I left the accommodation and got into mountains. Two mountain crosses today.
During walking on highway, many things come across in my mind, but on the mountain path, I only concentrate on walking. Some times I glance views in between trees, then keep going. Everyday is almost same, but always new and different path. Long Kochi prefectures came to the end, and now in Ehime.
Approximately 16km from the 40th temple, I met an old woman, she came out from a decayed house,who sis almost the last one standing, next to it there couple of ruins of the houses. She asked me where I came from today, and where I stay tonight. I shortly answered and kept walking. I probably should have bit more conversation as if she lives alone in such remote place in the mountain, but it might be her daily routine to ask every Ohenro = pilgrims.
By the time when I get to the accommodation, it was already dark.
06.04.2016
40 観自在寺
三好旅館
45km
宿を出て山に入る。今日は二つの峠越え。国道を歩いている時は様々なことを考えているが、山道は歩くことだけに集中できる、鬱蒼とした木々の間を汗をかきながらひたすら歩く、時折抜けた景色を横目に眺め歩く。毎日同じことのようであるが、いつも違った先を進んでいく。長い高知県を抜け、愛媛に入る。
観自在寺から16km地点、老婆に出会う。山道の木々の間に建つ朽ち果てたような家の土間でお茶を飲んでいた、私を見るなり出てきて、どこから来てどこまで行くのかと尋ねられる。簡潔に答え先に進んでしまったが、こんな外れに一人で住んでいるのだったらもう少し話しても良かったのではと思う。
宿に着く頃には日は暮れてしまった。