Sunday 7^th July, 2019 1920

The “relief from the heat” which we never had is by my reckoning coming tonight. I think it will belt it down later. It has indeed been pleasant to be able to go out clad in just a shirt but not once have I broken sweat. In fact it has been most pleasant.

Knowing as I did that rain was on the way, I was concerned about the China Mobile junction box on the building opposite. A couple of kids were working on it yesterday and failed to close it properly so it flapped in the wind. I have no idea whether it serves my internet or not, hence my concern. It would seem someone else, perhaps from that building, shared the concern for I now see the door is now firmly closed.

I am not sure how I feel about the impending rainstorm. That bastard bird won't be chirping away all night but I will get the incessant sound of raindrops hitting my window prison bars. I love the sound of rain outside normally, it's a constant noise and science tells us constant noise is better for sleep than utter silence. But “pling, pling, pling” on aluminium is not. I need earplugs.

Alice and Lillith came earlier. Having for the past two years taken the Mickey out of my pinching hotel freebies such as bars of soap, containers of shampoo and body lotion and slippers, she is now about to appreciate it. Shanghai, with its new draconian rubbish laws has seen to it that hotels no longer offer free stuff. We will take my stash with us.

Even better, they came tonight to “borrow” a couple of hotel toothbrushes because soon they move dormitories to the new campus!

If I had 100¥ for every time a Chinese had ridiculed my actions and they turned out to be useful I would not be worrying about the expense of the Shanghai trip.

Anyway, I have the feeling tomorrow night is the last time we will see Annie. I haven't had time to fulfil all I wanted to do but she will get her smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels and, I hope, banana cake and cream if I get it right.

After years at sea I should be used to goodbyes but still I am not.