Monday 28^th January, 2019 1600

In the end I decided to chance a quick breakfast yesterday before we left for the airport. It was fine for Alice, not so for me. Sofitel blotted their copybook when they offered me a teaspoon to eat cereals with, then a Chinese porcelain soup spoon/ladle thing. Where are the proper spoons that were there yesterday? We don't have any. My breakfast was a solitary slice of toast and marmalade. Considering we were only the second set of people in the minute they opened I would have expected everything to be in place.

Now the taxi that took us to the airport took the direct route, no detours to rack up the charge and even his meter showed 76¥ so I am still no wiser as to what the real cost should be. Maybe the Swedes were telling porkies for all I know.

It took an hour and ten minutes to fly to Lanzhou but two and a half hours to get from Lanzhou airport to home! By the time the airport bus dropped us I told Alice I'd buy her lunch, she fancied a hotpot. I wasn't hungry, having had a croissant and some fruit on the plane but would happily have sat and had a beer while she ate. By then, in the freezing cold once again, my bladder was screaming for relief so I said wherever we went had to have a toilet. Oddly, some restaurants in China will fill you with liquid yet don't have anywhere to pump ship. The restaurant we tried didn't have a toilet and now I was getting desperate. Eventually we found somewhere on the 3^rd floor of a building, outside a defunct restaurant but had to take the lift to the 4^th floor and walk down! I came perilously close to having an “accident”.

Then Alice decided she just wanted to go home, so we did. She went back out to get some noodle, vegetable and meat concoction to take away, had that and promptly slept until dinner time. I thanked my foresight for having frozen lasagna to save cooking.

Although the plan was to have a lie-in, her Mum called her and demanded that she get to her home by noon today. That meant leaving at nine so for me at least it was another early start. She had packed Sunday night and wasn't taking a shower before setting out. I hadn't and I was.

The 131 took forever, the three minute walk to the long distance bus station was more like fifteen and all the while Alice was convinced foreigners with no Chinese ID cannot travel on coaches. Passport is fine for hotels, planes and trains but not coaches? When she got our tickets I made much of the “miracle” that I was in fact allowed to travel.

Online it had said the bus to Baiyin took 1h 20m but it was nigh on two hours, so we got to town twenty minutes after Mum's deadline. I wanted a taxi to the hotel as I didn't want to walk much further in even colder weather than we had just left, however a bus came before any taxis, three stops and we were off, about a hundred yards from my hotel. She had to come in with me even though her home was right where the bus stopped, because I had read that nobody spoke English in the hotel. They don't. No bar either but a shop next door sells beer. The room is ok although even on high the heating is not keeping it cosy. I will eat dinner here in a while, wondering whether to splash out on lobster at 568¥ a kilo or whether to have spagbol or steak, the only western options. Or maybe, Chinese.

I'm on my own for the night despite Alice being just across the road, Mum's birthday meal is always apparently hotpot. That I can eat. It also seems I may be able to get bacon and eggs with toast for breakfast so I shall give that a try in the morning.

Saturday 26^th January, 2019 1600

We went for lunch yesterday, a buffet affair which was quite comprehensive. After expressing my wish to pay cash rather than stick it on the room, Alice was told it would be ¥168 per head and they strongly advised that I put it on the room, then it would only be ¥117 each. This baffles me for they know we are residents and I can only assume it's something to do with their computer system.

I put it on the room but when we check out I will still give them cash to settle it. Our room deposit was secured on my UK debit card and I really don't want to get shafted on exchange rates and NST fees when I don't need to.

In the evening Alice pigged out on lamb chops and other free goodies in the lounge and I wasn't hungry so room service never happened. This morning we had the luxury of a lie-in. Well, she did until 1000, I got up at eight.

After breakfast I suggested we go to the Global Centre, reportedly the largest building in the world and which featured a rather pissed off Miriam Margolyes in Series 2 of The Real Marigold Hotel when she tried out the indoor beach and swimming. On our visit not a soul was using it, maybe being winter it is not so popular. There were a few using the ice rink and the shopping and eating areas were busy but not excessively so. The size does impress, I tried to guess how many A380s could use it as a hangar. It seems to be targeted more at the wealthy, with designer label shops and prices to suit, together with chic eateries. I actually had a hot dog on the hoof which was only missing some onions to have made it really good. That cost me ¥20 but I never regretted it. It's not a place you want to spend hours in though unless you are moneyed and doing some serious luxury shopping.

