Trek 2

Breakfast, and I use that term very loosely was Chinese style which for a lot of people consisted of 2 fried eggs and a coffee unless you like steamed seaweed or dumplings to help you start your day. Roll on Lunchtime!

Today (Tuesday) was yellow t-shirt day, the shirts were sponsored by Graeme and Janie Reid. A big thanks for that although we did look like a busload of canaries as we set off.

A 30 minute coach trip to the Dayingpan area of the Great Wall today and an absolutely stunning trek. The area we visited was largely untouched and is rarely visited. This was a massive difference from yesterday’s tourist spot and although this was a tough trek, the breathtaking views made it very worthwhile.

We got a family history from another of our tour guides, he informed us that he started talking at the age of 18 months, unfortunately for us it seems he hasn’t stopped since!

This section was built in 1520 during the Ming Dynasty and whilst it been untouched since then and generally in a state of disrepair, it was originally the benchmark section whereby soldiers were brought here to be shown the standard expected elsewhere. Despite being untouched it is still an imposing structure. We reached heights of 4500ft and were able to see the wall snaking through the vast countryside.

Locals talk about the wall being a Giant Dragon and this part is referred to as the Dragon with no Skin as through the decades the indigenous people have pillaged the stones to build homes and gardens.

Most people found today extremely tough going but ding ding (very very) good, We got four seasons of weather ranging from sun, strong winds, snow storms and very cold at times. We had a very steep climb across generally gravelly ground very uneven and definitely not fir for transport. We reached the wall after an hour and a half before climbing up one of the military entrances. You can tell these were made for Chinese people as they were very small.

This part of the wall is not for those vertigo as there are parapets on this section and too easy to fall over the side to a 60ft drop in places.

After a very strenuous walk we were ready for lunch, unfortunately today’s food didn’t really come up to scratch – Roll on Dinner!

The guys had a liquid lunch – soup and beer!

14 comments:

  Anonymous

31 March 2009 at 12:20

Four season of weather? The BBC says it’s sunny all over China all week and who are we to question the BBC. Stop looking for sympathy and get up those hills. Nice blue skies here in Ayrshire by the way.

  Claire

31 March 2009 at 12:38

Hi Val & Helen
Thinking of you and checking blog daily. Hope you are enjoying the trek and it isn't too hard. Sounds like you might be needing skies soon!!!
Hope dinner was better.
Claire and all the team at the Chamber xxxxx

  Geordie Poole

31 March 2009 at 12:48

Listen, probably not much harder than a kebab after Ruby Tuesdays and having to walk home to Kilwinning coz the kebab was your last 3 quid.
Keep your chins up.

  Anonymous

31 March 2009 at 14:52

Whats the problem Chris?. It must feel like home with the food. Anne cant cook or is it wont cook.xx

  John

31 March 2009 at 17:49

Hi All !!
Thanks!!! for all your support. Keep watching the blog for the adventures of Puppy?

John, Chris, Stuart and Grahame

  Anonymous

31 March 2009 at 17:59

Hey Mum (Isobel)

Hope that jacket has a hood! LOL!
We're all really proud of you, keep on trekin'!

Suzy, Kurn and Michaela xxx

  Anne and Steve

31 March 2009 at 21:00

Hi Ladyboyz,

weather is much the same here freezing one minute lovely and sunny the next. Keeping Anne entertained, we went to Su's party night on Saturday for a quiet girl's night!!
Spurrin ye on from Scotland
love Anne and Steve.

  Sharon Lindsay

31 March 2009 at 21:26

Hi Dad (Stewart Lindsay),
Hope you are doing well!!! Been keeping up to date with the blogs and sounds like it is amazing. Know you are doing fantastic and so jealous while being stuck at work Heh-Heh!!
Speak soon,
Love Sharon xx

  Cherry Berry

31 March 2009 at 23:19

hi uncle chris - the weather sounds identical to walking up the top end of sauchihall street! i have no idea what the time difference is from there to here - but im thinking its pretty big!!
you should be running along that wall to get extra fit for next year!!!
love nat xxx

  Anonymous

31 March 2009 at 23:44

Google tells me the next stage of your trek, Mutianyu, has a cable car. No cheating please or some of us may be looking for our money back. However do feel free to use the slide.

  Stewart L

1 April 2009 at 00:53

We really appreciste your support so keep those blogs coming.
Thanks shaz & Ann wish u were here.

Stewart L & Dad

  Anonymous

1 April 2009 at 09:02

Hi Folks
This Blog is a fantastic idea we check it first thing every morning and are excited to see pictures and here how you are all doing.
We are all so proud of you and this has become our main topic of conversation.
Keep on trecking.
Love and best wishes The Ayrshire Hospice Fundraising Team x

  Anonymous

1 April 2009 at 09:03

These pics and your comments are brilliant - we are all coming in to work early so we can read them before doing more mundane things like fundraising!! what a fabulous trip although I'm not sure what Christine was up to with the warrior. Scenery looks amazing and the steps are awesome - my knees definitely wouldn't have made it!! Keep the blogs coming. LOL all at Miller Road XXXXXXXXX

  AnneMarie

1 April 2009 at 09:38

Hi Chris,
i am exhausted just reading about you all, must be the most exercise you have had since you were a wee boy. Take care xx