Today was yet another awesome morning to get out of bed for. That was two in a row now, so there were no complaints from me. I really didn't want to leave Matsuyama - in fact I was close to the point where I never wanted this pilgrimage of mine to end. I always felt a sense of sadness leaving some parts behind me. I loved Uwajima, I missed Hiwasa, and I craved the beaches of Shishikui once again. I was in love with Shikoku and grateful for the people who had helped me out along the way.
Except that old woman who managed the ryokan who wouldn't take me in during the typhoon. Not her. 

I was on the road early, sticking to the quiet roads as much as I could to avoid the busy road and the peak hour traffic. After a konbini coffee and baked cheese and ham sandwich for breakfast, I was forced to cross a very busy highway via an overpass. A ton of school children being led by what I assumed was a teacher had to do the same. And so I somehow got stuck in the middle of all of them, with the kids giggling at this giant gaijin who was unable to move ahead of the pack.