We spent the morning looking at shops - soooo many great things to buy. We also found a nice playground for the kids. We ended up buying some things then posting them home along with some warm clothes we had brought from home but definitely haven't needed. By the time the box gets to Australia I imagine we will have forgot what's in it!
By mid afternoon we were tired and keen to get to to our campsite at Toma, just on the outskirts of the city. Unfortunately we misjudged the distance completely and it was getting late as we pedalled our way towards it. While checking a signpost against our map, we asked two passing schoolgirls for directions. They weren't able to help us unfortunately, but as we were talking to them we were approached by a very kind lady by the name of Miwako who spoke impeccable English and kindly invited us over to her house to stay the night. So began the best part of our trip yet! Miwako is Japanese and lives with her American husband Mark in a lovely house in Asahikawa. The two of them run an English school and have been in Hokkaido over twenty years. Needless to say, they know the area well and had some great travel advice as well as invaluable insights into Japanese culture. We talked late into the night, chatting while Finn and Bella slept soundly in a beautiful traditional tatami room.
When we finally went to bed, it was a nice change to be lying on futons rather than sleeping mats!
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