It’s very relaxing doing a morning ride down to the coast almost anywhere from the Yokosuka peninsula in the east and beach towns like Zushi and Hayama, all the way along Sagami bay and Shonan, over to Samukawa, Odawara and into the Izu peninsula out to Atami and Ito in the west.
Often you can watch the sun rise from the toll road, but more importantly you get to see all those outdoor people out there early – I mean dawn and before ‘early’ – to surf, fish, walk the dog, or simply watch the ocean. It always looks like a relaxed environment, so every now and then I’ll find a track down to where these people are, hang around, drink some tea and take some photos.
I have to say, this is much easier on the Hunter Cub, and reflects the fact that these people are often, but not always, on bicycles or small scooters themselves.
One morning in November, I stopped off at Hiratsuka Tama Saburo Fishing Port, which is a small marina at the estuary of the Sagami River. It’s mainly for small and pleasure boats, but it has a large car-park and supply shops and cafes to support a decent community. Most weren’t open when I arrived at 7am, but many owners were already up and milling around. Having grown up around a port, you get used to things starting early, and people paying attention to the tides.
So here are a few photos I took, some of them were shot in black and white, not in an attempt at art, but it’s been ages since I played with some of the Fujifilm’s film simulation modes.
As seems to always be the case in these settings, someone is always up for a chat and to explain what they’re doing, or just discuss the weather. Friendly people.
