Sunday 1st March, 2015                      2230

Yet another day with scant improvement. The concerns are slowly increasing, albeit at a faster rate than the recovery.

Kevin finally came to visit this afternoon and brought me the boxer shorts I had ordered in the UK - can’t get proper ones here for love nor money. As often happens when he goes away, on his return he has eaten something dodgy and has the galloping trots which have now become supplemented by psychedelic yawns. He had a go at me some months ago because I eat more western than Chinese food, told me I should try to embrace the cuisine here. He of course needs to because his aim is to retire in the Philippines. The thing is, certainly I haven’t left and come back as many times as he has but the only time I got a dose of  Ghandi’s Revenge was actually when I went BACK to the UK! Mind you, I blame that on Guinness and cider.

From my balcony window I have observed many cars coming and going so maybe half the students are back now with the remainder to follow tomorrow. Anna was coming back today but had to postpone, she needs to get some travel document for Hong Kong (yes, I can go without a visa and stay for six months but Chinese people need a permit - gospel) and it was delayed so she will be here tomorrow instead. Joan is currently on the only train from Suzhou to here, an overnight from 1800-0330. Of course she won’t be able to get into her dormitory at four in the morning so a safe berth has been offered here. If she takes up the offer then I will be outnumbered three to one as Sarah, Mulan’s sister, is here as well for the night before she heads off to her own university in Guangzhou (Canton) tomorrow.

I am fed, Mulan having had her first ever attempt at bangers, mash and beans. Not bad for a virgin try, in fact the only criticism I could level was that she took my injunction regarding not burning the beans a little too literally - they were barely lukewarm. Who cares, it was food I could eat.

Olivier and the horde arrive tomorrow, I had Mulan switch his radiator on so hopefully the place won’t be frozen when they arrive and then he will need to come and rescue his chair (I will miss that) and his plates and cutlery we have been using.

I know it has only been a fortnight but it seems as if most of my holiday has been spent as a cripple. Probably because it thwarted the trips I had intended but nonetheless I feel cheated. At least if I don’t finally manage to kill myself there is still Wuhu during the tomb sweeping holiday to look forward to. Panoramic views of the Yangtse and use of the executive lounge for free drinks of course. No use dwelling on what has been or might have been.

Oh - Mulan went shopping today and I asked her to get some big socks so I could stick one over the cast. She couldn’t find any but well done, she got some stretchy woollen leggings which do the trick.

So I leave you tonight with my brain in overdrive trying to work out how I can reasonably safely get to and from the teaching block. Once I am there it will only be a matter of time regarding me getting up and down the stairs but for now the real problem is transport. It may well end up being my bike.