Here's the driver coming aboard after doing a little exercise routine on the platform to take charge of this two coach monster.  I think it was classed as a limited stop express.  It's true that there were a limited number of stops at which passengers could get on and off but there were at least as many stops at other stations where the purpose was to allow trains coming in the other direction to pass ours because outside stations the line was single track.

This was a more scenic journey and took me through some of the area I'd passed through with Kasumi the previous day.  It was a lovely trip but the train took its time.

I had to make one change for which the timetable gave me 3 minutes.  Hard to believe but my train rolled into Oita platform 6 at 15.08; I nipped down an escalator, along a corridor, up another escalator to platform 1, jumped into the waiting train and pulled out at 15.11. On to Beppu as scheduled.

Beppu is famous throughout Japan for its hot springs.  A number of them baptised "The Seven Hells" are its principal tourist attraction and of course that's what I was here to see.  It takes a few hours to go round them all and do them justice but the first one is so good that in my opinion the rest suffer.

That's primarily because of the beautiful grounds that Umi Jigoku occupies.  The pool of bright cobalt blue burning hot water and its rich red companion are in a delightful garden with water lily pond and flourishing tropical plants.

When I'd been round all seven I had lunch and a wee wander in an area where somewhat cooler but still hot spots act as onsen or public baths. I also found a lovely park and pottered about there for a while enjoying the sight of kids squirting water pistols at one another or practising baseball.

I spotted this family having a very organised picnic.  Or have they set up home?

That was yesterday which was a beautiful warm sunny blue sky day.  Today it's raining (supposed to clear up later) so I went off to a nearby onsen early and tried to follow the proper ritual of washing and then sitting immersed to the neck in hot and allegedly mineral rich water. Probably more relaxing if you're sure of not making some faux pas by doing the wrong thing with your mini towel or plastic basin.  I'll go again though.

Now I've caught up with the blog I'm just waiting for the sun.