The final lunch was the usual hurried Chinese affair and if what they provided was their idea of catering to the headmaster’s request for a special lunch for the final one then I shudder to think how they could make it worse. I drank beer and watched while the kids ate yet mystifyingly left their plates of lovely looking prawns virtually untouched. THEY seemed to have a special lunch.
Soon it was “everybody out” as the coach was in the car park. I duly loaded my case in the baggage hold and boarded. I then spent half an hour alone on the bus (admittedly in the cool) whilst the students were fallen in and given a pep talk by the head instructor. I could have had another ale.
I think I managed to nod off for ten minutes on the trip to the museum and by the time we got there the temperature was roasting. Besides my legs protesting, the exhibits were excruciatingly boring for me so I found a small shop which sold ice creams and from whence I could get outside (and back in again) to have a smoke. I had to chuckle because on entry all our hand bags were put through a scanner, yet there I was, eating a lolly and looking at a clear exit to the main road, from which anyone could enter without passing through security!
Just before the group left, the kids were shown the museum shop. Some nice stuff on display but anything decent had a large price tag. Two of the girls very sweetly bought me some cheap trinkets. No idea what to do with them but I will cherish them.
And then it was off on the long trip home. Sleep evaded me, I’m not sure if I could have nodded off even if the children had been quiet, and so as we neared home I was feeling jaded. Having arranged to be dropped off first at McDonald’s (and also to meet Joan there for our dinner) I was not best pleased when it became apparent the driver had his own agenda. I expressed my feelings to the headmaster when I had to alight at his school and then hail a taxi - it wasn’t the cost that annoyed me but the fact it was unnecessary.
My bad mood deepened (remember I didn’t enjoy any of the past four days and had eaten but once in those four days) and remained black until I saw Joan arrive at McD in a taxi, when it lightened considerably. I had missed her. Happy ending?
Not on your Nelly!
Halfway through my Big Mac I happened to put it down on the box upside down. The underside of the bun was covered in blue mould - and I had eaten 50% of it! Furious, I decided against causing a scene and simply plonked it down at the serving counter in front of the duty manageress, gave her a look and went back to Joan. There followed much talking in the kitchen and a little later my money was refunded, along with the (translated) explanation that the buns were not out of date so they couldn’t understand how it happened. What I don’t understand is why the person cooking the damned food doesn’t inspect it first. I will go back but when I see the general manager words will be had.
A thoroughly miserable and punishing four days ended the same way it had started.
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