Tuesday 26th February, 2013                 2200

I would be telling a porky of epic proportions if I said today wasn’t a wrench - after nearly two months of idleness I was absolutely shattered just doing one class after lunch!

Do it I did of course, and it was a freshman class, one of my new batch of “favourite” classes. Tomorrow it gets harder with the early starts, so very soon I will be calling it a day - nothing worse than trying to teach when you are dog-tired.

I took the mutt out after I finished and intended to have but two ales and ended up having four. This was because various students stopped to chat, including Petty whose class I was informed I have. I am wondering if hers is the class I was advised I had never had before. It may well be and may comprise a few old faces with many new ones, time will tell.

I really couldn’t work up any enthusiasm to go back out for dinner after I came back so ended up doing three small jacket spuds in the microwave - lucky I had some. At last I have heard from Qing. She has been in hospital and has had her appendix removed. She tells me that soon she will come back here.

I should be ecstatic but she informed me she was thinking of staying in an ex classmate’s dormitory rather than here. If this was anywhere in the west I would confront her for concocting the most implausible reason, but as this is the land where everyone believes putting linen out to air in the sunshine sterilises it, drinking cold water is bad for your health etc I am only halfway between thinking she made it up and that in fact she was indeed advised this. She says the doctor told her that exposure to animal fur (she has no allergies) can cause her to become barren! I could understand if her wound wasn’t healed that it might be an infection risk, but rendering women infertile? If that was the case 80% or more of the female population of the UK would be incapable of breeding! What sways me towards believing her is the time Kiki suffered a stye and the doctor advised her to return in a few days for an operation. I advised her to wait a little longer so it would come to its natural conclusion. I know who was right and who was the one trying to make money. I understand there is a minuscule danger of pregnancy complications after you conceive from cat fur or contact with the litter but this really left me dumbfounded.

So at this moment I have no idea what is happening because she is offline. I really don’t have much patience these days when it comes to such idiocy.

Wednesday 27th         2000

An even bigger shock this morning getting up at six thirty! It wasn’t helped by the cats breaking into my cabinet and raining spice bottles down on the deck, resulting in me getting up to put them back and secure the door again. I really should have taken the opportunity to swap wardrobes when Patrick left for one with a working lock. Matters of course get compounded because being rudely awoken unnecessarily leaves you ever so slightly angry and it is hard to drop off again.

I had Joanna’s class first thing and I have to say they disappointed me a little because they were not very active. For now I am putting it down to the fact they have only just come back, they had no oral classes last term and I doubt any of them spoke a word of English during the holidays. In fact my afternoon class which was one of my three year bunches, was inordinately active and before I knew it we were done for the day. I was jaded by the end.

Tonight I am definitely going to have my head down early - I hate being fatigued because unlike most here I don’t have the capability of taking a catnap, I simply either lie there awake or when I do fall asleep and get ten minutes I feel terrible when I wake up! Come to think of it, I couldn’t do it when I was young either…….

So that’s it for today, liver is boiling for the pets and once that is served I am having chilli with bread and butter, very nice. The forecast tomorrow could be anything depending on which website you look at - variously they are predicting rain, snow or sunny and 21C. I am pinning my hopes on the latter and accordingly the bike is on charge in case I can ride to town in the afternoon. I need more meat.

Sunday 24th February, 2013          2030

Lantern festival day. I had harboured thoughts of taking the bike to town (forget the bus now the students are reappearing) in the hope of seeing and snapping a lantern dragon because there will have been one in the town centre. The weatherman let me down and instead of a nice warm and dry day we had a not so warm and with hints of rain one instead. Combine that with my staying up until after 0300 watching the rugby and you can see why I went off the idea. Mind you, it will be nice to see Ollivier again tomorrow so we can discuss his earlier prediction that France would win the 6 nations - I will not rub it in of course!

Still, not going out means shortly I will use the leftover frittata which otherwise would probably have gone to waste. When I took Muttley out earlier I saw a handful of my students, the shops and cafes are slowly opening again and the bakery looks as if it is gone. I never used it - well, apart from the few times I did when I first arrived and then discovered everything they made was disgusting - but I am sure the students will miss it, although there is another one outside which they can walk to. The place is being refitted as another eatery. I went in for a nose and I would guess it will be another few days before they are ready. Whether their fare will interest me is debatable, from the look of the menu signs I think they will offer basically the same as you can get in the other cafes. If someone opened up a proper burger place or even a KFC type fried chicken shop on campus they would make an absolute fortune from the students. I wish I was in a position to do so!

So tomorrow I go and try to reclaim my old classes and at some point I do want to go to town. It looks as if I will run out of smokes before matey gets his delivery so I need to try and source a few days worth. You never know, it might actually approach the 18C we have been promised but I won’t hold my breath.

Monday 25th       1830

Either Ollivier hasn’t returned yet or he is keeping a low profile because he knows he will get a ribbing!

As for the classes, things got a little complicated although it was all done via text or phone call. It transpired that Kevin only had one of my lot and the other had been given to a Chinese teacher. Quite how a Chinese teacher can teach oral English authentically when they appear to have only graduated a year ago is beyond me. I stole back the class they gave to Kevin although he did tell me the school’s reaction was to call him and ask him to agree to take what is apparently a new class who have just appeared and are on my schedule. Doubtless they will be three year students returning for a further two years to try to improve their qualifications. Equally they will be awful to teach so I certainly don’t blame him.

Kevin quite rightly refused and to be honest my intention was not to swap classes, simply reclaim my chicks.  I got Joanna’s class back but was told it was not possible to get class two as they had been allocated to a Chinese teacher. I was less than content and, whilst sitting at the shops mulling over a beer, I suddenly wondered if they wouldn’t give me the other class because they thought I wanted to offload the newcomers. I sent a text and it would appear I was right because I now have all my babies back. I am sure they think I am completely bonkers but I am so happy tonight to have given myself loads of extra work! The only downside is that due to constraints, whereas originally I only had 0820 starts on Monday and Friday, I have them on Wednesdays and Thursdays as well. Looks like I will be going to bed early all this semester!

The campus is buzzing again and it was good to see many of my students - it is incredible that I find I miss them when they are not here even though I enjoy the holidays.

At lunchtime Kevin and I went downtown in his car. I wanted to get cigars and he wanted some screws to reattach his motorbike cushion. His man still hasn’t got my smokes but he did have the café crème ones so I bought them to tide me over until the delivery. We lunched at KBW and then he went to the hardware place. I decided to go in with him because believe it or not I had no idea where to buy screws, tools etc other than the few on offer in  Lottemart. I am on record as saying that to me DIY means Don’t Involve Yourself but you never know when you might need something. I am glad that now I know where to go. They even had bottlescrews and I haven’t seen one of those since my seafaring days. I also now know where I can buy rope, something else I have never seen for sale here.

