Waiting .........

Waiting at the airport now, glad to be on the way, flight leaves in about 1 hour, so this will be the last for this trip and I think for the blog.

Had nice evening in HK yesterday, woke really early today, so went for a walk at 7am, nice and quiet by HK standards.

See you all soon.

Neil.

Checking out tomorrow

For a last day it's been uneventful again, stayed in the hotel except for lunch. It's been too hot for walking about and the wind has been like 'dragons breath'.

I'm all packed and ready to leave, Dennis will collect me tomorrow at midday.

I will stay in HK on Sunday night and catch the 2:30 pm flight from HK to London.

Don't know what else to say ...

Song for the day : Stop, Sam Brown.

The trip peaks out

Missed out on breakfast today ! Thought I'd get a breakfast in HK at Dan Ryan's. Got there about 10:45 and the guy gives me the lunch menu ??? "Am I too late for the breakfast menu" I asked " no sir" he replied "we only serve breakfast weekend and bank holidays" Lunch it is then.

Finished lunch and took the star ferry across to Central and walked to the peak tram, I've not done this trip before, so it was good to do something new. Very steep ride in places, anyway, got to the top and went up to the viewing terrace, took one photo and the batteries in the camera gave up. Went down to the shop below and got some more but when I tried to get back up the Lady told me you've already used the ticket !! Managed to talk her into letting me back in though, gave her the old batteries ran out story, couldn't make it up could you. Here's the view, don't think pics capture how stunning it really is.

This one is the tram line.

It was very hot so I didn't stay too long. Got back to Chang Ping station and got searched again, again !!! must look dodgy this time. Anyway not a bad day out, bit tired and hungry now so I'm off for a shower and then dinner (7:45 pm).

Song for the day : River deep mountain high, The Four Tops or Ike & Tina Turner.

Did I feel a right plonker ?

Anonymous got it dead right !! I did feel a right plonker. We only travelled 20 yards at the most.

Ha ha, I did have a little smile to myself though, who knows what they thought bet they had a laugh when I'd gone.

Just finished dinner and collected the laundry, I really do lead an exciting life.

Saw some kids feeding the fish in the pond at the hotel, had to mention fish wouldn't be the same would it ? Here's the pics.

One hearty breakfast is not enough !!

Well not much to tell again, the work is all done and I can't get a flight until Monday.
Might have a day in HK tomorrow I'll see how the weather is and hopefully get some pics to post, none so far.

Funny thing happened this morning, finished breakfast and went outside to wait for Dennis. While I stood there one of the drivers from Techcrystal pulled up, this guy speaks no English, anyway I thought Dennis had asked him to pick me up so I got in the car and he parked in the hotel carpark !!! Turns out him and his friend have come for breakfast they drag me in to the Chinese restaurant and I'm still thinking Dennis has sent them. So we all sit down, I decide to call Dennis who is outside by now, he joins us and I have the second breakfast of the day !!! much better than the western breakfast I might add (fruit and orange juice today).

Chinese cabbage, chicken and some sweet dumplings, very nice, trouble is there's no pictures on the menu and I have no idea what to order if I go in there tomorrow.

That all, going to sit by the lake before dinner, it's nice in the evening.

Song for the day : Orangejuice blues(blues for breakfast), Bob Dylan.

Is that obscure enough Golden Oldie ?

Hot 'n' spicy

I didn't post anything the last couple of days cos there's nothing much of interest happening.

The work is almost done now and I should be finished by end of work on Thursday, PROBLEM : can't get on a flight until Monday afternoon !!!

Dennis and I went for lunch today at hot and spicy restaurant, guess what ? the food was too hot for Dennis, I thought it was OK, I reckon I'm becoming a local ! Went and sat by the lake for a while this evening but no one around, it's really quiet here this week.

As there's nothing else to write about ?? the weather is very hot and humid today, shower and a bath already, the air is bad too.

Can't think of anything else.

Song for the day : Spice up your life, the Spice Girls. (I'm struggling here !!)

Taxis, Trains & Planes

Here we go again !! Alison took me to the station on Thursday morning (7 am). Met my old friend Graham on the platform " going home then" he said, ha ha !! Journey went quickly with someone to chat to.

Got a taxi from St Pancras to Paddington, as I was getting in the car I twisted my ankle, ouch ! and after a 12 hour flight was quite sore and swollen, what a start. OK now though.

Got into HK at 7 am, didn't sleep on the flight at all, the evening flight is better cos you do feel like a sleep. I had heard from Carlsson that a typhoon was expected, but it was only wet and a bit windy. As it was raining I went straight to the station and got the train to Dongguan, arrived in Chang ping at midday, Dennis was waiting. Checked in at hotel (19 th floor again) and then went for lunch at a favourite of Dennis, Hong Kong restaurant in Qiaotou (I like it too).

