Saturday 15^th December, 2018 0915

So my final online Christmas shopping has been ordered and all delivered, with the exception of the big tub of Quality Street which should arrive this weekend or early next week. The smoked ham is slated to arrive on Tuesday. I doubt I will be able to resist trying a slice before the Day!!

For once I had a stroke of luck, being informed in advance (I almost passed out) that my Friday afternoon class was cancelled as they were preparing for CET4, one of the College English Tests they must pass regardless of their major. I suppose that in the absence of any desire to learn or improve their English, that should really be the reason anyone attends my classes.

Not only did that mean I finished at noon yesterday (most fortuitous because I had a rare stomach upset) but I was also forewarned that the CET4 & 6 tests were taking place today. Rather than spending ages rebooting my laptop and router in my efforts to connect to the internet, I knew I would lose connection between 0800 and 1700 or 1800.

Yesterday afternoon I was sitting watching ITV in my study when I heard the door of the flat being unlocked. Only two people have a key, I am one and Alice the other. I guessed she was either coming to shower or more likely, drop off my online shopping. It was the latter and she received a shock when she opened my office door and saw me, I should have been at work!

Three pouches of cocoa powder for making chocolate cakes (but which she immediately asked if it was possible to make a hot chocolate drink with! Guess what I will have to make for her tonight when she comes to stay over?) and a large box that could only be the Ritz crackers.

I had asked her to order three boxes, or four if my understanding was correct and that four received free delivery. There were EIGHT! I accused her of pressing “send” twice again (she has previous, I have two years supply of rosemary as testament) but no, unusually not only was there free delivery but another four boxes plus a pack of wafers thrown in gratis! Is it just me though or have Ritz become markedly less salty over the years?

As it happened I felt ropy all day yesterday and turned in unfashionably early, particularly as I had no need to get up this morning. No idea when I woke but I gave up at just past five. With luck I may be able to nap this afternoon and it allowed me to check emails, news etc and download from iPlayer before the connection was severed.

I need to pop out and go around the corner in a while, Alice has requested dinner at 1930 after she showers here and I fancy a roast chicken dinner with homemade stuffing balls. Unusually for a Chinese student she doesn't have a particularly voracious appetite, hearty but not excessive. When she learned there would be roast potatoes she rolled her eyes and said, “Potatoes? Ohhhh......” and I pointed out with a roast dinner, rice or pasta do not go. “Just don't give me four please?”

I haven't told her she normally only gets one potato which has been quartered. And they are so cheap I am not bothered if some are left. Mind you, I am praying that maybe decent potatoes will come back in season in time for the big dinner.