So, back to (an extended) grindstone tomorrow but at least it will break me in gently with just an hour and a half after lunch. At least it is warming up again - I only needed a sweater today.

Saturday 23rd February, 2013       2100

A busy day and not one helped by the cats breaking into a cupboard and cascading spice jars onto the floor in the small hours. Couple that with the dawn stampede and you get the picture that perhaps I woke up less than refreshed.

However although for the ride to town I did need my coat I certainly wouldn’t have if I was walking, it was a lovely day. My problem was that I couldn’t eat much at all at lunch because the frittata was still with me. I did enjoy my time with Crystal and Jim though, seeing as I won’t see either of them again for a while. He is taking driving lessons until going back to school in March, she is leaving for her school on Monday although as it is a year before she will go to America she did say perhaps we can do it again in the summer holidays.

It transpires her father is not the dean of the history department. He was a history teacher but is now head of the teaching dept - whatever that is. The best I could garner was that his dept oversees all the teachers but I am none the wiser. Mind you, in a place that has a foreign affairs dept with a staff of five to look after three foreigners it is not hard to be confused.

After lunch it was bank, chemist, supermarket. Then back home. I decided it would be too cold a ride home if I stayed downtown for dinner so I came back and then went out again by bus later. After meeting the childrens school owner and being taken to what admittedly was a very plush restaurant, he enquired about Kevin. When he discovered he was on campus he called and invited him to join us. Had he done so before I wouldn’t have needed the bus but at least it saved me the taxi fare back.

Even though I still wasn’t very hungry (egg seems to reside in the stomach an inordinately long time) I still enjoyed some of the dishes. My favourites were little triangular pastry/meat affairs and an aubergine dish which was quite different to anything I have tasted hitherto. The evening itself was most convivial especially as we four males comprised less than half our number and as usual there were gambays aplenty. I think only one of the Chinese teachers present - there were five new faces for me - had been at a previous gathering and there was much muttering in Chinese about my capacity for drinking Chinese water…..sorry, beer. The only male teacher, Rock, dubbed me the “Beerkiller” and I was surprised because he is a broth of a boy but he along with the others who were drinking any quantity succumbed to the tipsies in short order, I really thought perhaps he could hold more.

The owner as always got drunk quickly and the only one who has ever given a good showing, his wife, couldn’t because she is pregnant with their first (and presumably last) child. She stuck to water. But a nice evening as a precursor probably to next weekend when I may start there teaching again, this time it may be that for me the books are dispensed with and my classes (at my suggestion) will become activities instead. We shall see.

Students, although not exactly returning in droves - that will happen tomorrow and Monday - are trickling back and tomorrow the cafes will probably be open. I am undecided as to whether to go to town tomorrow or leave it until Monday. I really need to go and get some more cigars to last until Kevin’s place gets a delivery. I won’t fancy doing it once teaching starts.

There is now an hour until Wales and Italy kick off and I may last for that game but whether I can stay the course for England v France is debatable. I really would like to but I am fading rapidly in the west. For now though, here are some photos of the evening.

Thursday 21st February, 2013           1700

It is apparent after Kevin downloaded his schedule that he does indeed have two of my classes down for him to teach this term. Call me idiotic if you wish but I intend (with his blessing of course - less work for him!) to try and have them given back to me.

They were the first students I ever taught in my life and as such I became attached and I feel it unfair to deprive me of seeing them through to the end, given that I have had other classes foisted upon me for just one term. I don’t know if I will be successful but I can at least try. I am sure Kevin thinks I am bonkers because it would increase my workload by a quarter and of course as it would be at my request there would be no additional remuneration. However, they are like your first anything, first lover, child etc - special, and they mean something. Wish me luck.

It’s a cold day today and one on which I am doing absolutely nothing bar baking bread. I am not even going out to the shop although I will give Pepsi a stretch shortly.

Friday 22nd                      1900

Not the day I had anticipated. At least the school owner telephoned me BEFORE I left! He had asked me to have a “lesson” with a new beginner of English. I think she has only started trying to learn English during the holidays and is returning to Korea to her school there, she is in her early twenties.

We were supposed to be going for dinner tonight. That is, the owner and all the full time teachers plus me. He normally treats us twice a year but being his usual disorganised self he left the invitations to the last minute and some of the others have prior arrangements so it has been postponed until tomorrow night.

Bloody marvellous. I normally only eat once a day and I am having lunch with Crystal tomorrow. The plan was (and still is) to ride to town and after lunch go food shopping. Today was nice and warmish and tomorrow is forecast to be 17C so it was ideal. Aside from the fact there is no way on earth I will be hungry again for six o’clock, it now means I will have to ride back home after shopping and then bus it into town. I would stay there and go straight to dinner but I don’t fancy riding back after sunset because it will be perishing cold again. I have though warned him that although I may not eat much but my ale capacity will not be impaired.

Joanna returns to campus tomorrow so I am hoping to take her for dinner Sunday or Monday. She will be my new internet shopper. Cinny and I have an appointment to see the secretary on Monday to sort out my retaking of my students. One class is definitely not a problem as they already have a classroom and time allocated and I am free at that time. I will try to get it moved to 1020 instead of 0820 though, I don’t want to be getting up at half six most of the week. Joanna’s class will be the problem if there is one - hers needs to be shifted to another time and probably room as well. I think I will be buying a box of chocolates for the secretary just to make sure it happens!

As I said earlier, today was lovely and so I went to the local shop for wine. I also had the matter of tonight’s dinner to think of. Although I didn’t have much cash on me I could have gone to an ATM and onwards to the city but instead I went to the fish shop where I bought the makings of a frittata. Not food I am particularly enamoured of, but I thought the Thai sweet chilli sauce might make it far more interesting, so that is now waiting in the bathroom for me to slam in the oven.

As for Qing, a wall of silence for a few days now so I don’t know what is going on there. But then this is China and I do know she does her own thing.

While I was sipping a bottle near the fish place and watching half a dozen biddies gutting small fish just using their hands, a fellow teacher strolled down the dirt track, obviously having just returned after the break. She was hungry and looking for dinner. We chatted for a while and then she tried to order her dinner. Too early, so she walked off forlornly to go and cook for herself. I felt a little guilty because when I explained what I was making this evening she said she had never tried it. Maybe she was angling for an invitation but in honesty it would have been far too late for her.

When I left I decided to detour with Pepsi to see if the restaurants near the south gate have reopened. Three have, including the sweet pork place so I stopped for another pijou. I was sorely tempted to withdraw some cash from the cash point fifty yards away and eat there but resisted temptation.

