Temple: Yasakaji – this temple has a deity that has never been shown to the public but is facing backwards so people go to the back of the hondo to worship. The monk doing the signing here was very kind and gave me some osettai drink and sweets. I think I looked tired.

Dedication: Cath runs the HDA in the UK and it’s Huntington’s disease awareness week. I met her through Ed and she is a real inspiration to me. She works very hard and makes a real difference, it’s obviously much more than a job. We had a nice conversation once about prefering to work behind the scenes but sometimes having to be out in front that I still remember from time to time when I’m about to give a presentation. Thanks, Cath.

Picture: The amount of wildlife I see every day is astounding, even in the cities the country is alive.

I’m getting ready to stop for a couple of days to do some work for the HDA, rest my aching legs, and hopefully catch up with Pierre and Toppo in Matsuyama.