After lunch went into work but all the HK people had left, got a call later from Carlsson to say that the wind in HK was now force 9, seems I got out just in time !

It's Saturday morning, I slept 11 hours last night.

Weather (for anonymous) wet and hot.

Got to find something to do for the weekend ???? Hope you all enjoy the bank holiday, back soon if there is something to report.

Song for the day : Big yellow taxi, Joni Mitchell (it wasn't yellow it was silver and the ones in HK are red)

Will I get a visa in time ?

I'm due to return to Dongguan on Friday 21/08/08. I should be leaving London for Hong Kong on Thursday, however, I still have no Chinese visa and I'm not sure if it will arrive in time, we shall see !!

So I think I will be writing this blog when I get there, (notice the new layout, got tired of the old one), I only expect to be there for 2 weeks this time and like last time I will be alone and staying at the hotel.

Keep looking, you never know, something exciting may happen !!!

Neil.

Many partings

So another chapter in this story is almost at an end. Not much has happened so far today, the work as far as it can be is finished and I'm home (in Qiaotou not England) now. Just been finishing the last of the packing, the maid is ironing the last of the washing !!! (never seen her ironing before, this is new) usually do it myself.

Pouring with rain again, big big storm.

Dennis has gone home to rest his ankle, it really looks bad today and he can't walk very well. He's insisting on taking me to the station tomorrow, good job the car's an automatic and his right foot is OK, not that it would make a difference here !!

I may post a couple more before the end if there's something to say, if not I guess this may be the last of this blog, I will miss writing it.

So my thanks to all who gave me subjects to write on, also to the people who posted comments. I would also say a big thanks to the people who helped me here, it's not so easy when you're by yourself, especially Dennis and Cai.

Bye bye, see you all soon.

Neil.
Song for the day : The last time, The Rolling Stones.

A trip to the hospital

The penultimate day is nearly over, and what a day. The sun shone all day !!! just when it's time to go, saw some lovely butterflies at lunch time some as large as small birds, trouble is they flit about so quickly you can't get a picture.

Mix up at breakfast time Dennis arrived much too early and when I came out he was asleep in the car, had to wake him.

Dennis had an accident at work today and had to go to the hospital. He's injured his ankle, fortunately he's OK but he has to rest it for a while, he did come back for dinner and here he is showing off the war wound.

So one more day here, got to work in the morning then back here to finish packing and making ready for the journey home, it's been a long time coming.

I'll finish with the miss and not miss things tonight,

Things I'll miss the most : Dennis (he's been great and I've enjoyed his company even though we struggle to communicate sometimes), Cai (I'll miss his little stories and news about the family), most of the food and the "no rules driving" (quite fun sometimes).

Things I won't miss at all : Pollution, boredom and loneliness (weekends and evenings) and the "no rules driving" (the bit where they drive on the paths, it's just like death race 2000).

Back one more time ....

PS after going on about the sun I just heard a huge clap of thunder !!

Song for the day : Something in the air, Thunderclap Newman.

Too wet to hang the washing out.

Sunday 20:25, it's rained most of the weekend, not been anywhere except the hotel (dinner) and supermarket (buying food and washing powder), too wet and big, big storms again. The fish pond even overflowed.

Can't get the washing dry, I've got clothes hanging all round the house !! hope it dries before it's time to pack.

The Internet connection has been dreadful this weekend as well, surely that can't be the weather ?

Had the mossies attack again, keep forgetting to put the repellent on and I think that cos it's wet there won't be any, wrong !!

Not a lot else to say,

So :
Things I won't miss, Chinese whisky, slow Internet.
Things I will miss, being driven to work, DVD shop (so cheap), air con.

Song for the day : Weather with you, Crowded house.

Boredom has set in

Got a bit bored so I thought I'd do another post.

Been sitting here thinking about the time I've spent here since July last year, and as it's nearly time to leave, what I will miss and not miss. I will do a couple of these on each post now before I leave on Wednesday, so here's the first ones :

Things I won't miss : Chinese Coffee, the noise ( it's the noisiest country I've been in ) and mosquitoes ( I guess that was obvious).

Things I will miss : Chinese tea, hot and iced ( some are really different and so nice), food shopping with Dennis (the meat counter is a Revelation) and the train ride from Hong Kong to Dongguan (I just like it).

Think I'll go for a beer tonight, back tomorrow perhaps ......

