Well what would today bring? Camp last night was pretty interesting, arriving into a village in the desert called Peach village. Locals put us up, in and around their houses, not much sleep as children and wild animals all around, god we hate that goat. The other thing was the early morning wake up call. Buses were booked for 4am and kit admin takes so long that it was a 3am start. Hugh is also having some  severe pain in his feet but we made it through checkpoint 1 and onto 2 in good time. A giant sand dune hill halted our progress, but soon it ended and we got to the checkpoint. The last stage was a killer, 12km over dunes, through gorges and by this time the sun was in full force. Felt incredibly faint at the top but knew there wasnt long till camp and battled on. My saving grace is my i pod, and if things get really bad i will use it but have resisted so far.
 
Tomorrow is the long stage and temperatures are set to rocket. Near the basin and can tell you at 8.30pm it is still around 35 degrees. If i can make it through tomorrow then I can make it through anything. Going to stick as a group for safety and get as much done as possible before the sun get too hot. Probably going to find some shelter in the afternoon before setting off through the night to camp. The next day will be a day off if we make it - cant wait.
 
Jimbo

Day 3
 
Well the good news I made it home, bad news is that my knees are in pieces and really struggling. So frustrating as feel fit and raring to go but knees holding me back. It is the IT band down the side of my knees, which isnt a serious injury but painful and restricts the legs moving. Took it easy the first few days and still did really well, in top third but just want to finish rather than time or position. Luckily there are few others with the same injury and went with them, really helped to go with them and hopefully follow them tomorrow. Anyway enough moaning. Man up!
 
I have to say the all the camps have been spectacular. Last night we camped overlooking a gorge, not quite as deep as Grand Canyon but just as amazing looking. On the other hand the toilet situation is not amusing, 4 holes for the whole camp and they are the most horrible places in the world. Cant wait to use a flush again. Flip side is that food here cloggs you up a bit. We have had a few discussions with the organisers as one of our tent mates, Fin got penalised an hour for take a number 1 away from the tents. Totally stupid as the rules do not apply to the top professionals.
 
The stage started out of camp and into the canyon. Then it was a long and uncomfortable journey to the checkpoint over river crossings and on big rocks. We then walked alongside the canyon on dirt/sand which was fine and made good progress. After that we faced up and down for a long while which was the painful bit. Then there was a long section to camp which tonight is a village in the desert. Local hospitality which is nice and perhaps a more luxury night.
 
Tomorrow starts at 3am when we get a bus from here to the flaming mountains, 36km stage, so hope i can just make it that far as more awaits but would have broken the back of the race.
 
Will update more later
Jimbo

Well another stage done and feeling better than yesterday but things are not looking up. Yesterday was a seriously chilly night up on a plateau. Should have packed a liner and a roll mat, although saying that no one sleeps well despite being shattered. In a tent with 9 people, 8 sweaty men and one aussie girl. She is good fun and doesnt mind the boy chat too much. Today started with a horrible first stage full of tough hill climb and steep descents. The second two were a bit flatter and managed to get some good pace up. Unfortunately I could not run this afternoon as both knees hurt IT band on the outside. Doctor said I need to stretch out. Probably a good thing as wont push too hard. Went with Nick Carmichael and Dan for a stage today which was more entertainment than on your own. The worst  bit today was seeing the camp on the otherside of the canyon, but was still a way away. Everyone is a litle scared about stage 5, 99km through the basin aka the oven. Hopefully make it through that in one piece, after that just 22km of sand dunes ahead. Best to keep one day at a time. We will see what tomorrow brings.
 
Thanks for all the email/comments. Both worked. Nice to have some contact. All emails are public so nothing too naughty. Also any sport news etc is much appreciated. Heard about england. Murray also through. Fill you in tomorrow.
 
Jimbo

DAY 1
 
Right, just before anyone had the illusion that this was easy, it was far from it. I am complete pain and everything hurts so much. I think everyone is starting to think why are we doing this.  Slightly bizarre welcome party on the way yesterday, everyone was introduced to all the local mayors etc, speeches, music and singing went on far too long for everyone's patience. The bus journey was also extraordinary as we git stuck 3 or 4times and didn’t end up at first camp till after 8. Slept really badly and was surprisingly cold. Lucky I brought so many warm clothes! Weather today was warm but not too hot, expecting 50c in the turpan. The stage today started well, we all set off from a village being cheered on by the locals, could not believe how many came out and supported us. Things were going great until the second checkpoint. Pretty flat but desolate place. Views are spectacular, mountains surround us at the moment, some snow peaked in the distance. After that it was non stop hills and mountains, knees were hurting on the way down. We all expected to be shortly but it just seemed to go on and on, one peak after the other. Finally we saw the camp from a distance and so relieved to be back, although another 5 days await. Shoulders, knees and toes. No it is not a song, but the place that hurt the most.
 
Anyway enough for now, but will be back on tomorrow! Please email me through the racing the planet website. My number is 80. Would appreciate something to read at night. Pass on to other to.
 
Jimbo  

So after all the visa trouble, we are all finally here. It was a fairly long journey over but the trip was made considably easier since we all got bumped up to the chinese business class. Slept pretty well! My sister isn't the only one who travels in style. When we got to Urumqi, I think we were all expecting a small village with a wooden airport in the desert, but it was far from it. The airport was the size of Heathrow and city itself is enormous and busy as anything. One thing we were not expecting was rain on arrival, apparently it does happen every now and then, but blue skies are out now and extremely hot. We have our final kit check in an hour and then catching a bus out to the desert at 3pm. Staying over night in a tent and then to the big race! Everyone slightly on edge but I guess that is normal, will all be better once it starts and we get into a rythm. Will update my blog throughout the week and people can send me emails via the racing the planet website, so would be good for moral.

Off to the desert!!!