Saturday 15th June, 2013                 1905

I hated exams as a student and I still hate them as a teacher. The only difference now is that I can’t fail them but they do really drain me for some reason. Still, I have broken the back of them so the coming week should be a bit easier. And as of Friday I am finished until September.

It was apparently 33C here but I have to say it felt hotter - ah, just checked the weather site and it says it feels like 35C even at this time of night. A fine day for a ride to town though which started off with something I felt was unusual. Whilst riding along the little shortcut dirt track I approached an avocado coloured snake making its way across. It was two thirds of the way over when it realised I was in proximity and instead of simply carrying on and taking the shortest route it virtually somersaulted back on itself and slithered from whence it came. I can only assume its nest was that side and it didn’t want to be cut off.

After the cash point I went to the chemist to try the new card we were given. It worked - no password required - and there is more than enough credit on it to see me probably never having to fork out for medicine again. I like that card. I also liked the way the shop staff were amazed I even had one!

Next visit was the bike workshop. There was no more adjustment left on the front brakes and I am particular in that I like there only to be minor travel on the grips, rather than most Chinese who are quite content to ride round with virtually no stopping power at all. Although I felt sure the pads had enough meat left for the shop to simply adjust the lever (and it certainly looked to me as if there was plenty left even after a year of ownership) the mechanic simply changed them for new ones. This involved the wheel coming off and being put back on again. It took five minutes and I parted with the princely sum of 20y for the privilege. I was happy as it wasn’t just for me, Joanna will be using it while I am away and I would hate to be responsible for a novice injuring herself.

I did the shopping and went for a steak and dumpling platter because I hadn’t had one for ages. This time it was so awful it may be the case that I never bother again. As it is, the steaks are “plastic” mini ones but today it was full of gristle. Awful.

On my return I arranged to meet Joanna so we could put money on her card for my internet shopping (sausage rolls - hope they are better than the sausages - cheese and Bisto plus more snuff for the plane) and afterwards I gave her a lift to a new restaurant just off campus so she could have her dinner and I sat and chatted with her. Now that looked even worse than my lunch! A sort of rice soup with some cabbage and a few bits of chicken feet in it, rather her than me. While she was eating I received a call from Helen who runs the little school - the one I enjoy doing once in the winter and once in the summer. I have two hours next Saturday morning to be followed by a free lunch and I am welcome to bring a friend. Yes, you guessed correctly, Joanna agreed to sit through it provided that as recompense for her having to get up earlier than 1100 that day I spring for her breakfast. That will probably be two bowze and set me back 2y.

Now I am inside and will remain so until tomorrow bar taking Pepsi out for a wee. Aircon is on and I have had my second shower of the day. For the foreseeable future it seems we are set for the thirties so I must dig out a small hand towel to take with me to classes next week.