Monday 26^th August, 2019 0900

So Boris told Trump to look at Melton Mowbray pork pies because they are available in Thailand and Iceland but not the US. The truth is they aren't exported anywhere! Perhaps though he can have a word with Xi Jinping because they aren't available here!

I had a call from Jody last night. I thought she had been quiet but put it down to holiday travelling or perhaps her other job and anyway I had my own travelling to do last month. But no, she has been in hospital for four weeks. It is not easy to glean information from Chinese people, at least not accurate information. All I can gather is she has a problem with her breasts and something else. No mention of cancer from her so I am none the wiser. When we meet up again perhaps I may get a more accurate picture. I'm not sure if she expects me to feel guilty about not contacting her during vacation time but I don't, she could have texted from hospital and of course I would have visited. Might even have taken some grapes.

Of late I have been experiencing disruption online. At least the online I want to be connected to. The Firewall Police are on overtime again and I assumed it might be because of the little local problem off the south coast.

I reckon I may be right. Last night I checked the news. Whilst I had some sympathy for the cause when they were conducting peaceful protests it seems now they are attacking the police violently. Nobody could expect them to simply soak that up. I fear they are shooting their own cause in the scrotum now and despite my previous opinion that there would be no repeat of a few decades ago, I am not so sure now. They are leading with their chins, not least of all because my world cup is in peril, just when they are playing it near me so I can actually watch the games if I can connect!

Mind you, after the match against Ireland I am daring to hope again. It's unfair to raise everyone's expectations like that and then bomb in the main show!

Tuesday 1800

Still haven't had a haircut or been shopping. I would have done one or both today after lunch, except Brenda called.

Did I get a message from the police station (meaning PSB)? No, no missed call or unopened text on my phone, which had been silent until she rang. Supposedly she had arranged an appointment for me to lodge my passport.

I gather they have a new system where instead of just turning up, you make an appointment. Wonderful if it works I suppose. You don't have Wechat, do you? No, I don't want it. Please you should download it because the appointment system is on it. They were very angry yesterday when a group of foreign students turned up without an appointment. Well can't I go to make an appointment and then again another day to the actual appointment? Please, you should download wechat.

I don't want it, wouldn't use it and would never hand out my number even if I had it. Something where Big Brother has unfettered access to private correspondence is not to my liking.

But hell, if I need it for applying for my new permit? I downloaded it. Only took an hour. Does anyone want my Wechat number?

I still don't have Wechat!

When you click to open it, you are presented with a QR code to scan with your smartphone!!!!

I have a thickphone.

You should buy a new phone. You mean spend ¥5,000 to buy a phone I neither need nor want? Fine if the school pays for it.

Needless to say my appointment is for Thursday at 1030 and I shan't be going. Alice will, and Brenda knowing my abhorrence towards paying out for known expenses and having to wait for reimbursement when accounts can be bothered, is going to give Alice the money.

Life here can be easier when you are old, profess to be stupid with modern technology (not entirely untrue!), are a bit prickly and yet have friends who help. Well come on – Alice's help has given her food, travel, luxury flights and hotels on me! And worth every penny.