The Great Wall’ker

I got up and started packing the tent at half past seven. As I was packing I saw something large moving in the distance. It was a herd of camels slowly moving towards me. I thought it was a wild herd and hid behind a sand dune and got out the camera. Then I heard someone riding a motorbike close by.  It turned out to be the shepherd of the camels. 40 adults and 20 baby camels. It was a nice start to the day.

I started walking after talking a little to the shepherd and walked for two hours at a fairly high pace. It was cool and the sun hid behind the clouds for the most part. After about 12 kilometres I got to a trucker station by the road and thought to try my luck for a meal and then sleep.

Inside, there were a few truckers. I ordered a meal and told them about what I was doing. When we started looking at the province map of Gansu it turned out I am only a few kilometres from Ningxia. That feels great! The Ming Dynasty Great Wall goes through six provinces and I will be finished with the first today!

The truck drivers seemed to like what I was doing and that I was doing it for cancer research. Before they left, they said they had paid for my food and stay here, as a gift. I was surprised and very grateful for that.

This is written at the trucker place. Will get up soon, have a quick wash before eating some more and then move on until it gets dark.

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Written in the tent: Well wouldn’t you know. The nice guy that stopped his car last night and gave me fruit, was the owner of the place I stayed today! He was dressed like he was going to a party with an orange short sleeved shirt that was open, a black tie and some dark, small and round John Lennon glasses. He was full of beans and lit off fireworks when I left the place. Always fun with original people and it was fun to meet him again.

I walked another 15 kilometres after the break. It started blowing fairly hard and there were a few drops of rain now and again. It has cleared up now. 26 kilometres today and 22 yesterday. Taking a break and sleeping during the hottest hours today has worked a treat. Will try the same tomorrow if things fall into place.