One more ! some people need a mention.

I just got home, it's 06:25 on Wednesday morning. I realised, on the flight home, that I hadn't mentioned the housemates in the last post, so just a few words,

When I first got to the house Maggie and Phil were there, I didn't know Phil too well then, but we got on really well, I'm glad I got to know him.

My old workmate Andy came next, needless top say no problems there, we've known each other a long time.

Next came Terry, again didn't know him very well, but we found that having grown up in the same area we had quite a lot in common.

Ayat was the next one, of course we have shared this house before, and I got to know him in the summer, we had a great time again I'm really glad he came this time.

Heidi arrived next, what can I say ? again, we just said hello and good morning before this trip, she took the place by storm, great fun, I'm pleased to have been there at the same time.

Last came Nigel, I've known this guy for some years now, so I knew it'd be OK and it was (is).

So I've made some new friends on this trip, had a great experience, and got some work done !

Back some time in new year, not sure when, could be March ! bye bye and thanks to all who made this thing a pleasure to write.

Neil.

Last Post

This is gonna be the last one for a while.

Went to HK on Sunday with Ayat, he's going home tonight. Had great day yesterday, did a bit of sight seeing. Went for dinner with Cai and his wife, then had dinner with Lobo and his girlfriend !!??, watched the Liverpool Man U game in a pub. Had a couple of beers then back to hotel.

Met Nigel for lunch in HK today, came back to China this afternoon.

Last day tomorrow, flying home from HK at midnight, home Wednesday morning,

Thanks to all who have read this and posted comments, all who provided the material, hope I didn't upset anyone !!!

I have really enjoyed this experience, I know it's been frustrating sometimes but on the whole it's been very good, thanks to all who have helped me get the work done and to those who helped when I was ill (they know who they are).

So the last song for a while, great instrumental,

Going home, Mark Knopfler. See you all soon.

The journey continues

So we set off, but Dennis insisted on one more picture before we left.

Looks good as Rudolph eh. Next we walked through the park where lots of people were line dancing in the square, you should have seen the looks we got, anyway Maggie and Heidi decided to join in with all these other dancers, attracted quite a crowd.

From here we walked to the supermarket, all the way people were looking and calling out to us, once inside Ayat persuaded on of the girls on the perfume counter to exchange hats (most of the shops in the hall had assistants wearing Christmas hats). See below.

Went round the shop, all the young kids were waving and calling out to us, it was hilarious, anyway, payed for shopping and left the shop and had to take one more picture of Father Christmas outside the shop, with his assistant (mad Viking woman).

From here back to the house, the whole evening was great fun, I think we amused and bemused a lot of people along the way. What also surprised me was the number of people who wished us happy Christmas. Got home around 10 pm, sat around discussing the events of the day. I'm glad I got to write something unusual, hope you all enjoyed it, we did !!

So I've got two songs today :

Walk in the Night, Junior Walker and the all stars, and Crazy, Patsy Kline.

Going to HK tomorrow back Monday.

Christmas comes early in Dongguan.

It's now Saturday, didn't get to write yesterday, got some problems with the internet connection here. This will be Fridays post.
Anyway, Terry should be landing in UK soon, it's 12.10 here. Heidi arrived yesterday, more about that later on, but first a bit about the small team Andy and I are working with.

Managed to get a picture of the two, see below.

To the left of me is Errol, to the right Hua, also known as Jean. We've been wondering why he chose the name Errol, I guess most people will know what Errol Flynn was famous for !!

They have both done some really good work this week, so very encouraged by this.

Got back to the house in the afternoon to see Terry off, Heidi produced a few funny Christmas hats, see below.

From left to right Dennis, Ayat, Maggie and Heidi, I had one as well, couldn't get a good shot on the self timer.

Had a barbie and then set off for a walk, with hats. We got to the centre of our estate, currently selling nice porcelain, went in to look and lots of small children with their parents were there. It was funny, they all thought we were mad ! anyway eventually we got them to put the hats on, they were so excited. See pic !

Some of these kids speak a little English, they all said thank you and wished us a happy Christmas, really nice and great fun.

We left this place and set off for the town, more about that in next post.

For those who don't work in FFEI, Heidi comes from Denmark (she's absolutely bonkers by the way), Ayat from Iran, so last night I was the only Englishman.

Back in while with news about the walk into town.

Song for the day : The Kids are Alright, The Who. (second Who song, I'm getting young again !)

PS see what I mean about the layout, with pictures it all goes wrong, anyone have any idea's ?

All change !

Went out for dinner last night, got to restaurant and it was one we'd been to before but didn't like very much, so I was a little apprehensive. Turned out to be very good, lots of hot spicy food. A good time had by all, we were the guests of the visitors from Korea.

Terry is the latest evictee (I'm sure that's not a word but who cares), he leaves later today and Heidi will be taking his place. Ayat is leaving here on Sunday, and Nigel arrives Monday, so it's all change again !!!

One week left for me, really want to get home now, Christmas is coming, running out of time to do shopping.

Not much to say again, sorry, back later.

Thursdays song for the day : Changes, David Bowie.

Took a bit of a beating !! (lol)

Woke up this morning (this could be a great blues song), went to bathroom, looked in the mirror, shock, horror, looked like I'd just done a couple of rounds with Henry Cooper !!! Damn those mosquitos. Needed Piriton & Nurofen to get rid of the swelling, still hasn't gone down now ! No pictures this time don't want to scare anyone.

