Thursday 20th Sept - Mutianyu to Beijing - 4 hrs

Along concrete paths at first and then off into brush climbing steep rocky terrain as before until we reached wall. Very touristy part which was a bit of a shock after so many remote days. Ended with what you might describe as a leisurely walk along the wall to our finishing point, although there were still many many steps up and down. James gathered everyone together, he wanted everyone to finish together so he asked for his back team - me, Carol, Sandy Andrea and Gemma to lead everyone to the finish point where Kevin was lurking with champagne which he sprayed all over us like grande prix winners. We then all celebrated with champagne big hugs and congratulations all round. Down on the cable or toboggan. Back to Beijing via The Bird's Nest stadium, from Beijing Olympics Quick check in to hotel and out for celebration meal of Peking Duck where awards were given out. Mine was for most dignified trekker - (I think that was a nice word for oldest!!!).

Happy Ending !

Celebrating with room mate Sandie

Wednesday 19th Sept - Jinshanling to Mutianyu - 5 hrs

Started walking earlier at 9.00 today which was a much cooler start than yesterday. However by 10 the sun came through and the temperature was as hot as the day before. Jinshanling is one of the best preserved areas of the wall. Originally made of huge bricks, each of which weighed about 12 kilograms.Very difficult today but mainly on the wall. With lots of ups and downs and very steep and broken paths. Last trek tomorrow!

Tuesday 18th Sept - Guebikou to Jinshanling - 7.5 hrs

Same morning routine. Walk started at 9.30 at Gubeikou section of the wall Very hot right from start. Temp 30 degrees. Walked for 7.1/2 hrs +. Many parts of wall in a perilous state, eroded by years of wind rain and winter snow. Very difficult terrain with watchtowers and battlements snaking across the hills. In many parts it was more like rock climbing! Very challenging particularly in heat. When we stopped for lunch one of the locals was waiting with a cool box of coca cola and sprite and then about 2 hrs later one appeared with ice lollies! Finally we arrived back. Paper cutting demonstration tonight, which was quite fascinating.

paper cutting

Monday 17th Sept -Mountain Village - Jinshanling - 5 hrs

Feel fine - no after effects at all and antihistamine has taken care of bite.

Breakfast at 7.30 and started walking at 8.30 before the sun got too hot. Another hot day 27. A steep trail across the farmer's fields up to Three Borders Tablet where Heibei Province, Tianjin City and Beijing meet together. Descending to the village of Longmen after lunch to re-join coach and drive to Jinshanling. Hotel basic but bed more comfortable than last night. Very cold at night.

The local butcher

Our Crew James, Kevein, Alex and Louise

Sunday 16th Sept -Huangyaguan - Mountain Village 7 hrs

Up at 6.15 - breakfast and on the wall for 8.30. We headed up on a restored section of the wall. A tough section but we were rewarded with stunning views over the Yanshan Mountains and the region below. By mid morning we reached Heavens Ladder a very narrow steep climb of over 300 steps. There was a handrail but behind the handrail there was barbed wire which would stop a fall but not very pleasantly! The next bit was more varied with mud slopes and stone boulders and one particular spot three of the boys had to position themselves to help us up because the step was waist high. Very hot 30 degrees. After lunch we walked on up,up,up through shrubs and bracken, for miles. With very steep drops on both sides. Incredibly difficult terrain with boulders and scree along the barely visible path, and undergrowth scratching any bare piece of skin. At some point I appear to have been bitten or stung as I have quite a large lump on my arm. What a walk winding around sections of the old wall then a very steep hazardous descent into the valley and the mountain village where we were spending the night in a hostel which had recently been re-furnished so was very clean although very basic. Some shared dormitory type rooms with one large bed for six people!! Time for a shower and change of clothes and down for dinner, followed by a happy gathering round a bonfire. Very cold at night. Some locals were singing karaoke in one of the hostel rooms so everyone went to join in, which was fun.Very cold so we retired to bed at about 9.30. An incredible walk with so many different types of terrain, using every muscle in the legs. Not sure how I am going to feel in the morning but considering the difficulty of the walk I don't feel too bad at the moment!!!Beds hard, no mattress (just a table) .

The Great Wall of China at last!! Huangyoguan

2 hr orientation walk today, just to warm us up!! 27 degrees, warmer than I expected. Lots of steps - as promised!
This section of the wall was originally built in 557 AD. It was repaired for the first time in the Ming Dynasty and for the second time in 1985. It is particularly stunning because of its water towers, which have all been restored to their former majestic glory.
It was hot work in the sun and my legs felt like jelly after the downhill stretch, but I can't wait until tomorrow to explore more. The surrounding scenery is absolutely stunning.

Sunday 2nd Sept = Knaresborough Round – 21 miles (8 Hrs)

With James, Hannah and Bear. It was a beautiful sunny day and we set off with a spring in our steps as this was the penultimate walk in my training programme and the last really long one. It wasn’t difficult terrain but as a lot of it was on roads and farm tracks it was hard on the feet and I had to relinquish my back pack to James just after half way because I was feeling some discomfort from my fall last week. The very worst part of the walk was through a very large wood (for about 1.5 miles). It was so muddy it was hard to stay on your feet and it was especially difficult because of the brambles intertwined across the path trying to trip us from every angle and the very tall spiteful nettles waiting to sting us as we survived the mud and the brambles!! Hannah came off worst as she was wearing shorts - ouch! We eventually arrived in the pretty village of Goldsborough where we found the Bay Horse pub open and treat ourselves to a very enjoyable cold drink.The final part of the walk along the river on the way back into Knaresborough town was particularly pretty but we were three very weary trekkers when we finished our day with a chinese meal in Knaresborough itself before driving home.

