How did this happen?? Well part of the trail required me to walk along the beach for about 800m and for this I was stoked beause it was a lovely change from walking along the road. It was a fairly warm day that day and a lot of people were out at the beach swimming and surfing and having a good time.
So I was just walking along, enjoying the atmosphere when I suddenly tripped over a piece of drift wood.
By this stage I had already walked around 20kms and had a another 15 to go. “No big deal”, I thought, “it’s only 11:00, I’ve still got half a day to walk and I don’t seemed to have hurt anything. I’ll be fine!” At this point it was an honest assessment, I’m quite a fast walker and I didn’t feel sore. My prediction was i’d be at the temple by 2:30-3:00. Fast forward one rocky shore walk, a couple of quite tricky short but steep rocky ascents and descents, a few long winding roads and my foot was hurting! At this point it was 3pm and I still had about 2 and half km to go. I knew it my heart that those kms were going to take me for forever so I flagged down a car and the driver very kindly drove me to the temple. I then did my thing at the temple (very half heartedly, by the way!) and then hobbled 550m to my hotel. The next day (yesterday) my foot seemed fine, so I decide to walk to my next location which was only 20kms away. Big mistake, about 10km in my foot was hurting again, so I got a taxi ( a bus was out of the question, non Japanese speaker/ reader here!) and again was driven to the place I was staying. It cost me about $35 Australian but i’m worth it 😜
So what did I learn from all this? The previous couple of days I had walked around 40kms a day because I wanted to push myself see what I was capable of. And what I’m capable of is a lot it seems but if I push too hard I will hurt myself. This is a journey, not a race and I need to remember that if I want to enjoy this experience 🐉🌊🎎🚕🇯🇵
P.S. On a brighter note I’m writing this at Nakamura train station, waiting for my younger sister Sah, who on a whim decided to come and join me! Seriously, just over a week ago she msgd me and asked whether she should come over! So proud of her!😀
And now some photos for your enjoyment!
This was just sitting outside, neglected. I find it unbelievable than no one wants it, I’d take it home with me if I could!
This is Kōbo Daishi, founder of Shingon Buddhism in Japan and the Big Dude of the Shikoku Trail. He is talking to a turtle. I know there is a ninja turtle joke in here somewhere…..
John Manjiro. He got shipwrecked on an island and was rescued 143 days later by Americans (America, Fuck Yeah 🇺🇸). He went and lived in the U.S. for 10 years and then came back to Japan. He was the translated and interpreter for the Japanese government when they were forced to open Japan to the rest of the world.
(I did eat it, it was fine!)
Loving your stories Liz. I would love to have Kobo Daishi in my back yard. Love him!
Hope your foot improves. Thank The Lord for public transport eh?
Travel safely, enjoy the precious time together.
Hi Rhonda. My foot is fine thanks. I’ve had a few rest rest days, one of them due to a typhoon, so I’m good as new! The train and bus have been a massive help to me, thank you Japan for your public transport.
I’ll pass that on to her. I think she would like the kitty statues!
On a walking trip to have a sore foot that’s the pits , but your caring on like a trooper, photo shots look great xx