Thursday 23^rd April, 2020 1730

Ok the wallowing of last night is over.

It was nothing that a night's sleep and rolling up the sleeves this morning couldn't cut down to size.

I have toiled all day listening to this week's oral topic of blood donation (believe it or not, the most successful topic I have set so far) and I have cleared three classes along with all the appeals for reappraisals. One class of written work sits now lurking in my folder, which I shall do in the morning.

Of course, before I go to bed tonight another two batches of written assignments will plonk down but at least it means I can probably mop everything up by close of play on Saturday.

Janet from the little campus texted earlier asking me where I was because she was near my home. We had a bizarre conversation though my kitchen window, she wearing a mask, me not. Her rumour was that maybe the school will reopen on May 9^th.

I said I sincerely hoped not because I wouldn't be here! I will be in Xining! They can bugger off, I'm not starting on a Saturday and the 11^th is fine but not before. I ain't going to get a Labour holiday like everyone else so I shall be taking mine a week later. Anyway, the weekend is paid for now.

Alice in Guangzhou is very happy now, she has finally connected to my new VPN (You can connect up to six devices and I only have my laptop) so she has access to the world for free until March 2023 even if I peg out.

Today's work blitz has meant no shower, no jing jo shop, nothing. So instead of the roast pork dinner I fancied, tonight will be bacon, eggs and fried bread. My diet's not seeing any benefit from working at home!

Stop press: Just now Brenda emailed to say she was delighted to say that I will be invited to stay here next year and also to hold off on my travel plans until she knows the Leaders' advice next week.

If they do in fact reopen that weekend they may, due to the Labour holiday, consider Saturday and/or Sunday as normal working days. I said I have had enough of slaving away here week after week, I have paid for everything now and I intend to spend my 64^th birthday in 5 star luxury. Sod it. If ten weeks of my setting assignments from here were ok before, then another day, maybe two, when for once I am absent, can hardly matter, particularly if I set assignments anyway. Time for some give in the give and take relationship methinks – it's not as if I am mutinying!