I can't believe what happened today, Ayat meets Andys assistant and almost instantly gets her photograph, we've been trying for weeks, can't post it cos the file's too big, how did he manage it ? (and she can't understand a word of English).

Been really warm and humid today, makes a change, been a bit chilly of late (had to mention the weather cos I'm English, and also it is expected of me, eh, Anonymous).

I sent Golden Oldie yesterdays song and she really liked it, so I'm pleased someone agrees with me, no accounting for taste.

I'm struggling a bit for material this week, so maybe I'll be back tomorrow.

Song for the day : Desperado, The Eagles

Just another day in China

Breakfast usually consists of toast and sometimes fruit if we have any, the problem for me is the bread is really sweet, so I have to have something on it, Jam, Marmalade etc.. Today all we'd got was bread, couldn't face it so no breakfast, what a start !!

The Zanite work today went quite well, only trouble was with other area's which I don't know too much about, however did my best to help.

You can tell, can't you, that I don't have much to write about today ? Dennis did fix the car after the petrol cap incident but nothing else of note, even that's not much of an event.

Does anyone remember the post about the stars ? looked up tonight, and saw one !!! world record, pollution must be light today. Don't have any pictures to show today, sorry. I really hope that something interesting happens tomorrow. Oh, by the way we do have an eviction this week, Terry leaves on Friday, and I think we have a new housemate on Friday night, Heidi.

Terry & Ayat are watching TV, football I think, I can't sit still tonight, so came to write this.

So I'll go now, if anything happens, I'll do another. See Y'all.

Song for the day : Dimming of the Day, Bonnie Raitt.
A bit about this song as I've nothing else to say of interest, this is Bonnie Raitts cover of a Richard Thompson song (he of Fairport Convention). This one really gives me goose bumps, it's a beautiful song, so Golden Oldie, do you know it ?

I just had to use my favourite Who song !!

Got bored this evening so I thought I'd tell you about a work thing that happened at the weekend, it also gives me the chance to use my all time favourite song, so there's another song for the day, or shall we say evening ?

On Friday night Cai & Lobo told me that the setting equipment that I have been waiting for, for some weeks now had arrived at the factory. Full of enthusiasm for getting the job done (those with influence please take note, lol !!) we duly rushed into work on Saturday, yeah OK we went at a leisurely pace (that's Dennis and I).

Got to work only to find that they had misunderstood my description of the goods (this happens a lot !!) and something quite different had arrived. So I did stay and got the guys there to remove some castings from the moulds, so all not lost.

This leads me very nicely to the song for this evening, now I could say "is anybody gonna guess what it is ?" but I think it's far too easy, isn't it ?

This evenings song : Won't get fooled again, The Who.
Probably the best rock song in the world.
I really can't believe it's been 46 posts and this is the first Who song, I must be getting old !!
Bye bye, back tomorrow.

Old Bamboo

Monday again, hooray !!! Forgot to tell in last post, Ayat and I got locked out last night, some unsuspecting housemate, who shall remain nameless, locked the door without the key, thus rendering our key completely useless. Had to ring Maggie to let us in, Of course, she was asleep !!!

Alison : it's just like being at home !!! (lol). As you may guess we were popular !?

On to today, after lunch Dennis gave us bamboo sticks for pudding !, actually not bad, chew, suck out juice and spit out what's left. Dennis say's it contains sugar and is very good.

We also have another camera shy person in our midst, our maid, look at this, had to catch her when possible because she won't let us take a proper photo.

Walking in the park is now becoming a bit of a weekend pastime, it's nice to walk through when the sun is shining, in the middle is this piece of modern art ? don't know what to call it.

If you click on this you will see what I mean when I say it immediately reminded me of David Beckham, only he's got two , allegedly.

Not much of interest happened at work today,excepting the normal frustrations so I'll leave it here. Hope you all found it exciting !?

Song for the day : Park Life , Blur.

Please excuse the bad layout, I can't figure out what's going wrong. Think it's something to do with the placement of the pictures, will try to fix soon.

Didn't we have a lovely time the day we went to Guangzhou

Left good old Dongguan at 10:30 Sunday morning and took the train to Guangzhou (pronounced "gwangjo") also known as Canton, I guess most people will know this name. 30 minutes later arrived at Guangzhou east station.

I have to say that the city is a much nicer place than Dongguan, is much older and has more history, we decided to get lunch at 1:30 and ended up sitting in the restaurant until 4:30, technical problem with the order !!!! Walked around for a while and then took a boat trip along the Pearl river, this was the highlight of the day, see pics.

Quite impresive along the Pearl river at night.

After boat trip (1.5 hours), had coffee and caught train home. Good part was we got off at the wrong station, "funny don't recognise this place", we said, anyway managed to get another train 15 minutes later, Dennis was not amused when we got to Dongguan, also stopped for petrol and the filler cap door would not open !!! poor old Dennis not his day.

Back later,

Song for the day : Down to the river to pray, Alison Krauss and Union Station.

I love this song, if you don't know it find a copy, beautiful song.

Yet another exciting weekend in Dongguan

Thursdays night out was OK, live music a bit laughable really, and I'd forgotten what a strange place it is (went there in the summer).

Didn't get to do a post yesterday, sorry. So here's a bit about the day. First, Dennis got his Mercedes, see below, he's over the moon.



This car is ten years old (I think), very big and very comfortable, I fell asleep within five minutes of getting in !!!



