Victoria called for a change of scenery as were we starting to get entrenched around the picnic table in the back yard. We all heaved ourselves out of our complacency and Victoria took us on a lecture tour of the temple, describing the history of the Jodo Shinshu sect, the meaning of all the altar decoration, and the identity of the people depicted in the statues and paintings. We were even allowed into 'heaven', the area around and beside the altar for a closer look, since Victoria takes very seriously the sect's beliefs in equal access to enlightenment.

Then at six o'clock we went up into the bell-tower over the temple gate to ring the bell. Pat from Australia did the honours, but rather softly, as we discovered when Victoria had a go and rang our eardrums out! Amy cried and had to be taken down. Lena seemed okay, and Sahara was wearing the earmuffs they usually wear to ring the bell, as doing it every day can be damaging to your hearing.