Sunday 9th February, 2014                 1700

On Friday I ventured to town, mostly from necessity as I was low on meat for the creatures and also because I was too lazy to bake bread so I could use some of the tinned foods I stocked up on for the holiday. I have a cupboard full of baked beans, spaghetti, ravioli and other goodies, all of which make a perfectly good meal for me when plonked on top of toast but I haven’t used a single tin!

So I went back to the barbecue restaurant I had been taken to on Thursday because although it is not cheap at 59y per person in the evenings (apparently 10y cheaper at lunchtime) the sushi they had was delicious. Thankfully they had it again on this occasion. I arrived quite early, just after four and they weren’t ready for the evening session but I could wait for ten minutes with a beer until everything was in place. I was given a table and settled in but then two boys came in and jabbered to the waitress with much consternation on both sides. The result was that I was politely booted off my table and moved to another one opposite, the reason being the lads were two of a party of twelve who were coming and my previous table was one of three all together and the only spot which could hold that many.

I confess I never ate much of the actual barbecue fare, just some peppers, wings and streaky bacon (although the sushi took a beating) but I discovered it is not just all you can eat for the price but all you can drink as well! I have resolved that next time I go there I will ensure I am as thirsty as hell - I don’t cost these places much by way of food so I may as well get my money’s worth!

Once again, on leaving I was caught out by the buses. They were certainly running but they were few and far between so after a half hour wait I gave up and decided on a taxi. I even offered a free lift to a young lady who was also waiting but she declined and opted to wait for the bus for some reason. Maybe she thought I was evil.

Saturday was a day for staying put and only sallying forth to get daily essentials for it was sleeting for most of the day, today it has been out and out snowing, although very small flakes. It has settled on the trees and grass but mostly the roads are just wet. There are a few isolated spots where there is slush to catch out the unwary bike rider and the forecast says between now and tomorrow morning we should get between four and six inches. Can’t see it myself but you never know.

I took Pepsi with me as usual to the outside shop, it appears although she doesn’t mind going out in the rain she is none too keen on snow. So far today she hasn’t had a number one or two but there will come a time when she will have to and she had better not do it inside! Anyway I got to the shop, loaded my basket and yet again discovered I had left my wallet at home! I take it out of my rear pocket at home as it is uncomfortable when sitting but I really could have done without forgetting it today, the snow stung my eyes whilst riding even at low speed. I returned and got my money but then bought two days worth just in case.

I will go out tomorrow evening, snow or not, because I have invited Avril (ex Apple) from the little school for a Japanese. My loyalty card there still has 300y on it which I had been saving for when Qing came but as she is now back at work in Beijing there is no point.

As I finish this entry I can hear cats crying for dinner in their room. They are wasting their miaows because seeing as they haven’t finished last night’s duck gizzards I am doing pork leg bone which only the dog will eat. As for me, the bread is baking and I am going to have a bacon sandwich with some very expensive but very real bacon. And it will do for something on toast for dinner on Tuesday.