Yesterday Ayat wanted to change some cheques, so we had to go to Dongcheng (another area of Dongguan), an hours drive away. Got there and had a "technical" problem so went to another bank, they had never dealt in GBP before and we had to wait an hour for them to set up a new account (yawn !!!).

We got back just in time to see Andy off, he's gone home now, if you're reading this you lucky man, hope you got home safely.

When Andy had left we had guests round for a "barbie", an Ayat & Dennis special, Cai, Lobo and his girlfriend Marie came to eat with us. Nice evening & good conversation, Marie speaks excellent English.


So here we have Ayat and Dennis preparing the food, it was quite delicious, these guys know how to cook, puts me to shame ! couldn't even begin to compete with them.


You should have seen all the washing up, stacks and stacks of dishes, when the honored guests departed we tried to get Maggie to do it but she went to bed.

Went to work this morning, this afternoon we walked around town, uneventful. Might go somewhere tomorrow, possibly Guangzhou (next city north of here).

Not much else, so back soon. I didn't get any quiz suggestions !!! anyone interested ?

Song for the day : Strange Town, The Jam.

Another farewell !!

I'm back in good old Dongguan again, arrived at the house 6pm last night, couldn't do a post because my laptop was at the factory (in the safe).

So here we go again, it's been a China day today !! frustration all round, so nothing new there.

As predicted two new housemates Ayat and Terry (see pic).

From left to right : Dennis (driver and bodyguard), Ayat (it's coke not beer), Terry (playing with his phone) and Maggie (you've seen her before).

We're off out tonight, it's Andys last night, going to the Princes Hotel, got a bar there with live music. So following this latest eviction we will be down to three again. Only two weeks to go to the next trip home, can't wait !!!

Just for Anonymous, I've got to mention the weather, it's cold, much colder that when I left last week, but dry.

Back tomorrow with more, news about the night out, and breath taking events of the day !!??

Song for the day : Farewell is a lonely sound, Jimmy Ruffin.

New trips eve

Hello again, couldn't resist another post. Been into the office today, said goodbye til Christmas to all who were there, so Golden Oldie as you were absent, see you at Christmas.

Off again on tomorrows flight to HK, should be at the house by about 6pm on Wednesday, I really can't wait !!!

Andy Lowe flies home on Friday night, bet you'll all be glad to see him next week.

I know I have two new companions when I arrive, Terry & Ayat, so hopefully they will provide some more stuff to write about. Ayat is famous for his "barbies" (that's barbecue not dolls) had one last summer when in China.

Hope you all continue to comment, it really helps me to stay enthusiastic about this blog and it's just nice to hear from all at home, keep it up !!

So I'll be back on Wednesday (hopefully) with more exciting news !!!!

Song for the day : China in your hand, T'pau
Bet you've been wondering when I'd use this one !?

Good to be home for a while

Thought I would say a bit about being home. I've been home now for four days, still can't sleep at the right time, (15:05 and I'm exhausted), suppose I'll get used to it just when it's time to go back to China (next Tuesday). Also I'm getting hungry at the wrong time too !!!!

It really was good to get home and see Alison & Emma, won't see Kate now until Christmas. Saw my parents on Thursday (happy birthday Dad), and seen a few friends in the pub as well, it's been nice. I'm gonna miss my friend Grahams fiftieth party on the 8th Dec, sorry I can't be there, hope everyone enjoys themselves.

It's funny, I miss writing this, got used to doing it each day, quite enjoyed it too, I guess I just had to get a fix ??!!

Anyone fancy another quiz ? how about some suggestions on the content ? not music this time something else, come on what do you all prefer ?

Song for the day : Ramble On, Led Zeppelin, just cos I like it.

A short break

As some of you know I'm now home for a short while. Going back to China next week.

Got into UK at 4:30 this morning, after 12 hours in the air, it's a long time ! Great to see Alison, Emma and the people at work. Don't think there will be anything to write about while at home, so look in next week around Wed/Thur.

Song for the day : Movin' on, Bad Company.

A journey in the dark

Tomorrow "Cheeky" goes off to HK and from there home on Wednesday, have to say it's been fun. I'm off on a trip of my own, so no blog for a while, really hope it's been interesting for all the people who have persevered with it, my thanks to everyone who published comments and most of all to the people here who have given me something to write about. It's been a bit of a challenge to find material every day.

Right now "Cheeky" is struggling to make the laptop work for "Maggs" it's a bit frustrating cos he's having to get Chinese translated, good luck with that.

Andy has got on well today, good progress there.

Spent a lot of time on the train recently and whilst doing a little research found a few pictures of the types of train we have travelled on, thought someone might be interested ??!!

I think I've travelled on all three now, the last type tends to be a bit "skanky"

Anyway, got to sign off now, no electricity tomorrow, be back to this blog in about a week.

Got a couple of songs :

Travelling light, Cliff Richard and the Shadows & Home, Westlife.

Bet Golden Oldie knows the first one !! Bye.

A hero in our midst

It's been quite a weekend. On Saturday we removed the first casting from the mould, turned out really well, only one minor hiccough. So now we can proceed with the production, I think we were all very relieved.

Mr Meek ("Cheeky Meeky") has been keeping us entertained this weekend, and it has to be said has proved to be a star. He fixed the DVD player, it now plays in colour, and he also found the problem with the satellite receiver, fixed that too, unfortunately "yours truly" messed it up again when moving it to get at the DVD player.

We went to HK yesterday to get Maggs a laptop, did the star ferry again, so "Cheeky" could re-live his childhood days in HK. Went to the ladies market in Mong Kok. Long day compounded by problems when we went to collect laptop, didn't work properly, had to wait a long time. Just made the last train out of Shenzhen (missed the HK train) with ten minutes to spare, and all we had time to eat was a MacDonalds.

