Pottering on the eve of Rainy season & Shio-Hama Burger

It looks like there's still some time before the rainy season, but according to the weather forecast, it's going to rain for a whole week starting tomorrow.

Despite the unusual chain cleaning and the ceramic wax treatment finished, my Brompton bike, "Potakichi," seems to keep complaining packed in a casing without having a chance to move around.

So, I decided to go for a short bike ride.

What's different from my usual rides this time is that I have several clear "goals."

However, I'll still take my usual detours, side roads, and scenic routes.

the blooming hydrangeas, a true representation of early summer.

There was an unusual gathering of people in the parking lot, creating a different atmosphere.

An old red-painted car drove in, guided by an attendant.

I took a look at the "Budo-no-Ki" after a long time.



nothing has particularly changed...



I wonder what that classic car is?

It seems that there's an event in Munakata where a considerable number of classic cars are going around Okagaki, and this place has become a stopover spot for them.

I'd like to see them, but my "goal" takes priority.

There are dark purple spots on the sidewalk next to the elementary school...

The mulberries are ripe!

Even if I pretend not to know anything when I return, I'll immediately be asked, "What did you eat?" and it will be obvious that I ate mulberries.

Even though I knew it was risky, I couldn't resist the temptation of ripe mulberries.

Judging from the mulberries scattered on the road, it seems that children nowadays don't have much interaction with mulberries.

This season used to be a time of pure happiness for kids.

A new café has opened where the town facility used to be, but I have to keep going.





Although I'm not particularly tired, for some reason, when I come here, I feel like taking a short break.

Next, the Ko-Jyo Roundabout, the first of its kind in Fukuoka Prefecture, controls the entry and exit from five directions.

It was implemented in Perth, Australia, where frequent collisions occurred at a well-visible intersection with traffic lights.

They successfully eliminated accidents by switching to roundabouts.

Anyway, the basic rule here is to prioritize vehicles on the right side.

You should signal your left turn before reaching the exit.

It's a simple thing, but there are still some drivers who seem unsure here.

The road along Satsuki Matsubara is comfortable to ride on.





There's a sign for "IZBA" in the middle.

It used to have handwritten lunch menus like beef stroganoff and borscht, but I haven't seen them recently, reflecting the current situation and the impact of the coronavirus.

I wonder what happened? So, I took a detour.



a wooden sauna imported from Russia and sold here.







The restaurant is quiet.



It seems to be closed for the time being.




As I continued on the bicycle path, I saw American oleander buds shining like red peppers in front of the cycling rest area.

Today's main lunch is the egg over rice set from Poppo House Hiro-chan, located across from Munakata Roadside Station, priced at 350 yen.

That's what I wanted to eat!

It seems like the Roadside Station has turned into a gathering place for classic cars, and they were having a meeting discussing how to guide them.

If I waited here, I could have seen various cars, but I still have remaining "goals" to reach.

I continue on, hurrying towards my destination.

I take the prefectural road with the Munakata-Shikanoshima cycling route, branching off from the busy National Route 495.

Curiosity piqued, I make a stop at the "Toshike Shrine," a place I've never visited before.

Here, I encounter yet another glimpse of the unique "Empress Jingū" folklore that is typical of Kitakyushu.



The lush forest behind the main hall and shrine lead directly to the Genkai Sea.



I notice shells piled up with sand.

Could it be some kind of purifying sand?



A few bikes are parked along the approach, most likely belonging to the people heading back from the shore.







I return to the main road and pass through the village, where I stumble upon...

On my way back, I must make a stop here.

I go around the Tsuyazaki Inlet or Tsuyazaki Mudflats, heading from the anchorage to Tsuyazaki Sengen.

I can see the Japan Sea Battle Memorial Monument in the Ohmine Mountain Natural Park.






When I arrived here, of course, I had to visit the "Nami Usagi" (Surfing Rabbit).

Once I arrive, it becomes clear that one of my "goals" is here.

Nami-Usagi (Surfing Rabbid)

"Minna no Engawa Oumaruya," owned by a former teacher, has an interesting YouTube channel that I've been watching.

So, visiting here was also one of my "goals."

(Several story parts are omitted.)

Next is the approach and the "Path of Light" that I saw from the Miyaji-take Shrine stone steps, Miyaji Beach, and the first torii gate in the sea.

And the island floating in the distance, Ai-no-Shima.

Seeing them is part of my "goals."













I can see what looks like stone steps far ahead.

This time, my "goal" is not a shrine or stone steps, but the procurement of Munakata Ohsima Island-grown oranges sold at a shop on the approach.

I put two bags of four oranges each in my bag and secured them to the rear rack of my bike, "Potakichi."

However, when I pedal, they hit my heel, making it difficult to ride smoothly (even though I adjusted their position several times...).

Shio-Hama Drive-In

It's been just over two months since they opened, and I learned about them through the video introduction by the Tsuyazaki YouTuber.

For this trip, I've selected their specialty: the Aburi Cheeseburger.

Tsuyazaki was once known for its salt production and prosperity under the name Tsuyazaki Sengen. 

Although its former glory is no longer visible, just the mention of the place name "ShioHama" (Salt Beach) evokes a completely different image, reminiscent of its salt-producing past, even when faced with ordinary fields. It's quite fascinating.

SALT BEACH　



After waiting for a while, it finally arrives!

They primarily focus on take-out orders, so the burger is neatly wrapped in wax paper and handed to me.

It's surprisingly heavy!

Just by touching it, I can feel its massive size, comparable to the ones I used to have at a café near my office in Perth.



Loaded with plenty of vegetables.

As soon as I took a bite, I couldn't help but say, "Delicious!"

The tanginess of the accompanying pickles adds to the incredible flavour.

Without ordering a drink, I had been drinking tap water from my own bottle, which had become lukewarm.

But the owner kindly brings me a cup filled with ice.

What a thoughtful gesture!

With this, all of my "goals" have been achieved.

The target for the return journey is the last steep hill climb before my place, with no putting my feet down!

Thanks to the burger's energizing effect, I successfully achieved my target without any problems!

My thighs are feeling a bit sore, though. Ha Ha!