Saturday 28^th October, 2017 1700

With Mr Jing Jo having capitulated in respect of my cigars and returning my money, with a mere 30 hours supply in stock my hand was forced today. I had no option but to go hunting myself if I was to keep my addiction satisfied and cravings at bay.

To be sure, the cheroots I smoke are cheap but after seven years I am used to them. Other varieties are available but at double, treble or quadruple the cost they are not an economically viable option – plus anything other than my Wang Guans gives me kennel cough regardless of quality.

Having already tried the China Tobacco near east campus and drawn a blank, I really only knew of one other place where I stood a chance, the biggest CT shop in the city. The last time I went there they had none and the chap who spoke English had taken my number and promised to call when they were back in stock. That was three months ago and he never called so I boarded the 131 bus with very low expectations of achieving a successful outcome.

I have a feeling the English speaker no longer works there, for to my delight they had packs of 10 and 20 in stock! Had I not disposed of 10,500y this month I would have bought every last Wang Guan in the shop on the spot. However, in buying a laptop and repaying an aged debt I had left myself with a tight budget until payday in a fortnight. Five hundred were all I could purchase without risking draining my UK account of the last few pounds left in it.

With the comment made one time that I was the only person in Lanzhou who buys that brand, I contented myself with knowing that I had a month's supply in a carrier bag and doubtless when I return at least another month. Depending on how much stock they have, I will get as many next time as I can afford. It's almost enough to make a man turn to cheap Chinese fags.

I need to take a walk soon to buy some more gas. In over a year I have only spent 200y on the stuff which means on average I use around 2/3 of a cubic metre a day for cooking and hot water. I think that's somewhat cheap given I do cook and shower daily. Then of course on the other hand I drive the electricity woman to distraction as I have probably used 7,000y of that in the same period!

I know little things sometimes amuse me but the security barrier at the entrance to this campus often does so. The guards prevent any taxis from entering if they are carrying students (yet if they are in their parents' car they can pass) and the gate is manned round the clock. It is equipped with an ANPR camera, which activates an automatic barrier. Yet at least once a month the barrier is either missing or has been removed for repair or the arm is stuck at an angle in the air, having been grossly misshapen by who knows what.

Student vandalism is surely not to blame, given the 24hr presence of guards? What about cars crashing the barrier? Well, why? All that happens is their number plate is recorded until they leave again so no reason to do that. Maybe sometimes it doesn't lift high enough for the school coach to pass.

I have no idea and will probably never find out. But it is currently just off the vertical with a terminal crease not far from the elbow.