Will do another post later today with a song and more news.

Back soon..........

Production starts !

OK, this is mostly work today, sorry to those who don't work for FFEI.

We cast the first piece at last, tomorrow we will see the result, it is a momentous occasion !!!

Not much gone on, but Steve Meek has been keeping us entertained. We're all out for dinner tonight.

Thought you all might like to see these two sleeping beauties :

Don't they both look angelic ? (Mr Meek & Mr Lowe).

Saw this the other day, real fire hydrant !! bit old fashioned eh !

Dennis is getting a new car, a ten year old Merc !! big one, don't know which model.

Not much else to say, it's getting harder to find things to write about, see you all soon.

Song for the day : Drive, The Cars, (just for Dennis).

Lightning strikes twice.

Another day of inactivity, still waiting for an essential piece of equipment, that's how it is here, tomorrow we'll probably get loads done.

Wrote about the pollution yesterday, Andy and I walked over the road at lunchtime and looked at the river that runs past here, take a look, pretty awful and you just wouldn't believe the smell, I dread to think what it's like in summer.

For those of you who know Lobo (resident engineer) he's decided he has a new job, I think in England we'd call it "dogsbody", so I got him to pose in his brand new role.

On our walk out today, it happened again, yes we were stopped in the street an photographed ! I'm guessing now but could it be that we are just "handsome" ????!!!! It never happens at home, we might even get famous here, what a novelty.

Out for dinner tonight, don't know where yet, but all meals out so far have been good, so looking forward to it. Got to go shopping for food first, we've not much for breakfast tomorrow, got to look after Mr Meek.

Back again Friday, bet you can't wait eh ?

Song for the day : Take me to the River, Al Green.

One of my all time soul favourites, great song.

Another day in Paradise ?!

Went to the new office in Changping again today ( Take note Phil, I've inherited your duties !!) to approve the decorating and carpets, what a performance !! I can see why Phil got so frustrated, Im not going into details, all I'm gonna say is "That's China"

Nigel (he's the boss, for those who don't know) and Steve Meek are arriving later today, it will be good for them to see some progress here, been a long time coming.

I've been looking at a web page managed by some ex pats who live in this area and came across this news article at :
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/language_tips/cdaudio/2007-11/13/content_6250884.htm
So ladies you all know what you're getting for Christmas this year !!!! What a horrible story, I guess it can only happen here. The web site is called that's Dongguan and it is quite interesting, I think generally the opinion of this city is that it's a place people love to hate after a time and as they quote "hate to love" sometimes.

I've also noticed something else, last night I sat on the patio, beer in hand, gazing into the sky (you know, like you do when there's nothing else to do !), there was the moon (about half), heaven forbid !! no stars, where have all the stars gone ? I like stars ! I can only conclude that it's the pollution here blocking them out !! not a cloud in the sky. Pollution here is very bad, not just the air but the river is an utter disgrace and rubbish, well you've never seen the like, this in the more industrial areas.

More soon, finding it hard to get material to write about, anyone bored yet ?

Song for the day : Starman, David Bowie.

A giant step for the boys in China

It's Alisons birthday today, happy birthday, I'm sure all the readers of this "riveting" diary extend their greetings on your special day. Hope it's a good one, sorry for not being there, nearly half way through though, so down hill from now !? Looking froward to getting back to good old "Blighty" and seeing Alison & the girls.

Made huge headway today, so much happier now, and so is Andy, here's a pic of him working, his assistant is still camera shy I'm afraid, she was trying to escape when I took this.
Only just got the shot before she ran behind the camera. They both missed lunch because they couldn't stop, so they got KFC later, Owa (that's how you say it, don't know spelling) didn't like it ! I told him to get Chinese ! but what do I know.

Sorry for making this one post so work related, little else to say.

Look in tomorrow for more action ???

Song for the day : Alison, Elvis Costello.

Nearly half way through week four !

Been a trying one today ! Still can't get on with the job !!!!

I'm covered in insect bites, why do they pick on me ??? Not a lot to watch on TV tonight so it's a reading evening. Dennis went off to do something with his car and didn't stay for dinner.

When out yesterday took another pic of one of the features on this estate, elephants.

Maggie got two new fish for the pond today, think there's too many in there anyway, don't know how long they will last, we'll see.

It's hard to get pics in the week as it's already dark when we get in, so we may have several days now with none, sorry !!

Well I suppose I'll have to go now, nothing else to say, dinner's over so cup of tea and get the book out.

Song for the day : Monday, Monday :- The Mamas & the Papas.

P.S. I should think Golden Oldie remembers this one !!!

A day of rest

Not much gone on today, got up, late breakfast, read, watch TV (satellites on again, praise the lord !). Lunch, watch TV.

Went for a wander round the estate and came across this sign,

Think it must mean "no climbing over the fence", but my first thought was, who the hell wants to sit on fence with spikes on top !!

I haven't shown any pics of the house so far, so here's a selection.

You can't see the house cos of the foliage !!! Need a chain saw and a team of gardeners.

Patio.

One more, this is my room.

Look in again tomorrow, you never know it might be interesting !!

Song for the day : Our house, Madness.

The things people say

I forgot to mention this earlier. When we went to Mackies for lunch a very helpful chap served us who could speak English, excellent service, we were delighted.
As we left he called out to say goodbye, came over and asked us if we came from USA.
We replied that we were from England and he said ....... (you're gonna love this !)

