So we’d been hiking for about 15 minutes this morning when a grapefruit-sized rock came flying out of nowhere and hit me in the face. I mean, hell, why not? They way things have been going lately I was practically expecting it.
We were a bit worried that some dirt or gravel was inside the cut, so we came back to Beijing to have it looked at. The good news is that the wound needed nothing more than a good irrigation and a few stitches. The bad news is that I’m not allowed to sweat for the next 24 hours, to give the cut a chance to close before I start pouring my own salt and dirt into it. That means tomorrow is another day off, the fifth day in a row we’ve made no substantial progress and the eleventh in the past 16 days.
Tomorrow afternoon we’ll head back to Zunhua, and the day after – if fortune smiles on us – we’ll try to string together two consecutive hours of hiking. Wish us luck – if you don’t see another cranky post from us, you’ll know we’re back on our way.
A little bit to the left, a little bit to the right or higher and the story could have been a lot worse. ‘Course it could have missed too!
How much longer does this hard hat area go on for? However long, us blog watchers are with you. Love, Mike
Sorry about your mishap, you seem to have had your share of
them lately. Keep your heads up I’m sure there is a wall angel just around the corner. See you soon, Love M&D
Hi Emma and Brendan
This epic adventure has been an inspiration to follow. Not long to go. Glad to hear all is ok with that nasty looking scar. Enjoy the family. And enjoy the last few weeks.
Tina
This is now getting exciting, I mean, it’s about time for some real action, some real blood and bone, some character building story colour, photos for the grand kids … you get the picture. You know, all that other internal foot, appenedix (was it appendix? I can’t remember because it was BORING!) stuff was an inconvenience an added a little paint to your canvas, but this is good, this is HOLLYWOOD!. Just the right amount, so no more please.
Just think of a couple of things to think of … you could be like those other British people that passed you … their book might be exciting but it won’t be as looong. Yours, on the other hand will be the Dostoevsky, trials and tribulations, blood, despair, lows and of course the apex, pinnacle, checkered flag, Pavalova and the ultimate … “please return your seats to their upright position”.
You could also be at home battleing over water policy in a country without any … writing about Trevor and Susan’s new house and their Charles and Ray Eames chair and their 5,000 litre water tank, traffic on Military Road and widening of the Spit Bridge … all that stuff is not going anywhere.
I’ll tell you, before you know it, your photos will be like the ones that people took of each other climbing the Pyramids … old and irreplaceable … you won’t be able to do it soon.
Anyway … we’ll put the party pies back in the freezer, we’ll take the fruit and cream off the Pav and put the bladder of fruitilexia wine back in the carton, and we’ll send the Toowoomba High Marching Band back to school until you tell us to fire it all up again. Who knows, maybe my little kid will be walking by then and could do the last few kilometres with you.
Love and wishes
G
I’ve been following your progress over the past year and appreciate all of youe efforts, both in the walk itself and keeping your interesting blog so frequently updated. Hope that all your recent setbacks are behind you now and that you soon start to smell some sea air. Would have liked to pop over and see you at the end , but there are still no direct flights due to the political situation. Love, Robert.
“Jeebers” wasn’t the first word out of my mouth when I saw that photo of you B, but you get the idea. It looks really sore, but I’m looking forward to telling Asher you are a pirate when you get back and show us that scar.
Wow, looks like a good hit! Good to read that you guys are now back on the road/wall again after your series of setbacks. I must admit that I do agree with some of George’s sentiments above. I think like George, I tuned out a little during the middle bit – ‘we walked/camped/our boots froze’ bits … and like any good fair weather supporter from Sydney I’ve come back at the end to cheer home the victory! And then kapow! Rocks raining down, some sauce on the cheek, can’t walk for fear of rubbing salt into your own wound (bummer), talk of quitting having walked 3 bazillion miles over 7 years and so close to the finish …. great stuff while sitting at my desk at work
you are still a handsome bean
u r still a handsome bean