So it is all over bar the shouting now, a rude early wake up tomorrow before our 0855 flight. I am still agonising over whether or not it is too dangerous to chance a quick breakfast seeing as it doesn't start until 0630. But then we are flying up front so checking in and security only take a couple of minutes. I'll make my mind up in the morning.

Figured out how to get the photos without Windows being activated.

Sofitel executive lounge Chengdu, Good Good Mexican restaurant and panda breeding centre.

Friday 25^th January, 2019 1130

The trip started well enough, our car was on time to collect us and we had a good run to the airport. And Alice was not told she couldn't fly, as happened to her namesake.

She was though sent to the Naughty Room. I've been there a couple of times myself for having a phone charger pack, the first time I never knew they had to be taken in the cabin with you, the second because I didn't realise it was in the case. This time it was Alice in the spotlight. I joked that she might go to prison and she was adamant there was nothing in there except her makeup.

The reason for her being pulled in? The jing jo bottles I had gotten her to pack for me! They wanted to know if they had been opened, which they hadn't. Odd that they never asked about the wine in my case though.

I don't know if it was because it was too early or because the VIP lounge was not the one I am normally in but there was no alcohol there. In a huff I had a mug of tea and a grumble. Bad enough that Lanzhou airport has absolutely nowhere to smoke without rubbing it in. I must remember to swerve Air China in future and go with China Eastern, their lounge has beer.

By this time Alice was getting excited, even though she does suffer from travel sickness. She also preferred landing to taking off. Being a short flight they apologised for not serving a hot meal but there was a platter of a choice of bread rolls, fresh fruit and a piece of sponge cake. I could also get a cold beer so all was well.

I was convinced the taxi driver ripped me off as the journey to the hotel cost ¥120 but when Alice quizzed him he said the route he would have taken was sealed off so he had needed an alternative. I couldn't argue because yes, there was a road blocked by police. Last night though in the executive lounge I overheard a group of Swedes (in Chengdu for a start up car plant) saying a taxi from the airport to the hotel was about ¥50 so then I got the hump.

On Wednesday night we met with Annie and Michelle (another Peace Corps girl) at a Mexican restaurant called Good Good. It had good reviews online but it was very basic and really tiny. I paid for a set price selection of burritos, nachos, tacos etc and soft drinks. I wasn't too impressed but the others were and to be fair the portion sizes were generous.

Yesterday I didn't want to go out although Alice went exploring the shops after breakfast. I made her wait until 1500 when cold snacks would be free in the executive lounge, then later we returned for Happy Hour to eat a hot dinner. The beef was like leather so I contented myself with a selection of cheeses and French bread.

And it was early to bed because I had said while we are here we simply had to visit the panda breeding centre. She'd never seen one so was keen but the advice was to go early, once they have been fed they all bugger off back to bed – a lot like Alice. It was interesting but involved a lot of walking even after we took an electric buggy ride. We stayed a couple of hours and were lucky to get a taxi that dropped a new arrival off. He gave us the option of staying off-meter for a fixed ¥50 price, which I accepted seeing as the fare to get there had been that anyway. Good move, there were a lot more jams going back. And he also mentioned a main route being blocked off so now I have no idea if I was ripped off or not when we got to Chengdu.

I might take her down for lunch when she wakes up again and plan to stay here tonight. Go and guzzle the sauvignon and gin in the lounge in the evening and then treat her to a room service dinner, another first for her.

Tuesday 22^nd January, 2019 1700

Well, tomorrow is Alice's big day. She's excited but thankfully not gushing over it. I on the other hand am simply worrying as to whether I will have the same fiasco as when the other Alice couldn't fly because surname and Christian name were the wrong way round. I have checked, checked and checked again so fingers crossed. I do not have the money to have to cancel her ticket and buy another while awaiting days for a refund – before business class sold out the price for one ticket was the same as I paid for both.