As for Pepsi, I don’t know whether I am winning or losing the battle with her mange. The places I have treated have dried up which is good, but she seems to be losing a lot of fur and a new outbreak has appeared on her chest. I really don’t want to have to take her to the vets every four days for injections again - most days are still cold at present - and I can of course do without spending money if I can help it. I do feel embarrassed when I take her out though, people must think I don’t care and I have no way of explaining the situation to them. If necessary I will of course pay whatever is necessary to get her right again but for now she gets the spray. She hates it because it stinks and afterwards always runs around the room shaking herself and then rubbing herself on her bed.

Tuesday 19th February, 2013        2300

The body clock is still way out of synchronisation. I didn’t go to bed that late but found myself conscious at nearly midday! On switching my phone on I received a text from Kevin.

I was under the impression he was only landing in Guangzhou (Canton) today and had assumed he would at least stay the night there. Wrong. He landed in Anqing (about an hour away) this morning and was already in his flat downtown and asking what the snow was like on campus. Snow? What snow?? It was raining when I went to bed!

Sure enough, we had been snowed upon, although on the roads it was now slush. He was knocking on my door an hour later. I have to admit I have missed some English company. Of course he was a welcome visitor also because he brought my salt and pepper cellars, spare fuses (and some back-up fuse wire), another heavy duty garlic press, cheapie tin opener that won’t break like the expensive Chinese ones do plus a load of tomato puree. I know, puree sounds idiotic but it simply isn’t available here other than online.

By return I have lent him Skyfall and Bourne dvds and made him drive us to town for dinner. He hadn’t been to the all you can eat for 48y (with free beer) barbecue place so tonight was as good a chance as any to introduce him. He likes his grub and like most people ate twice what I did. Had he not needed to be back by 2130 for a Skype call with his father (Mum had a fall and is in hospital - they are both in their nineties) I would have made inroads into their profit margins by way of green bottles with fizzy stuff in them, as it was I only had time for three.  By way of repaying him for his troubles I picked up the tab. I have also - as he looks to be staying on campus rather than downtown because his electricity bill is huge - offered to cook that chicken stew at last!

Wednesday 20th        1815

A fine and bright day, if a tad on the chilly side. When I checked my provisions cupboard (a couple of carrier bags on the balcony) I found the only vegetable I had apart from spuds was one huge carrot! I must have used all the onions and mushrooms in the chilli. Well I had to go to the shop anyway so I also made a trip to the fish place where I bought garlic, onions and some rather odd looking mushrooms. Then I remembered I had something in my freezer that at times here can be rarer than the lesser spotted crested egret - frozen peas! I wonder if any comment will be passed later.

Goodness only knows how the stew will turn out, it is hard to know what to use when you haven’t got much in the way of spices and nothing at all in the herb department except mixed Italian ones. I have plumped for some chilli, two chicken stock cubes and salt and have my fingers crossed it will be all right on the night.

When I went out I noticed the campus supermarket was open, so enquired as to whether I could buy anything. No, they are only open for restocking, during winter and summer breaks they empty the place and put everything into a lock up. I did however discover why a few students have returned early. It is because they were unable to book train or bus tickets any later and their choice was a simple one between coming early or missing the start of term. My guess is that there will be a fair number who plump for the latter, and to be honest I can’t say I really blame them.

2200

The stew turned out ok - nothing to write home about but it filled holes. We ate in Kevin’s flat and he surprised me by having bought a couple of bottles of red, both now empty and I have left him alone in readiness for his dad calling him for their nightly chat.

The goose necks I cooked for the animals haven’t gone down well. It would appear in my absence Pepsi has had one but the cats turned their noses up. It is my experience that offering cats food they don’t like usually results in revenge on their part and tonight is no exception. I now have to go and sort out my bathroom because Pooh was undoubtedly the one who opened the door allowing the others to go and wreak havoc.

Monday 18th February, 2013          2030

I swear the meteorologists employed for this neck of the woods are residents of Tierra Del Fuego or somewhere equally as remote from China. For bright, dry and sunny read cold and piddling with rain all day. Not Chinese rain either, which in this particular corner of the Middle Kingdom seldom differs from chucking it down in straight lines. Nope, today was blustery and with English volumes.

I sat and pondered for hours over what to do. Should I just go to the local shop, come back and make my own dinner? Or should I assume it would get better and head to town? In the end I decided to make a break for it at 1730. Such fun - oh how we laughed!

Of course there was little point in the trip if I didn’t at least buy pet food so I did and then treated myself to a Korean dinner. I felt obliged to go there because the last time I went I asked where the manageress’ wedding ring was - remember she said she was getting married in the spring festival? She never wore it at that time but made a point of telling me next time especially for me she would have it.

So of course the first thing I did when entering was to show my left hand and imitate placing a ring on the second smallest finger. Cue embarrassment. More importantly, cue the most English I have ever heard her speak in 30 months of going there. Anyway the meal was nice - pork spicy skewers followed by a platter. I hadn’t a clue what I ordered even from the picture but it turned out to be egg & seaweed soup, kimchi, fried peanuts (how are normal people supposed to eat those with chopsticks without expending more calories in the effort than they gain?), some sort of dipping sauce, fresh lettuce and sizzling pork and garlic. Very nice it was too.

Shortly before I finished I had to go to the loo because it was going to be at least 45 minutes before I got home. My manageress friend had disappeared out the back leaving a new hand on reception. The place doesn’t have toilets so I sneak into the supermarket staff ones down the mall. I couldn’t resist waving gaily to the new girl as I left minus my coat and shopping and saying “bye bye”! The look of utter confusion, uncertainty and horror on her face made it well worth my while. I suppose I could simply have carried on going and left her to run in panic to the boss who would have told her not to fret, but even I am not that heartless. In fact her relief was so palpable it cheered me up no end. A few minutes later when I went to pay my bill she couldn’t figure out which was mine. I sure as hell couldn’t because they were all in Chinese, so she had to get the guv’nor. From the total I think my beer prices have dropped from 6y to 5y a bottle there - either that or someone can’t add up.

But I think I was accorded a singular honour. From memory it has only happened once before and I think it was Tina (Hi Tina, hope you and family are doing well). I was given wedding candy. Sure, it is like Woollies pick’n’mix and you can buy it yourself quite easily but presumably it is symbolic, much as our wedding cake is. I didn’t see her handing any to other customers. Made me feel all warm inside.

Just as well, for despite my hoping that perhaps the rain had stopped while I was in the mall, on emerging only one word could describe what greeted me - vile. The rain was worse, only now it was combined with a force 7 gale. All that was required now just to thoroughly hack me off was to get caught out by the buses not yet running this late again. The omens were not good, no buses in sight going either way and nobody else at the bus stop. This time though Lady Luck smiled and within two minutes I saw one coming my way. I had had visions of having to take a taxi and to be honest in this weather I would have got the driver to take me all the way home and abandoned my bike to be collected tomorrow, it really was that foul a night.

