Sunday 26^th January, 2020 0130

Ok so I have “retirement syndrome” or at least am practising for it. You know, when you don't have to work so every day is Sunday and you can sleep whenever you want?

The big news in my life is the toilet is blocked, worse than ever before and I am now wondering just what Jody shoved down it, usually filling it and giving it laldy with the plunger clears it but not this time. I really don't want to have to call the maintenance men so will have another, more energetic crack at it tomorrow (or rather, later today).

Not everyone is wearing masks around here although Mama in the jing jo shop did indicate I should be wearing one. Thankfully the son was there to help me explain to her that I think masks are a waste of time and that washing your hands is far more important, along with avoiding other people of course. But hell, you'll either get it or you won't and with an incubation period of up to two weeks I am amazed other countries are simply thermally scanning arrivals only from Wuhan at airports.

And now this:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-51249208

Worse, Kevin informed me tonight Sri Lanka doesn't allow tourists to bring in tobacco products! He's teaching there now. Apparently you can buy the likes of Sri Lankan manufactured fags (Dunhill and such) but no cigars!

Whoa! Ok I checked and you can buy them in special places like the Hilton (doubtless at exorbitant prices) and have now emailed Sri Lankan customs asking for clarification because I may have to rethink the summer holiday plans. If of course I don't die from Wuhanitisbatsoupeating disease. But I ain't going anywhere I can't have a smoke for eight days. That's no holiday for me, that's a prison stretch!

If I have to change that's going to be like standing under an elephant taking a leak. Not just because I've never been there but also because my budget, if it stays on track, allows me to make every flight from here to everywhere planned, including Joanna's, sitting up front.

There just has to be somewhere to buy lardies in Colombo. I don't mind paying the price for a week (Kevin tells me Dunhill are £7 a pack so maybe £200 for cigars for the week?) and I had my heart set on going there. Don't ask me why, it seems to me now to be somewhat a cross between Victorian and prohibition USA. I'm not a good fit for that.

Anyway, looks like Kevin is having a rough time out there. Wages are shit (ok cost of living is low but even so) and the school is taking the piss. Tonight I attempted to pull in some favours from people who don't actually owe me one.

I've emailed the director of foreign affairs for the province (the lady who gave me those beautiful gold plated aspirases plates) and the girl I let down last summer at Gansu Agricultural Uni.

No idea if it will help but because he left last June and will turn 65 shortly, many provinces are throwing their hands up in horror. Maybe here it will be different, it's hardly a magnet for foreigners. In fact it's dreadful. I have made no secret of the fact I dislike this city – as opposed to the people.

There are worse places to be. Maybe they will give him a visa and work permit.