Now I have an upgraded electricity fuse box and a wider water pipe, I no longer dread the snow. A few years ago (or was it last year) I was without water for 4 days because my pipes froze solid. In the end it worked out quite well because I got myself a new water… Read More »
I had paid for an internet upgrade some months ago but was waiting for a bit of spare cash to buy an upgraded superfast router and a big pay day came and so I got Sean, my forever willing helper, to get me one off the internet for about £50. This is a hell of… Read More »
Sometimes I get a burning desire to do something artistic and recently I have discovered calligraphy. I went to Fuzhou Lu where I bought a mass of paper and brushes and ink and water colours for almost no money. The trouble is I don’t really know how to do it and have had no lessons.… Read More »
It is always very stressful going to buy new glasses because when you go to International Glasses City in the north square at Shanghai Railway Station, there are so many and they all shout at you, trying to lure you into their shop. They don’t seem to realise that foreigners hate it when you shout… Read More »
Just as one of my neighbours was ordering a spare part for my fuse box in the communal kitchen some workmen came by and glued a notice to the house door. Another neighbour explained to me that it was the National Grid – they were coming to upgrade the electrics in the house – well… Read More »
I have been having a bit of clear out and decided to slim down my stock of rucksacks. I mean how many rucksacks does a person need? In fact all of them except my two ‘old faithfuls’ were bought second hand from eBay in the UK or in Shanghai from ex-pats who were leaving. Several… Read More »
Ever since I switched over from summer to winter, the air-conditioner has been failing to pump out much warm air. I have had to leave it on full blast all day just to keep the place warm. So it wasn’t a big surprise when my whole flat was plunged into darkness. After consulting my neighbours,… Read More »
In any country, it is immoral to waste food, but China still has millions of people struggling to feed themselves every day. I hate it, therefore, when I see people ordering far more than they could possibly manage to eat and then picking at it and leaving it uneaten. This couple sat next to me… Read More »
I was at Wuzhou Lu metro station to meet someone and I was a bit early. From the metro station, you can look over an old community downstairs and although it was in a state of disrepair and dereliction, there was still some life there. I walked around the deserted lanes with half tumbled down… Read More »
It’s dark enough on the landing and in the stairwell but when I returned home this week, it was like a cave because the man from the next house (not mine) bought this tiny 12sqm flat (cupboard) for his son years ago and is now doing it up in preparation for him returning to Shanghai.… Read More »