CHINA 2010 FRIDAY 3rd SEPTEMBER

I spent 72 minutes looking at 12 pages of Saga holidays and getting nowhere.
At least Keith had a successful afternoon buying a shirt, belt and casual shirt for 130 yuan and then a new umbrella for the same price as in the supermarket. We only went out for a smart casual shirt, grapefruit and eggs! I refused the grapefruit as they were more expensive that the supermarket – they weren’t as I discovered later, the price had risen again.
As we reached the covered market selling meat and vegetables it began to rain. Keith was alright - he had his new umbrella! I recall him coming home at lunchtime with the news that staff in the office had said we would see no more rain. The rain didn’t last long but we headed back home after having bought my eggs taking care not to get them broken as they were in a very thin plastic bag.
Mander had spoken to Keith before he came home to inform him about our forthcoming trip to Nantong where Keith is to give a talk to about 100 young potential seafarers who will have a limited amount of English. Several members of staff from the office will be going as well as many from the Shanghai office. He was also informed that the Chief Engineer will be arriving on Sunday and we could all go out to eat. Unfortunately we have an arrangement with Polly and her friend to dine with them and the table is booked. Keith said Mander looked very disappointed but Keith reminded him Polly was the daughter of one of the boss’s.
After our meal Keith wanted to go to Haiwan Park but I just felt so tired. However having already watched two music DVDs whilst Keith worked on his presentation, and nothing else on the telly we went up to the park. What a night we had dancing with an elderly man from Taiwan and another elderly gent sitting in a group at the next table. The band were so pleased to see us participating in the atmosphere that the two singers joined in, encouraging us when our stamina began to flag. They finished playing just after midnight and came to thank us for enjoying their music. First time we have heard “We will rock you” in rap form! It was nearly 1am when we got home and before going to bed we needed to check our emails to see if Saga had responded. They hadn’t.