Saturday, 9th January, 2016                        1800

I woke up this morning to be greeted by a sea of “snow” in the living room and bathroom. Joan had apparently used the loo in the small hours and once again forgotten to ensure the toilet roll holder was closed. The cats had a great time and currently the cardboard inner roll sits in pieces at the bottom of their water bowl. I meant to buy another spare roll today but forgot.

Joan went to teach at the witch’s school this afternoon and also to collect the train tickets for Nanjing. I can but pray she doesn’t lose my passport - without ID you can’t buy train tickets here since the rules changed about four years ago. She is dining downtown with her friends this evening and I am guessing probably tomorrow night as well as I believe that‘s their end of term. It’s annoying in that I have chilli and Bolognese frozen so unless she agrees to have enchiladas and spaghetti on Monday and Tuesday I have a problem - both batches in the freezer are plenty for two so if I end up eating them solo then there will be wastage.

I went shopping again and am now on target to amass enough wine and Jing Jo for both the Nanjing trip and another unexpectedly early one. An ex-student of mine suggested I go to Wuhu to visit and I had intended to do so at the end of the month. However last night I asked Anna if she wanted to come. She did. When I texted Alice (Wuhu) she asked if instead I could visit on the 17th so we could travel together. No I can’t because I won’t leave Nanjing until noon that day but several dozen messages between Anna, Alice and me later, I decided we could all go on the 18th.

That gives me time to get home, wash my laundry and have everything dry for the next morning ready for a two night break in Wuhu. I thought Anna might like to visit Fantawild (a theme park) while we were there but at 200y entry fee and with Alice saying she thought half the rides were closed in winter, that’s probably off the menu.

So tomorrow Anna will come with me to the station to buy the tickets. I agonised over which hotel to book in Wuhu but in the end decided to plump for what I knew - Doubletree by Hilton. At least I am guaranteed a semblance of a western breakfast and having booked an executive room, free drinks and snacks in the evenings. Pricey but it’s good to spoil yourself occasionally and after this last month I feel it is well deserved. Maybe this time I will actually get to see the Yangtse instead of stair rods pelting down outside the window - although knowing my luck a room with a river view won’t be available!

Tonight’s dinner for me? A pre-cooked chicken with bread and butter. Haute cuisine indeed but having had frozen pizza last night (ghastly - where the hell is Tesco when you need it?) I thought if I wasn’t going to cook I may as well have some real meat.

With great prescience I draped the cape over the bike when I returned and was vindicated when Alice and her classmate came with her ID for tomorrow’s ticket run. They told me it had started to rain and could they borrow my umbrella. Sadly not, Joan already did this afternoon. I reckon I must have given twenty umbrellas away to students during my time, what with the Whiskas ones being free with packs of food a few years ago. If they started doing it again I would stop buying in bulk on the internet.

Antony my assistant informed me he had injured his foot and has to rest for forty days. That seems to be blanket advice here by the medical professionals. I had to laugh, for this time last year, after breaking my foot and pelvis (although at the time I never knew about the pelvis) I was back teaching on the 4th and 5th floors after the remaining ten days of the holiday expired. The difference for him is probably that he will remain on full pay throughout and his job is safe. I wish him a speedier recovery than 40 days though!

There’s a thought - I must offer to let him buy my used crutches!