We left Matsumoto and decided to take the small
roads rather than the expressways as this makes it a more enjoyable journey for
both of us. Perhaps it me be a little difficult map reading but Jennifer seems
to have mastered the Japanese maps and is able to recognise the Hiragana signs.
We went through several tunnels and then started going downhill as there was a
sign that we were at 1080 metres and then the road went down and more down and
the air temperature rose from 4C to 12c and eventually after a couple of coffee
and loo stops we found a place to stop and eat our sandwiches overlooking a
gorge.
After lunch we put on the Satnav to help guide us
to Costco in Maebashi and it took longer to get there as the roads were really
very busy indeed compared to where we have been but then again we are only
about 80 miles from central Tokyo.
We arrived at Costco and the car park was absolutely
solid with cars and so we followed a guy with a full shopping trolley back to
his car and waited for him to load up and leave and then we parked. The place
inside was like Regent Street on the last Saturday before Christmas and it was
almost impossible to move in the aisles and the locals were lining up by the
tens to taste the samples being offered as you walked around. We purchased some
sushi and salad for tonight and some croissants for the next few days to make a
change from muesli and banana and also a couple of bottle of wine. The Malbec
here was even cheaper than last time we bought it at a ridiculously low price.
As we stood by the cheese counter a Japanese lady asked our opinion of a
particular cheese we had also purchased and then she bought some as well.
Back to the car and cars were fighting four our
parking space as we left and then on in to Maebashi where we found the Hotel
and checked in and decided to have quiet time tonight and enjoy our sushi and
salad and glass of Malbec and perhaps finish of with an apple turnover, such is
the hard life of travelling.
Tomorrow we head of to Nikko which we hope the
weather will nice as at the moment we have had it a little overcast, not cold
or really warm but it is due to change we understand.
