We packed up our camp behind the rest stop pretty quickly this morning as people started arriving. Had a look through the heritage house which was accommodation for over 200 fishermen in its day. While we were in there some pesky crows got into our rubbish on the bikes so the staff came running to find us. A bit embarrassing having our litter strewn all over their pristine courtyard.

Elsie made friends with a wee girl a similar age and they shared some time together in Elsie's bike trailer while we chatted with her parents. She looked really sad when Sawa had to leave. We finally took off and decided to take the back roads which led to a stunning ride through pristine forest. I was hoping to see a bear but we did see a fox and a deer.

Came to a small town where we stopped at a noodle shop for lunch. The ladies adored Elsie and gave her treats and a book. This child is getting far too spoilt over here. They all seemed to think the bike buggy is pretty amazing but they looked at us like we were crazy when we showed them our planned 'back road' route "through the mountains" they said.
We persisted regardless and were rewarded with more beautiful back country roads with only one hill!

We got to Asai camp ground which looks a bit run down but the caretakers were mowing the lawns and it is actually a lovely spot with lots of iris flowers growing. We did the short bush walks around the hills then went into Harboro town to the Onsen, the best one yet. Met a fossil hunter back at camp who gifted a wee fossil to Elsie, only 80 million years old he reckons.

All in all a rather lovely day. 35 more kms on the clock and only a few days from Wakkanai, all going well.