New Year's Resolution

[Digger]

A short video, Mt Fuji.

Enjoy.



See you on the other side.

[Digger]

Update - Cycle Touring Japan - Pacific Ocean Cycle Trail - End of Day 18 (in country).
See captions below.



My smallest hotel room yet…at $110AUD. And that is with a shared bathroom. The closer I get to Tokyo, the more expensive accomodation becomes. You have to expect that I guess. Pity, because accomodation is usually your biggest expense when on the road.



Typical evening meal…gives me a break from the noodles and the rice. I haven’t seen a chicken parmy on any of the menus and the steak is always cooked to perfection. I’ve never had a bad meal here in Japan. Even the horse mince is delicious.
This from Google…
Horse meat, known as baniku or "sakura niku" (cherry blossom meat) due to its bright pink color, is a recognized delicacy in Japan, particularly in the Kumamoto, Nagano, and Fukushima regions. While it is most commonly served raw as sashimi, horse mince (hikiniku) is also utilized in various cooked dishes, particularly at specialty restaurants and izakayas.




The Shibuya Pedestrian Crossing. Apparently, the Worlds most congested pedestrian crossing. I had to go and experience it for myself. Verdict? Absolute chaos but it seems to work. It would be a lot smoother if you took out all the other social media junkies who are just trying to make a name for themselves.



Back to where it all began. I cycled 780km and enjoyed the experience. So much so, that I’m considering returning in the future to more regional areas of Japan if I can source another mob that hire e-bikes. So much to do, so little time!




I’m just being a regular tourist before flying out in a few days time. I decided to visit some of the parks and gardens nearby., I came across ol’ mate.
This from Google.
Saigō Takamori (Japanese: 西郷 隆盛; 23 January 1828 – 24 September 1877) was a Japanese samurai and politician who was one of the most influential figures in Japanese history. While historical accounts of his actions and motivations vary, Saigō Takamori is widely regarded as a symbol of samurai virtue, sincerity, and tragic heroism.



I am staying in Akiharbara, a major shopping district close to Tokyo. This was a Sunday. If you are not a big fan of crowds, stay at home.



4 minute teaser.

See you on the other side!

[Digger]

Hi Folks,

Myself, His Royal Griceness and a small group from the Wanneroo Wanderers 4WD Club are heading off on a 12 day odyssey thru WA's Outback. The intention was to attend the Nullarbor Muster at Rawlinna, but it's been cancelled due to a lack of support and the fuel crisis as a result of the war in the Middle East. We will still go ahead with plan A and after Rawlinna will head toward the coast and pop out at Esperance. Along the way, we will collect our fuel caché at Zanthus that was buried last year.

We leave on Tuesday, 7 April. You can follow our progress in real time by clicking on the link to my satellite tracker. The link is here;

https://share.garmin.com/YZW3R

See you on the other side!

[Digger]

Update -
Nullarbor Muster and Beyond - End of Day 7

The Muster cancelled the event a few days before departure. A lack of ticket sales and the fuel crisis meant it was not viable to hold the event. We went anyway. Our first obstacle was a closed road on day one. It was open earlier in the day but the Shire must have got spooked. We backtracked and bush camped on the Southern end of the Holland Track and considered our options overnight. The following morning we agreed to do the circuit in reverse, anticlockwise instead of clockwise.
See captions below.




Our first obstacle. Road closed. Backtrack and find a place to camp.




We agreed on the Emu Rock Campsite found on WikiCamps. A very useful tool when on the road.





The Emu Rock Camp. An area big enough for us and a ready supply of bush wood for a fire.




The view from my Office window the following day.




The old telegraph station at Israelite Bay. Still in good shape considering the location and the environment.




Cooks Cottage 1883. Ol’ Mate Cook was the Linesman at Israelite Bay…until he wasn’t.




The gravesite of a Linesman (Cook) and Thomas Brass (Postmaster).




Another adhoc campsite. We were lucky to find this one. Not too many options so we created our own. Here we are on the side of a dry salt lake.



Another bush camp. This time following the alignment of the old telegraph track. This one wasn’t marked also on any map but we decided to pull up early rather than run the risk of going past it and struggling to find a place to camp further down the track. It was a good decision to make.




Baxter Cliffs. On a par with the Bunda Cliffs on the Nullarbor. Stunning!




Another view of the Baxter Cliffs looking east(ish).





Barb on the tools. She destroyed a tyre but only carries one spare. We’ll get her to the blacktop but her trip is over. No chance of resupply out here.




Ol’ Mate Baxter Memorial. He was with Edward John Eyre’s party but was speared and killed by natives in 1841(?).



Our campsite at Twilight Cove where the ocean meets the Baxter Cliffs. Absolutely stunning!




Smile Slackers!




Eyre Bird Observatory, formerly Eyre Telegraph Station. Closed to the public after an incident involving a volunteer who had to be medivaced out.

See you on the other