The bus driver was the lady I have mentioned before, Mrs Slowbutsafe, so on this occasion I was particularly glad to see her. But as before, I popped my 2y into the slot before twigging it was a 1y bus! Why in hell’s name she hasn’t been given a spanking new one is beyond me, she has to be the least likely driver in their fleet to scratch one!

Riding home from south gate I didn’t keep particularly dry. Sidewinds have a tendency to unpeel the cape so as to allow better ingress of water into your clothes. Couple that with small and evil hailstones and I am sure you can envisage how thankful I was to get indoors, take my soaked trainers off and stick the shoe heaters inside them. Knowing my luck it will be nice tomorrow now I have no need to go out. Maybe I will finally cook that stew.

Saturday 16th February, 2013             1700

Zhu Ana’s (Joanna‘s) birthday today. And a lovely day indeed, just a pity the main reason for going downtown was fruitless. I still had to put long john bottoms, gloves and my coat on for the bike but it really was - and still is - a lovely day - although the clouds are gathering for the drenching and very low temperatures to come over the next few days.

My first port of call was for the rest of my cigars. Mayo. Oh terrific. By dint of the shopkeeper showing me his delivery date list it appears they will be in on the 28th. I have enough to last until the 21st. He was made aware of my feelings regarding nicotine deprivation.

Right, well at least I could go to Ke Bi Wang for sweet pork? Nope. Not only was it absolutely mobbed but there was none in sight so rather than take a seat (if I could find one) and wait God knows how long for the next batch to be brought out I cluttered off. Outside I pondered on what to do. I wanted to be back for three as the local supermarket is still shutting early but I recalled Kevin taking me to another KBW near the vets. Couldn’t for the life of me remember exactly where it was but after two attempts located it and had my lunch. Lottemart for some pet meat and straight back in plenty of time.

I took Pepsi to the fish village for an hour and it was warm enough to drape my coat over the bike and just sit on it enjoying an ale, watching again the myriad animals foraging. I really must start keeping the bread I normally throw away so I can take it for the fowl.

Sunday 17th      1900

The anticipated rain has been here all day so the only time I have ventured out was to pop to the shop with the dog. On the way back I saw a large group of people clustered under the shelter under the south gate. By the look of things they were students seeing as there were a lot of suitcases. As they don’t need to return until a week tomorrow they are either keen or their folks have slung them out! The shops on campus won’t reopen until Sunday, the library is locked and so unless they want to take their chances that one of the canteens has actually been opening thrice a day for an hour (and I have seen no sign of it or anyone leaving there with bags of food) then they will be bussing to town to get fed or patronising the two cafes within walking distance of here, neither of which I have ever used because I have no idea what dishes they serve! I did note though that one of the dormitories in the boys block opposite me is lit tonight.

I haven’t “spoken” to Qing for a few days now, in fact since she had toothache, so I left a message on Skype for her yesterday, only to see her status has now been changed from “happy new year” to “I’m sick ((“. I have sent a text but had no reply so I hope the reason for that is that she has switched her phone off.

I had every intention of making a chilli chicken stew today. I can borrow some of Kevin’s plastic containers and some of his freezer space but somehow I just never got round to defrosting the chicken! I will decide later whether to have cheese or baked beans on toast - probably beans because the bread is three days old and home baked for me doesn’t stay fresh for very long. But then even with bought bread I have never liked using it except on the day it was made. If it is fine tomorrow I will need to toss a coin as to whether to stay here and cook or get a bus. The forecast is dry but just above freezing so the bike will not be a preferred option.

Before I go, has anyone seen the article on the BBC website about the latest in mobile phones? Somewhat reminiscent of (I think) Clarks shoes which in my youth you could buy with a built in compass in the heel, some firm is now incorporating a mobile phone into the soles of shoes, boots and Wellingtons! What a terrific idea! You are walking down the street, tread in some dogshit, your foot vibrates with an incoming call and you simply take the shoe off and hold it to your ear! It’s amazing what they can do these days.

Valentines Day, 2013      1830

They promised today would be miserable and they were right. Non-stop rain all day so the only times I have been out so far have been to take Pepsi for a call of nature and a quick run to the shop. I hope they have it right for tomorrow and Saturday because tomorrow I want to buy more food and on Saturday collect more cigars. They are saying 18C and sunny on Sat so I could take the bike instead of having a route march to get to the city centre like last time.

Still, I have at least done things today, a load of washing up,  cleaned the floor and am currently baking bread to go with my chilli tonight. The animals have a different dinner tonight - I’m not sure what I got them but I suspect it may be chicken hearts, about a hundred of them! I have failed miserably in my idea to prepare some activities for lessons though, but having said that it is not urgent. The first week will consist of getting all the students to regale their classmates with tales of what they got up to during the break.

Friday 15th        1800

There’s a lot happening in the world news lately, what with a famous athlete being charged with murder, 400 being injured by a meteorite in Russia, people being able to buy a share in a horse by purchasing lasagne etc but one item has attracted my attention in particular. The story of the Carnival Triumph which suffered an engineroom fire and consequently lost power and propulsion.

World media have been milking it for all it’s worth, quoting passengers and the grim details of how they were forced to sleep on deck, the toilets overflowed so the vessel was awash with human waste etc. The bloody thing broke down and just like a car, when it is buggered the aircon doesn’t work and it doesn’t move. No power, no pumps to pump water through the toilet system. The reason there was pee everywhere was because the very people complaining - the passengers - were still using the loos when they were defunct. Ok I don’t know all the details but having a wee in the scuppers isn’t beyond most and having a dump in a bucket so you can throw it overboard is; whilst not exactly normally part of a luxury cruise; an option in such circumstances. Mechanical things refuse to work sometimes and it is difficult to know what more the cruise company could have done short of conjuring up an empty liner to transfer everyone at sea.

Nice and dry and a little warmer today so at lunchtime I made another foray into town. This time Ke Bi Wang was open, indeed it appears everything is getting back to normal judging by the amount of people outside the rail and bus stations. Sadly I arrived at KBW a little late and thus could only watch helplessly as the chap in front of me snaffled the last of the sweet pork. The result of this was that I ended up with (aside from egg) a vegetarian meal comprising cucumber, bean sprouts, rice and mushrooms. Wholly unsatisfactory and it will mean cheese on toast for me later. I did though get to wish JinJun a happy new year. I really wish we could communicate but of course the blame lies with me as a foreigner for not having the local tongue.

Coming back it became apparent that whilst going into town and with nobody here and the campus being the first/last stop for the bus I have no problems getting a seat, returning is another matter. Thankfully I managed to bag the last seat outside Lottemart but I will lay odds I won’t be able to do it again for a long while. The bike is now on charge for me to take tomorrow.

