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The 1^st October marks National Day in China and is a three day holiday to celebrate their independence. We had been warned that this would be a nightmare to travel in so decided to take ourselves off to Hangzhou’s West lake for a bit of R&R away from the chaos of Shanghai city life. Unfortunately for us everyone else in China seemed to have exactly the same idea and at times walking around the picturesque lake was like trying to cross the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury after the headline act has just finished.

Nevertheless,  we walked for 6 miles round the circumference of the lake and despite the crowds it was beautiful and really well cared for. Being the active couple that we are we also hired bikes and followed a path into the tea fields and bamboo forests.  The scenery was beautiful and we went to a villagers house to sample the tea she had hand picked in the hills.  The bikes were built for the Chinese market so even with the seat and handlebars fully erected we still felt like Brand from The Goonies with our knees around our ear holes.

To our delight the local Carreforre supermarket sold red wine and cheddar cheese along with French bread. We stocked up on supplies and had a picnic by the side of the lake. The Chinese tourists looked horrified at our food - now they know how we feel when they tuck into eyeball soup!

We may well have been stranded at the lake due to holiday transport nightmares if it hadn’t have been for Jim and Lucy.  We met them on the train on the way over and they offered us a ride back with their car and driver.  Thanks again guys, we are really grateful!