We didn't know it when we left but today's walk was a 7 hour brute covering more than11 miles - before we left Lisa and I both confidently felt that although the walk would be steep to get onto the wall it would be reasonably easy once We were up there. how wrong we were - the guide described the walk as undulating - I describe it as almost impossible. . We walked over 25000 steps covering 20 kilometres and at least 197 flights of steps. . . The only reason I could carry on was the amazing view that homed into the viewfinder every time things became too much. . . The view really was spectacular - as I type I am gutted that already the mental picture is fading. The end of the walk back down to Jinshanling Lodge was a bit blurry and even the poster exhorting us to come in and buy some soluble coffee didnt raise much of a smile.
However, a quick shower (it had to be quick as the hot water tank was tiny!) and a much more passable 'barbecue' meal - most of which appeared not to have been barbecued at all - left us feeling more positive. We had much entertainment watching the nearby youths get drunk on a single glass of wine and then it was into the Chinese name writing competition. We weren't good enough to win, but we were at least fortunate enough not to come in the bottom three. Rather surprisingly, Dave also managed to avoid being in the bottom three, despite us having added a number of 'embellishments' to his effort - as a punishment for him showing off about how easy it was. After a few bottles of cold Chinese beer we returned to our 'cells' to continue the party. However, a quick look at our room indicated that our time might be better spent packing as it resembled an explosion in a clothes factory. Tomorrow will be our last day in the wall... What a strange feeling.
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