When I got back I took Pepsi to the little fish shop village where I stood outside having a quiet couple of bottles watching the world go by and contemplating life. I spent quite a while observing the small rice paddy and the animals there. It was nice to see dogs, cats, geese, ducks and chickens all together scrounging for food without any cares. Well, apart from a ginger tom who wandered too close to the hens and was chased away by one of the two cockerels there who clearly hasn’t read the animal pecking order guide book.

Another quiet night in. Although it will mean I have to work again I am in a way looking forward to the place coming alive again.

Wednesday 13th February, 2013        1930

I decided to have a day off from blogging yesterday seeing as all I did was go shopping and have lunch in KFC. The only notable thing I can comment on was the fact I had a beef wrap which would probably not have been quite so disgusting had they omitted the beef.

Having not gone to bed until four this morning I wasn’t surprised when I woke at noon, although I will need to make an effort soon to get my body clock back into kilter, there will be two days a week this term where I need to wake up early.

I deemed it safe enough to go downtown late seeing as the buses have been running for three days since new year. I wanted a new quilt and some bedding. The former so I can donate the old cat-tainted one to Pepsi as her bed and throw out her old pillows, the latter because one of my duvet covers now has a broken zip, again down to the cats. And I thought I would for a change have an evening meal in Ke Bi Wang so I could wish JinJun a happy new year.

That wasn’t possible because it hasn’t reopened yet. Miffed, I went to Lottemart to get my bedding. I had reckoned on it costing 300-400y but was pleasantly surprised to get some good quality stuff for 235y. Dinner of course was now a choice between Da Niang dumplings and KFC unless I wanted to lug my shopping halfway across town. Not fancying yet another steak platter, I decided on KFC and this time I was late enough to order the prawn and rice thing I have wanted to try for months. Actually, it’s not bad at all and very filling. The set meal comes with a hot and sour egg & veg soup or a fish ball soup. Tonight it didn’t because when I pointed to the fish ball option on the card I got an instant “mayo” so hot and sour it was. Not bad either.

My enjoyment of my meal was somewhat tempered by the fact that the entire time I was there I never saw any buses at the main crossroads. I wondered if, just as last year, I had been caught out by them finishing early. When I left the café I noted plenty of people waiting for buses at the stop across the road so thought perhaps I simply hadn’t been looking out of the window at the right times to see passing buses. Indeed at my stop there were eight people waiting and of course the natives would know when the buses stop, wouldn’t they? Not in China. Taxi time.

One of the others hailed one and although I couldn’t understand what was said, the chap was obviously refused as the driver didn’t want to go wherever it was. He then asked the others and they all were refused, then he asked me. I showed him my school business card knowing I too would be declined but he hopped out and put my luggage in the boot. This caused not a little anger in the others and so I feigned contrition as best I could and said sorry. A couple ran up, asked, and were put into the back seat. This guy was clearly aware of the bus situation and intended to capitalise, for he stopped at every bus stop trying to get one more in the cab. And profit he did. Although it remained at three passengers I think he charged the couple 30y to drop them off before me and then charged me 40y. Rather than going potty at this blatant rip off I simply marvelled at his opportunistic acumen.  I even laughed as I paid.

I note today on the BBC website that the country I thought would be the last to ban smoking in public places is probably shortly about to. With a 40% lump of the population smoking, I really thought they never would. It will be interesting to see if, like the Chinese, the Russians simply ignore it.

Tomorrow is supposed to be rainy so apart from local shops I will probably confine myself to barracks. I might even try to make a start on preparations for forthcoming lessons. At some point I hope to spend an hour in Lottemart getting info for a couple of The Price is Right activities - for some reason the students really like that one last term.

In the meantime I look forward to a nice new bed devoid of cat smell and hairs - well, for an hour maybe!

Chinese New Year 2013               1800

Well I don’t know what the hell happened last night when I was watching the rugby but my right hand became steadily more and more painful and by this morning when I woke up I could hardly use it. Maybe tendonitis, carpal tunnel or whatever but it damned well hurt. Thank heavens I keep a stock of diclofenac - it took two hours to start to help but now although the back of my hand is still puffy it isn’t red and I can use it a bit. I went to bed at 0330 after the France v Wales match and when I opened my eyes I was disgusted to observe my wall clock telling me it was only 1030. What I never realised was that the battery is on the way out and it is losing time on an industrial scale - it was in fact noon.

Yesterday (as always at this time of year) my phone never stopped receiving new year messages - mainly from students - and towards midnight I sent a mass text to the majority in my phone book. Good job I still have credit from the 300y I got back in April from the free bike I got a student shortly after I arrived here in 2010.

The day itself was lovely, cold and sunny and quiet. Reports received from the Hefei Hilton stated that in contrast fireworks were non-stop all night there and continued through until lunch. The air there is bad at the best of times but apparently my friend couldn’t even see out of his window.

After giving Pepsi a soaking of mange spray I took her out on the bike. I wanted to check the cash point to see if I have been paid - I have - and then I went on spec to see if the little restaurant near the fish shop was open. It wasn’t as such but the doors were open so I went to see if I could get a couple of alfresco beers.

I don’t know why they bothered sweeping the concrete hard standing yesterday because it is now awash with red paper and cardboard from the mortars they set off at midnight. The empty boxes I witnessed had launch tubes two inches in diameter and each must have cost over 200y.In the 90 minutes I spent there I saw but two cars pass by on he main road. A few e-bikes admittedly, but I assume they were people doing the rounds of visiting relatives.  It is odd to think that in a fortnight our campus will once again be teeming with life. Equally hard is the thought of actually working again!

Now the sun has set it has turned very cold so now it is a case of battening down indoors and trying to stay awake for the England match. I wonder if this time we can beat them, we haven’t for a long time.

Monday 11th                 1800

I suppose one day I will get used to the sheer changeability of the local weather here. Yesterday was glorious, today, grey and freezing cold. I took the dog out at four, went to the cash point and checked to see if the outside supermarket was open. Not yet, but in a change from last year, the buses are running again already - at least until 1700 which was when I came back. A trip to town is on the cards tomorrow to order more cigars, do a spot of food shopping and maybe buy a cheap lunch.

The fish place was open though so I pulled in there and bought some ale. But before I did I went into the phone shop to try and buy an AA battery for my clock - I thought I had some but all I did have were AAA. Despite sketching a battery they insisted on trying to sell me a USB stick so I abandoned that and was instead successful in getting one in the fish shop. Afterwards I couldn’t resist returning to the phone shop to show them what it was I was after.

All the other little shops and cafes in the little enclave are also open again and scratching a living, although I suspect I spent more there today (60y including two bottles outside the café) than their collective takings for the day - certainly I never saw any other customers in the time I was there. It was nice to see them all popping into each others’ businesses for a chinwag though.

Qing tells me she has toothache (actually she said “teethache”) today. She went to the dentist in Tongling a week ago but from her description it sounds as if she may have an abscess. My hand in contrast, apart from still being marginally puffy, is back to normal and long may it remain so.

