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.......