"I'm from China"

Isn't that great, we held back the laughs until we got outside, it was funny, but he was so helpful, when we went the next day, he repeated our previous order verbatim. Wish I'd taken his picture to post.

Keep looking, afraid I don't get gems like that every day.

No satellite TV !!!

Saturday, nearly 4pm, going shopping a in a while, need some stuff for breakfast tomorrow.

Picture above is the super market where we do the shopping.

Had a power cut all morning so no telly !!! Went for a walk again today but nothing out of the ordinary happened, just the usual stares, even walked through the park with no incident. Been reading most of the day, Dennis is unavailable today so we can't go anywhere. Very tedious today, the hours seem like days.

Here's a pic of Mr Lowe and his favourite food. Look at his smile, he loves it .

Our satellite TV has stop working, we think the subscription has expired, talked to Dennis he thinks it's the receiver, who knows ? So we only have a limited choice, mostly Chinese.

Maggies friend is OK, she got dragged along the street, few cuts and bruises, doc gave her the all clear. Fortunately didn't lose anything of value.

Nothing to add, so back tomorrow if there's anything to say.

Song for the day : Elevation, Television.

A day of surprises

Went walkabout again today, my we're getting brave !!! Hate to say this but lunch at same place as yesterday, at Andys insistence, he liked it so much. Had planned to go to KFC this time, he's obviously a Ronald fan.

Andy has been keeping something from us all !!! Never said anything about his other business activities, seems he opened a restaurant/bar in Dongguan and kept it quite. Here he is posing outside said venue.

As we walked on from "his" place we were stopped by two ladies who wanted to take our photo, on a camera phone. This was outside a small shop, next thing we know the shop keeper with small baby has joined us, to be photographed as well, bizarre !!. They seemed delighted with the pic, waved goodbye and left us !!! All done with not one word in English, lots of people stopped to watch, and all seemed amused, we were bemused.

I think all the pics so far have shown a clean, reasonably smart place, unfortunately it's not all like that, below is a pic just off the main street I showed yesterday, bit grim. Have to say though all the busy public places are clean and tidy.

On a not so good note, Maggie went out for lunch with her friend, we saw her in Mackies, friend got robbed on the street, broad daylight. Apparently a guy comes by on a scooter and whipped her handbag.

We have been careful last 2 days, no bags, very little cash, just enough for what we want to buy. According to the ex pat web page this is all too common and they give good advice on how to keep safe, we are being very careful, honest.

Don't know what the weekend holds but if we do something special I will write about it, otherwise, it looks uneventful. Hope we can get to work on Monday, if we can't, more ennui, I remembered that from school !!

Back again with thrills galore, tomorrow.

Song for the day : Wishing ( I had a photograph of you), A Flock of Seagulls.

Favourite pastimes in China (1)

Today worked at TC for a couple of hours, then home, can't do much now until Monday.

Andy and I decided to walk into town today, had a McDonalds for lunch, Big Mac, McChicken sandwich, 2 large fries & 2 large drinks £3 the lot. Andy reckons it's the best one he's ever had, was quite good, better than UK.
Lunch venue.

I've noticed that people here like to sleep at lunchtimes (pastime No 1), Maggie sleeps at her desk, Lobo sleeps under a machine !!, Cai sleeps in the chair. As we were walking along today, past the building site, lots of workers were asleep !! one in a tractor and this guy, on the path !! The onlookers thought it funny, some idiot westerner taking pictures of sleeping people !


Wherever we went today we got strange looks, maybe it was the shorts, no I'm not going to post a picture, we might walk to the KFC tomorrow just to get more funny looks. We walked back through the park, an old lady started shouting at us, wondered if we shouldn't be in the park or maybe she was telling us to go home, don't know, it's a bit odd when you don't know what you've done.

Here's a pic of the main street near us.



Back again soon,

Song for the day : Walking Down Your Street, The Bangles.

A Calamitous day !!!

Well Phil's just left for HK airport, this time tomorrow he'll be home, he's still not well so he will feel more comfortable at home. Hope he gets better quickly, really enjoyed his company over the last 2 1/2 weeks and I'm gonna miss him.

Had to stop work today because of missing parts and materials, we were getting on so well this week. This is quite a set back and it looks as though the earliest we can start again is next Monday, gonna review this tomorrow, looks like Andy and I will be "gardening" for a few days. The garden certainly needs some attention !!

Seems we got the girl's name wrong, it's not Tsin, it's Owa or something like that, we were really close Huh !!!!! they don't even sound the same ?! She really is shy, tried to get a photo and a video of the "team" working but she won't.

Andy and I went for a walk up to the shop to get some soft drinks today, it's warm and humid, but when I got up was quite chilly, funny weather.

Have two songs tonight, sure you'll see the significance,

Song for the day (1) : Leaving on a Jet Plane, John Denver, Peter Paul & Mary or Janis Joplin. You choose.
Song for the day (2) : The Deadwood Stage, Doris Day.

Back with more news soon.

Missed a day !!!

Gotta blame Phil's bash for not making the post last night, sorry. Got back just before 12 so straight to sleep.

We all went for dinner, best dinner I've had here, and very unusual.
I know anonymous will ask for details of the menu, but Janet, it was a huge dinner with around 20 different dishes and a lot of it was unidentifiable !!!, the best one was a soup you eat for dessert made of rice wine with small dumpling with a sweet sesame seed filling, delicious, most of the food was very hot & spicy.

