One small step for lynsey, one giant leap for matt - The Great wall of China - Part 2

We setoff to the great wall of china at 7am one hazy morning, breakfast was rushed as a consequence not enough coffee was taken on board! The journey took around 2 hours which provided some time to catch up on sleeeep. When we arrived it was colder than most winters in the uk. Several T'shirts, Jumper, Coat, Gloves & hat didnt cut the mustard! We took the enclosed chair-lift to a half way point, with only 2 nutters from our group choosing to walk up, Big respect to JP & Tina! =) Although this meant our leader, nicole, had to walk up with them.

We set-off with Natasha, Alan & june to walk to the furthest / highest point we could get to on the wall. It took around 1.5hrs to get to the top. Passing through several pain barriers, numerous rests & hundereds of photo oppotunities we reached the final climb. The last part was a stupidly steep set of steps, certainly not for people with Vertigo. Most went up on there hands & knee's. Cause we got there so early we had the wall to our selves & being the low season it was great, although bitterly cold! When we reached the top, it was surprisingly warm with no wind, strange yet welcomed. The views were fantastic, taking time for our now traditional homer shot ;) You would of thought the walk down would of been easier, but all of the steps are different sizes, which makes for an amusing yet dangerous time. All the pain, burning legs, and out of breath sections were still worth it - you cant get views like that anywhere else..

Once back down onto the lower part of the wall, we setoff to find the tobogan run. The Tobogan was a weaving run all the way to the bottom where we first got the cable car. The guys who ran it didnt speak much english, & just said push forward to go fast, pull back to break. I tried to communicate that i didnt want to use the break, and he assured me i didnt need to, if i didnt want to. I dont think he understood! I went down first lynsey followed, as they were single person tobogans. At most corners i encountered some guys screaming break break, corners, slow down!!!! But i carried on, nearing the edge, too close a few times. Lynsey was actually told to slow down once, and appeared at the bottom shortly after me. We both wanted to have another go, but time was running out & we had to find the bus back, we dont like making the rest of the group wait, which cant be said for all of the group ;) Some members need a new watch ;) Cracking fun tho...