Day two of walking
Woke up stiff, but that's to be expected as I had not hauled Leonard around for almost a year now, plus my new boots were not all that comfortable. I had done a few local hikes in them to break them in, but once you add the weight of a pack to the equation, all bets are off. I have learned over my walks that one needs to find a good fitting boot, then buy the same boot one to one and a half sizes bogger, install a Dr Scholls insert under the shoe insert, and wear synthetic socks, wool is NOT the answer, synthetic wicks better, and your feet grow if you walk a consistently long path daily, trust me, this works, trust me, I didnt do that this time and Im paying the price
 It was still raining slightly, no matter as my boots were still wet from yesterday, and packing them with news paper overnight helps, but does not dry them completely.

I asked for directions at the food mart, which confused the guy serving me, understandably, as I was asking for Temple Dianichiji again for some reason, and I wanted to go to Temple Anrakuji. Sorted that out and off I went with a strong determination to reach the country and farm land areas( my boots were creating a problem for me now),

 I had reached Temple Fujiidera (#11) by 1pm, the next temple was #12 and was at the top of a mountain, I didn't think 700 meter climb was too daunting, so I made a judgement call ( apparently not a good one)  and headed for number 12. There would be a place to stay in the temple.
On the way to the climb, I came upon an old "Henro Hut" where pilgrims can sleep, it was on the side of the main road and I thought the noise would keep me awake, so I kept going for the top of the mountain.

 I need to study my elevation chart better, because 700 meters isn't that big a deal, but I had to crest 4 times. Up down up down in the wettest and slippery conditions of loose rock, roots and streams. I was exhausted when I finally made the temple about 4 hours later,I was out of snacks and the only water to be had was the rain, or, the mouth wash cleansing basin at the temple entrance oh well, so I drank from that. 

The temple had closed and nowhere to stay, this was a bad situation as it was a long way down and was already getting into dusk.

at each temple, the priest will write you a travelers prayer in Sanskrit, this was six of the many,  so far

I had to hike down in the dark believing there was a village out the bottom, bad call. Two hours of downhill hiking on wet rocks is not fun
I was lost on this country road in the rain and pitch dark. I walked towards the direction I thought I would find a village and hoped for the best.
When I stopped to put on my headlamp, and a flashing blue beacon on my pack, so I could be seen, a lady drove by and stopped. I dropped my bag by the side of the road and crossed over, she jabbled on and I jabbled back, till I eventually realized she was telling me to get in the car. As I realized this, an old man drove from the other direction in his tiny van, was looking at the lady and I, and he drove over Leonard,,,,NOooo,  not Leonard ,,can it get any worse?.
 I was worried about my iPad, my iPod, and all that stuff being smashed. Two things happened, the lady took me to her place which was a Henro hotel( thank goodness, I could have kissed her right there) and upon inspection, Leonard wasn't too bad. My ear phones were crushed and the umbrella was a mess, once I finished doing what I could for my umbrella, the umbrella was going to work fine, just as long as the rain was coming from the side.  When I got to my bedroom, I realized he had destryed my only banana, it was dead all over the inside of my pack.
I evaluated my decision to go for temple 12 so late in the day, reading the guide book(a novel idea) it says," do not attempt this climb unless you start first thing in the morning" , hmmmm