Thursday 14th March, 2013            1930

Right as rain yesterday, after the meal I took Pepsi out for a last tinkle, came back and finished my blog and then retired. Admittedly as I was posting the blog I did notice some very slight pain in my lumbar region but thought nothing of it.

I woke up in the small hours needing a nocturnal visit to the toilet, tried to get out of bed and found myself in agony! I managed to get myself out and up, tottered to the bathroom, fumbled my way back and went back to sleep. When the alarm went off it was even worse. For the first time here apart from my little holiday in number one peoples hospital I was within a whisker of calling in sick. I could hardly do anything. In all my life I have never, ever, had a problem with my back other than the fact it gets infuriatingly itchy in Chinese winters for some inexplicable reason. And here I was unable to even contemplate taking a shower.

Even sitting in a chair was agony so I took a couple of my cocaine painkillers (next step up is morphine) and waited. And waited. An hour later I took the dog out to relieve herself and of course as she won’t go down stairs if it hadn’t been so excruciating it would have been funny. Picking her up entailed a pantomime with me hanging on to a balcony windowsill in order to bend low enough to get a hand under her. When I got back I was still undecided as to whether I should simply cry off but the analgaesic started to ease things just a little. How I got through my worst day of the week I know not, equally I have no inkling as to what is wrong. I don’t think it is the same as a cricked neck from sleeping badly and I did nothing more strenuous yesterday than carry a shepherds pie. It has eased a bit but I have just taken diclofenac and will take more pain relief before I turn in - I just hope it is something which will simply disappear in a day or two. After all, who wants a bad back? Nobody believes you!

Today was bright and sunny but despite appearances when looking out of my window, once outside it was deceptive to put it mildly. There was an icy wind blowing which cut right through my clothes, making me wish I had put on the down coat instead and taken some gloves. Roll on the warm weather, I have now decided I would much rather sweat than shiver.

After I finished at five I took the mutt to the shops, bought my shopping and being thoroughly tired decided to have two pijou and then go home for the rest of the evening. Linda spotted me sitting at an outside table, went and ordered her dinner of noodles with something and then came to chat. She had a special request in that if I make it to the UK this year she wants me to bring her a gift back. She said even if it cost “even only one dollar” she wanted something that was made in England. I asked her why and was amused when she complained whenever she goes shopping - be it in shops or markets - everything she picks up is made in China! I never had the heart to tell it was more or less the same in England!

Friday 15th         2300

I must say I was glad not only to finish my week here at noon but also at the news that the little school doesn’t need me again this weekend. Apparently they are trying a new teaching style and presumably I may get in the way - or alternatively the ideas my brains were picked for at the last meal have been implemented by the other teachers. If the latter then I have no problem because I would really like to free up my weekends this term, I have more than enough work during the week.

As for my back, it was markedly better this morning. Still a little sore but whatever it was is probably one of these short-lived glitches I seem to acquire randomly and which are probably attributable to advancing years.

As it was a nice day I did Katrina a favour and took Lottie to the vet so all she has to do is collect her tomorrow. I didn’t need a horn on the bike for that trip, I think even the truck drivers could hear me coming with all the screeching emanating from the cage! I combined that with lunch and sticking the money on Joanna’s card for my shopping and returned by three. I even managed an hour’s siesta before the English corner.

The concert/corner was ok but it did rather drag on because they didn’t know when they had flogged a game or activity further than they should. I apportion no blame because it is the first time this particular class have staged a production but hopefully they will learn from it. Sadly I omitted to take my camera, however at a later stage I may be able to get some pictures sent to me by one of my students.

My mother managed to interrupt twice during proceedings, once when I was taking part in a game of “blow the candles out using English words” (I recommend words starting with P) which call I ignored, the second time in the middle of the closing photocall. She had called to remind me about the RBS matches and as a result whilst having a post-concert beer with Ollivier he wondered why I kept looking at my watch. Thanks to her I was thinking it was Saturday and not Friday!

The weekend is set for rain allegedly but it would be nice if it was dry until tomorrow afternoon. I would like to take the dog for some more jabs and do a little shopping, but if it’s wet then I will postpone until Tuesday. Other than that I just want to recharge my own batteries.