China 2010

Today's been full of pattern, colour, noise and tastes: it was hot and foggy at the same time, we are regularly fed with the most wonderful fare - including Peking Duck - and the Forbidden City overwhelms with yellow, red, gold leaf and symbolism everywhere (It's looking good for being over 900 years old) and of course lots of people everywhere. Coming to terms with a country where everything is huge or vast is taking a bit of effort. This evening was the Chinese Opera which combines Music, dance, mime, gestures, acrobats and a story. Despite the language barrier we understood it all.

Our group of 16 comes from every corner of Britain from Bute to Cornwall. We've had a couple of lively discussions about the antional Guild, the National collection and the way ahead. I suppose by the time we're ready to go home we'll also have solved world peace.

Tomorrow is the Great Wall and then off to Xian for the terracotta warriors and the Temple of Heaven. Hopefully I will be able to check in again on Friday.

Here I am on the terrace of the entry to the Hall of Harmony where wannabe civil servants took their exams

Here's young Chen Miochang setting off after her lover from the Beijing Opera