Donner und Blitzen

Was woken this morning at 6 O'clock to the loudest thunder I have ever heard, this was a mega storm, absolutely lashing down and it's still going on now 2:30 pm !!! thunder and lightning too.

Again there's been little to say, it's so hard to find stuff to write about when you're here alone, because of the wet weather recently I haven't been out much either so hence no post yesterday.

I have changed the leaving date to Wednesday next week, I can't change it again cos I think if I do Liz will do me some damage when I get back, think we've changed the flight 3 times already, the travel company must be expecting her to call every day now.

Dennis and I have nearly finished now, I think Monday should see the end of it, on Tuesday we can tidy the place up and I can start to get ready for the trip home,really looking forward to that flight lol.

So I'll be back on this if anything interesting happens at the weekend.

Song for the day : Let it rain, Eric Clapton. (awesome guitar playing on this)

A friend came to watch movies !!!

Tonight I was watching Beowulf on DVD when I noticed I had a new friend watching with me, a frog !!! in the lounge !! no idea how it got in, had to chase it out through the back door in the kitchen.

He's not the first visitor either, some weird and often horrible looking bugs get in sometimes.

Off to bed in a minute, heaven knows what I'll find up there.

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

Dennis the diner is back

Had Dennis back for dinner last three nights so not eating as much !

He sat here this evening watching The Matrix Reloaded, completely absorbed by it, just like Terminator 3. I think he likes that kind of science fiction.

There's not been much to say after the weekend, just work and watching TV, what an exciting life. Been eating lunch out this week for a change, today had noodles with Dennis.

I was supposed to be flying home on Sunday but I may have to stay on for another few days, will make the decision tomorrow.

It's so hot and humid at the moment and the mossies are back, got attacked in the lounge last night, not too serious though, escaped with one or two small bites.

Going to the shop in a minute need some more tea. Listened to The Ramones last night so here's one of theirs.

Song for the day : Blitzkrieg bop, The Ramones.

A happy day for eveyone

Yesterday lunchtime I walked into town for lunch, had a large plate of spicy noodles and a large plate of fried rice with mushrooms, followed by some sweet rice cakes for pudding. I'm OK when the menus have pictures (just a big kid really), all this because I knew Dennis wanted to drink Chinese whisky later.

So, to the events of the evening. Dennis picked me up at six in a strange car !

The wedding party had borrowed his, pic. What a pretty Merc eh.

The hall is a community centre for old people, quite large and full up with wedding guests, to get in you have to give a red envelope with money inside, good job Dennis primed me !

Loads of food on every table. Before I knew it Dennis produced the dreaded bottle.

Here's the happy couple, his brother told me about fifty times during the evening that it is a happy day for everyone, yes he'd been on the firewater too !!

It was lovely evening and lots of people came and shook my hand and smiled, even though I couldn't communicate with many of them I really enjoyed it. Got home about midnight and no I didn't have a headache this morning !!

A suitable song for the day : For me and my gal, Gene Kelly.

Hair cuts just ain't what they used to be

Dennis took me to the barbers this morning, what a different experience !! First you lay down on a bed with head over a basin, I thought I was getting my hair washed but no ! Face and head massage, then you get a complete skin clean (face) and then ears are cleaned out. Then your hair is washed. Off to the chair for a haircut. Once done your hair is washed again.

All this for about £5, Dennis had the head massage bit, but didn't get his hair cut.

We then went for lunch, soup, beef, dumplings and roll up pancakes, see below.

Dennis can't leave his phone alone, even when there is a meal on the table.
Today the temperature reached 40 C on the patio !

Song for the day : Fantastic day, Haircut 100.

An unexpected party

Well, here's the hundred up, I'll have to save the special post until Monday I think. The reason is that I think ?! I've been invited to a wedding celebration on Sunday. For a few days now Dennis has been trying to explain but I haven't really understood if it's a birthday, a christening (do they have that in China ? I don't know) or a wedding. Today he said "one boy one girl" so it must be a wedding (or a birthday for twins). It's all to do with one of the drivers at work, don't know which one, so it's difficult to establish whose wedding it is. Seems the wedding's on Saturday and further celebration starting with lunch on Sunday, should be a great experience, I'm looking forward to it.

No pics again, it's only just stopped raining.

So that's it, the song must be obvious,

Song for the day : White wedding, Billy Idol.

One more for a century

Been all work today, all I can talk about is food and weather (yawn !!).

Dennis and I decided to go out for lunch today, so we went downtown (Qiaotou) to a Hong Kong restaurant. Chicken curry, beef with ginger and spring onions and rice. It was very good, much better than at work, and I just had to get out today.