After dinner went for a few beers at a bar just around the corner from the house, we didn't know it was there !!! Phil's most annoyed. Took the camera, forgot to take pics !!!

Another Beatles song I'm afraid, might be another one tonight, can't decide.
Be back later,

Song for the day : Yesterday, The Beatles.

Phil, The Maid & Dumplings

As Phil's going home to UK on Wednesday he's decided on no more Maid food, so tonight we went out to a dumpling restaurant, it was really nice, we all enjoyed it, muggings here had to pay cos Phil's running out of cash !! Going out again tomorrow for hot hotpot with the boys from the factory.

So back to work today after a good weekend away, Andy got his first taste of working in China today, he and I also met his new assistant, a girl !! Not a surprise cos we had been told, but considering the physical nature of the work, and she's only a tiny little thing, not sure if it's gonna work, we'll see. We think here name is Tsin or Gin, very difficult as she doesn't speak any English, when we talk to her she just giggles, it's quite funny, better than moaning though.

Dennis was away all day getting the car fixed, couldn't understand what he tried to tell was wrong, maybe all will be clear later in the week.

The internet has been really bad here last couple of days, and I had a job logging in to post this, that's the way it is here, sometimes it's OK others not.

Weathers OK, but it's cold in the mornings now and I don't have any warm gear as such so have to put up with it.

Be back tomorrow with some more riveting stuff !!!, and hopefully some pics.

Song for the day : I feel Fine, The Beatles.

The weekend always goes too quick

Well we're back in Dongguan again + 1.
Andy Lowe arrived yesterday, met him at the airport.

Good weekend, nice to eat some proper food and see the sights again. Think Andy was quite impressed with view from the harbour on the Kowloon side.
Phil got another watch !! this time at the Ladies Market in Mong Kok, he must be made of money.

Hey Simon, nice to hear from you, I'll send some mail, Alison's gonna send your Email address, don't have it on this machine.

Not a lot to say tonight, but here are the quiz answers,

1. Johnny B Goode, Chuck Berry.
2. Nathan Jones, The Supremes.
3. Twisting the night away, Sam Cooke.
4. More than a feeling, Boston.
5. Layla, Derek and the Dominoes.
6. Waterloo sunset, The Kinks.
Terry and Julie were : Terence Stamp & Julie Christie.

Thanks to those who had a go, Trevor & The Golden Oldie (only those two) and they both got 100%.

Song for the day : Hong Kong Garden, Siouxsie and the Banshees.

More tomorrow, keep on looking.

It's all Hunky Dory here !

Well, not a lot to say really.
Phil's better, I'm better, we're both looking forward to getting out tomorrow.
Going on train in the afternoon to HK.

Think the weekend will do us good, the novelty of being here has now worn off.
Rained most of today, hope that dampens the mossies !!
Been doing some design work today, waiting for tools to arrive, everything seems to take an age here, got to be patient.

So, hope everyone is well back home, be back on line Sunday/Monday, hopefully with a tale or two to tell, Bye.

Song for the day : Life on Mars ?, David Bowie.

Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends

There's not much to say, so how about another quiz ?

Phil and I are gonna be away til Sunday night so you've all got a few hours to ponder. It's a song lyrics quiz , each extract carries two points, one for the song, one for the artist/band.
Some of the songs have been covered, I'm looking for the original artists (hope I've got these right, if not don't argue, we all make mistakes, OK ?)

The last one has a bonus question, so is worth three points. Here we go :

1. Deep down in Louisiana close to New Orleans,
Way back up in the woods among the evergreens...
There stood a log cabin made of earth and wood,

2. You packed your bags
As I recall
And you walked slowly
Down the hall

3. Let me tell you 'bout a place
Somewhere up-a New York way
Where the people are so gay

4. When I'm tired and thinking cold
I hide in my music, forget the day
And dream of a girl I used to know
I closed my eyes and she slipped away

5. I tried to give you consolation
When your old man had let you down.
Like a fool, I fell in love with you,
Turned my whole world upside down.

Last one :
6. But Terry and Julie cross over the river
Where they feel safe and sound
And they don't need no friends

Bonus question : Who do Terry and Julie refer to ?

Good luck, hope it's fun. Post your answers via comments or email, don't mind.

Answers on Sunday/Monday, keep a look out.

Lunchtime Fayre at Techcrystal

As Anonymous requested a menu :

I never touch the soup so I don't know what that was.
Rice, always rice !! Beef with celery, Little egg roll with something inside (don't know, but it was nice, savoury), some green stuff (some kind of vegetable, looked like a big spring onion, but didn't taste like it) & whole prawns. Oh, and water !

So that's it, enjoyed it.

Be back tomorrow with more Scintillating news and gossip from sunny Dongguan !!!

Neil French, FFEI news, QiaoTou, Dongguan, China.

One week to go for Mr Phillip Ellis

Been slow going last 2 days, makes you tired, but the lunch today was the best one yet, there's always a silver lining to a cloud, no matter how faint.

Thanks to Andy for fixing Alisons laptop, glad you're back with us, and able to post comments, bonus !! I'll think about the Rolex !! Ha Ha.

Phil's only got a week left here, gonna miss him, he's been great company. I think we'll have to have a couple of beers next Tuesday night.

I heard today that we will have the pleasure of Mr Stephen Meeks company in 2 weeks time !!
Hey Steve if you're reading this, make sure you're on top form when you arrive, we could do with some entertainment here.

