A tough 6 days cycling

We are at last in Dunhuang after a tough 6 days of cycling where conditions were far from ideal.
Granted - the road is relatively flat - in fact boringly so, but the wind was evil and temperatures are plummetting.
Each day was in the region of 130- 140km and what awaited at the end of each day was a rocky campsite close to the noisy highway. Hence we are delighted to be in a hotel now with the prospect of two whole rest days. The beers have been flowing - and the Chinese make good beer - and serve it in BIG bottles!

Dunhuang once marked the extreme western point of the Chinese Empire and marked the end of the Great Wall. Of relevence to us is that it was the last stop for Silk Road caravans before they crossed the dreaded Lop Desert. This is the desert we have been steadily cycling through. Not too much to tell - but some great photo opportunities which I have included alongside. Dunhuang was also an ancient Buddhist centre and tomorrow we are off on a bit of an easy tourist jaunt- by bus- to see Caves of a Thousand Buddhas which are a World Heritage Site.
The rhythm of cycling sometimes takes over and it is easy to miss some of these amazing pieces of history which make China such a puzzle. Dunhung is also well known for its gigantic rumbling sand dunes. These we will also see and I will report back as to whether or not they compare with those magnificent specimans at Sossus Vlei.
Our days of camping will soon be over as population density and freezing temperatures make it a bad option.
We have four more days in our tents and we will mark the end of this phase with a party at our campsite at the Great Wall.
I will miss my familiar tent and cozy sleeping bag - but may welcome the hot shower at the end of a long and cold day.
Will let you know....