My packing at least is done apart from the last minute stuff, medicines, speakers etc, she for her part is currently taking a nap. It must be exhausting getting up at lunchtime and staying awake until four! I swear I've had cats that slept less.

My online experience has of late been somewhat frustrating, connecting to the UK has been very hit and miss although normally I have had success in the mornings and afternoons. After that it is Tokyo or Hong Kong. I can handle that as long as I can download my BBC programmes and check out the other channels but today it has been really nasty. I have spent all day trying to download Children's Ward, Eastenders and Silent Witness. I keep getting it half done and then the download fails. That is without doubt the biggest thing I hate here.

Yesterday Janet sent my rota for next term, it was unchanged from what she had proposed before and I have been advised my first classes are on the 27^th February – considering I finished 28^th December that's not a bad winter vacation!

Oh yes, after I booked my hotel for Baiyin for Alice's Mum's birthday party I sent Brenda a travel advice form. This is normal practise for China, the school wants to know where you are. The original template Brenda sent me was headed “Travel Request”. Seeing as I am not in prison I immediately edited request to advice, they are not telling when and where I can go as if I am a child, if I'm on holiday then it's my business. I comply simply because if an accident or illness befalls me they will not be wrong-footed to find out where I am. Anyway, she emailed back a while later sternly informing me I should have sent it during term time and could I send it to the director himself! I replied that term time might have been difficult seeing as I had only decided to go an hour before! I do wonder sometimes.......Maybe next time I shall just keep quiet.

So it's cold here but the snow has mostly melted and dried up. Tomorrow should actually be warmer in daylight and we are looking forward to our break. Annie asked if we could meet for dinner tomorrow rather than Thursday as planned and I agreed. I will be tired but the lure of a Mexican restaurant was too much. The name of the restaurant? Good Good!

You couldn't invent this stuff.......

Sunday 20^th January, 2019 1630

On Wednesday there was a knock at the door. When I opened it I beheld the sight of Alice laden with a large suitcase and various smaller items.

The previous night the Auntie had knocked on all the dormitories and informed the students they had to be gone by midday the following day. Sometimes it is not just me that isn't kept informed.

Whilst Alice had free accommodation here, her roommates were not so lucky, they had to take rooms in the Shijia hotel opposite me. They had all arranged an end of term party for Thursday night and booked transport to their various homes on Friday so could not leave earlier without spoiling plans. Still, it's a cheap hotel, two girls to a room, so my guess is it cost them about £7 a night per head.

On Saturday I met with Janet's friend's son to go into his IELTS coaching. In general conversation he wasn't drastically bad although there were many errors. We agreed to meet again yesterday morning.

It was then that I understood the magnitude of what I was being asked to do. Bear in mind the examiners have anything in the order of fifty to a hundred applicants per day to sit and listen to their interminable answers, I had to be quite brutal. I told him that despite having a book of sample questions he had carried out no preparation and quite apart from the dreadful English, he continually hesitated, lost for any form of answer or even waffle. An examiner would fail him mentally within seconds of the interview commencing.

It is daunting and may well turn out to be my first ever failure but I will go down with guns blazing. He has homework now to complete before we meet the next time.

Last night I took Alice out for dinner, having given her the choice of where we went. She's not keen on Japanese (anyway, too far away in this bone-chilling cold) and opted for a hotpot. Fine, I said but then remembering she loves prawns I suggested the little restaurant I first found when I stayed in an hotel on my arrival in Lanzhou. Her face lit up.

They do great sweet pork and a delicious prawn dry hotpot. She was as happy as a pig in clover. There was even enough left of the prawns for her to get a doggy bag for lunch today, not to mention the doughnuts and cream cakes I bought after the meal from a bakery.

Now as you know on Wednesday we fly to Chengdu and return on Sunday. Her plan had been to return to her hometown of Baiyin on Monday. Last night I learnt the reason: it's her Mum's birthday on the Tuesday.

