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.