Today I saw three farmers and one shepherd in the distance, but spoke to none of them. Whilst walking the Great Wall, I noticed for the first time that this is taking its toll. Not physically, but mentally. Don’t know if it’s the extra heavy rucksack, or the fact that I spent half the day walking in pretty lose sand, or that I’ve been at this for so long that it’s starting to show. Anyway – I had a short talk with my brother which was very nice.
The sun sets at six o’clock now, and it is dark an hour later. I like to have the tent up by seven and write this report and eat. By the time that’s done, there isn’t much to do but sleep. Everything else uses batteries which I have limited amounts of. I should start getting up earlier. Therefore I have placed my tent where it will be hit by the sun tomorrow morning. That is if there is any sun.
The walking was hard today. No high hills, but I was constantly winding my way through the desert dunes. 23 km walking has resulted in only 15 or 16 km in a straight line. As I am still using my jogging shoes, the shrubs I walk though quickly find their way into my shoes, and often need to be emptied of small twigs and sticking seeds. The sand gets into them as well and quickly occupy the space for my toes making size 46 shoes turn into slightly painful size 44 shoes.
Anyway – the rucksack will be lighter tomorrow, and hopefully so will my spirits.
23 kilometres today
Hei!
Jeg håper du finner tilbake vandregleden!
Har du et tidspunkt for når du får tak i nye sko?
Kanskje du trenger noe fint å se frem til?
Nå har du hatt besøk av kjæresten din og da har du ikke lenger det besøket å se frem til. Hva er neste milepæl? Litt langt frem med det endelig målet kanskje? Håper du finner noe annet å se frem til annet enn den gleden du har av selve turen :o)
Fortsatt god tur!
Mvh BeritT
Hi Robert,
I had uploaded villages location of Shaanxi and Shanxi in great wall forum , it might be helpful for your coming GW route more or less .
The link is :
http://www.greatwallforum.com/forum/map-submissions/1013-villages-location-shaanxi-shanxi.html#post6979
From Lawrence of Arabia:
T.E. Lawrence: I pray that I may never see the desert again. Hear me, God.
…
Mr. Dryden: Lawrence, only two kinds of creature get fun in the desert: Bedouins and gods, and you’re neither. Take it from me, for ordinary men, it’s a burning, fiery furnace.
T.E. Lawrence: No, Dryden, it’s going to be fun.
Mr. Dryden: It is recognized that you have a funny sense of fun.