I have now booked into an hotel there for two nights so as to attend the restaurant and surprise her mum at her party. We will therefore both be taking a coach a week from Monday. The coach takes an hour by all accounts and the train anything from two to three! Doesn't make sense.

Tonight I'm making chicken shish, tomorrow as she is going to visit friends for the night I have only myself to please so who knows? Tuesday, because I don't want washing up left (I need to be up at six Weds) I am going to attempt calzone for the first time, wish me luck. On our return there are lasagna in the freezer in aluminium trays. Yes, I still plan ahead even though said plans often end up in disarray!

Monday 14^th January, 2019 1845

On Friday Adriana came. Alice is staying here for somewhere to study during finals week where at least she gets fed and stays warm, rather than the classroom.

Adriana is still completely bonkers and I persevere in trying to get her to seek help.

However, we were going to 26 inches, I really wanted sausages. So we all did.

We arrived and were seated and I asked the girls to tell the waiter to leave and get me a Budweiser (which happens to be the only alcohol on the menu) and give us five minutes to peruse the menu. He disappeared.

When he came back we had all agreed we should have two sausage platters and two platters of potato skins to share. Then he told us they had no beer. Considering it was the only alcoholic beverage they offered I would have thought they would keep a stock, especially as there is no smoking and you are on the third floor.

Adriana suggested she went out and bought some beer or maybe a bottle of wine and brought it back for us to drink. She asked if that was ok. Big mistake, she should just have done it.

Bear in mind I had been there but once, at lunchtime with Jody, the staff did not know me. Well, I say staff but they were kids, I'm guessing the oldest was maybe 22.

His answer? Ok but not get drunk.

I requested a translation and immediately bristled. Alice is allergic to alcohol and I do not have a reputation for rollling around Lanzhou pissed as a fart, Adriana I cannot speak for but I asked him to repeat it. He did.

As much as I had anticipated the sausages, I was incensed. I told the girls we would not be eating there and to leave with me. Alice was in disbelief but Adriana followed me to translate at the desk. I demanded to see the manager.

What they produced was a youth who had clearly just been woken, having fallen asleep atop his Nintendo and if he was the manager then I am an Olympic gold medallist. He couldn't have cared less that they had just lost 400-500¥ that night and probably an awful lot more in future custom because I may have recommended it to other foreigners. Nope, he wasn't the manager and had no interest. He simply reiterated what the bellboy had said. Where's Trip Advisor when you need them???

We left.

I managed to find a place further down the road I had been to once before, Chinese but the food had been ok. This time not so. The beef was good, the spare ribs I was convinced had been defrosted in a microwave and were hardly lukewarm and when the sweet pork came after two reminders it was cremated. Complete disaster.

Still angry, I took the girls to “my” bar across the road, Alice wanted to revise for her exam (yes, they have exams at weekends here) and it is relatively quiet. And I can get a G&T. Except they tasted like grass! No idea if it was the lime, ice or gin but it wasn't what they usually serve. And it tasted just wrong.

Adriana got to the verge of leglessness on two cocktails so after my third gin we left.

I have had the shits ever since and I cannot state with certainty whether it was the food or the drinks that did it.

I have been cooking dinner for Alice every night and every night a picture of it is posted on Wechat (Chinese Facebook), including tonight when I made her lasagne. I can eat hardly anything and anyway nothing tastes as it should. Maybe Chinese agents have poisoned me..........

Tomorrow night will be simple, baguettes filled with bacon and fried eggs. Sod it, I'm not spending weeks of afternoons slaving in the kitchen although it's possible I might make a big apple pie that will last a few days.

Anyway, tomorrow I shall meet a young man for lunch who needs his IELTS score improved. As it is illegal for me to take alternative employment (even if the school asked me) of course I shall not be paid but I will more than likely receive a good handshake! With this Chengdu trip mounting in costs, every little helps!

Oh, and the chap that took me to the airport for my summer flight to Paris is available and is going to take us. More expensive than the train but half the price of a taxi and no bag searching and confiscating my penknife which I can take in the cargo hold of the flight. And no scrutiny of the wine and jing jo bottles either. Plus I can smoke en route.

Chengdu will be interesting in more ways than you can imagine......