Here are some photos for you. One is Tigger enjoying the residual warmth of my bread maker after I baked a loaf, the other two are of the Chinese lantern I sent skywards on new years eve night.

Friday 8th February, 2013          1800

If ever there has been a time in my life when I wished I had gone out the day before in rain, today was it.

The forecast for today was cold, bright and sunny. What we got was 6 inches of sodding snow. I had no real option but to go to town today for pet food because I think if the buses run tomorrow they will finish early so the drivers can celebrate new years eve with their kin. I had to use the bike stabilisers (legs spread, feet just above the ground) to get to the bus. If you think I am lazy, yes I am, but I didn’t fancy a hike through the snow when I got back with heavy shopping.

Halfway there a man got on with two sacks. One was plainly full of vegetables but the other was alive. As he sat opposite me I couldn’t help but notice two ducks with their necks sticking out of two holes in it. I know I am utterly wrong in my thinking but whilst I am quite happy to buy a dead animal with no feathers or fur and then cook it, I felt incredibly sad watching the ducks and knowing that tomorrow they will be dead, Sunday on the dinner table. I just wanted to buy them and take them home.

On the way I sent a message to Qing to ask if she was in Lu’an. This was at two and she was on the bus. She thought she might get there at six. I would guess it is a two hour trip normally but because of the snow she estimated she would arrive at six. It is now half past and I have yet to get her text to say she was safe.

Shopping in a UK supermarket on Christmas eve is bad but it doesn’t begin to compare with Chinese ones even two days before their big day. They simply barge into you. Thankfully my bulk normally sees them rather than me regretting it but it is still an experience I would happily forego. And all for some chicken legs, mince and veg. I did though take the opportunity to dine downtown on chicken and fries.

Even way up at the commercial centre there was a queue for the bus and I very nearly decided to splash out on a cab but changed my mind at the last minute. There were no seats left but a young lady very kindly got up and offered me hers. Do I really look that old? I have to say the new buses are worth the extra cost, the heating is a real bonus and I am sure the cooling will be too in summer. I was worried that perhaps my bike wouldn’t grip going uphill when I got back - it has only just stopped snowing - but it managed admirably. The only time I nearly came a cropper was when I turned in front of my building!

So now I only need to pop out tomorrow to the little supermarket to stock up on liquids for the closedown and that’s it. I have pet food until Wednesday and enough makings for myself for well over a week.

2200

I thought I’d seen most things but this is a new one. I took Pepsi out to do her business. She is scared witless of the snow on the ground. I despair of that dog.

Saturday 9th            1500

Well that was a close call! The damned supermarket was closed by lunchtime so Pepsi and I had to go in search of the vitals. With limited funds in my wallet (now down to 5y) albeit with probably 500y in my coin jars, I went to the fish place. With a dog on the bike there was no way I could contemplate buying cases of bottled beer but I did get half a dozen reds. I probably have enough pijou to last anyway.

The little restaurant was also “open” although with no customers I think it was purely for cleaning purposes. The Chinese tradition is to clean everything before new year and the whole family was at it. It is a lovely day today, bright and sunny and the snow is melting, so I tarried for a couple. They don’t speak and English at all, but I do know I was just invited to dine with them. Money would not have come into it of course, but although the offer was nice I felt I couldn’t possibly accept simply because here this time is special for families. Yes, two years ago I accepted an invitation but that was on new years day which is completely different. Anyway, I have mince that must be used before it goes off and tonight it will become chilli con carne. With crusty fresh bread.

I am now surrounded by the sounds and smells of thousands of pounds worth of pyrotechnics which so far the animals are tolerating. Talking of animals, Pepsi is once again succumbing to mange and I am failing badly in my efforts to combat it. Very soon I think I will have to take her to the vet and leave her there for a couple of weeks so they can treat her. More bloody expense. Happy year of the snake!

Wednesday 6th February, 2013           1815

So much for the mild weather - it is getting colder as I type.

I paid an exorbitant 2y to go downtown to meet Crystal at noon for lunch and she was accompanied by another female friend this time. She told me her English name was Silly. Yes, really. I did my best to explain how silly it was to call herself Silly (surreal I know!) but to no effect. But we all sat down for a prawn hotpot nonetheless, particularly gratifying because two locals didn’t know it existed and I introduced them to it.

As we had almost finished eating, Jim arrived and apologised for being late. There was no need for an apology seeing as everyone thought he wouldn’t be coming but he did explain by saying he had only just finished his transfusion at the hospital. Now to most people, this means blood or other vital fluids for the body. In China however if they get a cold the hospital will stick them on a saline drip. In fact if you recall when I spent three weeks as an in-patient they insisted on pumping five or six litres of salt water into me daily. I suggested perhaps he would like to order some food as I was happy to sit and chat, but they don’t do the only thing the doctor has told him he can eat - porridge. And he follows doctor’s orders. Fool.

Chinese porridge is snot. If I ate it I would have his problem, which is diarrhoea. Yes, he went to hospital because he had the trots and yes they put him on a completely useless drip. I did endeavour to explain there are medicines available to help and also that eating dry burnt toast is a good remedy but I feel it fell on deaf ears. The Chinese do love a drip, even for the common cold.

Anyway, it was a nice lunch and when we left, for the first time here I spotted a key cutter so bade adieu to my companions while I paid 6y (50% more than in Tongling) for two spare keys to my home and building. Then I went to Lottemart. Christ, it was mobbed. Everyone is frantically buying for Saturday which is new year’s eve. Worse, the bus home was standing room only - not hard to achieve with only 21 seats now.

I need to go to town again to buy meat for the animals before the shutdown so if I go tomorrow I will go to the commercial centre, at least I have a chance of a return seat. As for getting to town to watch the fireworks? Snow is forecast for the next three days so I shall have to see what Saturday brings. I really would like to swaddle myself and brave the elements but not if it means I will skid and end up in hospital.

Thursday 7th       1330

I feel my idea of going to town for the countdown to new year is going to be scuppered. It is currently zero Celsius and the same is forecast for Saturday night. Sod that on a bike.

I will shortly shower and brave the “wet snow” (in reality cold rain) for a trip to town. This time I will go to the commercial centre in the hope of getting a seat on the bus back. I only need some pet meat and the makings of shepherds pie for myself, then I will be set for a siege in which I can survive at home until the buses restart after the closedown. I can only hope the alternative supermarket is not as packed as Lottemart was yesterday.

1500

Just marvellous - no sooner had I decided to get cleaned up than the power failed! If they don’t fix it soon I somehow think my trip will be postponed.

1745

Frozen lasagne for dinner tonight! At least tomorrow is supposed to be dry even if it is going to be sub-zero so I shouldn‘t get wet going to the city. Today I have heard from Kiki who hasn’t succumbed to the Beijing air pollution and also Qing who happily informed me that she had successfully bought a ticket to get to Lu’an to see her grandma for the new year. She had been concerned, and rightly so, at the moment probably 10% of the population of the world is trying to travel on buses and trains here.

