This was another one of those days. Someone once told me it doesn't rain in Gansu Province. what a lie! its rained every bloody day so far... Not wanting to pack up the camp site in the rain, chilled for a couple of hours in the tent. Packing up was a wet affair and to top off the frustration had a stiff headwind to start off with. The headwind got stiffer as the morning grew on and eventually asked a guy on the side of the road where a good place to eat was. I couldn't understand what he saying, way too quick and way too messy to comprehend, but he gestured for me to follow, which i did. leading me into a small house and into the kitchen i was instructed to take a seat. in came his lovely wife, all smiles and laughing happily, whom began preparation on the meal. Still quite not sure if i should be there, whether i should ask if i could help or not, eventually decide to sit tight and see what happens. Learnt a bit about Chinese cooking; it seems they take about 2 hours to prepare the food, and then only 10 minutes in cooking the food. weird, but it takes so good!
 
Another 6/7 workers from nearby came and joined us for lunch at which time it was getting quite late in the day. As I was preparing to leave however, the original guy whom led me into the house told me I should use the Highway and not the 'old' silk as I had been using up to now. A quick side note: the highway is pretty expensive for cars to use, and prior to entering the the highway there are big signs indicating, amongst other things, no bicycles allowed. I have been very wary of using this way up to now as when I have tried to use it I've had police sirens whirring in my ear followed by shouts and people in general trying to run me off the road. So anyway, take this guys advice, and sneakily wing it through a hole in the fence, cross onto the correct side of the road and carry on.
 
Another major hill looms up on me and combined with the hectic headwind, grown even more from this morning, makes progress very slow. Good timing, however, there appears the Great Wall on the right and doesn't leave my side for the next 50km. The top of the uphill eventually dawns, taken a hellova long time to do 40km today... Suddenly, out of nowhere, comes a signpost stating: "downhill next 35km". Counting my lucky stars and ignoring the recent non function rear brakes, as well as the myriad sign posts and flashing lights indicating 'slow down', hit the downhill with a vengence. Rain comes pouring though and eventually after 80km cycle time pull into the truckstop/motel, looking like drowned rat, to retire for the night.