Wednesday 9^th January, 2019 1930

Janet texted me earlier with my tentative teaching rota for next term. Wednesdays 1430 to I think 1830 (periods 7 and 8 are unknown territory for me) and Fridays 1020-1620. She said I would miss the school bus on Fridays and what did I think?

Well seeing as it leaves at 1700 it was apparent to me that I would in fact miss the bus on Wednesdays and that if I didn't wish to wake at 0500 (I won't!) then I will need to make my own way on Friday mornings. So for 4¥ a week (about 45p) no more crack of dawn alarms. I think I can handle that.

I then realised it seemed I would only have four classes rather than five, which puzzled me somewhat. I was then informed that instead of having the sophomores I had last term, I will have freshmen next term.

Bear in mind what I was told at Christmas about someone remarking this was my last year, suddenly now instead of having the students I was told I was getting I was now to teach the September 2018 intake, perhaps it is understandable that the“last year”comment took on a sinister connotation.

I sent a text saying I had the impression I was getting fired in summer. “No” came back the answer. I said I had heard a whisper to that effect and was told “We need you”. Quite what for is beyond me and although one can never be certain you are being told the truth here, I drew some comfort from that. I also pointed out Janet would not have heard the rumour because it came from the main campus. At least if the director makes moves in that direction, provided I want to stay (and let's face it, at my age I really would rather stay put even if the job is less than perfect) I reckon I have people to fight my corner if it happens.

Face it, two afternoons a week for a full-time salary and the holidays teachers get in China? And autonomy over my work? The only drawback is the extremely low level of English in the students and a sense of isolation with the staff because they are no better! I can handle that. I've been at sea! And in China long enough to cope.

Perhaps unwisely but because Mr Jing Jo kept asking me when I was going to buy more cigars, yesterday instead of taking 500 off his hands I took a thousand. I had taken pains to inform him that I would buy 500 a month before he invested in a colossal number. I had abided by that. But then, if I am ultimately staying I need him to perhaps order in bulk for me because after all, I am the only person in a population of 4.5 million who actually likes the bloody things.

As a result there are currently 2,000 cigars in boxes of a hundred, stacked on my windowsill – four month's supply. When I take the final remnants next month (eight hundred I think or thereabouts) I will have enough to last until September when the new academic year begins. It would be an envious position to be in if at that time I had enough money to buy a further year's supply but that won't happen.

Apart from the above there is little of note happening (I did manage to get some pork baozi for my dinner from around the corner tonight, surprisingly good) and I am basically relaxing and waiting for two weeks time when we go to Chengdu in Sichuan. The big news from there will be that I never ate the local cuisine – I haven't stopped farting or doing number twos since Alice made me beef up that curry!

Tuesday 8^th January, 2019 0100

Ok, last one was rather morose but then this blog has always been (mostly) warts and all and like everyone else, I have things that upset me greatly. The difference between me and some of my readers is that at my age a) it shouldn't last long and b) usually it doesn't!

I watched a film today called “What We Did On Holiday” starring my hero Billy Connolly. He is my hero for many things besides his legendary comedy and in this film he explains to a young granddaughter that everyone in their own way is ridiculous and that you only have one life so it doesn't matter. So true and if you can get it, it is on BBC iPlayer currently, wonderfully comic yet tragic film which I shall watch again with Alice. Oddly, I wasn't going to download it but am so glad I did.

Speaking of Alice, she sent me a text late Sunday night but I had already gone to bed. My spring festival holiday mode seems to have deserted me, time was I would be up until three or four in the morning and wake at midday. Currently I go to bed at ten and toss and turn from five. Great if you are a farmer I suppose.

Anyway, with my habit of turning the phone off at bedtime, I never saw it until yesterday morning. “I soooo want to eat your food today!!!” it said.

Actually at first I was a touch annoyed at not getting at least a day's notice until I realised she had in fact done so, albeit after my bedtime. I was also peeved because I hadn't intended cooking or shopping yesterday because I had arranged for men with a stepladder to come and change a lightbulb in my office.