Tonight it was Duck with green beans, beef with green pepper and cold chips !! she likes to make chips occasionally they are always soggy and cold, so I bury them in the rice to warm up !!

Weather wet and hot.

Hey Kate why are you at home ? no lectures ?

This is post number ninety nine so hence the song : 99 red balloons, Nena

The barber of Dongguan

It hasn't stopped raining now for two days, everything feels damp and it's still warm too.

Last night went to the hotel where they had a special day for the earthquake appeal. Lots of Chinese men drinking Chinese whisky, I think I understood correctly, they were all sad and decided to drown their sorrows. This fire water they had was twenty five years old and costs over £100 a bottle and it tastes horrible !! no accounting for taste.

I think I'll have to brave a Chinese barber, hair is far too long (that's an age thing). So on Saturday I'm gonna walk to a newly opened shop just up the road, I'll have to take the camera.

This is post number 98, so in two posts time it'll be the century, have to try and find something special to write about.

Nothing else to add so bye bye until next time.

Song for the day : Whisky in the jar, The Dubliners, Thin Lizzy, Metallica and more I think.

The Amazonia is dead.

I'm back from my short break in HK, was nice to do something different. Had a mega burger last night, this in an American place in Causeway Bay, I was drooling !!!

Did a bit of shopping, just came away with some new trainers, so cheap.

Walked from Causeway Bay to Wanchai to listen to the band in the Amazonia, the place was dead !! and the band not on good form. Had one beer (Alison please take note) and went back to the hotel. Stayed in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon this time. Seems I should take some lessons from my youngest daughter on how to get a busy social life !! see comments.

Back to China on the train this morning, very busy today, China must be getting popular.

Didn't take any pics, and it's rained all day so back tomorrow.

A very obscure song today ! Amazona, Roxy Music (anyone remember it, don't think it was a single).

A fish day

Had a lazy day ?, fed the fish, cleaned the pond, did some washing this morning, listened to music most of the day.

Fish for lunch, I think it was Carp, very nice, with rice and tomatoes and onions in soy sauce, delicious.

Just been for a walk, and something I never took much notice of before suddenly stuck me. On this estate all the foot paths have trees in the middle of them, how bizarre, so you are best walking in the road, see pics.

Notice the rubbish bin ? they are all the same on this site, fish !!

Back next week with some news, from HK maybe.

Song for the day : Fields of gold, Eva Cassidy (it just happened to be playing as I was writing this, got the player on random) and it's better than Stings version, in my opinion !?

A message to Alison

Alison, you know very well if YOU put a mountain of food in front of me I'll eat it !!

You should've seen it last night a big tub of rice and three plates of meat, chicken and vegetables, and it's nice !!! it's got to be eaten. It beat me last night though.

To answer Golden Oldie, the food is cooked for me by the maid, but I could manage ?!!

Weather (anonymous), 35 C today but humidity is low so not bad, I quite like it like this.

For those of you who can't read and like to look at pictures (only joking !), I took these in the little park by the lake, it's really nice in the evening.

There's nothing to say about the day really. Going for a beer tonight and tomorrow it's gonna be washing and ironing the stuff I don't get the maid to do. So back next week after the HK trip.

Song for the day : Tequila sunrise, The Eagles. I've been trying to learn this on the guitar this week.

No Dennis = more food.

I got five comments yesterday, think that's a record !!

I'm putting on weight !!! It's because Dennis hasn't stayed for dinner last four nights and I have to eat all the food, it's nice but I've been so used to eating less.

On the work front : things have slowed a bit but that was inevitable, however, we have done really well (I think).

Been missing home a bit this week, lack of conversation doesn't help, and I've watched all the DVDs ! Have to get some more. Has anyone seen Flight plan, it's got Jodie Foster in it ? I thought it was really tedious, think I'll watch Terminator 3 again tonight.

Going to HK on Sunday cos my 30 days are up, so that will make a change and I can eat something different.

Song for the day : Blueberry hill, Fats Domino.

Not a lot to say

Not been much to say of late, also had problems with the Internet connection in the house, hence the lack of posts last few days.

Took this pic, caught me unawares as I went for an evening walk.

This is what Dennis calls a "China car", I just wish I'd been walking in the other direction cos I'd a seen it coming.

I'd just been round the lake again, between it and the house is a hill with palm trees growing all round, I'll have to climb these steps, see pic.

Can't think of anything else so I'm off till tomorrow.

Song for the day : Drive my car, The Beatles

Earthquake

My daughter Katie and the ladies in the office back home, told me there was an earthquake in China. We didn't feel it here (maybe it was all that red wine !! lol).

