Sunday 7th May 2017

Cape Erimo to Kushiro

Set off after a good Japanese breakfast at the ryokan. The owner has a dog which is kept on a very, very long length of green twine so he wanders all around the ground floor.

It was drizzling so we put the bimani up and drove out to the furthermost tip of the Cape. There is a Museum of Wind here which was built in 1997. Impressive structure of concrete with large glass windows looking out to the sea. The rocks below have seals bobbing up and down.

                                                            Looking for seals

To experience wind of 10, 15 and 25 metres per second, you go into a room and a large turbine is turned on. Twenty-five metres per second is equivalent to almost 56 miles per hour.

                                                  Experiencing wind at 25mts per second

 Just as well we experienced this as it was windy all day driving along the coast. The sun came out so took off the bimani.

Leaving town we came across several fishermen washing their large fishing nets which were hung from a crane and being washed with high pressure water.

                                                      Fishermen washing their nets

                                                                     Fishing fleet

Passing through the village of Hiroo we saw the sign (with Santa and elves) to Santaland. Apparently Hiroo is the only city outside Norway, approved by Norway, to have a Santaland. We didn't go in.

Driving along we saw a sign to the Sora Space Centre. Drove out there and went in. Absolutely nothing in English so not sure of the purpose of this centre! Tried some space cheese biscuits...not bad!

Along this coast were lots of lengthy tunnels. Some were opened sided facing the sea. Snow markers outlining the edge of the road showed how deep the snow would get along this coast in winter. It is obviously a harsh climate, bare trees, stunted bamboo.

What stood out were the large number of derelict and abandoned buildings, left where they were to fall to ruin. It was actually quite depressing driving through some of the smaller villages. We saw no sign of life and of the buildings still standing many had rusty tin walls.

We've seen well maintained bus stops all along the coast roads. They are in good condition and obviously good shelter for those waiting for buses...but we haven't seen anyone in them or indeed buses stopping at them!

This coastal area also has very large farms, either land under cultivation or dairy herds. The herds are kept inside huge sheds and except for a few lingering around the milking sheds, we did not see many out in the paddocks.

We also passed huge banks of solar panels, kilometres long and along the coast very big piles of driftwood.

With Yokohama tyres on the Morgan, couldn't resist this photograph.

Kushiro is a very big city, unexpectedly big after the small towns we've driven through all day. It is at least 12kms from one side to the other.
Found an excellent local restaurant for dinner. Seating only 20 people the fish was frsh & tasty. The women waitresses were fun. Giving them Puce Goose's business card, they asked us both to sign it as if we were famous drivers!