Tuesday 14th September, 2016                      2025

Well that went down to the wire, purely I suspect because accounts were overly concerned with paying me twice  and so waited until the bank had batted their payment back to them before trying what I suggested.

At 1615 (already a long day) I finally had cash in my account. What accounts failed to realise in their blinkered approach was that even had they paid me double it would have been nowhere near enough for me to take the money and run even were I of such a mind.

Anyway, the month’s pay is already spent or spoken for - this place is definitely more expensive than Chizhou, new oven notwithstanding. The sooner I get that the better, for although it costs a lot to make a meal, I can freeze leftovers and eke four dinners from one preparation. Like tomorrow, the plan is to do a Bolognese (I have now found pasta) and freeze some, the problem is I need to buy more containers - set up costs in a new place can cripple.

Having spent the entire day climbing and descending stairs my legs were on fire but nonetheless I went shopping (wine, cigars and the makings for bread) and struggled up and down the BRT access ways. I mulled over having dinner at the Chinese near the hotel, Homwo or Buddy’s and eventually my legs decided it would be Homwo.

Big mistake.

When I arrived they only had two dishes on offer so I had to wait, with of course a mini bottle of the expensive wine. Forty minutes later more was on offer (and another bottle) but this time the curry was awful. To rub salt in, you can’t exit the same way you came in and the signs direct you all around the store. Well that’s fine if I want to go shopping but not when I am lugging 20lbs I already bought. I vowed that was the last time I ate there. Yes I will buy my homewares as needed but they can forget substandard food and a route march to escape.

However, on the way out I noticed a stall right inside the exit which inter alia does hot dogs for 5y. Nothing fancy, just a sausage, bun and mustard (maybe onions) but perfect for me, a couple of those would fill me. Trouble is, I reckon it only opens at lunchtime.

Anyway, the BRT may have won awards and I was impressed when taking it midweek in the day but tonight it was a joke. On the eve of the mid autumn festival there must have been half a million people taking it. I waited for forty minutes as bus after bus arrived and ever more people scrummed down to try to get on. The buses were shutting the doors on people trying to get on! In the end I gave up, forfeited my 1y and went to get a taxi. That took half an hour and by the time I got home I really felt as if the day from hell was almost over. I need to shop again tomorrow but I am damned if I will attempt it after 1600.

Mid Autumn Festival                1515

A full moon this evening, although with the remnants of the strongest typhoon so far this year washing over eastern China, many people will not be able to enjoy it.

For once I went to bed before midnight when I never had to get up the following morning. I suppose I caught up on sleep, for it was after nine when I made myself a cuppa. I did go shopping but decided to stop on the way at Homwo to see if the ice cream/hot dog shop was open. All this up and down stairs is certainly increasing my appetite and I fancied a snack for lunch. Yes it was open but they only sell  ice cream and drinks! What the hell have they got huge signs up with prices for the dogs then? Come to think of it, the restaurant upstairs has big pictures of dishes accompanied by foaming glasses of beer but they don’t sell that either. Bloody Spaniards.


I had a timely reminder as to why I really should always make a list. I had everything in my trolley for Bolognese and was on the way to check out when I realised I had no mince. That rectified, I queued. When there’s a holiday the entire population seems to go supermarket shopping and as I stood there I also noticed I had forgotten tomato puree. No way was I going to start queuing again, sod it, I have tomatoes and ketchup, improvise!

And I was over the moon to see that here, unlike Chizhou, they have sweet peppers. Once I get an oven I will be stuffing them at least once a fortnight, especially as I found my Linghams sauce. Yes, I am down to one and a half boxes to empty and stow but I am getting there.