No one seems to know about it here, I did ask around.

So another fitting song : Shakin all over, Johnny Kidd & the pirates, or The Who.

Sleeping on the job !

Saturday had dinner at a spicy restaurant just up the road, food V good but V hot (chili hot), had some fish didn't recognise the species. Walked around town in the afternoon for a while, places I'd not seen.

Yesterday went swimming at the hotel, water was V cold so didn't stay long.

When we got home tonight a lorry was parked outside the house, the driver was fast asleep, rushed in for my camera and he awoke just as I was about to take the shot, so I didn't. No pics today !!

No power at work tomorrow, it's gonna be hot in there with no air con.

Back soon,

Song for the day : Summer breeze, The Isley brothers. (that's what we'll need tomorrow).

Answers

Well I only got two contestants (again !!) Alison & Golden Oldie, both got 100% well done and thanks for taking the time. Shame on the rest of you !!

So for those who want to know, here are the answers :

1. Who was the Chinese girl warrior that fought against the Huns? : Mulan

2. What was the path called that went to the Ming Tomb? : The sacred way

3. What is the busiest river in China? : Yangtze River

4. What do Chinese that live in the northern part of China, eat as their main food? : Noodles

5. What was buried with the first emperor of China to protect him in the after life? : Terra cotta soldiers

6. What was the Forbidden City? : The home of the Emperor

7. What was the Silk Road? : Trade route between China and Europe

8. During the Chinese New Year festivities children are given Lai see. What is Lai see? : Lucky money

S'pose I'd better apologise now !!

My sincere apologies to anyone who was offended by those legs !!! and the socks !!! (Anonymous).

It won't happen again ha ha ha.

Rock n Roll

A few things to tell !!













Yesterday the Internet didn't work here in the house so no post. Dennis hurt his back at work and has been on light duties since.
The power has been off all afternoon, just come back.

He was able to take me shopping last night and guess what ? I got a guitar !! been thinking about getting a cheap Chinese one this time to amuse myself in the evenings. I got this one for £20, so it's not top quality but it's pretty good for the price. I took that one of me using the self timer, bit out of focus.

May go swimming this weekend, the pool has been cleaned out, also there is one at the hotel which you can use.

Anyone else gonna do the quiz ?

Song for the day : Guitar man, Bread.

Chicken run

This is Wednesdays post, didn't get time last night.

Busy day today got a lot done again, Dennis and Kenny are really doing well helping to get these machines built. Took this just as Dennis bent down then the batteries ran on camera, spare ones in the house !!


Tonight Cecilia and Carlsson took me for dinner at a place that is famous for it's chicken. This place rears chickens for their own restaurant, I've never tasted chicken so good it was brilliant. Between us (James (the driver), Carlsson, Cecilia and I) we ate six chickens (I think) together with a beef dish and some vegetables. Forgot the camera, shame cos it would be a nice thing to remember. Must go back again before I leave.

Weather report : Hot !!!
Mossie report : no bites last night, I've resorted to fly spray and insect repellent immediately before bed, worked for two nights.

Song for the day : Welcome to the machine, Pink Floyd.

Wot a surprise lol !!

Two weeks of unbitten bliss came to a savage end last night !! yes (surprise surprise) I got molested by mossies again. Clearly 19 floors up protects against these blood thirsty little monsters. 2 am and I awoke knee and elbow itching and swelling, I really should be prepared by now, complacent huh.

The satellite TV has expired (so much for that big loop !!), so I went and got some DVDs last night, Dennis and I watched Terminator 3 he loved it, it had Chinese sub titles so he was able to understand what was going on. He got quite excited in parts but had to leave before the end so he will watch the rest another time, I can't wait.

Rain again today (just for anonymous), bit cooler too.

Must get some pictures soon, back tomorrow.

Song for the day : Once bitten twice shy, Ian Hunter (remember that one Golden Oldie ?)

China quiz

So here it is, eight questions, most are easy but there are a couple of tough ones.

Please answer by email by Friday 9th May.


Hope you like it.

1. Who was the Chinese girl warrior that fought against the Huns?

2. What was the path called that went to the Ming Tomb?

3. What is the busiest river in China?

4. What do Chinese that live in the northern part of China, eat as their main food? Rice, Spaghetti or Noodles

5. What was buried with the first emperor of China to protect him in the after life?

6. What was the Forbidden City?

7. What was the Silk Road?

8. During the Chinese New Year festivities children are given Lai see. What is Lai see?

Hope that wasn't too bad, good luck.

