ready, steady, GO

Went to watch the loggerhead turtles hatching at the beach. Those in charge issue you a turtle for a princely sum and you wander down, take position, point your boy towards the sea and watch 'em fly. How do they know which way to go?

Finally got around to going to watch the keirin cycle racing in Shizuoka. Eight chaps on track bikes dress up in silly coloured lycra and ride around at (supposeably) 40-50mph. This is done for purely gambling purposes rather than a love of the sport. Getting on the bus to the track I felt out of place, the entire appeal seems to be for the over 50-something sad-male. It's no place for the 20-something sad male. I snapped a couple of shots before being told photos were a DAME-DAYO.



Found the whole thing slightly depressing, the bikes are cool, but it's a two minute race every half hour, and if you're not the gambling kind there's little excitement. It started to get a bit more interesting towards the end - the sad-males lined up alongside the barrier shouting encouragement and abuse. I left before the final race so I wouldn't get stuck waiting for a bus.
Killing time before heading home I found an 'Afternoon Tea' cafe.

It was nice to hear soft piano chords finding the space between the rythyms of cup & saucer, knife & spoon. I think a cup of tea, jam and scones are some of my favourite things in the world.
I think it'd be more fun to bet on the turtles.