Friday August 31st – Ilam & Dovedale, Peak District, Derbyshire – 7 miles (3.5 hrs)

With Derek and Bear – A beautiful walk through some of the most spectacular Peak District countryside to Ilam Hall a National Trust property, the surviving part of which is now a youth hostel through Ilam country park and on to the most popular section of Dovedale where Bear enjoyed a good splash about in the river.

Tuesday 28th August – Rudyard Lake Reservoir, Near Leek, Staffs – 3 Hrs (6 miles)

A nearly level walk around this fine stretch of water along the tracks and bridleways that form part of the Staffordshire Way.  Lunch of a bacon and egg bap outside the lakeside café in the sunshine was the perfect end to the walk.

Sunday 26th August - Bakewell - Winster - Haddon Park - 18 miles (9 hrs)

With Daniel and Bear. the weather forecast was not good and the previous day had seen some torrential rain so we were prepared for wet and muddy terrain and that is exactly what we got!  We had only been going for about an hour when the rain started but it conveniently stopped after about three hours - just in time for lunch.   We enjoyed beautiful views of the surrounding countryside and the heather in full bloom on Stanton Moor was stunning. As we returned we had a great reminder of our balloon ride last year when we saw the Virgin hot air balloon taking off over Bakewell for the evening excursion.  A very enjoyable day in spite of the weather and the fall I had! With bruised knees and ribs I kept going with the lovely thought of a hot bath and cool glass of wine at the end of the day! It only hurts now when I laugh!

                             

Friday 24th August - Winterset Anglers Park Nr Crofton, Wakefield - 2 Hrs - (6 miles)

With Anne and Bear. I have been meaning to visit this water park for years as I have noticed the signs just opposite Nostell Priory many times. It was a sunny morning and we enjoyed a lovely peaceful walk around the lakes. It was very quiet and tranquil - a most enjoyable way to spend time with a good friend and feel good about taking some exercise at the same time. I will definitely walk here again.

Monday 20th August - Bretton Country Park, Bretton - 6 miles (2 Hrs)

With Josie and Bear. I had printed off a walk round Bretton Park from the AA website which I thought might be a bit different! After the first two directional instructions we were lost! How did that happen? But we reverted to paths that we knew and enjoyed a very pleasant walk anyway.

Saturday August 18th - Sprotborough Falls - Barnburgh Cliff - Denaby Ings - Conisbrough - 19 miles - 7 Hrs

With Frances and Bear. This figure of 8 walk started at the popular beauty spot of Sprotborough Falls, on the river Don around Sprotborough Flash Nature Reserve and up the Don Gorge section of the Pennines Trail.  Most of the walk was along level paths and not at all difficult so we managed to keep up a good pace - exercising our legs and our tongues to a similar degree!  Passing through Conisbbrough, past the castle and back along the opposite river bank, which was nowhere near as pleasant as the first part of the walk. 

Sunday 12th August - Cawthorne, Silkstone Waggonway & Tramway - 5 Hrs (12 miles)

With Elizabeth amd Bear - Starting at Cannon Hall, we had to do a bit of a detour when we met the runners of the Cannon Hall run coming in at the beginning of the walk but once we had worked out where we were we enjoyed an energetic walk mainly following the Bridleway which runs through the village of Silkstone, formerly the route of a horse-drawn waggonway which was built in 1809 by the Barnsley Canal Navigation Company. Then back through the pretty village of Cawthorne back to Cannon Hall.

Monday 6th August – Whernside – 10 miles (5 hrs)

With Ann and Patrick. Starting from Ribblehead viaduct this Yorkshire Dales walk climbs to the summit of Whernside, one of Yorkshire's 'Big Three'. At 2,414 ft it is the highest point in the whole of North, South and West Yorkshire. We set off in poor weather conditions with Ingleborough ad Pen-Y-Ghent being obscured by low cloud and mist. However as it turned out all of the rain passed us by and by the end of the walk the sun was shining and we were able to enjoy the magnificent views over the other two peaks and on the other side we could see right over as far as the west coast.

Patrick and Ann

Ribblehead Viaduct with Whernside covered in mist in distance

The steepest bit!

View to Ingleborough

View to Pen-Y-Ghent

View of Whenside at the end of the day

Monday 30th July – Bretton Country Park – Clayton West and Emley – 13 miles (7 hrs)

With Bear and June, June is an amazing 73 year old lady that I first met on my Peru Trek whose energy and enthusiasm is inspirational. Starting out at Bretton Country Park in the beautiful Dearne Valley we climbed out of the valley to Clayton West and on up to Emley Moor with its towering TV mast enjoying beautiful views before picking up the Kirklees Way and then the Dearne Way back to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.This was quite a test for me as I was in charge of the map and directions but it all went well and we thankfully didn’t take any wrong turns. It was also a bonus having June along as she has done the Great Wall of China trek and this was the perfect opportunity for me to get some insight into what lies ahead in just 6 weeks!

June and Bear

Saturday 28th July – 9 miles through the local woods and another 320 steps!!

Sunday 22nd July – Bolton Abbey, Simon’s Seat and Trollers Gill from Strid Wood – 13 miles (7 Hrs)

With James and Hannah (No Bear this time as dogs are not allowed on the permissive footpaths of the Bolton Abbey estate). This is one of the most difficult walks I have done climbing through the Valley of Desolation on to Barden Fell up to the highest point of 485m at Simon’s Seat with a tricky descent. Well worth the effort though with fantastic views. At Appletreewick we stopped and enjoyed a very pleasant, well earned lunch break before returning to Bolton Abbey along the River Wharfe, with some interesting Olympic themed sculptures in the Woods in the Abbey grounds!

Simon's Seat

View from Simon's Seat