In which rather a lot happens.

Spirits were high on the ferry across to Sado Island, where we were to spend 2 nights. The two and a half hour crossing sped by and soon we were leaving the boat to a rapturous welcome.  People were lining the streets, cheering and waving, in what was the best welcome we have received by far.  In fact, our whole time on the island has been characterised by the warmth and friendliness of its inhabitants. 

Quite simply, Sado is fabulous. Stunningly beautiful, with little fishing villages and  a mountainous interior, it has enchanted us all. It was a welcome two night stay and so yesterday was a chance to explore the island properly without pressure.  Car 9's plan was to leave after breakfast for a days sightseeing and going to see a special performance of the world famous Kodo Drummers who have their training school here. 

About 500 metres from the hotel there was a strange clunking noise that Adrian thought sounded like gear box trouble so we returned to let Simon investigate it. The decision was that it was the gearbox, which meant we were in trouble.  It was horribly reminiscent of Mongolia, when the same thing happened, although we did live to fight on then after George brought a new gear box to Kazakhstan for us.  With only 5 days left in Japan, that is not going to happen and so it was time to implement plan b. 

Simon and Gary stuffed the transmission with magic gunk which we are hope no will get us to the port tomorrow as leaving the car for collection in Nigata will be easier. We will continue in a hire car. Not what we want, but there we are, with no other choice. 

Adrian decided to stay at the hotel for the day to catch up with some work and I was to navigate Richard in Stanley Buick while Paddy cycled around the island. What a hero - 160 kms!

Stanley's cockpit has a vague resemblance to a 747. There are so many dials and timers, in both miles and kilometres, that it makes your head spin.  I decided to conentrate on just using the monit for our island exploration and the no less that 4 regularities.  

All was going well. Ham and I were putting the world to rights and having a deep discussion on the ability, or actually the serious lack of, some members of the cabinet when, on the fourth regularity, I realised I'd missed a turn. I tried to be a bit clever and sort it out rather than go back to where we missed the turn. Big mistake.  There several pages of instructions just for one small stretch and it was immensely complicated. No matter, we were just enjoying the day. Several cars passed us, some going in the opposite direction, only for them to pass us again later on. I looked at the tracker and could see cars all over the place. 

We found the lunch stop after a while having enjoyed our little detour.  We then went on to see the drummers. Actually, we had a little adventure on the way to the drumming as the lovely Lagonda, belonging to our friends Martin and Anne Egli, had caught a back wheel in one of the nasty, and very sharp, concrete gullies that are so often found here.  This one was sneakily camoflauged by grass.  Great heroics from Ham, two very helpful locals and the cavalry of the two mechanical trucks had the Lagonda out in no time. Ham's actions on the jack handle were particularly impressive.  Amazingly, no harm seemed to have been done to the Lagonda and so off we set for the drumming, arriving just in time. 

They were astonishing good and well worthwhile seeking out if they are on tour in the U.K. Understandably, we were not allowed to take photos so you'll just have to take my word for it. 

Car 14 was booked to go to the training school afterwards, which was a drive away. We were supposed to be going in a convoy. We were at the back and happily following several cars when it was obvious that we were all lost. The occupants of the Buick decided to give up and do our own tour of the rugged south west of the island.  Good humour prevailed and wide ranging discussions were had. There was some guilt from the navigator that her failures meant that the almost winning Buick team had slipped down the leader board, but, with their amazing talent I'm sure they can claw back up.

So, there we are, firmly on the rally rollercoaster. It's currently 0227 and, as I write, I'm feeling immense small hours sadness and just hoping that we manage to limp the 30 kms or so to the ferry in the morning.