Wednesday 29th October, 2014               1400

Last night’s graduation party was very enjoyable. They did confuse me when I arrived at the south gate and I was told we weren’t taking the No.29 bus. A minibus was ferrying groups to the venue. Given our distance from the town I expected it to take forever but in fact they had picked an hotel about a mile from the school. The bonus was that they had a room big enough for the forty of us and once again the food in part was really nice. I particularly liked the sweet ribs and the sweet (but no sour) chicken with - of all things - watermelon. Very different but tasty indeed.

Again I was honoured to be one of just two teachers invited, the other being the class teacher who brought along his young daughter. The class teacher traditionally gives a speech at such events but last night after he had done so, for the first time I also was asked to say a few words. They have been a nightmare class to teach but they did throw a good party. I was even given a box of beer to take home.

Now, my morning routine seldom varies. I get up, switch on the laptop and boil the kettle. Then I check my emails and certain sites I follow (BBC news, Facebook etc) and one of those sites is the university website. I like to find out if there is going to be a planned power or water cut before it actually happens. This morning was no different to any other and there was nothing on the school website that concerned me. That is until an hour ago when I spotted a new notice.

Not entirely trusting Google Translate, I sent a text to Cinny for clarification. The sports days have been postponed until next week due to rain! Thankfully I am free on Wednesdays this term because had I had a class this morning I would have missed it and as I switch my phone off when I go to bed they couldn’t have got hold of me. Cinny on the other hand was rudely awoken by a call at 0730 informing her she had a class in less than an hour and the students were informed by a mass message on QQ (the Chinese Facebook).

Three solid days of rain have been forecast for the past week, every day without fail, yet they cancelled on the very morning the opening ceremony was to begin. That’s excellent administration.

Strictly speaking the sports days aren’t a holiday per se but of course many of the students (other than freshmen) take the chance of the five days of no lessons to go home. My cleaner Lucy is in Beijing as you know (with my camera) and so anyone not teaching freshmen - mine are all still here - currently has depleted class sizes. God, the Chinese teachers were asking me last week if I had any plans for the “holiday”. Good job I never decided to go away.

Thursday 30th                 1830

And so the relentless rain continues. Instead of three days wherein I could stay in most of the day and keep dry I am having to get damp travelling to classes. I wonder what they will do if it rains next week as well?

Last night was western Wednesday with Lolita, Anna and Yvonne and the menu was split pea and ham soup, scotch eggs with mash and baked beans, apple cake and chocolate mousse. I have to say the soup was heavenly, the scotch eggs (for me at least) not so. In the absence of proper sausagemeat I had improvised with pork mince and a sprinkling of thyme but I found them too bland. To be fair everyone else liked them (Kevin polished off his entire plate) and they certainly looked the part but I kicked myself for not ordering sage online, that may have made a world of difference. Ollivier’s mousse wasn’t set and was too sickly and sweet. Not his fault, he only had Chinese chocolate to use to make it but I suspect he will source French, Belgian or other decent chocolate before doing it again - at least I hope so! We rounded off the evening with Ollivier’s cheeseboard selection and I contributed the Sandemans port. Sadly, as instead of having the anticipated lie in I had to get up at six this morning, I left a lot earlier than I wanted. I still felt terrible when I got up though.

The more classes I am teaching my new chicks, the more I am coming to think they are not of the same standard as my first or second batches. Their calibre of English is markedly lower and as far as being active in class is concerned they are more akin to the three year students. I sincerely hope that as they become more comfortable with me they will open up a hell of a sight more otherwise it will be a long year.

Tomorrow I finish at noon so may take the bus to town and do the shopping for animal food I had intended to do yesterday. I am not wanted at the weekend by the small school (which I am glad about) so fully intend to relax.