Wooah!!

What an experience that was! I loved every minute of it even the most difficult parts because i did it!! I have now to go through my photos, around 500 of them, before i can put them online for you all to see. I will make sure i do this fairly quickly as i may forget what we did! Thank you everyone for your support, help and generosity. Love Christelle xx

Last day ...

Today is my last day before i go to China and carrying on with my crazy ideas, i decided to do my red letter day and go for a high speed thrill! So i went to Thruxton and drove a Porsche Cayman and drove for 4 laps! That was actually fun but was fairly nervous and was getting more confident during the last lap. I ended up with a score of 70% which i thought was quite honorable!! Anyway i now have to do the final preparation before i have a taxi picking me up at 4.45am tomorrow! Won't be able to keep you updated as i go along but watch this space on my return... Love x

D-Day is very near...

Only 5 days to go and can't get my head round it. I will soon be walking on the great wall of china and I have all kinds of emotions running through my head!! Mainly excitement though. Itinerary below so you can follow me on my journey! Watch this space for another message before i go and then lots of photos when i come back Thank you again everyone Christelle xxx

Itinerary

• Day 1
• Depart London Heathrow for Beijing.
• Day 2
• Beijing Arrive Beijing during the morning, where depending on our arrival time there may be time to take a city tour and visit the fabulous Forbidden City. On arrival at our city hotel we can freshen up and relax.There will be a full tour briefing in the evening.
• Day 3
• Beijing - Huangyaguan We transfer this morning from Beijing to above Huangyaguan (3.5-4.5 hours) where we get our first glimpse of the Great Wall as it snakes along the ridgeline of the Yanshan Mountains.The wall is well renovated here and it disappears off on both horizons.We walk predominantly downhill along the Taipingzhai Section until we reach the small town of Huangyaguan. Here the wall crosses the road that leads to our nearby accommodation. Approx 2 / 3 hours walking
• Day 4
• Huangyaguan - Mountain Village Huangyaguan is situated in a beautiful valley in the heart of the Yanshan Mountains.We start our day's walk heading up the steep renovated steps towards what appears to be a sheer cliff face.This is where we encounter "Heavens Ladder", a steep climb of over 200 steps leading us up the cliff face. Once we have caught our breath the path continues gradually up to the top of the ridge and once again the old wall, which follows the contours of the mountain.We drop down into the neighbouring valley and clamber along the wall as it gradually descends to the valley below.We bed down in the houses of a local village, a real cultural experience. Approx 7 hours walking
• Day 5
• Village - Jinshanlin Beyond the village where we sleep, the wall snakes its way across a wild and sweeping landscape steeped in history. Unfortunately, from here we are unable to follow the wall as it is in a state of decay and the rough old stones are loose and unstable. So,we take old, steep farmers' tracks up to the wall for great photos, tracing the contours of the hills.We then descend and make our way out of the village along a valley of fertile to our waiting transport that will take us to Jinshanlin. Approx 4 hours walking
• Day 6
• Gubeiko - Jinshanlin A quick 20-minute hop in the bus takes us to our start point just outside the village of Gubeiko.The day starts with the luxury of a gentle meander alongside an unrestored yet well-preserved section of the Wall. It appears to be of an almost brick-like construction here.This part dates back to the Qing Dynasty, the last dynasty to rule over this vast land.We wander down into the valley in order to skirt a Chinese military post before rejoining the wall for the final stretch up and along to Jinshanlin. A short walk takes us to our simple cabins for the night. Approx 7 - 8 hours walking
• Day 7
• Jinshanlin - Simatei Today's stunning walk on this largely restored section takes us from Jinshanlin to Simatei. Starting where we left off yesterday,we head up the carefully restored steps which take us up into the mountains one final time.The scenery is superb with rolling purple hills fading into the distance.We leave the Great Wall at Simatei, enjoying the view as it clings precariously to the rock face opposite; classic 'scales on a dragon's back scenery.We finish the day with the opportunity to zip slide across the lake and then catch a small boat ride back across to our accommodation. If you prefer not to zip slide it is an easy 30 minute walk down. Approx 6 hours walking
• Day 8
• Simatei - Mutianyu This morning we must first make a bus transfer (3 hrs) from our hotel at Simatei to Mutianyu Great Wall.The trek itself starts with a climb up the side of a hill for us to gain access to the wall, which is very well restored. Once more our efforts are rewarded by stunning views as the wall disappears off in either direction.We continue along the wall to the right before descending down to our hotel at Mutianyu.There is an opportunity to do some haggling in the markets before you reach the hotel, so carry some money with you for this. Approx 4 - 5 hours walking
• Day 9
• Mutianyu - Juyongguan After a transfer (2-3 hrs), our final day's walk takes us on a circuit of the restored wall at Juyongguan.The wall undulates across the rolling spine of hills offering spectacular views of areas where warriors once fought. All too soon the trek is over and we must leave the wall and return to Beijing.Our senses will be unprepared as we enter the bustling capital and experience its frenetic energy, quite a contrast after the natural scenery and remote tranquillity of the past few days. After checking into our hotel,we have time to freshen up before the evening celebration meal. Approx 4 hours walking
• Day 10 Flight back to London. Arrive London Heathrow at 20.20 in the evening