Have no pictures today, trouble is (I got that phrase from Alf Tapscott) it's dark when we get home, so not able to snap away outside. Been thinking about the next challenge, haven't come up with anything yet.

The words won't come today, so I'll say au revoir.

Song for the day : Wish you were here, Pink Floyd.

P.S. I can't believe I've gone nearly 2 weeks and haven't picked a Who song (what's goin on ?)

P.P.S. I forgot to tell, my forehead looks like the surface of the moon, mossies got me again last night, must be in the room !!

Another challenge soon

OK I know that was a hard one, my musical taste can be obscure at times !

So sometime in the next week or so we'll try again, I'll try to be more mainsteam next time, pehaps that'll get a few more interested. I need a few days to think about what it's gonna be, maybe not music, who knows ?

How many at work are reading this ? does anybody know ?

All alone in my room

Thought I'd do another one. Maggie's watching ER on the TV, she loves watching telly ! I think it helps to improve her English. The maid has gone home, after making dinner and washing up, don't we live the life of Reilly ? Did I spell that right ?

Phil's in his room and Dennis has gone home for the day. Dennis is our driver and he often stays awhile to watch TV (what a surprise !). He's a good lad, really looks after us, when we went to Shenzhen he insisted on walking behind me to make sure no one tried to "nick" my rucksack.

Done all the Emails that needed an answer and I'm waiting for my brother Andy to Skype me.

More on the Morrow.......

Mosquito, Mosquito

Got eaten last night, I even wore jeans, so they picked on my face. Right eyelid and left forehead, it's comical, Ha ha ha, (see pic). Phil's got Montezuma's revenge again, poor old soul, he's putting on a brave face. I really hope he's feeling better tomorrow, no fun.

Not a lot to report on the day, found it hard going trying to describe to the Techcrystal buyer what tools and lifting equipment we need, we spent 30 minutes on chisels ?! I'll get used to it but got a little frustrated.

We're definitely going to HK this weekend, and we plan to meet Andy Lowe at the airport, can't let the poor lad find his own way can we ? so considerate, Phil's idea, he's a real gent.

I've forgotten how to use a knife and fork : Alison you better go and get me a pair of sticks and a little bowl (no plates here), for when I come home again. Fish & chips in a bowl with chop sticks !!

I see no one played the game (shame on you all), Golden Oldie gave up. It's quite hard if you don't like Southern Rock.

Song for the day : Tuesday's Gone, Lynyrd Skynyrd

The Golden Oldie Guessing game

Last week I told The Golden Oldie she would never guess next Tuesdays song, so let's see if anyone can : the clue is for the band and the title so here it is, In dixie land it's Wednesday.
Andy French stay out out of this one cos I know you'll get it straight away.

Good luck, more tomorrow, 9:30 pm, time for bed soon, up at 6.

P.S The fish had a great weekend.

Oh what a beautiful morning

Glorious weather today, especially this morning, not too hot, just right.

Haven't had a beer since Thursday because of medicine, goes til Friday, but today I'd love just one ! can't though.

Gonna try to get out some time so I can post some pics of the real China in this area, the pics of the site here aren't really representative, and also try to learn a bit more about the area. Done some research on the web, there's quite a large expat community here in an area called Dongcheng, there's even an English pub, must try it some time, it's run by Brits and Yanks and it's called one for the road.

Phil's been to Changping twice today, think it's driving him nuts, but he's keeping calm, not like me is he ? Ha Ha.

I know that some of you won't be interested but we unpacked mould 1 today, here is a pic.
So we are almost ready to start, need a few tools and other items, when Andy arrives it'll pretty much go from there. For those in the know that's the Chinese mixer in the background.


Today has been busy, the phone didn't stop this afternoon when UK woke up, as most of you know we're 8 hours in front of UK.
Emails all afternoon as well.

So ! there can only be one song, here we go,

Song for the day : Manic Monday, The Bangles.

See you tomorrow.

Cleanliness is next to godliness (or is it ?)

Every time Maggie cooks for us Phil and I always offer to wash the dishes, each time she has insisted that she do it. Today we insisted, she put her foot down and told us that men cannot be trusted to do it properly and get the dishes clean enough !!! Phil's Mr ultra clean, he's always cleaning something in the kitchen that doesn't meet his (extremely) high standards.
Can someone at Peterborough tell Ayat that Dennis washes the things he has washed cos he doesn't do it right either !!! Maybe we all have some kind of reputation over here.

Went to Shenzhen this afternoon, Phil got a Rolex (yeah, we know it's a fake) and also one for his wife (how cute is that), won't publish what he paid, but he got a great deal. Can't get over the driving standards here, appalling, also quite amusing (see songs for the day).

On the way home we had dinner in a hot pot restaurant, not bad.

Songs for the day : Road to hell, Chris Rea & Highway to Hell, AC/DC

Getting out of jail

Going out this afternoon, off to Shenzhen to look around the town.
Trevor : if your'e reading this blog I will have a look a watches today and Email back details of what's available.

Didn't get up until 10 o'clock (what a slouch), Phil had already been for a walk.

Lovely day again, so breakfast on patio. The ladies in house next door are all doing Tai Chi outside this morning, the music they are playing is quite relaxing.

Post later if anything interesting happens.

Vital supplies

Phil and I just walked up to the supermarket to buy food, on the way we passed by the new hotel which is being built close to the house (it's called the wellton), took a picture of the scaffolding, see below : It's all made from bamboo poles and although it's not too clear you can see how it's all leaning to one side, wouldn't fancy working on there !!