Quiz

I'm now back in the house moved down here this morning, all alone this time so I need something to do. Been sitting out in the garden (such as it is, patio really) for a while.

So I've put together a short quiz, the subject is China, as I'm here and with the Olympics here as well a fitting subject.

The quiz will be posted on Tuesday, please send answers by email this time, you all have one for me so shouldn't be a problem.

Back next week.............

Song for the day : I never promised you a rose garden, Lynn Anderson.

Got to pack my bags !

The Olympic torch got to Hong Kong today, I'm told it's been very busy down there (can it get any busier ??).

Well I'm moving out tomorrow, seems like I've been here forever, it's not quite two weeks. I liked it here and it's comfortable but the house will probably suit me better. Went down there this afternoon and gave the maid my laundry (oh I bet I'm popular !!). I had to call Dennis to explain to her that I didn't need her to cook until Monday, it's gonna be fun with the language.

Two weeks gone, in some ways it seems like an age, in others gone like lightning. We made some good progress this week and I think in a couple of weeks we will have a clear idea when we will finish the work.

Don't know what I'm doing this weekend, hope the sun comes out it's rained all day today.

As all you guys at home have a holiday weekend I don't think I'll post anything unless something riveting happens, will try to put a quiz together though so look out for that next week.

No pics again, sorry. Back next week, bye bye.

Song for the day : House of the rising sun, The Animals.

Quiz

If I do this quiz, it won't be music this time.

You will have to wait and see ......

Neil.

Confused !!??

Well I'm sorry but what does "that sky is on one big loop" mean ?

See comment on 'A day IN the zoo'

Another song springs to mind : Dazed and confused, Led Zeppelin.

Layout

Please excuse the bad layout, having problems again and I don't know how to fix it !!!

By the way, if I get some time over the weekend might put a quiz on again, anyone want to play ? last time only got two contestants.

A day IN the zoo

Got up later today as it's a holiday, went for a walk around the lake again. Lots of people about and many in boats on the lake. I sat by the lakeside for a while and lots of the boats came by and stopped, the people just staring at me (I'd forgotten how fascinating we are to the locals), now I think I know how the animals in a zoo must feel !!!

I think there must be some kind of show tonight in the square opposite the hotel, the stage is all set and chairs have been laid out, might hear it later if it's music (see pic).

Don't think I've put up a pic of the hotel, so here it is :

Back to work tomorrow, so I'm going to bed early.

Another obscure song (sorry Golden Oldie) today I'm afraid, hands up anyone who knows it.

Song for the day : Dreamboat Annie, Heart.

Mayday Mayday !!!

Very hot and humid today, Dennis and I got hot and sticky working in the factory, it has gone very well though.

Not much to report again today, just finished dinner, might wander down to the bar for a beer and then read before bed. The TV here is not too interesting, the two satellite channels available in English keep showing the same films over and over, it'll be better in the house as the full satellite range is usually available.

Tomorrow is a bank holiday here (as it is May 1st) so we can't get in to the factory (what a shame !!!) so I guess I'll have to rest tomorrow, won't see Dennis until Friday. Might go out and take some pics that can be used here in the blog.

Thought I'd lost my mp3 player today, forgot I put it the safe, where would I be without the music ? big relief !!!!!

So back again soon...

Song for the day : May you never, John Martyn.

A flying visit

I've not had much to say last couple of days, was also very busy yesterday and didn't really finish until after 10 pm.

Nigel arrived and we met for breakfast on Monday, he left for UK this morning, so it's just Dennis and I again.

We're going out for dinner tonight, don't yet know what we will eat !!!

I'm going to move into the house at the weekend, so it's gonna be different, fish to look after again. I guess it will be ok cos I can always walk up here if I want to eat some western food (it's ok in this hotel).

Hope I have some interesting news soon.

As it was just work for the last two days I'll choose this song,

Song for the day, Land down under, Men at work.

A Lakeside haven

Just across the road from the hotel is a small park, with this lake. I spotted it from te lift the other day. During the times we were here before we never came here, I didn't even know it existed.

Went for a walk there and took these pics, it's really nice and quiet and you can almost imagine your'e not in a big city, nice place for a picnic on a sunny day. I wonder what a Chinese picnic consists of ?

I didn't write a post on Saturday as nothing happened, weekends are gonna be a bit lonely if I can't find some things to do, I'll have to consult Dennis. Spent most of the day reading or watching TV. I even walked to the supermarket just for something to do !! bought some water and walked back again, and my new flip flops gave me blisters !! Never mind it could be a lot worse.

Back tomorrow with more........

Song for the day : Soul city walk, Archie Bell and the Drells

Three little piggies !!

