Tuesday 11^th February, 2020 1640

Talk about depressing!

I was going to take a walk to buy gas and my pills but left it too late to bother due to the internet having been on a go-slow today. Plus my laziness. So it was just a quick outing to the jing jo shop.

The place resembles even more a clip from an apocalyse film now. I counted six other people plus a gaggle of guards having a chinwag on the gate. The mini-mart is still shut, as are all the restaurants (even the noodle place) and this time I remembered to check on the lockups. Not a one of them open. The only places open around here are the jing jo shop and, seeing as they were a couple of days ago, the pharmacy but then two days ago some of the lockups were open too but now aren't.

Last night I made toasted paté and tomato sandwiches. Two rounds for Jody (she raved over them) and one for me which was vile. The bread I bought yesterday – both loaves – are cakes in disguise, I wish I'd baked my own. She's not hungry tonight and I'm not bothering cooking for myself so unless I break out the last packet of Jacobs crackers and use some of the remnants of cheese I have left, total intake for two days will be a sandwich and a couple of chocolate wafers. I wouldn't mind so much if the belly shrunk a little but it never does!

Joanna is still at home with her folks, not too far from Alice Wuhu. Joan last time we communicated was at home and teaching on the internet. Good news for Alice though, Beijing have decreed that students who ultimately have to cancel trains and flights booked to be taken before the end of March will, on production of their student card, receive a full refund. She'll be needing to get a refund on her 14^th February flight for sure.

The end of MARCH?? I'll be loopy before then!

But then there are other big news stories elsewhere, the UK just took a slapping from Ciara and NSW received the rains they must have prayed for to alleviate the drought and extinguish the bush fires. I reckon they prayed a bit too much though. And then there's the biggest news of all.

Phillip Schofield is gay.

According to UK tabloids, news doesn't get bigger than that........