Monday 1st June, 2015                     1300

Last night saw possibly the nicest meal I have eaten in a long time. Simple salmon, cheese sauce, new potatoes and PROPER peas. The latter were very kindly donated in a tin by Ollivier, mind you although I was expecting small ones, these were minuscule - I have never seen peas that small. A really good way to use up the last of the new potatoes (there are still a lot left cold in the pan but I will make sure they aren’t wasted) and as I reckon we have two western meals left before it’s all over, I am thinking of pushing the boat out next Monday and having that as our main course. I have found whole salmon online for 100y (it would cost double that in RT Mart and for much less meat) so the plan could well be a goer.

This morning I decided to rise early for breakfast downtown and shop for ingredients for cottage pie. I thought I might make three lots so Ollivier and Kevin can finish off one in their own ovens and feed whosoever they please. I took the bus and we had only just set off when I received a call from Prof Fang. The automated announcements made it extremely difficult to make out what she was saying and all I could think was “don’t tell me I am out of a job just 6 weeks before term ends!”

What it was about though was that it had come to her attention that I have a “wife” in each class. This has clearly arisen because some student has gossiped about my dedication of yesterday’s song “Court of King Caractacus” to all my “wives”. Did I have a wife in each class she asked? Yes and I have had so for the past five years. Chinese girls are very innocent. I know but you have to realise they are chosen for role playing with me in class when I am trying to illustrate a point.

Ok, I also heard you invite students to your home for dinner?
Yes, every fortnight Kevin, Ollivier and I invite a student each and we treat them to a western meal which we cook - we TOLD you that two years ago.

Whilst it is flattering to think that the management believe I am capable of luring beautiful young students into my bed, the reality of course is that they regard me more as a father figure, or in many cases, a grandfather figure! I don’t give a flying fox if rumours circulate about me provided the powers that be are sensible enough to know they are precisely that and I don’t want to lose a job for something I have never done!

The bus trip back after my expedition left me once again exasperated with the people here. As of today the bus fares have doubled to 2y because the aircon has been turned on. Today it has been 30C and quite humid so it was most welcome. But some of the passengers opened the damned windows. It wasn’t so bad for me as I was right at the back of the bus yet not a soul said a word to the people by the open window. Had I been a bit more steady on my pins (approaching them from my seat on a moving bus didn’t appeal) I might have gone and closed it but instead I just observed.

I shall grab a siesta later before going to the “office” and tonight I don’t have to cook, for Ollivier made pizzas although by his own admission, the crust is too thin. One day hopefully he will take my advice and make bread dough in his bread machine and use that because from the look of those in my fridge, they will be more akin to tarts.

Wednesday 3rd                                      1245

Why didn’t I finish this entry off yesterday, you may ask?

Well I had intended to. Having spent all afternoon making three batches of chilli cottage pie ready for everyone to take home and cook at leisure, I decided to take a break in the office. I delivered Ollivier’s pie and suggested we go for a drink. This elicited the immediate response from Coco “Nooooo!” Upon pointing out that I had just donated their dinner and had spent all afternoon slaving in the kitchen, she relented but he was not released from her custody until an hour later, so he arrived just as I was thinking of leaving.

Now summer is here, flies abound, and I spend a lot of time in the office making it a no-fly zone. Such was the case last night and I was so intent on spotting the little buggers I failed to notice the gathering storm clouds. As I exited a few spits of rain fell, so I took the cape out from under the saddle and started to put it on the bike. Before I even fitted it over the handlebars the heavens opened. I rapidly finished covering the bike and hastily fled back inside, damp.

Hoping it wouldn’t last long, I sat and waited. And waited. Eventually I came to the conclusion it wasn’t going to abate any time soon so decided I had to brave it. On arrival back home I had to change my clothes because I wasn’t just wet, I was thoroughly drenched. Hence the lack of impetus to blog further.

The chilli pie was good though and there’s still plenty left, although I may make quesadillas tonight and freeze the leftovers from yesterday. The next event is the French “English Corner” on Friday night. It should be riveting seeing as it will be conducted entirely in French and Chinese!