Friday 26^th October, 2018 1715

Ok, so I have calmed down a bit since Wednesday. The email remains in my drafts, unsent. I felt it best to see what happened before throwing my weight around. I may still end up doing so but early this morning Janet texted to tell me my classes next Thursday would be in 402.

I asked if they had fixed the computer and she said yes. I am highly doubtful as to the veracity of the reply and fully expect to be disappointed and angered but I need to wait and see. If indeed it has been repaired then it begs the question, “Why didn't they do it last year?”

Last night (no idea how it came about but it was probably because she had never had one I made) Annie came for a flying bite to eat between her office hours and English corner. Long time readers know how I abhor both the former and it basically gave her thirty-five minutes to get something to eat. Accordingly I had sworn her to an exact ETA and promised dinner would be ready then.

The gourmet delight? Burger and chips! Now it has to be said that it is now two years since I last used the air fryer to make chips and I had forgotten how long it takes so the chips weren't the best, although she still ate them, soggyish as they were!

She asked after one mouthful where I got the patties from. I told her I made them an hour previously and I'm not sure she entirely believed me. I noticed she wasn't eating the chips with the hamburger and commented. She said no way, she wanted to finish the burger first! I think I have another fan of basically easy things to make.

Next Monday Alice has no afternoon classes and wondered if I could make a dish she had seen in a short video. It is more a breakfast than anything else, made from oats, banana, raisins, almonds, coconut etc (the idea revolts me) so I agreed she could come and help create it. That changed once she found out Annie and Eli are judging The Voice and won't come so it has been delayed a week. Instead, I will try and make coffee cake. Never attempted it before but it was requested by the Mercans. I'll give it a shot, along with something completely bizarre I saw online, giant Yorkshire pudding filled with curry.

It sounds disgusting but apparently it works. Saves making rice or chapattis too. Keep reading next week to find out if it's worth trying at home.

I just went to the jing jo shop and when I went out there was an old man in difficulty. I see him most days. I guess he is tapping on for ninety or even older and he has mobility problems. Unlike most elderly people he doesn't use a stick or a zimmer frame, he uses a wheelchair! No, not sitting in it, pushing it!

He was trying to come down off the kerb onto the road and the footrests were pointing vertically downwards so the metal was catching on the road surface and he hadn't the strength to force it forward. Well I couldn't simply walk on and asked if he needed help. He indicated for me not to bother but all it needed was for me to slightly lift the front and he was on his way again. Although I felt rather good about being a Samaritan, I could not help but think that he won't be around for very much longer and he really shouldn't be wasting any of the precious time he has left struggling to move forward a foot. I ended up feeling good and then melancholic immediately after.

We have a cold area now sweeping over northern China. Further north than here they are now having snow, we on the other hand are set for highs of 15C for the foreseeable and the central heating has yet to be turned on. I'm ok though with my new heater. At times such as this, from curiosity I check the weather in Chizhou – 23C! Lucky sods...........