nomadnorrie From Sydney to the formula 1 grand prix in Shanghai, Beijing, South Korea, Mongolia, Russia, Ukraine and Europe. Final destination by train is London. Hopping on a flight to Finland, then on to Japan and finally back to Sydney.

I have just got back after spending the day with the the Beijing Hikers club. We went to the Yunmen Gorge just north east of Beijing where the air is cold and very very fresh.

Before this week the pollution in Beijing was not as bad as I had expected it to be. However this week in the city there were a few days of heavy fog and pollution that reduced visibility to only a few hundred metres or so. In contrast, Yunmen Gorge weather was clear, fresh, dry and at times even sunny. I could see that the sky is blue for the first time this week.

We climbed a ridge to get to a deserted village on the other side. Along the way there were lots of mountain Goats keeping an eye on us, as we moved past them their heads tracked our steps. We went up hill for about 2 hours but it was more of a stroll than anything else. There were a few older people in the group and that probably slowed us down, I think the oldest was the guide though - he was 61. From there we followed a trail along an almost dry river bed going back down hill and to the car park.

Gentle exercise, fresh air and some nice people to talk to. Same again next week hopefully.

Click here to see my photos

Click here to see the hiking club photos