Thursday 9^th April, 2020 2030

So I had my long-overdue haircut. Having worn my spectacles to get there, when I took them off I could hardly see anything in the mirror so he could have done anything and I wouldn't have known. But then, what damage can you do when I virtually ask for it to be shaved?

At home later, Jody came back when I was in the kitchen and asked how my day was. Busy, I replied. What? You said you wouldn't have much marking? I hadn't. But I showed my face. Ohhh! You had your hair cut! She exclaimed. So cool! Cool?? I just think I look bald with my fine white hair. But I am happy, the shampoo bill has reduced slightly (she uses enough for three people) and more importantly I feel more comfortable.

The chop suey? It was ok I suppose but I couldn't do it justice, my upper front gum had inflamed yet again and of course the vegetables were slightly on the firm side. She liked it enough to have it last night as well though while I had leftover mince'n'tatties.

No sign of campus opening for business on the 20^th (I have always said their dates have been optimistic and they keep getting pushed back) and now the rumour is maybe mid-May. Maybe. I suppose I'd better ask if the school are going to fire their last remaining foreign teacher at the end of term – looks as though they may have lost all their foreign students! At least I will know if I have another 12 month contract. However for the first time in a decade, regardless of my age, I am now a commodity in demand!

Anyway, I sent a text to my new best friend Xao Gao. She's the English speaking girl at China Tobacco. Do you have any more Wang Guan cigars yet and if so, how many? From the fat foreigner.

They do indeed. Three thousand of them!

Half that number would suffice until next term. But then I remembered the six months I spent buying cigars at double or treble the price which made me cough incessantly. It took me ten seconds to ask her to reserve the lot for me and I would be in to buy them this weekend. So yes, I have done some panic buying of my own – but for something no bugger else wants! A bit like buying up all the Tofu in a UK Tesco.

So that will be me sorted for smokes until Christmas or the new year. I already have a thousand still here from last time. Happy days.

I am still trying to save for whatever summer holiday I may salvage out of this, even if it is once again confined to China. However, I do need perhaps three pairs of summer trousers, my current ones are between six years old or brought with me a decade ago when I came here from the UK. And I seriously need an expensive and bouncy pair of trainers so the Chinese currency pot will doubtless diminish slightly this month. The UK parachute does though continue to grow, slowly but relentlessly.

I finally managed to top up my electricity this morning and lo and behold the mail room was open too. One letter from the bank. Change of terms. Usually straight for the bin but this time it may have been good news.

Until now, withdrawing cash from an ATM abroad (outside the EU) meant the Visa rate was applied, then a 2% cash charge, then a 2.75% currency conversion charge and later a non sterling transaction charge. So for every £100 I withdrew in cash it cost me £5 and if I paid for a flight or hotel, £3 for every hundred I forked out – usury. If I am reading it right the only charge now is going to be the Visa exchange rate (which is never the XE rate) and 2.75%. If I am correct that is excellent news, however I will email the bank to check.

I can't get one of those Revolut or Wetransfer cards due to my address so I am waiting for Currensea to strike a deal with my bank. Not that important right now but it will be in two years.