Cycling day 1: Saijo -> Hojo

We had planned a short(ish) day of 52km/690m ascent so left the ferry, had a salmon breakfast and cycled up the road to the towel museum, which is a weird combination of towel manufacturing and the Moomims recreated in towels.

Then it started raining so by the time we got to Hojo (a strange little town just north of Matsuyama) we were freezing, hungry and had to wait nearly an hour to be let into our accommodation.

Spent the rest of the day trying to warm up - thank god for the bath - and eating cut price supermarket sashimi. A total bargain.

A slightly more stressful start to the week than intended but some lovely hills and views.Read more