Tuesday 16^th April, 2019 1600

Ok, back in business!

I went on Monday to see if my laptop could be fixed but when I got to where I had bought it everything was empty and locked. A security guard saw I was carrying a computer and directed me around the corner.

I have no idea if it was the same shop, probably not, but they said they could probably fix it (motherboard replacement but to my suspicion no mention of a new keyboard, which had been immersed in red wine) and it would take a fortnight. Having by then soldiered on with the ancient relic I am glad I never threw out for nigh on three weeks, another two were unthinkable.

I ended up buying a new set and sending the other off for repair and with a little bargaining (providing only the motherboard is the problem) I forked out slightly less than the original one cost. I may well end up with a good spare! And this one has Windows activated.

Anyone who has ever bought a new one will know it's a pain to download and instal everything again plus cancel all the “make this your home page” stuff and the like, so that took a while.

Then came the task of downloading all the iPlayer programmes I had missed along with those I hadn't watched before Winegate. I am still downloading. It is important as we have the Test For English Majors (TEM4) taking place this Saturday and you may recall that come 0800 the school internet is closed down until 1700 or later. I intend to have plenty of viewing available otherwise I may have to do housework!

Annie and Alice came for dinner last night, it was a lazy one on my part with shop-bought spring rolls and samosas but I did for the first time make cream of mushroom soup. Considering how few ingredients went into it even I was impressed with it. That went straight into my little black book containing my culinary repertoire!

Regarding the job at Gansu Agricultural University (yes, it is called a university, much as I suspected), I finally had an answer from the FAO Ivy. I half suspected she may have been away travelling but couldn't be sure if either my old set was deceiving me or they had withdrawn their interest seeing as I asked many questions.

She had indeed been away on “business” (I assume she means school business) and she answered a couple of key queries. After an exchange of three or four emails apiece she said “thank you for accepting our job offer”. I have done no such thing! I have though now ceased actively looking for a position, the terms are considerably enhanced compared to here and age is not a barrier – most important.

After dinner and against my better judgement and state of sobriety I went with the girls to English corner, first time in many months. All freshmen who had never laid eyes on me, bright eyed and bushy tailed – I DO miss teaching English majors. It took place outdoors and the weather now is becoming warmer so it suited me, I could smoke. When the break came, meaning a couple of students sang songs and then they invited first Eli and then Annie to sing a song, both declined. I felt that was a betrayal and despite labouring under a heavy nose cold with a croaky (not karaoke) voice, I stepped up to the plate, as the Mercans would say. Not my best rendition and I did lose my way with the words at one point but I got there in the end. Annie will never hear the end of it!

Apparently the students want me to go again next week but it won't happen unless they lend me an e-bike. The venue is at a guess 250 yards from home yet when I left I had to pause four times, my hips were rebelling. Lately I have had to make the trade-off regarding a choice between joint pain and stomach problems and stopped taking my NSAIDs. I'd rather have creaky ball joints!

Oh, and it looks as if my entire medical bill has been authorised, Brenda submitted it to accounts. Now that IS good news given recent expenditure.