Hurray - I been and gone and done it !!   

Well am back from the most amazing trip - it was hard work, there were tears, the heat was unbearable but what an experience.  Kept a diary of the adventure and below is a short summary of each day.

DIARY OF THE TREK

Saturday 17 May - The Adventure Begins - met up at Heathrow having left Edinburgh at lunchtime.  Met my room/tent mate, Siobhan who is lovely.  Had a couple of glasses of wine (to help me sleep) and boarded Air China flight leaving at 2035.  Not great seats on plane but didn't matter as slept for six hours on the way out.  Arrived in Beijing one hour early at 1235.

Sunday 18 May - First Sight of Beijing - Airport is fantastic.  Really done well in preparation for the Olympics.  Seems really warm though - thought it was only supposed to be about 19 degrees.  Turns out that China is having an unseasonably warm May!!  Got to hotel which is okay, showered and changed and met for evening meal.  Went to restaurant next to the hotel but not sure about the food at all.  They just kept bringing out dishes and it was nothing like the local Chinese at home.  Might lose a bit of weight on this trip.  Had a bit of a wander round the area and found both a Starbucks and an Hagan Daas shop so will remember those for our return.  We were all so tired that we were in bed by 2200.  Might be a bit of jet lag catching up, body clock all wrong and we have an early start in the morning.

Monday 19 May - "Dude, I'm Wiping" - have decided to go with a quote of the day and this is it.  Will explain later.  Up at 0630 and down for breakfast at 0700.  Ate, packed and got on bus.  Three hour drive north east out of Beijing up to the Sei Ma Ti section of the wall where we had lunch with the family hosting us.  Because we are camping in the region we have to be hosted by a local family.  Here we had our first experience of what the "facilities" would be like for the duration of the trek.  After lunch we set out on our first walk which was scheduled for four hours but took us a bit longer.  The scenary was amazing but the weather was really warm.   During this walk we observed the 3 minute silence for the victims of the earthquake and were advised that we should not wear bright colours for the next three days as the nation was in mourning.  To make it to our first campsite I had to cross a foot suspension bridge which is a phobia of mine due to the movement.  Made it across to a chorus of the Indiana Jones theme from the others who were understanding of the quivering tearful mess that got to the other side.  Made it to the first campsite which was welcome.  Bowl of water to wash in so no inhibitions in mixed company - just had to get on with it.  The quote above relates to one girl's first use of the facilities in camp when she was almost walked in on by her friend who thought she was finished.  Most folk had a beer on arrival but I am laying off the boose as tomorrow is a long day.  Wrote up camp diary, had a bit of a sing song and went to bed.

Tuesday 20th May - "It Was Like Sleeping In A Field Full Of Wokees"

To be continued.

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Many thanks for your support. Love Carol