Wednesday 15^th July, 2020 1905

Three days ago I decided to cease taking Amoxicillin. On and off I have probably ben taking it for over a year, albeit in small doses. In the UK I'd have been to the GP but I am not that keen on Chinese healthcare. Let's look at my history.

First off an easy one. Laundry powder allergy which simply required two injections of antihistamines and after changing to liquid detergent, no recurrence although I do keep some pills just in case.

Secondly, three weeks in hospital and wrought iron gates shoved into my arm and shoulder. Nine years on it still doesn't work properly and pains me if I move it the wrong way.

Thirdly, broken foot which they fixed wonderfully but then completely missed a shattered pelvis which then healed naturally but giving me a “sailor's roll” when I walk and limited range.

Fourthly, my “cancer” scare. Garden hoses down my gullet and an operation which in truth was completely successful except not a soul asked what drugs I took and it was up to me to suss what had caused it all or it would have happened again. I now no longer take the culprit but my perambulations have suffered as a result – I know which I prefer.

Fifthly, going to a consultant about the hips. A mix of western and vile TCM which did sweet FA.

So you can understand my reluctance to seek assistance unless desperate and to be honest the antibiotics have by and large kept it at bay with occasional resurgences quelled with larger doses.

I thought just maybe I had eradicated it until yesterday morning when I found myself urgently needing the loo every five minutes to pass a thimbleful. Damn. Up the dose temporarily and pray by the time I go to bed I won't need to get up twenty times in the night. Well I was up a few times and slept badly even though it was after two before I retired.

And I had arranged to go for lunch with Adriana today. She's the sort of girl who might take it the wrong way if I cancelled even though the treat was on her this time. I almost sent her an email to warn of the possibility but decided to wait until this morning. Steadily it has improved (maybe I should see if I can buy some of those Billy Connolly incontinence trousers! Fantastic sketch) and I was able to go.

Same as last time she sent me instructions to show the taxi which were ambiguous, this time not me but to the taxi driver. I got dropped off at some alleged western restaurant but not the Russian one we were meeting at. I had to hail another cab. Eventually we found the place.

Now, annoyingly she had already ordered the food so I have no idea what they do beyond that. However I was not impressed one bit. Russian bread with garlic butter which was simply soldiers toasted on one side with a pot of butter to spread on them. Butterfly garlic prawns which I have to say were ok even though I only got two of the five served. Then a chicken and cherry tomato shish with three cherries and three chunks of chicken. You guessed it, I got the middle one. I don't eat raw chicken. The end ones were cooked but not mine! So I had a couple of soldiers and two prawns. She also ordered something that looked like lasagne but was some kind of Russian cream gloop with unidentifiable contents. I declined to try it. But hell, at least she returns the favour from when I pick up the tab. And maybe I will go there again and actually see the menu.

News just in from Our Man In Shanghai is that foreigners are allowed into Yichang. If that is the case then there's hope for the cruise, which I am holding off asking for a refund until next Thursday. Two weeks before is cutting it fine to make alternative arrangements but if Xiamen it has to be then there should be no problems, it was suggested we take the train there from Shanghai but I'm not keen, there are only fast trains taking between five and eight hours. Yes they are slightly cheaper than flying Business but rushing out during a two minute station stop for three puffs on a cigar and being berated to get back on is not nice. Now if they had a slow overnight train I would happily pay for four berths in a soft sleeper compartment just for the two of us and bake sausage rolls, cakes, chelsea buns and other stuff to take on the journey because you can smoke on the trains.

So now the UK needs to wear masks in shops. From the 24^th July.

Is it just me or has Boris suddenly lost it? He's always been nuts which is why I used to like him but if they are going to be mandatory why not immediately???? Why the delay? Indecision and dithering are going to cost him his job just as bullying and bluster will be the downfall of that prat across the pond. Mind you, a bit of indecision here wouldn't go amiss right now.

Anyway, wear your masks wherever you are, I don't unless I have to and neither are many other people now. In fact it's difficult to know now whether those wearing them on the street wore them as a matter of course before all this anyway.