Tuesday 4th October, 2016                     1500

I tried making bread again last night. Although I was having peppers for dinner I thought perhaps I might have toast and marmalade for breakfast this morning. I have a habit of guessing quantities when cooking, the only measuring devices I have ever had here being a couple of graduated beakers, however the new oven came with electronic scales capable of weighing up to 5kg. Quite what ingredient I will ever need to weigh at 10lbs I have no idea but I thought for once I would follow the instructions from the bread maker slavishly.

I wasn’t too concerned about wasting the flour because when I am paid I will find bread flour and the all purpose will be relegated to things like thickening or making a sauce for macaroni cheese etc. The last three efforts (bread, pitta and rolls) had produced respectively a breeze block, cardboard envelopes and cricket balls so I needed to find out if it was me, the flour or the recipe.

Well it isn’t me!

When it first came out of the machine the crust was lovely and crunchy and it felt soft to the squeeze. I had high hopes for breakfast this morning.

It was almost eleven when I got out of bed, no idea why as I retired before midnight. Well I have a bit of an idea, my skin has become so incredibly dry since arriving here in this arid climate that whenever the bedding touches my back it itches like fury and wakes me up often. Plus I think I have elderly upstairs neighbours who make their breakfast fresh, early and the chopping is quite loud in my bedroom.

Nonetheless, for once I thought I could face eating a morning meal as the plan was to go to BHG. Of late I have been hungry when getting off the bus and there is an underground food hall where you can get anything from hotpots to dumplings to sushi. The food is cheap and I have been eating at a table near a small outlet which does assorted dishes ready to eat (including sweet pork!) and one of the girls who works there is (yes you guessed!) rather comely. It normally costs me 11y for two dishes and rice - I told them I didn’t want their flavoured water (their version of soup) but just in case I get overlooked for my pay on Monday I am determined to eke out what I have to last until Tuesday. 11y may not be much but it would certainly feed me for a day at the local noodle place. In fact it will tonight because ultimately I abandoned the idea of shopping and might go tomorrow instead. That way I might treat myself to a pizza, I would make my own if I had cheese.

Anyway, the crust on the loaf had softened after a night in a plastic bin. I cut two slices and yes, it was soft. But it was STILL far too dense. It filled a hole but that’s as far as it went. I have to get this right and soon. Often I am happy to simply have beans on toast, rarebit or a sandwich but the bread around here is execrable. I will succeed!

So in an hour or so I will go and have some noodles (maybe the provincial speciality, beef noodles) and I will risk the wrath of Muhammad or Allah by taking a beer in with me. Previously I have used a hip flask and they must surely know I don’t have orange juice in it but being so blatant may be a beer too far! I will of course ask first AND take the flask to be safe.

From 28C yesterday we have dropped dramatically to 16C today and for the rest of the holiday it is set to be no higher. I checked on Chizhou and the lucky swines are ten degrees higher - mind you they are STILL a foreign English teacher short. I know I have mentioned it a few times and you may think I care.

I do!

I can’t remember if I mentioned this a little while ago but I found pork pies for sale online. I was really excited (I know, small things please small minds) and was planning on ordering half a dozen before the weather got too cold. They are not Melton Mowbray, they are Peter’s. I thought that was an Aussie firm but it’s Welsh and they are offered by the British Corner Shop for delivery worldwide. When I decided to see how much they would cost including delivery, entered my country and amount required I think you know what happened next. Not available in your country! Arrrgghh!

No, I won’t get frustrated. I may make my own if I can but first it has to be sausages. Any volunteers to hold the “snake” for me while I crank the handle?