Frank has nine lives, we discovered
Leading us through traffic all swirling,
The secret of pure tea uncovered,
The temperature outside was boiling.
Stan's lychees were surprisingly tasty
And Rick's dancing on pedals was fine
Slip-streaming a tuk tuk was hasty
And Brenda asked for our Zodiac sign
The picnic was simply humungous
Peanut butter on slices of bread
For supper we had chillie and fungus
I think China's going to my head.
Tonight we really had a fright
As boys robbed girls right before us
Clive to the rescue - what a sight!
Just hope the cops will ignore us.
Day 5 Qing Yuan to Jiu Long
After exiting Qing along Happy Valley
We embarked once more on bikes
A bit of banter, shilly shally
Clive and Ken became look-a-likes!
Some hills appeared as if on cue
With gradients unsympathetic
The silkworm's life was mostly new,
Entirely peripatetic
Karst scenery finally came and stayed
While we stopped and snapped
For some of us the day it made,
Most other hills they capped
Rounded off in the Caves of Heaven
Wearing life-jackets in a punt
Well behaved, Frank's team of seven
For photos we did hunt
Day 6 Jiu Long to Yangshan
Roads in China get built as you ride them,
Concrete swathes disgorging in ribbons,
Villagers gaze, don't seem to mind them
Eager to help though nothing to sit on.
We've learnt the Chinese Rule of the Road
Keep moving and do not hesitate!
Accidents can happen despite the code
For some today that was their fate
Scooter carrying one plus two
Met bike on opposite side
For us there was no time to rue
Went to help, but one man died.
Lunch thereafter was somewhat subdued
But cycling stood us in good stead,
And then there was the effect of food
And the prospect of a 'comfy' bed
Outside the supermarket
Where Brenda and the girls had fun
Making each a photo target.
Oh Chokali, that's chocolate
We searched and found some Dove
Hitherto I'd been disconsolate
But Toblerone I'll love.
Day 7 Yangshan to Lianshan
So far we've liked all the tea in China
But the weather today was wet
How we wished it could get finer
But on that I'm not placing a bet.
So up in the van to the home of the Yao
Little minority people we learnt
They hadn't liked great Chairman Mao
Cos he rather have had them burnt.
Fancy dress and drums they played
Wearing quaint costumes of every hue,
Joined us in with plans they'd laid
To make Brenda dance and dress up too
Best of all were the headgear leases
Arranged by the little Yao ladies
Our "purchases" we found were teases,
To them we were but babies!
But others stuck to chillie.
Chinese characters seem like doodles
Must learn some, and not be silly
Left at nine to make the tunnel
Marking the end of Canton
Wet shoes still up to the gunwhale
Missed the soup from Wanton.
Ice cream stop as good as a freebie,
With crowds of happy faces
Wanting to stare at and touch each MTB
Look us over, from head to laces
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