May 1 -

25 days on the trail. Still no loose dogs and not a single pile of dog shit. This is a very civilized practice and a paradise for hikers. And still nobody honking a car horn or playing loud music. All calm and quiet. 

We had lunch at a little cafe. The proprietor was very enthusiastic and spoke a little English. He told us that a few weeks ago a solo Canadian woman Tokai hiker spent the night camped at the river next to the cafe and ate at his shop. He was happy we were there too. 

Also at the cafe was a young man who is a farmer and spoke English well enough for conversation. He confirmed our observation that most farmers are old and few young people want to become one. He also told us that the value of tea has fallen because the Japanese don't drink as much green tea as they did in the past. We are walking through tea growing hillsides, and some tea plantations have been abandoned and are just growing wild. 

We're happy and healthy and camped inside the Otaki Resting Place shelter. It is the only flat ground in the past 90 minutes of walking. 

We are here http://w3w.co/snacked.probes.certificate