I'm not going to mention the weather today, just for a change.

A message for all the people at work who contributed to the collection for Cai's new baby, thank you all from Fianny and Cai, they really liked the gifts. Cai was making his daily call to Fianny at lunch time, so she asked me to thanks to everyone.

Dennis has bought three pigs !!! (white ones) he wants to turn them into one hundred pigs !!! it's funny he told me "mummy pig, she make many little pig, maybe one hundred". So maybe one day he will stop driving and become a pig farmer.


I found this picture on the net, can you imagine Dennis herding the pigs in his Merc ?





Very quite here tonight, no one to talk to, last night I had a talk with the people in the group that plays here in the evening, they come from the Philippines, they all speak really good English, they don't work on Fridays, and most people seem to be going home.

Not sure what to do this weekend, probably sleep most of the time.

Back soon if something interesting happens.

Song for the day : Pigs (three different ones), Pink Floyd.

Home for lunch

Had a good day today, Dennis and I got a lot done, we're starting to make some progress.

Bit cooler than last couple of days, so been a bit more comfortable.

Went for lunch with the management at TechCrystal, they took me to my hotel !!! Food was great, we went in the Chinese restaurant here.

Just about to go for dinner, then a beer and read before sleep.

Back soon, with more. Gonna do an album for the day today !!

Album for the day : All the best cowboys have Chinese eyes, Pete Townshend.

Rain rain go away ......

Last night in the bar I met two guys from Italy and one from Ukraine, they all spoke excellent English, someone to talk to in the evenings, turns out they all go home today, oh well !!

Just for Anonymous, it poured with rain today, so much water, still warm so can't complain.

As there's not a great deal to say today, I thought some more pics from the hotel would fill the gap. This is the chandelier in the reception area it's quite a sight, although the photo doesn't reflect the size very well, it's huge.











The other one is from the other side of the hotel to my room, couldn't eliminate the glare from the window, so it's not very good.










That's all i'm afraid.

Song for today : It might as well rain until September : Carole King.

A hard days night (not todays song)

I guess you all remember me writing about the cold weather in January, well it's completely the opposite now. Very hot and humid today, not complaining though (is that really me !!??) just have to keep drinking lots of water (not beer !!).

We needed some tools today, I suggested a shop to Dennis where we got just what we needed, anyone would think I'm a local !! Dennis wasn't impressed at all.

This hotel serves all manner of fayre, so I'm not restricted to a rice diet at the moment, this time I may even gain some weight (hope not).

Got a very busy day coming tomorrow so I hope I can get a full nights sleep, last night was not too good again.

Didn't get a chance to take any pictures today, and not a lot to report so I hope I've got more to say tomorrow. I may not write this every day this time, it's hard to know what to say particularly when there's no one else to write about.

So back soon.

Song for the day : I just don't know what to do with myself, Dusty Springfield.

High in the sky !!

Well I got here safely, came up on train yesterday afternoon. Dennis collected me at Changping station and dropped me at the hotel. This hotel is the one that was being built during the winter visit here, you may remember the picture of the scaffolding.

It's very nice and I'm on the 19th floor, you can see for miles (below).

Couldn't sleep again last night, and I did try reading Janet !!! She's the anonymous one ( you can tell cos she always comments on the weather), by the way Janet it's 30 C and very wet here !!!

So had the first day at work, it's gone very well, been a bit hot and sticky.

Andy Lowe if you're reading this Errol, Kenny and Jean have done a good job, better than I expected, so look like Dennis and I have a lot of assembling to do !!!

I'm off now for a shower and then dinner in the hotel, back tomorrow.

So I really must start this trip with a Who song ...........

Song for the day : I can see for miles, The Who (Pete Townshends favourite).

Sunday 10:20 am

Managed to sleep !!! didn't wake up until 9:30.

Off to the railway station soon, back to Dongguan, can't wait lol. Dennis is gonna pick me up at the station. Actually it will be good to see Dennis again.

So I'll be back soon with more news from this trip, bye.

Why bother with shower gel ?

It's 01:10 on Sunday morning and guess what ? I can't sleep. Went to bed at 10 pm woke at 12, so here I am writing this.

I'm in the hotel in Hong Kong, flight over was OK, didn't get much sleep. Landing was fun though, today was a bit stormy and the descent was very bumpy. It's poured with rain all afternoon, had dinner in Causeway Bay at a Shanghai restauarant, ate different kinds of dumpling with soup and noodles, lovely.

When I got to the hotel, decided to take a shower, only to find that a brand new, full bottle of shower gel had decided to empty itself inside the wash bag, with some getting out into the suitcase !!!! Why bother with shower gel ? all the hotels provide it anyway.

