Chinese new years day 2014           1800

I went out at five minutes to midnight. The hotels and shops had all set out fireworks on the roadside. We all I think have a little kid inside and everyone likes fireworks. I have never been so deafened in my life. There were men lighting fuses and running away as fast as they could, rockets going up a dozen at a time and the air was thick with smoke as you will see from the pictures. Not only did I need earmuffs but I could have done with an umbrella because the amount of debris raining down was considerable. Ash, plastic discs from the rockets, you name it but it was insane and I stood there taking photos with a huge grin. It was marvellous and I am very grateful to Amy for getting me to come here despite the cost of travel.

The problem was, the locals had an unending supply. I think just in this locality alone more explosives than there were deployed in the Falklands were expended. The lull never came until after two in the morning, so at 0230 I thought it was safe to go to bed.

Wrong.

Chinese people in the corridor having very loud conversations disturbed me constantly and then just after eight the booms and bangs restarted! There is something to be said for staying on a deserted campus at spring festival! I am all in and still there is sporadic gunfire but I may just be so tired that I will sleep through any after midnight tonight.

Qing called at lunchtime to apologise. Her family was taking her to another city (presumably to visit grandparents) and they had intended to leave at seven this morning but due to thick fog again they delayed their departure until ten. She wasn’t sure if she would make it back in time - in fact just now she sent me a text to say she wouldn’t be back until very late. Hopefully we can have lunch tomorrow, if not she has promised faithfully she will come to school before she goes back to work. Disappointing but as long as she comes to Chizhou to see me I will be happy.

Amy came to collect me after lunch and took me home where we played cards again. Various relatives were there including her maternal grandmother and I was more successful, almost winning back all the money I lost last night - peanuts either way but good fun anyway taking on the Chinese at their own game and occasionally winning.

So now I am faced with the prospect of trying to find somewhere to eat, having refused dinner at Amy’s because I was waiting to see if Qing would make it. It’s tempting just to buy a load of cakes!