Time to leave Tokyo and head South West

Our route from Tokyo to Lake Suwa

Unfortunately Noel had eaten something which disagreed with hi and so a restless night ensued. However by 0900 we were ready to leave to pick up the rental car from Toyota Rental Company which was about twenty minutes away. So we signed our life away and the Manager tried to explain in his best English that there was problem in that we intend to drop the car at Kansai Osaka Airport however following the recent Typhoon where the complete airport was flooded the car receiving area had been closed until further notice and we should return the car to another place. This makes it sound simple except that it required him to phone their English Speaking support Line and the guy I spoke to his Egrish was not so good, but we go there in the end. ( please remember that Osaka Airport Runway and part of the terminal was completely flooded but was up again for all flights within 16 days) In U a bity of snow closes the airport for 2/3 days!!!


People think we are mad but we like certain foods and don't want to change and our supply of Costco Crisps and nuts had run out and so we decided to make a small diversion and go to Costco in a place called Iruma and boy was it packed. However we were able to get what we wanted including some other Groceries and nice box of really super looking Sushi which we thought we would have tonight. We also though we would have lunch there and we both went for the burger, boy was it huge!! with two large patties, Tomato and Lettuce and some spread or other we could not make out but after Noel not eating breakfast that day decided we should go fort it. Some two hours later this turned out to be big mistake as we think that there was some garlic in there somewhere and Noel night was ruined and as the Sushi had an eat by date of the same day we unfortunately had to bin it as Noel could not eat and Jennifer was full from lunch. OH well. So noel was in bed by 18.00 and was up and down for a few hours…One day it will be better.

Lake Suwa Hotel

After leaving Iruma we headed out on the Expressway and we had got what they call an ETC card which enables you to go through the toll booths without stopping. The Expressways are not cheap however it was the quickest way to get where the Hotel was located right next to the lake. The Hotel seemed rather deserted and the room rate was cheap for Japan and included breakfast of £ 80.00 , so hence the cheap price.
Lets hope tomorrow is a better day.