The weather forecast said it would be becoming fine in the afternoon so I thought we would be able to enjoy some time outside yesterday. I’d been meaning to visit my futsal team-mate, Kwadro, for some time. He lives out in Kamikatsu, deep into the mountains about an hour’s drive from Tokushima. Since he was celebrating his birthday over the weekend, I thought it would be an ideal time to visit.
I went out to Kamikatsu a few years backs with my mates, En & Latch, to hike Mt Takamaru. The bright yellow and orange autumn leaves of the preserved beech wood (buna) forest at the foot of the mountain enchanted me. I was keen to see it again and enjoy it with the family.
The sky remained overcast with ocassional drizzle despite the optimistic forecast as we set off after lunch. The boys were soon fast asleep as we followed the river deeper and deeper into the mountains. By the time we arrived at Takamaru-san they had awoken and were keen to get out of the car and play. Meanwhile Yoko had become tired and her stomach sore. With light drizzle still falling there was no way she was in the mood for a walk in the forest.
After loading Syd into our backpack style carrier and putting him onto my back, he, Reni and I set off, leaving Yoko to rest in the car. The trail was quite steep but reasonably dry thanks to the cover provided by the trees. As we slowly made our way uphill Reni stopped every now and then to collect the biggest leaves he could find. I joined in too, collecting as many different colour and shape leaves as I could.
Once again the beauty of the forest entranced me, inspiring me to push on higher and deeper into the forest. By the time we reached a fresh water source, the 10kg plus load on my back (Syd) had begun to feel quite heavy. The trail appeared to get steeper too. After a refreshing drink I decided it was time we turned back.
Reni raced back downhill, leaving Syd and I to follow in his footsteps. By the time we returned to the car the boys and I had built up quite an appetite. After snacking on bananas and bread we coasted back downhill to meet Kwadro at a small cafe rest area overlooking a dam. The ladies in the shop were really taken by Syd and Reni. So much so in fact, one of them even gave us a bag of brown sugar candy. How sweet!
