Hello everyone This will probably be my last entry for a while so Jane and I have just tried (unsuccessfully) to download our photographs. Technology always lets us down, so sorry about that! Had an unusual meal last night, called Chinese 'hotpot'. Went to a very hot, steamy back-street restaurant mostly inhabited by locals and were taken to the top floor and seated at tables which have big holes in the middle. Into those are placed a huge wok filled with ...

Hi everyone Good overnight journey from Beijing to Xian on a very comfortable train which exceeded all expectations. Xian is a comparatively small city compared with Beijing (6 million live here, 14 million in Beijing). It has a complete city wall, with a bell tower in the centre and four streets leading north, south, east and west. We are staying on South Street in a very comfortable hotel. I have my own room! Went to the terracotta warriors this afternoo...

Hello all Legs aching from yesterday's climb! Were taken by a local (Chinese) guide to Tianamen Square on the metro (underground) this morning. On the square, it really comes home to you that you are in a Communist country. Red flags waving, huge painting of Chairman Mao, soldiers keeping watch and vehicles circling to make sure everyone is behaving themselves! From there, we went around the Forbidden City, so called because, until the twentieth century, it...

Back again Please note picture! I climbed part of it today! What amazing views! Lots of good pics (when I can download them!). We went to a less touristy part of the wall at a place called Simatai, so very few people on it. Managed 7 out of the 12 towers in the time we had - very steep in places and very hot. Each tourist is accompanied by a Chinese lady who befriends you in the hope that you will buy some of her wares. My lady was called Ni; very friend...

Hi everyone I\'m in a new country! Arrived in Beijing around 8pm on Thursday evening after 14 plus hours travelling, including two flights. Totally exhausted by the time we arrived at our hotel, which is the best so far. This is our base until Monday evening, when we take an overnight train to Xian, another big city and heart of Imperialist China. In the meantime, we are off at 7.30am tomorrow (Sunday) to visit a remote part of the Great Wall of China - thr...