It always pays to be persistent

When my friend and I set off for a relaxing walk along the Great Wall, we thought it would be an easy day free from pollution and profit seekers. But I should have known that wherever you go, the money-makers will be there to get you.

Ben and I boarded a bus to Miyun, from where we planned to take a second bus to Jinshanling, the starting point for a walk along the Wall to the tourist spot, Simatai.

At Miyun we tumbled out onto the side of a huge, busy road. Immediately a gaggle of taxi drivers were upon us. "Simatai, Simatai?" they crowed. We wanted to get a bus, so we pushed our way through the group.