Call that snow?! Pah!

Arranging to set off earlier proved to be a smart move and despite the severe blizzards, 18 + 2 hardy souls assembled and departed Pond Hill pretty much on time. Our drivers then did a masterful job of negotiating the M1 and associated routes to get us to Heathrow in plenty of time for our flight.

Off we were whisked into the leaden skies bound for China,  where a mostly sleepless 10 hours later we landed. The enormous airport at Beijing seemed almost as a ghost town and once our luggage was successfully recovered, we met our guide and driver for our stay.

Following a banquet lunch at (what for us was five in the morning) we made the short trip to the Olympic complex. Such amazing architecture bathed in the sharp spring sun made for quite a sight, with the "Bird's Nest" meriting special attention. Sad to see so little of it in use and apparently,  now only on rare occasions.

Back to the hotel for a much needed freshen up and maybe a quick nap for some, prior to our evening meal. Which is where this quick initial update heralds from ....