A bright new day

Saturday morning 10:50 am, having taken 2 doses of medicine feel so much better, my thanks to Carlsson, TY & Cecilia for helping me yesterday. Phil is feeling better too, so that's good.
So, Liz : maybe the Verve got it wrong and "the drugs do work" !

It was quite cold last night but this morning is really nice and warm, bright blue sky, didn't get up until 9, had breakfast then chores in the kitchen, we decided it needed a bit of a clean !

Don't have any plans for the rest of the day, might post something later if we do something interesting, I think we both want to rest today.

Here are some pics of the swimming pool, just around the corner.

Song for the day : Twisting by the pool, Dire Straits.

Not good today

Well it seems there is a plague upon us, Phil's poorly with an upset tummy, I had to give in today and go to see a doctor in Hong Kong, right pair we turned out to be !!!. This cough just got unbearable, seems I have an infection, got 5 different medicines to take, thought it was 4, can't count either.

So nothing else to say, been either laid up or travelling, only just got back, 10 pm.

Song for the day : Milk and Alchohol, Dr Feelgood. (not in the mood to think about it today)
S'pose it could have been "goodness gracious me", Peter Sellers & Sophia Loren.

Coca Cola & Ginger (Thursday)

Well much to my surprise the Coca Cola & Ginger helped with the cold, well done Maggie & the Maid, for those I haven't told we had Coke boiled with ginger last night as a cold remedy and I didn't think it would work, at the behest of Maggie & the Maid.
It's raining today so I didn't get out to take some new pictures so nothing to show tonight.
Had to call off the Hong Kong trip this weekend because Phil needs to be here to deal with the decorators of the new office (he is not amused) !!!
So we will go next weekend and meet Andy Lowe when he gets in on Friday afternoon.
Means a weekend at the house (yawn !), but we are planning to eat out a couple of times just to do something different.

So we come to the song for the day : it has to be, Maggie May. Rod Stewart & the Faces (or should that be Maggie, Maid ?)

Work day 3

Not much again today, sorry.

Went to look at the FFEI China office in Changping with Phil. On the twelfth floor of a tower block. Not yet decorated but should be good when finished.

Felt quite ill again today, so been resting this afternoon, wish it would go away.

Thought you all might like to see some pics of the surrounding area, so here's the first one.

This is the lake on our "estate".

We have seen some large fish in this lake down by the bridge you can see in this picture.

Beyond this lake is a huge open air swimming pool, might feature that in the weeks to come, it's really quite impressive.

Going to Hong Kong this weekend if I feel better, think Phil needs a break !!! (Ha Ha, what an excuse).

Song for the day : China grove, The Doobie Brothers (again), Chris, do you know this one ?

To Anonymous

Does the anonymous one want to identify themselves ? Can't reply if I dont know who you are.

Work day 2

Not a great deal to write about today.

Had a power cut at lunchtime until 3:00 pm, everything stops !!!

One of the guys at Techcrystal called Alan announced he goes on holiday for a week starting tomorrow because he's getting married.

Came home to find the fish pond nearly empty !!! saved the fish at the twelfth hour.

Dennis our driver doesn't feel well, hope he hasn't got my cold (I still keep coughing),
and Maggies got toothache.

Pictures today : Maggie watching Jurassic Park while Phil is working on his computer.

Maggie and Phil eating dinner (I'd finished).











Song for the day : Ruby Tuesday, The Rolling Stones (just because it's Tuesday).

Work day 1

Phil went to work, I went to a meeting in Hong Kong (Ha Ha).

Went on the train, got back around 5:00 pm, no one home.

Maggie and Phil got back around 6:00 pm, it really is a hard life as you can see from the picture.

He deserves that beer, he reckons he a bad day, comes to all of us sometimes.

We learned how to say rice in Chinese today, well you've gotta start somewhere, don't know how to spell it. Apparently these lessons are gonna continue, bet it gets harder later on !!!

Song for the day : Long train running, The Doobie Brothers.

Sunday

Not a lot to say about the day, spent the afternoon on the patio watching the fish ??? (see picture) and reading. Had noodles again for lunch, courtesy of Maggs.

Went to a dumpling restaurant for dinner, excellent, tried some unusual food.

Back home (10:00 pm now) tired, want to sleep.

Going to Hong Kong tomorrow for a meeting with a guy from Switzerland.

Song for the day (has to be) : Lazy Sunday Afternoon, The Small Faces

Where are we ?

Living and working in Dongguan. We are situated in an area called QiaoTou. Dongguan is in the Guangdong province and has a population of around 7 million people!! small town.

I believe the majority of the population are migrants from other areas inside China.

The house we live in is very nice, right now there are three of us here, Phil, Maggie and myself.
Maggie is our translator, she comes from Xian (where the Terracotta army is located).

Went to look at the new factory area today, it's looking good, when we got home Maggie made a noodle dish for lunch, very nice.

Sat on the patio with Phil drinking beer in the evening, not much else to do.

Can't sleep again it's 06:10 on 28th. Got a stinking cold, won't go away.

Song for the day : Sunny Afternoon, The Kinks.

Day One

Left England on 25th October.
After 12 hour flight, finally arrived at the house in Dongguan at 5 oclock on the 26th.
What did I find ? Phil Ellis sitting by the fish pond drinking beer !!!
Got unpacked, had dinner can't sleep now it's 12:20 am 27th.
Keep looking, tomorrow i'll say a bit about where we are and what it's like.