JAWW 10.05.2007 Hi-jinks in Hokkaido; Whittle-San reports.

Yet another departure from traditional AWW regime,but Chris's report from the Japan branch of AWW is too good to be treated simply as a blog comment but deserves to stand as a blog post in its own right, as follows.

"Great to receive glowing reports of the recent walks, aided and abetted by the Irish contingent. Here in Tokyo contact with the Irish element is continued by the occasional short walk to the Dubliners pub, where a genuine Guinness can easily wash down the ideal all day breakfast. That is, until the arrival of Antje, fresh from her daring deeds and fearless climbs with the AWW's. A new regime of a healthy diet, sushi, oysters, sashimi and other nameless horrors envigorated us for an intrepid series of walks that would challenge any Algarve Way enthusiast. To vertical cliff hanging paths add active volcanos, steaming mud pools and hissing sulphuric gases, and you have the typical hiking trail on the Northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. That we were frequently above the snow line with temperatures down to minus 3 at night only added to the fun. Not to be outdone by the height of the Olympic ski jump at Sapporo, Antje insisted on climbing beside, and above, and beyond the mountain on which it was located. Fortunately it was an extinct volcano, the near vertical slopes proving a serious challenge however to stickless, fearless and possibly foolish foreigners. However we were inspired by the sight of a single Myriam-sized Japanese lady tackling the slope ahead of us. By virtue of hanging on to trees, bushes, rocks and each other we made it to the summit, where the Japanese lady appeared to have disappeared over a precipice leaving us to find our way back down a longer, circuitous and less daunting path.
Other less arduous walks followed, where the problem of decyphering Japanese direction signs led us to walk through a five-star hotel's private garden where the only exit was through the main entrance hall, muddy boots and sweating bodies being looked at somewhat askance by the management, who immediately directed us to the nearby public baths. Having relaxed in a peaceful atmosphere of sulphur laden near-boiling water a minor problem with moving discarded shoes nearly ended up as an international incident. In future, I shall stick to pounding the Tokyo streets once again, it is much less stressful, even though I have nearly worn out one pair of shoes doing it. Looking forward to the lazy days of the peaceful Algarve walks once again, even though Mount Fuji in its snow-covered state still beckons once in a while when visible through the usual haze of Tokyo mist and pollution that frequently keeps it out of sight. Unfortunately I won't be here long enough to tackle that challenge.
Best regards to all the AWW's. Chris."

Truly, Life as a consultant in the East is Hell! However, Chris can console himself that he can soon replace his worn-out shoes at a certain outlet in Portimao Retail Park, in which it is suspected certain senior AWWs have shares, such is the fervour of their repeated recommendations for its goods.

And can we now expect a China-branch report from the Great Wall?