Qing showed me an article in Chinese about a large group of migrant workers who are travelling home hundreds of miles away for the holiday. Nothing unusual about that in itself, but they are going by e-bikes! Maximum range using a new one is about 70km and they will need to stop and recharge for at least 4 hours before continuing so their trips will take days. She said they are too poor to afford train or bus tickets but my question has to be - why the hell are they working away from home in the capital if they aren’t earning any money?

Monday 4th February, 2013          1915

Chinese plumbing - you just have to love it. During the night, and without any input from me, my toilet blocked. I discovered it of course when I got up and naturally I did my best to clear it. No joy with my plunger and as matters became more urgent I decided to go and use Kevin’s. I espied a larger plunger he owns (after I had finished!) and borrowed that, also to no avail. With Chinese new year six days away the chances of my getting a maintenance man out to fix it are virtually nil.

After my shower I needed to go out for provisions and anyway Pepsi needed a stretch. In the supermarket I bought my essentials (beer & wine) and also a cheap mop for 5y. Said mop will never be used for its intended purpose but it is now a fixture here for emergencies. It took a great deal of strength and a lot of energy to do it, but now my loo is flowing freely again. this always seems to happen during the spring festival so I can only assume that because no other bugger is here all the pipes become clogged.

My Hilton bathrobe now has its own hook. Although the fit can hardly be described as generous, it is big enough certainly for me to use and will now eradicate the cold shock normally associated with emerging from the bathroom to get dressed. Bliss.

Tuesday 5th         2030

A crappy and rainy day. Thankful that I postponed my lunch with Crystal until tomorrow I lazed around until 1600 when I decided it was time to do some local shopping. Parky to say the least but I had already decided against eating at home tonight so after dropping my shop and dog back home I went to catch the bus. It was then I discovered the cost of local public transport has doubled. It now costs 2y instead of 1y to town, at least on what appear to be most of the 29 buses.

We now have spanking new ones and very nice they are too. Padded instead of plastic seats, aircon and - unless I am very much mistaken - hybrid. It pulls up at a bus stop or traffic lights and the engine cuts out. When it departs it is silent until it gets to about 15mph and the engine restarts automatically. Lovely stuff. BUT. Whilst it is heaven for me at present, once the students are back it will be a different story. Whilst both models have standing room (in China!) for 2 million people, the older models have 35 seats while the new ones only boast 21. What are the chances of even getting a sniff of somewhere to park my bum? Ok sure, students normally vacate a seat for teachers, but on the return journey?

This fleet upgrade actually made me change my itinerary. The plan had been to go to Lottemart and then KFC for dinner. They do a prawn and rice thing I want to try but as they only serve it after 1730 I haven’t had chance before. En route I got to thinking that perhaps, even though the route is quieter, with only 21 spots I could end up standing all the way home. Instead I decided to shop at the commercial centre which is near the terminus and thus the bus is usually empty and have a Korean dinner. And a very nice dinner it was too, pork and prawn spicy skewers followed by a spicy fried rice hill with cabbage and topped with a proper fried egg so the yolk ran onto the rice.

When the return bus arrived I was standing with others and with my 2y in my hand. Before embarking I failed to spot it was the old red bus and not a new light green one. My attention was diverted because the driver was a woman. Not unusual of course, but I know this lady and have been on her bus many times. In my opinion she is the best bus driver I have ever known anywhere and is one of the few people I know in China who actually drives properly. And so we had to greet each other. Before I realised I only needed to pay 1y I had put 2y into the money box. Damn.

Tomorrow Crystal (and hopefully Pam) are taking me for the prawn hotpot lunch. I shall do some more food shopping either before (preferably) or after, seeing as new year is on Sunday. With the recent spate of milder weather I had hoped Saturday night would have enabled me to ride to town but now I am not sure. I could of course if I togged up enough and I still may do. I really would like to see how the Chinese welcome the year of the snake, although knowing my luck there will be nowhere open for a beer even if I do make it!  

Sunday 3rd February, 2013          2145

What a fabulous weekend.

Sadly it didn’t get off to the best start though. I made lasagne on Friday night, dished it up and asked Qing if she liked it. She never said a word, simply gave me a huge grin that said it all. Late afternoon and for no apparent reason my neck had become very painful as if I had slept badly the night before - of course that couldn’t be the cause because I was simply sitting at my desk when it started.

By the time she arrived the pain was intense enough for me to take some painkillers. With an early start beckoning we called it a day at eleven after watching Attenborough’s Africa and Dads Army (she likes both but can’t understand what they say in the latter), but not before I popped some more pills. All was well until 0300 when the pain returned severely enough to waken me. This was all I needed. Knowing I would never get to sleep again unless I took yet more analgaesic, I got up and took some, in the process rousing her. Bless her, she did her best to give me a massage and pummel the muscles but nothing worked and I ended up back in bed trying and failing to drop off until 0630. There was no way I was crying off the trip at this late stage.

I was exhausted, in agony and felt nauseous. But we went. E-bike to the station, park up, paid 78y each for one way tickets (you can’t buy returns in China) and waited fifteen minutes for departure. She managed to sleep a little en route but try as I might I couldn’t. I truly felt awful. After three hours we approached Hefei bus station so I prepared to get off only to be met with a quizzical look from Qing. We should go to the next station (north, that one was south) as her friend told her we should do that. I never knew there were two. Ascertaining she was certain I stayed, helped by the fact that last time the cab cost in excess of 50y to the hotel whereas allegedly from the other station it would be 8y.

It took nearly half an hour to get to the final stop (Hefei is a big city of about 5 million) and en route I checked she knew what to tell the taxi driver when we got in one. Yes of course. She told me. Sheraton. Oh my God, we are going to the Hilton! With visions of an exorbitant cab ride now swimming in my brain, I simply said ok, you made a mistake, it doesn’t matter. She got quite upset. I showed her the card and she insisted it was the Sheraton. There then followed a lecture on the fact there are two famous hotel groups called Sheraton and Hilton. It emerged that in Chinese you say Sheraton for Hilton. What do you say for Sheraton? Sheraton! Except apparently they are said slightly differently and even now when she tried to show me the difference on the way home, for the life of me they both sound the same.

Anyway, she was right. It was 9y in the cab and we went straight in to be met by my old friend Steve and shown immediately into Sens buffet for Saturday lunch. Manna from heaven - proper French stick and all manner of goodies on offer. Qing is typically Chinese because she dived straight into the puddings and had them first before getting “proper” food! Knowing that Steve wouldn’t let us pay for a thing in the hotel I told him we would take him out on Saturday night and pay our way. He wouldn’t hear of it and insisted we stay and dine that night in-house. A deal was struck whereby he comes here in April for a weekend and Kevin and I (poor old Kevin will have to split the bills with me!) will fete him with the best we can offer here.

