Sunday started with an early breakfast - "interesting." There was funny paste stuff and spammy sausage in rubbery inedible skin, a milky soup and cucumber in chilli powder. I plumped for soup with tiny shrimp, wonton and chilli paste, which was strangely nice. Coffee was OK too. There were also eggs on sweet bread, which Lorraine and Maria decided was the safest option.
I got to like chilli wonton / noodle soup for breakfast!
We set out early to get our bus to the Wall, again driven by Mr Shin. Having driven past some very touristy parts, it was good to reach the quieter area of Badaling.
With a tough climb to come, everyone did their stretches to Phil's dulcet instruction
... and so it started, with a good climb up renovated steps.
...which got steeper and steeper. The girls didn't enjoy this bit!
But we were all determined to make it to the top and back, as Phil had informed us that there are two or three in most groups who don't complete the first day. Red Rag to a Bull?!
As we started to move away from the renovated sections, the real beauty of the Great Wall and it's thousands of towers became evident
I think Jason really enjoyed his position as 'back marker' - he was never short of female company!
The path became less and less defined...
... and quite difficult in parts
... but the climbing continued...
...all the way to the top. Here we had to turn around as the Wall was impassable further down.
As we started our descent, we came across this chap in his pinstripe suit and flask of tea. It seemed surreal, as we were in all our trekking gear - but apparently he does this every day in his job as a warden of the Wall!!
Onwards and downwards!
When we reached the bottom, we were taken to a small local village where the grand entrance to the farmer's house pronounced a warm welcome to visitors.
We were treated to a nice lunch, cooked in traditional fashion by the farmer's wife. Not sure what any of the meat was, but we were too hungry to ask!
Our cook takes a breather
Love the cleavers & chopping boards - what health & safety??
At the village shop, Harry decided to buy a couple of bottles of the local liquor - 'Firewater'. The only recognisable writing on the label said '56%' !!
There was some regret in buying beer & Firewater to take to our next accommodation when we found out that we had to carry everything from the bus below up to our lodge
Which was a fascinating place... the two dogs that barked at us from a cage when we arrived weren't there the next morning!
The kitchen would have kept our EHO's busy for a week or two!
Everybody cheered when a plate of 'Western' food hit the table - yes, a plate of chips! The only trouble with this soggy offering is that they were liberally covered in ....... SUGAR!
So it was out with the Firewater and on with the entertainment - Ron v Rachel at armwrestling, which Rachel won quite easily after a shot of the hooch. Harry looks as though he's enjoying the stuff a little too much.
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