I got up early today so I could set off to Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 with Christina. We wanted to make sure that I got down there OK and still had time to have some lunch together before I went through to departures.

We got to Heathrow checked in and then went to the pub for a final pint of Aspal Suffolk Cider and a curry. While in the pub I opened a card from Helena and my Mum and they both brought a tear to my eyes.

I said my goodbyes to Christina (see you in 3 weeks time x), went through to departures, had a quick look around the shops and then boarded the plane. My choice of seat was excellent as I had 2 empty seats next to me which meant I could lie down across all 3 and have a few hours sleep.

10 hours later and I am in China, Beijing to be exact.

The first thing after being picked up from the airport that I didn't expect to do was to use one of my straps from my rucksack to tie the driver’s door closed as at the first corner the door flung wide open and she was happy to carry on to the motorway like this. I said that I didn’t want her falling out on the motorway and that I had something to hold the door shut, so we pulled over and strapped the door closed.

It was about a 40 minute drive from the airport and when I got to the hotel the power had been turned off as they were working on the lines outside, so I dropped off my bags, grabbed a map and went out to explore the surrounding area. I headed off to the Ditan (Temple of Earth) Park. First turning the wrong way out of the road because I thought I knew which way to go, I was wrong. A quick check of the compass on my iPhone and I was back on track again.

I got my first taste of meat on a stick today. I stopped at a stall at the side of the road and ordered 2 kebabs and a Coke Zero. I am not sure what the meat was, but I told myself that it was pork and managed to eat them. It was OK, but not great. I will keep trying as I have heard that these stalls do a great chicken satay kebab.

I had a quick walk around the Temple, there was big book market on and there were a lot of people around so I didn’t stay too long. I then headed back to the hotel for a nap before getting some dinner across the road from the hotel. Chilli chicken, rice and a beer, 30 Yuan (about £3), I am in heaven!!! At least my chopstick skills didn’t let me down ;-)