After lunch we went up to his suite and I am sure Qing was as impressed as I was the first time, so much so that she decided to stay there, shower and nap while we went back down to smoke huge cigars and chew the fat. Just as were about to go up to get her for dinner she appeared downstairs. Cue going up to the executive lounge on the 24th floor for pre-dinner drinks. This place is only available for people in executive suites and it boasts a large free snack buffet and free drinks and at night gives a terrific view of the city. An hour later it was back down to the 1st floor to eat in the Chinese restaurant. Some of the photos were taken upstairs, the rest in there.

The food was a mix of mainstream Chinese and Cantonese cuisine so on being asked what I wanted I said I knew what I wanted but wouldn’t dare think of asking for it - abalone and mushrooms at 1288y (£130) a serving! Instead I went for sweet and sour pork (can’t get it here) and left the rest to our host. Far too much was ordered but the mixed duck and pork pieces melted in the mouth and I tried a first - sautéed goose liver on fried bread. Sadly my verdict on that was just ok. After dinner it was up to the suite to watch Skyfall on DVD, after which I was given a bag full of DVDs to bring back with me. By now I was whacked so we all called it a day but having not smoked for two hours I whipped down to the bottom to smoke a last cigar before turning in. Our bed would comfortably sleep four without anyone touching each other and Qing was already fast asleep about a mile away on the other side. We both slept like logs.

This morning we woke at eight, Steve had already left to go on a 45km cycle ride with the expat bike group so I showered and we went shopping. First port of call was Carrefour to see if they had any western goodies. A five minute walk has now been turned into a half marathon with the closure of the main road (for 2 years!) while they tunnel under it to instal an underground railway. All the businesses nearby are suffering - they closed it the day before I arrived last time - and many have gone bust because the government neither considered them nor offered compensation. Carrefour was a complete waste of time for me although she bought some stuff, they had nothing in there I can’t buy in Lottemart here. Back to Wal-mart where I knew I could at least buy Italian herbs. And I did, along with two bottles of Thai sweet chilli sauce and a decent bottle of plonk for Steve as a thank you.

We got back at noon as arranged and were taken to the highlight of the weekend, the Happy Panda, for lunch. Sunday lunch there almost reduces me to tears for not having the appetite I had years ago. It is extreme torture when there is so much I love and can’t try it all. Oysters, sweet and sour prawns, seafood lasagne, curry, sushi and much, much more. I stuffed as much as I dared down and needless to say I had no intention of eating tonight. As they did the last time, the staff treated me like a king and this time Qing like a queen, I am certain we had extra special treatment because our host is the guv’nor, and if I make it to the UK in the summer I will ensure I fly out on a Monday from Hefei so I can stay there for the weekend before I go!

Sadly it was time to take our leave. Up in the suite, Steve gave Qing two huge presentation boxes of Chinese green tea, good hotel slippers and insisted she take all the toiletries. What did I get? An exquisite Chinese ashtray which I said I daren’t use but would like to give my Mum. I made a mistake yesterday when he showed us our room and pointed everything out, including the bathrobes. I happened to say that I really wanted one and would be ordering one on Amazon to bring back after I went to England. He never said a word at the time, but I am now the proud owner of an exclusive Hilton bathrobe!

The concierge called a taxi and we were off with 6 bags more than we arrived with. And then the penny dropped. Back in August when I came with Kiki you may recall that the bus left, drove for about forty minutes and ended up back at what I assumed at the time was the same station? I am now convinced that the hotel staff sent me to the north station that time without my knowing and I can’t remember how much the cab cost on that occasion. At least now I know how to save money, if not time.

Anyway, Qing took the same bus and got off 40 minutes before Chizhou so she could go home to Mum. I asked her to tell the driver that instead of trying to dump me in the middle of nowhere if he was taking the bus home that I needed to go to the station. I thought the chap looked a little familiar and indeed he told her that he had intended to take the bus home but as soon as he saw me he knew he would have to go to the depot - he was the same driver as last time!

I got home at eight tonight, the flat was remarkably unscathed by the animals (obviously Pepsi had left me some clearing up) and they are now contentedly fed. I am having a lazy day tomorrow but if it’s not raining I will make it up to the mutt. It is now the end of a very memorable and thoroughly enjoyable weekend - well worth all the travelling to and from.    

Friday 1st February, 2013          1500

I really have to find more energy. All I have done so far today is change the cat litter and take a shower! I am about to take Pepsi out for quarter of an hour then I must change the bed, cook the pet food for tonight and tomorrow and then I need to make a start on the lasagne. Qing is supposed to be arriving in two hours so I may pressgang her into chopping the veg, why not, she is going to eat it as well?!

1600

I came back, stripped the bed and then went to the drawer where I hide the key to the cupboard the bedding lives in. Nowhere to be seen. Don’t panic, sit down and try to remember if you decided to keep it in another place. Having turned out every drawer and cupboard in the place with no success I came to the conclusion I must have inadvertently left it in the lock the last time and Pooh had stolen it. Hands and knees with torch looking under units - still nothing. In desperation I upended the bed (no mean feat as it is solid wood all the way to the floor) for the first time in history.

There was a treasure trove of cigar stubs, dust, a drain cover from my bathroom, sweets, 2y in coins etc the cats have “lost” under there but no damned key. Thoroughly hacked off I sat down and thought about borrowing some of Kevin’s linen. I was becoming convinced either Qing had taken the key by mistake or I had done something old people do such as put it in the oven. I paced the flat looking for anywhere I might have missed and then stopped and leaned on the fridge/freezer. The fridge/freezer! The only place I hadn’t looked! Hoping against hope, I shifted that, also for the first time in history. No money under it, but nestling in the dust was the key! Who in their right mind keeps cats?

Qing is en route and I have so far managed to boil tonight’s dinner of pork bones but daren’t start on the duck gizzards for tomorrow as I will have to go and pick her up when her bus gets in. I don’t want to be messing about cooking too late tonight because the latest I can get up in the morning is 0630 depending on the bus times. Somehow I can’t see me watching the England v Scotland game that starts at midnight tomorrow!

1830

She is here now and has finished her work of chopping the vegetables. We are both tired so I am rushing a bit with it but don’t want to spoil it. The bus we want leaves around nine or shortly before so we do need an early one. The laptop will stay here so I will be offline until Sunday night. Sadly (for me) Qing will go straight from Hefei when we leave to Tongling. She says she will be back sometime as her dad wants me to teach her English but I have no idea when she will have the time - she is going to Lu’an for the festive period  and in all likelihood she will start Arabic soon thereafter.

But for now we have a weekend to enjoy. See you maybe Sunday night.