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The Great Wall Conquered
On Saturday 17 October 11 eager participants assembled at Heathrow Airport ready to board the ten and a half hour flight to Beijing. Ahead of them was a six day trek along sections of the Great Wall which would present some with challenges they’ve never faced before.
The group were there to raise funds for the Fishermen’s Mission which aims to alleviate poverty and despair in the UK’s fishing communities by providing emergency and welfare support to fishermen and their families 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Around 13,000 men and women work in the UK's toughest and most dangerous peace-time occupation: deep sea fishing. At sea, they face death and injury on a daily basis. On land, many face insecurity and debt. And life for the 50,000 retired fishermen and their dependants is no better, with debt, inadequate pensions and scant savings meaning no respite from hardship once the fishing’s over.
Weather conditions were ideal throughout for walking with bright blue skies and temperatures of around 15 – 20c.
After the long flight the group were met at the airport in Beijing by Gary Li who would be the groups official guide and would accompany them throughout their stay in China. First port of call on the way to the Hotel was a brief stop at the Birds Nest Olympic Stadium and the Cube (National Aquatics Centre). After settling into their rooms in the Qianmen Jianguo Hotel the group enjoyed their first of many Chinese meals before an early night.
Early the next morning it was off to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City and the opportunity to take in some of the famous sights around Beijing. In the afternoon the group had free time to explore on their own and time to buy some last minute provisions before the trek got underway.
The next six days were spent along various sections of the Great Wall including Huangyagun, Gubeikou, Jinshanling, Simatai, Mutianyu and Jiankou before returning back to Beijing. During this period the group trekked for up to 5 hours each day over some extremely difficult and challenging sections of the wall which gave our group a great sense of achievement.
On returning to Beijing the group had time for some last minute shopping at one of the local markets before taking to the Rickshaws for a tour of the Hutongs. In the evening the group enjoyed their celebration dinner and a few well earned drinks before the long journey home to the UK the next morning.
It was a superb trip and our congratulations go to each and everyone of the participants not only for the effort that they put into the trek but for the level of sponsorship raised on behalf of the Fishermen’s Mission – WELL DONE FROM IAN, ALICE AND GARY
