk – but two innovative Colombian beans roasted to perfection. Sitting outside enjoying perfect autumnal weather.
Yesterday we checked out Ginza Glitch for a serene coffee and music experience.
Thank you Glitch for your contribution to our coffee journey!
Sushi Harumi
I’ll start with an apology – no food photos from us for this post. Sushi is something that should be enjoyed directly when placed in front of you by the skilled chef. Where the skilled knife strokes can form tough squid can be rendered milky by a thousand tiny cuts or herring can be transformed into a delicate balanced melody in your mouth.
I know ‘Australian’ style sushi is taking New York but storm, but I have to say I am of Tokyo style!
There is one photo to share and that is of the building directory…
Those who can read Japanese characters will quickly pick it… But otherwise you’ll be playing match the image with your phone. This was a multi-storey (10 or so building) and that is just a list of the tenants on the 4th floor. You certainly get a peak behind the curtain of Tokyo when you walk past the “Member’s Only” club towards the space that is transformed into a peaceful oasis with 10 seats!
If you’re going to Tokyo or want to peak inside – check out their website – http://www.sushiharumi.jphttps://pocket-concierge.jp/en/. They use Pocket Concierge to book for English speaking guests – which really makes experiencing great food in Japan a lot easier.
Alternate mobility
As you may know, we are keen to try different forms of mobility. We certainly prefer non-car based mobility like our folding bikes and an occasional Shinkansen. So it was with great pleasure we tried a new form of mobility arranged by our Tokyo friends. The super kawaii Rodem – it is guaranteed to get you noticed on Tokyo streets. We certainly were – but they may have been helped by the soon to be TikTok superstar in the Rodem behind us!
From the website (https://machimobi-y.com/en/) the Rodem is “a futuristic mobility that allows you to enjoy a mobility experience like never before.”
Day 7: The final day – Corny Point to Point Turton
Every tour needs one of those days to remind fellow riders how tough and competent they were. Well … the final day of the Southern Yorke Peninsula was going to deliver. After all thus far we had pretty good weather, some amazing tailwinds, and even the corrugations were manageable.
Today an Antarctic wind was blowing – good news was we rode with it behind us most of the way – bad news it brought with it random showers and some light hail!
I ended up riding with two pairs of pants on (the water repellent variety and the wet weather pants) and two jackets on (my regular rain jacket and a spray jacket). Without my think thermal I am sure I would have frozen to near death. I can also vouch for the fact that walking into light hail is not a pleasant experience.
On this day, I put in practice lessons from M & D about riding into gravel. Go fast and don’t thing about steering – I reckon thats what they said and that what I did. I seemed to skim over the tops of the corrugations. I am not sure all the parts of my bike are still on it – but enough to get home were!.
The GPX file is available from Strava – Day 7 – Corny Point to Point Turton.
