Day 4 oh Day 4

17/4/11 Day 4

We woke stiff but not too stiff. Today’s walk was circular so we could leave our bags at the home stay. That said our enthusiasm for walking was somewhat diminished as we were tired and it was hot again. Zan told us that there was some up hill today which we took to mean it was going to be steep. We were right as the first 2 hours was an unrelenting hill in the unrelenting sun. Lunch was under a crappy tree and then it was down the other side of the hill. The views were admired frequently but in all the day was hard.

We arrived back at the home stay and Zan reminded me that I had enquired about going farming in the afternoon. Why Why Why had I suggested this? Well I had and we set off on a short walk to the field. 20 minutes later I was at the bottom of the valley picking up rocks and throwing them out of the rice paddy into the river. Hard hot work at the best of times but after 30 minutes I had had enough so politely excused my self and set back off up the hill.

Whilst I was farming James stayed behind but with out a book or I pod to entertain himself (too heavy) he had to resort to writing about the last 24 hours…


Crazy army blind date TV programme. Communist certificates of valour. Polyester sheets, rough sawn floors, mosquito net tomb. Cockerel, snoring, lights on. Headache - “Happy water”. Noise. Heat. Dizzy – poisoned? Wake up. Luke peering in, I hate mornings. Love to pieces, but face made for punching. Legs stiff, and not altogether functional – in a house not made for 6’4”. Sit on teenager chairs outside. Pig smells, noise, washing clean – brought in, don’t remember. Pancakes. Squat toilets. Wearing socks in too small plastic clogs – wet bathroom floor! Off we go – how long – not sure. A little bit uphill – Ha – 1½ hours unshaded. Hot. Sweat. Stick. Ache. Not sure can do this but know want to. Thinking of pains. Luke distracting. 10 minutes to village but lunch not here. Is it just me or is the plan always changing? Off we go. Legs seized up. Beautiful, misty, green, continuous terraces. Plod, plod, plod. One foot in front of other.
Wait for some shade which never seems to come. Sit on our jackets. Tuna and pork in tins. Leftovers to a family. Luke and James – resting, heads on knees. Necks and arms sunburnt. Hello-goodbye, Hello-goodbye. Theft of moped and/or bike – tempting! Downhill hurts shins, uphill hurts calves. Feeling dizzy. Guide stopping to point out the routine – just keep going! Shortcut down hill. Plod, plod, plod. Just a little bit more. Bloody Yorkshire tightness. This day just too long. Car up hill tomorrow – Oh yes. Back. Shoes Off (Peel off). Sit down, lie down, damn polyester sheets. Sweat sweat sweat. Must do stretches. Luke must do stretches. Luke nap. Drink fluid. Rest. Luke farm (crazy!). Nice welly boots. Bloody big spider. Look through photos – I like our house (sigh) – why am I not there? Indecisive. Hot. Tired. Ready for back. Well done me though.