I thought it best since I had made my excuses to get in a hotel that I should perhaps repack everything and post some stuff back. Wise move. Previously it has been too chilly and awkward to strip the bags down and start again. Next to my radiator I was ruthless. Almost.

Popped into the post office and sent off the parcel.

Bought a scarf and a set of motorbike handlebar gloves. A neat invention that keeps your hands nice and toasty as you ride. Only 30rmb. The right one can also double up as a bum warmer for when the winds deflect off bumps in the road.

I do have a fine selection of hats and I was adamant that I should keep them all and not post a few back to Beijing.

They all have their individual merits I wanted to find out which ones worked well in what conditions. Roughly translated to meaning that I may have also developed a hat fetish along with my hereditary bag fetish.

Anyway. Wheelie was looking slicker, she was lighter and a bit faster.

The road was straight and long all day and cut through the landscape until it arrived in Inner Mongolia. Finally

Once again it was time to make camp. The temperature had remained at -6 most of the day so I knew the night was going to be cold. We headed into some fields. Ditch jumped out and circled wheelie like a presidential security guard.

Made camp and jumped inside the tent. To be honest I feel a bit demoralised with the cold. The scenery is fantastic, but there is a shadow I cannot shake loose from my mind. Realistically I don't think I will be able to complete the North East of China this year. I keep ignoring the facts put they are mounting up, with toes acting like royal trumpets heralding the arrival of winter.

20 million years of wisdom. Damn those Dinosaurs.

My insulated feet warmers are coming in a treat. A friend bought them for me in Beijing. They are basically little down sleeping bags for you feet and they give them time to breath outside of a sweaty pair of socks.