Gonna try to sleep again in a minute, so bye for now.

Song for the day : In my room, The Beach Boys.

Back to Dongguan

For those of you who (if any !!) still look here from time to time, I'm going back to Dongguan on Sunday 20th April. Flying to HK on Friday night and will spend Saturday and Sunday morning there.

This time I will be living in the hotel, at least for a short while.

So it is my intention to write this blog as before, however, this time I will be alone and I suspect that finding interesting things to write about may be more difficult than before (I suppose the big question is, was it interesting last time ? ).

Anyway I should be back to this on Sunday / Monday next week, please comment as before, it really is nice when people respond and makes more enjoyable to do.

Neil.

Homeward bound

Ayat and I went to Guangzhou yesterday for a look around (again), the railway station there was really busy so we decided to buy the tickets home in the morning. Good job we did, when we got back to the station it was heaving and most of the tickets were sold. Dennis told us that 100,000 people will try to take the train home for the new year holiday this weekend, 40,000 will be disappointed !!! There were people everywhere, never seen anything like it.

We saw an army officer park his BMW in the wrong place at the station, the police dragged him out of the car and an almighty row ensued, although we couldn't understand what was being said it was quite entertaining, they eventually let him go.

In the supermarket the other day we saw something new on the meat counter, dogs paws !!! can you believe it ? and I thought the frogs were a revelation.

Just finished packing and will be leaving for HK at lunchtime, got a bit of shopping to do, then to the airport.

So this will be the last for a while, found it harder to write this time, I guess because we've got used to being here and not so much seems extraordinary.

See you all soon,
Neil.

Song for the day : Take the long way home, Supertramp.

Eviction time again

It's Andys last night tonight so we may go for a beer or two, but can't stay out too long cos we've got customers coming tomorrow morning. So Andy will be back to work in England next week. Here's a pic of the "old chap" on our day trip last weekend. This at the end of the monastery, got a picture of inside this one of the others took through an open window, below.


Been wet and windy all day today (I know Janet likes to hear about the weather).

Not so much to say today, back tomorrow.

Song for the day : Blowing in the wind, Bob Dylan.

Another evening with the TV

Got home tonight and Dennis wanted to watch Lord of the Rings, I don't think he knew how long it lasts, so he was gone before half way through, just put on the second part, so I guess we're gonna be up all night.

Been another work day so not much to tell, we've got to go to work on Saturday to see some customers so I doubt we'll get to do much !!

So just a few days left now, think it'll be good to get home to a house with some heating, cold here again, seems to go up and down.

Thought I'd tell some stories of the trip on Sunday, got to the station at 9:20 in time for train at 9:45, only just as we'd got the tickets Heidi annouced that she'd forgotten her passport !!!
Being the gentlemen we are ??? we decided to wait and catch the train at 10:55, so Dennis had to come back and take her home to fetch it . The boys had a bet as to how many times she'd mention it during the day (she did feel bad), I lost the bet as the others said I cheated by coercing her to speak about it !!!

While at the Bhudda site Heidi decided to lose her camera !!! eventually found it at the souvenir shop, the lady there had kindly kept it. So a bit of a traumatic day for the viking. Bus trip back to ferry was incident free.

No pics again !!! need to get some more.

Song for the day : Magis Bus, The Who.

The Shah goes to bed early !!!

Bit dull today, not a lot to report. Just been for a walk to the shop near the gate to get coffee, some of the houses here are decorated for the new year celebrations, they look very good with paper lanterns and Christmas lights.

The Shah of Iran (Ayat) is really tired today and has gone to bed 7:45, not like him at all !!

No pics today, but there have been a few recently, so maybe tomorrow.

Andy Lowe is leaving on Saturday and I should be away on Monday night, don't know about the others yet, I wonder what the Chinese new year will bring ? maybe some us will be back again.
Sitting watching DVD again !! getting to be a bit regular.

Nothing else to say, so bye bye for now.

Song for the day : New years day, U2 (well nearly)

You're nicked me old China

Had a busy day today, lot to get done, all work I'm afraid.

Anyway, we had a bit of a to do last night, just finished dinner after coming back from HK to collect some parts, there's a knock at the door and it was the police. Fortunately Dennis was here, turns out they want to photograph all our passports. We are assured today that this is normal for this time of year, so no bother. We've all been joking today about it, so there you go our first brush with the law !!!

The pic is of the monastery from Sunday, inside is amazing but you can't get in, we saw all the monks praying and chanting, great day for all.

Song for the day : I fought the law, The Clash.