It’s not only the English that are mad when it comes to walking in the mid day sun, some Scottish folk are just as stupid.  Yesterday I went to Dongshan by bus with the intention of walking one of the treks I’d been on before but as usual this can be easier said than done.  I couldn’t remember where we started the walk the last time so I went to the entrance of the park.

 

The road started to climb almost immediately and it was so steep in places I was walking on my toes. It wasn’t long before the sweat was running down the schuch o’me erse and everywhere else for that matter.

 

It was only early and I really thought that it would be a bit cooler out here.

I eventually got to the top of the ridge and came across a great look out where you could see right across to the other side of Tai Lake and really everywhere because I was on top of the mountain. There was no shade and I’m glad I brought my UV brolly to shade me.  I made the mistake of only buying one bottle of water but I did have 3 large peaches which I had to consume not only for some liquid but also for energy.

I made it to the top……….

I did not expect to be walking for this length of time because I was going to repeat the walk I had done before but then I’ve missed the track along the way and so I have no choice but to stick to the main road until the end.

I thank fully found the road back to civilisation and passed some nutter on a push bike going up the way.  Now these hills are steeper than Mount Coot-tha just to give you some idea.

 

I got to the bottom and saw some buildings and so I’m hoping for a restaurant or a shop at least,  only a shop but I buy 3 bottles of water and drink two of them there and then and feel almost human again. Don’t forget to carry enough water with you,  it could mean the difference between life and death.  No restaurants so I have to travel a further 4km to get back to the centre of town and the bus. Everything still seems closed and I can’t find food anywhere.  When I get back to the bus station I see a small place selling dumplings so I buy a couple of the big ones as I no longer have an appetite

My body is running on empty but I just get on the bus for the hour long journey home. To add insult to injury, there are a couple of old folk that sit behind me and talk as if they are at either ends of the bus. I don’t know how to say “Shut the Fuck up!” in Chinese yet. I can say it in a polite way but I don’t want to be polite.

Once home the shower and the aircon make me feel almost human but I am knackered. An early night for me me thinks

Fancy a cuppa. Below the local UBER

Now I don’t think the KM’s are correct cause ma steps are no that big, but still a good effort I thought