Now the bulb (actually a fluorescent tube) I could do myself and have done but it involves moving the desk and my standing on it. My balance hasn't been good for years (I think I was about fifty when I could last wash my feet in the shower without leaning against the wall for support!) and after my last fall in the shower, and the pain it caused; not to mention the fact I thought I had done for myself; I am afrit to attempt it myself any more.

So I waited all morning for the guys that always wake me up. Only they didn't. I didn't dare shower in case they came and so I waited until noon when I knew I had a two and a half hour lunch window. Showered and then went shopping. It was not long after I came back they came. Easy five minute job with a stepladder and my having bought my own spares and thankfully they knocked just before I turned on the hot water to do the washing up.

I am not and have never been someone who washes dishes straight after dinner. What on earth? You've had your meal and some wine or whatever and you want to spoil it with work? No, for me the day afer or even two days after is soon enough. It's not laziness, I always do it, just not when perhaps most people expect me too. It gets done.

So anyway, when it came to Alice, I toyed with fritatta, easy meal to make and she loves the cheese and Linghams sauce on top. I am not so keen though. In the end I made a prawn and mushroom curry, rice and parathas. “Mmmmm!!” was the first comment. “Your food is so GREAT!” was the second and the third was “School food is so terrible!”

I have to be doing something right when Chinese people want to eat my cooking, surely? Actually the curry was for me, snot-inducing because when I gave her an initial taste when it was still cooking she said it wasn't very spicy so I had to beef it up. I don't know about you but spicy food always clears my sinuses (and sometimes my tear ducts).

I have now told her that if she wants I will cook for her every night, I just need to know, failing that to let me know at a sensible time the day before. I swear she thinks I have Steve Food on tap just because once she asked for hamburgers and I happened to have frozen some patties!

But yes, it cheered me up, both a trip to the shop and pleasing someone's stomach. And on the 17^th she will stay her until our Chengdu, Sichuan province trip so doubtless I will enlist her help in the galley.

Oh, remember I expressed worries that the jing jo shop was closing? They swore blind they weren't (well inasmuch as you can when nobody understands the other!) and I did wonder why it was only cigarettes they had none of. Today I arrived in the middle of a huge delivery of possibly 20,000 coffin nails. I can only assume they are very loyal to their supplier to have resorted to selling everything and buying a carton at a time to sell and waiting – or they get a great deal.

As for the problem, it is diminishing with time and one way or the other it will be resolved. Hahah! Thirty years ago I would have said I would win because that would have been important. The thing is, there is a more than thirty year age difference in this case so just maybe I need to be the bigger man. I have done nothing wrong and could be righteous. But I was young once.

We were all stupid then. Or we didn't admit it.

If I don't fix it Chengdu will be awkward and I somehow don't think the other party knows how. Pride-swallowing time for me I think.

Sunday 6^th January, 2019 2200

I would love to start with something happy but I can't.

I'd love to say good things have happened since last time but I can't do that either.

And I won't say why I have been somewhat depressed all weekend.

Except to say that it is not nice to have it implied that you are something you are not and by someone you thought much better of.

I thought I was of an age where everything rolled off your back, it seems it does not. I am depressed, disappointed and to an extent angry. Sure, in an attempt to make someone feel better when they were ill I was perhaps misguided and inept in my efforts but the response was not what I expected at all. I fear a friendship has been lost forever.

I shall get over it, I always do, it merely makes life difficult here now for the next five months. It also makes the Chengdu trip “uncomfortable” if it remains unresolved but I am going regardless with Alice – everything is prepaid. The coming week will tell me more.

Now you all know I have friends in Shanghai, one of whom goes back nigh on forty years. No names, no pack drill but I was stunned to find that my friend had life-saving emergency surgery since we last communicated.

All my time in China (well, since I started having major traffic incidents, hospital time and arthritis took hold!) I have envied their health level. Now I thank the Lord for mine. I am hardly the world's healthiest specimen but I have never had anything removed (ok, bones taken from elsewhere to plug into other areas but not thrown in the bin) and I couldn't run a hundred yards or step into a boxing ring with Amir Khan, things I could have done (without being too embarrassed) thirty years ago.

