Saturday 7^th August, 2021 1115

Indigo hotel, Dali

After the idyll of Lijiang, Hotel Indigo was a comedown. For starters, no Club lounge. Secondly, they “couldn't take” my Visa debit card. I just checked my account and it has double the balance it should have – it seems Lijiang screwed up and haven't billed me anywhere near enough. So I paid with my Lanzhou account.

Here are photos of our rooms in Lijiang.

Last night we went out for dinner. Alice found an “Italian” place online, where she had what was very nice chilli beef and rice and I had the foulest-smelling Italian salami pizza I have ever encountered. I went hungry but did enjoy the most expensive bottle of wine I've ever bought (£60). Well it was a good Barolo!

Breakfast elicited a “yippee!” when I spotted pork sausages! I got some hash browns and eggs – no grilled tomatoes to be seen – but my unconfined joy was to be short-lived. The bangers were 'orrible. Can't win 'em all. Well I can't seem to win any!

And then just to try and ruin my holiday and rain on my parade I had an email from Brenda. Hi Steve, where have you been lately? (Dear Brenda, for flips sake! You know exactly where I have been and where I am now, including the bloody hotel because I sent you a detailed itinerary two months ago!). The provincial education bureau has decreed that foreign teachers are forbidden from visiting medium and high risk Covid areas. (Dear Brenda, Yunnan and Shanghai are GREEN!!!). The director wants you to return earlier than 22^nd, at least 14 days before school starts because you will have to quarantine. (Dear Brenda, My maths says that my return date is in fact 15 days before start of term and if I am teaching freshmen who are doing military training, 25 days early. Quarantine? With a green code? Really???)

They are seriously pissing me off now.

1. It's illegal in many countries to contact employees when they are on holiday

2. The virus has screwed up my plans enough in the past two years

3. They just can't leave well alone.

I have retained a couple of ICBMs for later use if necessary – 1. My contract expired 31^st July and my new one takes effect 1^st September. They are not paying me for August so I am not their employee and 2. Legally until 1^st September I am a tourist and not a teacher anywhere. 3. If I did return early would the Bureau repay me the money for the hotel room I have paid for in advance plus any added flight costs due to changes?

I know I should just let it wash over me but it's dreadfully difficult not to sit here seething.

Anyway, here are some shots of what should be a soothing view from our balcony.