I have never written a blog at 300km/hr before.  We were on the Shinkasen heading for the hills – Takayama is a small town in the mountains behind Nagoya and we decided that it would be a good way to spend m’Lady’s birthday. A four hour train journey is well worth the effort. \We have been to Takayama before and it is a beautiful place – in some ways it reminds me of Rosewood in that both Takayama and Rosewood have cars which drive on the left side of the road.

The other similarity is that the last leg of the trip to Takyama, the one we are on now, is aboard a small motor rail – similar to the one that ran between Rosewood and Ipswich stopping at all stations in between. Most Japan Rail trains are incredibly efficient. For a start – several uniformed gentleman resplendent with white gloves, inspect tickets regularly and nod wisely as they watch us fumble through the selection of seven tickets that cover today’s travel. (A tad different from the regular ticket to Thomas Street Station that allowed one to travel to and from Ipswich for a threepence). The Takayama Flier, however is different. It stops at sidings from time to time in order to allow other trains to pass, always a good plan when on a single track railroad. We expected to be able to buy food from the vendors on the Shinkansen, but there were none. I don’t expect to see any on this tiny Takayama train which means that whilst our fellow passengers will be feasting from their bento boxes we will be rationing out our two sparkling waters and a 50gm packet of peanuts. Linda has already stopped me from introducing myself to our next-seat neighbours on the pretext of Aussie friendliness, with the barely hidden intention of stealing food.

Takayama was home to the Hida people, the indigenous people of this part of Japan. The crafts of pottery and woodworking were particularly highly developed and the work of their artisans is still sought after. The Hida were primarily beef farmers and Hida beef is justifiably highly prized throughout Japan today and can be prohibitively expensive – a bit like the  premium prices one of Joyce Reick’s sponge cakes would fetch at a Rosewood CWA street stall.

Our accommodation is at the aptly named Wood Hotel. I am envisaging wooden walls, wood floors, tatami mats to sleep on, no doubt wooden eating bowls and a wooden toilet – a long way for a lad from 14 Waight Street, Rosewood “Heights”. There are fabulous craft markets along the river tomorrow and lots of small restaurants to sustain us as we wander. With any luck we may even be able to sell one of our children into slavery so that we can afford to eat  Hida beef at dinner tonight?  Can’t wait.

Better let you go Scotty, the bloke in front sitting by himself has just gone to the toilet, I think he could have some chicken karage and rice in his carry-on