Monday 9^th Jul, 2018 1340

Yesterday's little jaunt feels as though it has set me back a week! Mind you, as with all such things, it gets better as the day progresses. It needs to, my catering is keenly anticipated this evening – not least of all by me because I should make enough to leave me one or two meals for another day.

This damned UTI is now causing concern. I treated it for five days and two days later it returned so I gave it another fortnight. When it evidenced yet again I tried just taking a third of a dose, which is fine but stopping entirely sees it return after 36 hours.

Being well aware of the problems with long term usage of antibiotics it may be inevitable that I shall have to actually consult a doctor but I shall do so if necessary after the holiday. My preferred hospital is actually the TCM one as it is extremely modern and of course right next door to east campus. Also, my medical booklet and registration card are in my office desk there and no way can I make it in my current state. Getting a translator to accompany me would also pose a problem right now.

There is also another factor I have just realised. When taking out travel insurance they ask if you have consulted a doctor in the past year. I said no although I have, but that was only for arthritis and will hardly give rise to a claim for medical treatment abroad. The most expensive holiday I want to take in a decade and all this happens! Arrgghh!

2100

Stephanie came across a frightened puppy en route here for dinner and so brought her. To her credit she asked permission first but of course I had no problem, the proviso was that if it soiled, she would clean up. It didn't and it was deightful. Alice fell in love but of course nobody could adopt it. The guilt trip was laid at my feet but quite apart from my being absent for three weeks next month, for some reason I had to point out that if I couldn't even take myself for a walk how the hell was I going to take a puppy for one???

Andy was a treat. Completely unsure of the etiquette at western meals (in my place it's eat as you like, when you like but try not to make a mess) and took rather a diminutive portion of mince'n'tatties. Once he got in the swing I noticed him shovelling down the last of it and trying to scrape every last morsel from the plate. My suggestion he went and got some more was not refused.

Once they all left (puppy included, being taken back to whence it was found), I started watching videos but then on a whim decided to check flight prices. Pointless really, a few hours before, business seats from here to PEK were 5,000\ plus at sensible times but check I did.

Stone me if what I think happened is that companies who had snapped up business seats ages ago at hugely inflated prices hadn't cancelled and allowed some seats to be freed. One ticket left on the 0800 departure (meaning 300\ taxi to the airport) but prior to snapping it up before it disappeared I scrolled down. One ticket available on the 1045!!! Same price – 1635\! I get to take the coach and only one night needed in Beijing so I may treat myself to a western hotel with free booze – doubt I will get breakfast at 0300 though!