Monday 11th September, 2017                        1730

So far I have still yet to be given my timetable. Janet is a trifle forgetful but I did email her about it this morning. I was fully expecting to have to get up before dawn tomorrow and accordingly have got my bits and bobs gathered in preparation. I just sent a text to ask and am waiting patiently for a reply.

I finally moved myself to go shopping just after lunch. For the last couple of months the arcade leading to BHG has been undergoing a transformation, in fact the first time I went when I returned from my travels, I thought BHG had gone.

Where there used to be a large open plan area before the supermarket they have now made enclosed shop spaces. Some of the old ones are still there in their nice shiny new premises (although I think the dry cleaners have moved elsewhere, not that I used them at all but nice to know for when I may wish to) and a couple of new shops have appeared.

One in particular caught my eye - a bakery. The in-store bakery in BHG is dire, so I investigated. And they do baguettes! Cheaper and crustier than the other place I found and hopefully they taste better too. I bought one with a view to tonight’s dinner and also on the basis I will be working tomorrow, to take lunch with me.

I need not have bothered. Janet just sent a message to say that I am not working tomorrow, my rota is still not finalised. Extra holidays are all well and good but after 11 weeks I would actually rather like to get back to work!

I was disappointed earlier to receive an email from Joanna, I had been asking her to hurry up and give me dates because even the Hampton was filling up fast. Her works are sending a group of them on a tour of China to drum up business during the holidays (no idea how that works!) so it will need to be arranged for another time. The next opportunity would be spring festival but she and her boyfriend will doubtless be carrying out their filial duty and be visiting their folks. Besides that, flight prices will be astronomical at that time and also it’s freezing cold here then.

I have however found someone willing to clean, albeit temporarily, for me. Max (a girl) from last term is still in Lanzhou and has offered to do my online shopping and also clean for free. Well if someone was to clean for nothing for me they would need to be getting free lodgings by way of recompense so she will at least clean once before she goes on work experience and I shall pay what I think is a good rate. The first time was always going to be a rather large task. Remember the kitchen floor??

I only found out then that many of my old students are still in the city and won’t start at  kindergartens until after golden week, so I texted Alison and asked why she hadn’t told me. Within seconds she sent back that she wasn’t in Lanzhou but Gannan - Tibet!! What she is doing there I have no idea but I don’t think she is learning to teach!