Farm Day

Check-out was at 10 this morning, so I packed up my pod—which funnily enough wasn’t the same one I started in last night, as I had to move due to the unbelievably loud snoring coming from underneath my original pod.

I headed to a café for a ‘morning set’ breakfast, which is basically just an egg sandwich and a coffee at a reasonable price. I did a bit of admin on my laptop, looking for places or farms to volunteer at in Okinawa when I head down next month. I found a family living on one of the more remote islands who are looking for help with a building project and taking care of their kids. I’ve messaged them, as it sounds exactly like the sort of thing I’m after.

I went back to the car and paid the ¥6,000 parking fee—way more than I expected, though in my defence the pricing sign was all in Japanese. The drive to Kobe took about an hour and twenty minutes without tolls, following the coast and then up a brilliant switchback mountain road to the farm. On the way, I spotted a car park with an amazing view over Kobe, which I’m planning to stay in tonight.

The farm turned out to have all sorts of animals—goats, horses, rabbits, sheep, guinea pigs, and sheepdogs—all in different sections along the route. There were also warning signs for hornets and snakes, but thankfully I didn’t encounter any. They offered a short horse riding tour, which I couldn’t say no to! Just a loop around the sand pen, but definitely worth it—I haven’t ridden in years, and it’s something I’d love to do again on this trip.

I wandered around for another couple of hours before heading back to the car. I decided I wanted to cook some proper food that evening, so I drove to the nearest MaxValu supermarket and picked up a steak, some peppers, and eggs. I already had rice and cooking ingredients in the car, so didn’t need much else. Then I headed back to the car park I mentioned earlier and cooked as the sun was setting. I made a steak bowl with a raw egg in the centre, grilled peppers, and some chilli crisp—delicious.

I watched the sunset before jumping into the car as the wind picked up, and that’s where I’m sat now, writing this. I think I’ll head back to Osaka tomorrow to see Eddy again, before the Expo, which I’ve now booked for the 14th.

I think it’s good to do things that take you out of your comfort zone. I had the realisation today that on the days I don’t call anyone, I’ve only spoken Japanese—which is definitely a first for me. Spending time by myself has also given me the space to reflect on the past few years—the friends I’ve lost and made, the mistakes and the good decisions too. If you ever get the chance to spend even just a weekend alone, give it a go. I’ve already learnt so much—and it’s only been two weeks.

As the late, great Joe Mellor would say: Keep on keeping on.