Saturday 15^th May, 2021     2200

So thousands have been marching in London to protest over the Israel-Palestine conflict. Why??? What is all this rot? We saw it with George Floyd yet not an English Bobby was anywhere near but I see no protests about the killing of our own policewoman recently. Instead of cracking down on Covid they should come down hard on this stuff. The UK isn't doing it so it shouldn't be laid on their doorstep.

Anyway, my life wouldn't be complete without yet new problems and once again it is the case.

My residence permit expires on 2^nd September so Brenda called, concerned that because my passport expires next August we would need to apply for a new permit in July this year. I informed her I intended to obtain a replacement passport this summer.

To that end I asked the school when I finish this term. And to my horror I have at present been told 24^th July – the same as everyone else. For 10½ years foreign teachers have always finished two weeks earlier, so I was expecting to finish up on the 9^th, pay a flying visit to Shanghai to apply for my passport and then continue my holiday, with luck when I returned being able to collect said replacement.

Now Our Man In Shanghai recently got his in a fortnight. But this is me. Life doesn't work that way for me! Besides, 26^th August in Shanghai destroys my summer holiday plans (and no blame can attach to Covid this time) as no matter what, I need to be back here for the expiry date to lodge an extension to the permit.

I am pressing for clarification but if it does not change I am presented with various problems:

1. Still no official notification I can get a Z visa (although I think that's what makes the grass grow green in Texas)

2. Do I accept a permit that expires in July given that it will impact when I retire next year?

3. Do I act like a bull in a china shop as always and cost myself an absolute fortune by flying to Shanghai beforehand to apply and ask for a day's leave from school?

None of the above is set in stone yet. I await responses regarding the finish dates as it is unheard of in the last decade. As a last resort I will ask Brenda.

What I don't want is a passport renewal that should have cost me about £300 to cost me £1,000. And that's about what it would end up costing if I have to make a special trip.