Friday 24th January, 2014                 1830

Not much happening here of course, but a couple of items worth relating.

The supervisors at the old block are not too pleased that the easy (and free!) charge-up for their e-bikes has disappeared. One of them complained (in Chinese) to me and I hope my body language was good enough for her to understand that not only do the school want the flat back but I also am not happy at having to relocate the wires - it was perfect for me even living in another block because it was out of the rain.

I did pop downtown late yesterday afternoon for a bit of shopping and to grab some dinner. I couldn’t decide where to eat but in the end - mainly because I wanted to ensure a seat on the bus back - I went to the commercial centre to shop and ate in the KFC there. Not their chicken but one of the other Chinese additions to the standard menu - pork schnitzel, rice and curry sauce. Cheap enough and filled a hole.

Today I slept until eleven (must break that habit) and mid-afternoon took Muttley out. It was then that the inner child triumphed. I enquired about fireworks at the supermarket outside campus and on discovering that with my loyalty card discount I could buy the biggest box of artillery shells they had for 170 yuan (£17) I caved in. I estimate the box weighs about thirty pounds - I certainly wouldn’t want to carry it around often - and you will see from the photo it is a serious amount of explosives. Quite when I will detonate is undecided. If Qing does actually come to stay I might do it with her, if not then midnight on 30th January it will be. Why should the Chinese have all the fun?

Today was actually annoying. Had I actually believed the weather forecasts which are almost always completely wrong, I may have charged my bike up last night and gone to town on it instead of taking the bus which I do all the time in spring festival. It was 23C. Gorgeous enough for me not to need a sweater and the jacket was only needed whilst riding the bike. It’s supposed to be nineteen tomorrow so I will charge up tonight in case. I wouldn’t ride in the evening because it does drop down dramatically but late afternoon for an early dinner and shopping could certainly be on.

Tonight though I am having bangers, mash and beans, this Chinese food is fine in moderation but a man needs proper food every now and then!