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 Originally made of huge bricks, each of which weighed about 12 kilograms.Very difficult today but mainly on the wall.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.