Sunday 2nd February, 2014              1845

As always with Qing nothing went as planned. She called me late Saturday morning to tell me she would be late back. Her family was going to another city, they had woken early but were greeted with thick fog and therefore delayed their departure from seven until ten. Would I wait for her? In two minds but only because I was mindful of having to get back here in time to collect Pepsi. I agreed - her ETA was 1400.

After thinking it over and receiving another call near that time that the car had broken down I suggested I stay a third night provided I would ultimately see her. Of course I forgot I never had enough clothes or medicine for an extra day! We eventually met at five and went to dinner, where she had invited Eric - a coloured chap from Brixton - and his other half Helen from Moldova. We went to the restaurant her mother works at and to be honest, considering the previous day’s consumption had been pot noodles and bread rolls that were disgusting, I thoroughly enjoyed it because I got to have the special fish dish again. Sadly, she hurried me so much when she arrived at the hotel because few restaurants are open at present and those that are close early, I forgot to take my camera.

We parted on the understanding that Qing would come and meet me at 1030 this morning and we would have an early lunch before I departed. That plan (as indeed ALL my plans this trip) went up in smoke when she got home and her mother informed her that this morning they were going to visit the grandparents. Damn. Now I don’t even know if she will come to school for a visit.

So I rose at 1000 feeling awful and tried to make myself feel human again before leaving. At midday I checked out wondering when the last time I felt so exhausted was. I had cancelled today’s trip with the headmaster of the small school and got Qing to call the vets to extend Pepsi’s incarceration. God I was tired - and still am.

Outside, vacant taxis were non-existent. I waited at the roadside. And waited. And waited. Then a private car stopped and in Chinese clearly asked me where I wanted to go. Qing had sent me a Chinese text to show a taxi driver to take me to the bus station so I showed it to the chap and asked how much. A cab would have cost maybe 12y, this fellow held up five fingers. I jumped at it. This is something that happens frequently  in Russia when people want to supplement their income by giving lifts.

Ripped off again. The five fingers apparently signified fifty rather than five yuan!  By that time I was just resigned to anything that was happening, every trip I take costs far more than I envisaged and this was no exception. And anyway I still needed to get to the station.

At least my return journey only cost 20y as opposed to the 300y getting here. As the centre of attention on the bus I had Chinese people trying to speak to me in Putonghua, which of course I can’t use. Then one chap came up and asked if he could sit next to me to translate, his job entails communicating with people abroad for a medical supplies company. I had rather hoped to sit alone but as it happened the bus eventually filled to capacity later on so it made no difference. It made the journey pass quicker but my idea of having a snooze was out of the window.

The good thing is the temperature was lovely at 22C so when I got back I went to McDonalds for a quick bite (no way was I cooking tonight), picked Pepsi up - who was happy to see me I am glad to report - and we stopped off near the fish shop on the way home for a beer. I was just so weary that we only stayed an hour and came back to cat litter everywhere in the living room and three distinctly unamused cats who had run out of food, aside from the pigs lung which even in hunger they had refused to touch. Won’t buy that again!

All animals have now been fed and I will go and check on the mum and babies a little later when I take Pepsi out for her last outing. Tonight though I am looking forward to a quiet night with no fireworks waking me up or loud conversations outside my door disturbing me!