So far though, whatever injury has befallen me, my body has always shrugged it off even though the shrugging period seems longer these days than ever. At sixty-two and a half, the aim these days is not to actually break bones any more. Every time I fall now I break instead of bouncing so it makes sense. I need to replace a fluorescent tube in here and two years ago I used to do it myself by dragging the table across to stand on. Sorry, my balance hasn't been good for a while and I am frightened. I fell twenty feet once and it nearly cost me my life. Four feet now terrifies me! I must email Brenda before the shutdown to get a workman with a stepladder. Bloody ridiculous. If my tenure here was assured then maybe I would buy my own ladder but bugger all is certain here. The only sure thing right now is there is a pair of crutches leaning against my desk from the last incident – they are handy for turning the light on and off or pushing the door further closed!

So what happy things can I write? Well, two and a half weeks sees the very excited Alice taking to the skies. It could also see a resolution for my problem, which is not actually a problem inasmuch as what I may be thought of, I know I am not and never have been. I can ignore it but should it become a rumour you never know.

This week will tell all. I'd like to say I don't care but I am pissed off with the very thought anyone could think it. Oh and just to clarify, no students are involved!!!!

Watch this space.

Thursday 3^rd January, 2019 1545

Touch wood, so far I have not cocked up the year.

Last night I had just Annie and Alice over for dinner. Annie feels guilty when I don't invite Eli for some reason but I make no apology for simply choosing who I invite, particularly when it is a simple one-course meal with a chocolate covered ice cream to follow. Anyway, she got to take him some leftovers and more ham later so he had food for today.

It turned out to be an even more expensive meal than I thought though. When at the checkout in the supermarket my wine girl told the teller to scan the barcode three times and she did. Except instead of scannng the wine one (6 bottles for 3) she scanned the whipping cream! Well that costs as much as a dozen wines here but thankfully Wine Girl noticed at the time I did. Of course nothing is simple and a re-credit on the till means calling a supervisor with a swipe card.

When I paid I thought the bill was a bit much but considering Wine Girl had pushed us in front of a queue of twenty I didn't want to make a fuss. And there must be some sort of special giveaway on because customer service afterwards was mobbed.

It was too much to pay, it was confirmed last night. The supervisor only re-credited one litre of cream so I was still charged for two when I had but one. 78¥ or nearly £9. Too late now.

But my one course was steamed cod with no seasoning or herbs. Plain for sure, but I made two firsts – dauphnoise potatoes and cauliflower au gratin. If I made a mistake it was also putting cheese with the spuds, it was enough with it in the cauliflower. I have to say it will not be the last time I make it, I am my own worst critic but it was utterly delicious and I am only sorry I let Annie take all the leftovers! And the fish needed no flavourings.

Oh, and spring festival travelling? For those who wonder why I try not to very much, here's a tale. Having been informed we couldn't go to Chengdu by train unless we wanted to stand for over eleven hours on a night train, as you know I spent a fortune for us to fly and for me to keep my private promise to ensure Alice's first flight was up front.

All we have to do is actually get from here to the airport. Simple! Take the train!

Except the day I checked the trains (can't buy tickets more than thirty days beforehand) every single train had sold out bar the 1410 one and our flight departs at 1110.

Some may recall my problem last summer when I rather belatedly discovered the coach no longer leaves from the hotel and the only other point I know is the other side of town and would take an hour on the bus to get to, only to come all the way back past here. With luck the likely lad who ended up taking me in summer in his car for half the price of a taxi has not changed his telephone number and Alice can call him and get him to take us.

Stephanie was supposed to come to clean today but cried off, citing bad food on the train back. She seems happy enough to come tomorrow to eat my chilli and I am rather hoping she will stay overnight so we can have fun. Not sure I swallow the bad food story. All she had to do was tell me she couldn't be bothered today. It's not as if I am her employer, after all, just a bit of fag money for doing my floors.

But I do have three weeks until Chengdu, probably mostly scratching my arse. Annie is going there on Monday, probably Steph too, Eli the following week, leaving just Alice. I say “just” but not in the sense you think. I'm looking forward to her exams finishing, then she will live here until our little holiday.