J178 – 6/13/2006

The camp was soaking wet when it got up and the rain, which started during the night, didn’t stop.  We took turns having breakfast in the camper.  Our personal belongings and the food, take up so much space that we can’t all have breakfast together. Dark rain clouds hung over our heads and accompanied us most of the day.

The scenery is grand and gives us the impression of living in a picture postcard.  It’s a delight to see, even if the weather isn’t the best.  The jagged mountains surround us in a succession of gorges.  The side of every mountain is terraced and a variety of crops creates different shades of green which are a visual delight.  It makes for a wonderful 3D picture.  Homes are scattered around the small plots of land and the only access is by small paths.  We are dazzled by the pink tile roofs which finish at each end in the shape of a horn.  It is the first time that we see these traditional Chinese roofs.  We are in the east of the Gangsu Province.  

Serge runs kilometers of up and down hills.

The profile for the day:

0km – 1793m

25km – 2071m

43km au 55km – 1840m

66km – 2190m

76,9k – 1901m

Physically and psychologically Serge is fine.  He is now sleeping well and his serious pains are just a bad memory.  For the last three days he can only speak of Shanghai and Japan.  Dinner is animated and fun and Serge has his share of jokes to tell.

Our next objective is the city of Xian, which Serge will reach next week.  It’s where new followers will arrive and it will mark the departure of our fine team.

In answer to more questions, we repeat some information given earlier:
 
1- new videos are on line, thanks to François.

2- Serge is running in long pants in order not to apply sun block to prevent sunburn.

3- The orange Mizuno racing shoes, named Paris-Tokyo, are custom made in Osaka, Japan and are not available on the market.