ARDF Blog
Thank you for Kristian and Bruce for writing the blog during the ARDF competition while Ewen was doing his team leader duties and waiting for Jenelle to be rescued from parts unknown. All six of us are all bringing home extra baggage in the form of medals.
Facilities at Sanyo Hotel exceeded our expectations
![Dining room](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC06817-MediumDining-room-173x130.jpg)
![Where do I start, Kristian was not the only one with this dilemna](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC06815-Medium-Where-do-I-start-173x130.jpg)
In our rooms chaos reigned
![The workshop - organised chaos](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC06777-Medium-The-workshop-organised-chaos-173x130.jpg)
![Work bench](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC06779-MediumWork-bench-173x130.jpg)
![Trying to be tidy](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC06778-Medium-173x130.jpg)
![Cable spaghetti](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC06780-Medium-Cable-spaghetti-173x130.jpg)
Photos from the closing celebrations
![3 Amigos](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_0566-Medium-3-Amigos-195x130.jpg)
![Kai (W60)](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_0574-Medium-Kai-W60-195x130.jpg)
![New friends](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_0578-Medium-New-friends-e1442219856369-87x130.jpg)
![Banquet _ one of the many platters](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC06797-Medium-Banquet-_-one-of-the-many-platters-173x130.jpg)
![With one of the more elegant W60s](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC06808-Medium-With-one-of-the-more-elegant-W60s-173x130.jpg)
![With one of the more elegant W60s](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC06813-Medium-Two-of-my-rescuers-173x130.jpg)
![Fine and sunny departure from Shibukawa](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC06782-Medium-Fine-and-sunny-departure-from-Shibukawa-173x130.jpg)
We left the competition area in fine weather and sunshine (compared to the cloudy wet conditions) to be dropped off at various locations. Jack left before the rest of us were up, Greg was settled in for the long ride back to Tokyo, Kristian joined us for the train trip to Takasaki and was last seen running upstairs with his bag to catch his connecting train in under 4 minutes. (a fair indication of his fitness level). Bruce, Ewen and I continued our adventure and finally arrived in Matsumoto.
We spent some time in the Time Piece museum
![Time Piece Museum](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_0588-Medium-Time-Piece-e1442221317904-87x130.jpg)
![This brings back memories](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_0581-Medium-This-brings-back-memories-195x130.jpg)
![Rolling Ball Clock](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_0585-Medium-Rolling-Ball-Clock-195x130.jpg)
and then devised our own street-o to various sites including shrines, temples, gardens and the icecream shop.
![Control 1](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC06820-Medium-Control-1-173x130.jpg)
![Control 2](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_0589-Medium-Control-2-195x130.jpg)
![Control 3](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_0590-Medium-Control-3-195x130.jpg)
![Control 4](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_0592-Medium-Control-4-195x130.jpg)
![This looks like a good place to send my boys](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_0593-Medium-This-looks-like-a-good-place-to-send-my-boys-195x130.jpg)
![Gallery forecourt](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_0594-Medium-Gallery-forecourt-195x130.jpg)
![Gallery forecourt 2](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_0595-Medium-Gallery-forecourt-2-195x130.jpg)
Choosing dinner is always an interesting experience, our choices so far have been most acceptable.
![Japanese BBQ](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC06852-Medium-Japanese-BBQ-173x130.jpg)
Yesterdays trek was along the Nakasendo Way (built during Edo period) commencing after a 20 minute bus ride from Nakatsugawa, and continued through Magome to Tsumago. At this point (after 3 hr 30 min of walking and lots of up and downhill) Ewen and I opted for the bus to Nagiso station. Bruce continued on foot and arrived at the same time as the bus.
![Road leading to start of Walk _ note artifical waterfall](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Road-leading-to-start-of-Walk-_-note-artifical-waterfall-173x130.jpg)
![Ewen at start of walk](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_0598-MediumStart-walk1-195x130.jpg)
![Nakasendo Way 1](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_0603-Medium-Nakasendo-Way-1-195x130.jpg)
![Mini headstones 2](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_0630-Medium-Mini-headstones-2-195x130.jpg)
![One more step along the road I go](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC06826-Medium-One-more-step-along-the-road-I-go-173x130.jpg)
![Mamoth stone tablet](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC06830-Medium-Mamoth-stone-tablet-173x130.jpg)
![Garden at stone tablet](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_0605-Medium-Garden-at-stone-tablet-195x130.jpg)
![Entrance to town](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_0615-Medium-Entrance-to-town1-195x130.jpg)
![Little village](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/little-town-231x130.jpg)
![One of many water wheels - accosted by two schoolgirls to complete survey](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC06837-Medium-One-of-many-water-wheels-accosted-by-two-schoolgirls-to-complete-survey-173x130.jpg)
![Nearly at top of hill but still a long way to go](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_0624-Medium-Nearly-at-top-of-hill-but-still-a-long-way-to-go1-195x130.jpg)
![Rice paddies and cypress](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_0632-Medium-Rice-paddies-and-cypress-195x130.jpg)
![Rice harvesting](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Rice-harvesting-231x130.jpg)
![Mini stone headstones](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_0626-Medium-Mini-stone-headstones-195x130.jpg)
![More mini tablets](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC06841-Medium-More-mini-tablets-173x130.jpg)
![Another pretty spot](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC06843-Medium-Another-pretty-spot-173x130.jpg)
![Old Edo town - Tsumago](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC06847-Medium-Old-Edo-town-Tsumago-173x130.jpg)
![Rocky creek bed](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_0645-Medium-Rocky-creek-bed-e1442222550479-87x130.jpg)
![Water wheels needed a lot of investigation](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Water-wheels-needed-a-lot-of-investigation-72x130.jpg)
![Rocky creek bed](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_0642-Medium-Rocky-creek-bed-195x130.jpg)
![Entrance to Tsumago](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_0643-Medium-Entgrance-to-Tsumago-195x130.jpg)
![Cleansing facilities](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_0636-Medium-Cleansing-facilities-195x130.jpg)
![A D51351, whatever that is, for the train buffs](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/A-D51351-whatever-that-is-for-the-train-buffs-72x130.jpg)
![Nagiso-end-of-Bruces-walk](https://ardf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Nagiso-end-of-Bruces-walk-231x130.jpg)
We have sorted out our transport across the Kurobe – Tateyama Alpine Route and will head off today for the start.
Japanese BBQ looks a good option for after streetO
Good thing you saw Mt Aso when you did. It just erupted in a big way.