What followed after Konomine ji (no.27) was a whirlwind. When we left the temple I was expecting to have to get our bags and start walking/hitching for the day. However Yamamoto san ushered us back into the car and we headed off to a cafe for breakfast. Then it was on to Dainichi ji(no.28), another big day temple,Kokubun ji (no.29),Zenraku ji (no.30), Chikurini ji (no.31),Zenjibu ji (no.32), and then it was to a noodle shop for lunch. As with breakfast, Yamamoto san allowed us to buy his meal, which was nice. He was,afterall, taking the day to do us a big favour. But it was really lovely as at every temple we went to he would pray and say the sutras. It was like having our own private monk and as the day went on he really warmed up to us, or maybe I should say to Betsy. They discussed the different types of buddists,sects etc. and he was very vocal.
After lunch we went on to Sekke ji (no.33), Tanema ji (no.34), Kiyotaki ji(no.35) and finally Shoryu ji (no.36). It had been a successful day, but I was definitely suffering from temple fatique!Anyway we figured that Yamamoto san would turn aroiund at this point and we would find somehow to camp. The weather gods had returned and we had enjoyed a good weather day, no rain. What we didn't know know is that during the day Yamamoto san had been on the phone and was sorting us out a place to stay with a friend of his, Sato san, another monk, who also had his own temple.
Sato san met us in the car park at Shoryu ji and ushered us into his car. It was sad to say goodbye to Yamamoto san, it had been a piece of the most amazing luck to meet him and he had restored my faith in the kindness of others after our experience with the horrible monk the day before! So Sato san drove us to his house in Susaki,along a beautiful cliff top road and even stopped so we could take photos. We arrived at his temple and met his wife and 2 of his children and then were placed in a big 16 tatami room to rest. He then took us to an onsen and to a sushi restaurant for dinner, he wouldn't let us pay for a thing. He said we could repay his kindness when he visited the US and the UK respectively. I was more than happy to agree.
We had our first beer in ages and I think Sato san wanted to make a night of it, but I was way out of drinking practice.
In the morning Sato san said that he would take us to the next temple, yes! On the way we had to go back to the onsen as Betsy had left her wallet there. Luckily it was all intact and all was well.So, on April 16th, we arrived at Iwamoto ji,(no.37), ahead of schedule and feeling very happy with ourselves.Sato came with us to pray and then said goodbye. It was hard to say goodbye, he was such a genki,upbeat guy, and I think even then, Betsy and I were finding it hard just having each other to talk to!