Kamifurano to Biei... and streptococcus

Riding to Biei was nice: the route was mostly flat and we were flanked by farmland and mountains as we headed up the valley.  The headwind of two days ago had disappeared too. It was only about 15kms to biei, but after arriving and having lunch we made the decision to take Bella to hospital.  She had been sick with what seemed to be a flu for a few days and had been running a slight temperature, but had deteriorated rapidly during the day to a fever over 39°, shivers, and listless/irritable. Very worrying so we rode over to the hospital where I ended up being directed in a taxi to a paediatrics clinic 25 minutes drive north in Asahikawa where a doctor saw her and i furiously worked the phrase book to describe her symptoms and figure out the prognosis.  Turns out she has streptococcus, so antibiotics for both her and Finn have been prescribed. 
I went back to Biei and hiked halfway across town in the rain with Bella on my shoulders wearing a poncho I made out of a plastic bag from the hospital - it was nice to see Bella smile, despite her illness, at the ridiculousness of her "raincoat".  I met up with Bron at a park before we found a quiet spot down by the river to pitch our tent and get the kids some rest.  It was hot and stuffy and generally unpleasant, but it was sufficient given the circumstances.  We are grateful we were able to see a doctor so quickly and the kids don't have anything worse.