Tuesday 19th July, 2016                           1715

Planning anything here is often pointless. On Sunday John from the little school called and invited us to dinner. Joan wasn’t too keen as she felt a little unwell but I cajoled her into coming - anyway, I needed her to find the restaurant!

We had a pleasant (if somewhat rapid in true Chinese fashion) meal in the company of John, his wife and son plus we were joined by Cassandra, Kevin’s friend. On the way to the restaurant Joan suddenly realised the number 7 bus now no longer goes past the Dong Rong hotel, which it had been doing for quite some time due to road alterations.

This presented her with a problem getting to and from her job. It would have meant a taxi to the station and then a bus with the reverse routine on her return. She commented that she wished I had booked the Baisui hotel opposite the restaurant, it being on the 7 route. I had only booked two nights (through Vivi, who knows someone who gets a discount at Dong Rong) because I promised the school I would evacuate on the 1st and Joan’s train is on the 3rd, albeit not long after midnight on the 2nd. Thereafter I have booked elsewhere at a cheap price for 7 nights.

I like the Dong Rong, it’s quiet and with huge rooms and beds but it is double the price. I mulled it over yesterday morning and while she was at work changed our booking to the Baisui against my better judgement. This was mainly due to reading Kevin’s review after he stayed there last December, in which he was scathing.

Last night I asked Joan if I was reading the map correctly for the hotel I would stay in after she leaves Chizhou and discovered it was close by her work, meaning she can walk it in five minutes! I just cancelled everything and rebooked for 9 nights in the Jinghao hotel instead at less than 120y a night!

Fish and chips had to be deferred last night seeing as the liver I had bought had sat in the fridge for two days, so we had liver and bacon casserole. It was ok but I prefer lambs liver to pigs. Needless to say I made far too much so Mum got a decent meal into the bargain. She is also getting the rest of the liver which I boiled just now. She actually does quite well because often when I go out I see the remains of food others have left her as well.

Today lazybones Joan didn’t want to go to town and I didn’t think I could carry much shopping so I didn’t go either. When I woke up this morning my right wrist and outside of my hand were agony. Gout or “ordinary” arthritis I know not but even now after taking a pill they are still sore.

I saw Anthony on campus and I mentioned the fact that I may well have to leave my belongings in boxes in the flat seeing as I have no idea if I will have anywhere to send them to. He has very kindly agreed to organise that for me once the new term starts and I shall get the cost to him once I know how much he paid. He reckons the parcel people won’t come to campus now because there are so few students.

And the office IS open! After the bugger signing to me the other day they were closing, yesterday I took a mooch around the business street area and found a few other eateries still open and was stunned to see my watering hole was too. They didn’t have any cold beers because I hadn’t been for a while and I’m the only one who wants them. I told them to have some for today, which they did, and I had a couple after I had my final Chizhou haircut in one of the barbers I also found still doing business.

So a quiet day today apart from yet another power cut this afternoon. I will venture to town tomorrow, safe in the knowledge that today the wages went into the bank and I am now for the first time in the position of having slightly more money to my name than the amount I entered China with six years ago. At least amidst all the uncertainty there are the occasional happy moments!