Just three of us

Today, Sunday, was a typical just Granny Elspeth, Louis and Ali day. Donal has been at work IELTS all day. Breakfast, lots of chat about ‘what will we have’ even though it is going to be either egg or banana as usual – I am not into the you choose sort of provision! Then play, and they have discovered Boowa and Kwala on the computers (if you have kids any age try it yourself) so they do not want to stop but experience says these boys need ACTIVITY and eventually we get out. To the recreation ground as it is nearby and walking in the heat is tiring. They both wanted to bring toys so they carried their backpacks – great time playing in the sand. The little girl from Tennessee and her father – both Chinese but English speaking – were there again and I learnt that this very morning a baby sister had arrived – way back in Tennessee. Dad’s flight is booked for next week but daughter arrived early. However I realise that this is another split family and little Meimei is mainly cared for by grandparents.
We adults do not of course get much chance to chat as we are both looking after children who take off in all directions.

I did two laps of the running track chasing and being chased while the conversation took place.
Louis said he needed a wipe and told the football players he was just as sweaty as they were.

Then home via the biggish supermarket Jiadeli buying drinks for now and sausages for lunch. We had a really good time over lunch as we did ‘make your own sandwich’ and each sandwich had to have a bit from every plate just like Boowa and Kwala do. Very informed conversation about all the things which are rude – or ‘very very rude’ – not enough space to write so just like them, use your imagination.
Then sleep. Then wake, play play run run etc etc hurray Daddy home oh dear Daddy going out with Ivan which does not happen often. More pizza, lazy Granny, play play shower and bed. Hope it is now time for sleep!
Fairly typical day except for Donal going out. He does not have much ‘out’ time.

Saturday swimming

More minor frustrations! I am writing this on the iPhone, which is ok but fiddly, because the MacBook wont let me – china again I think after reading lots of forums. The MacBook is more secure than the phone and does it via https or something. Haha do you want to know this. No you don’t.
We went swimming again this morning – glorious – donal remembered to put on the suncream not like last week. My wonderful Ali and Louis and I were well oiled up. Just thinking about lying in water even if the boys are playing Granny is a whale makes me feel cool again.

However, Chinese mistake time for lunch. Donal had to go off working at IELTS for the afternoon, so on the way home in the taxi I asked the boys if they would like pizza for lunch. Yes yes of course they would. We try to not do pizza too often but there is a PizzaHut on the corner opposite the flat. First, pizzahut is way too popular and the queue was out the door. Lucky L and A are great kids – Ali played iPhone and Louis drew dinosaurs in my notebook for 20 minutes.

this is a dragon

A dinosaur

aeroplane maybe?

Then I asked for two small pizzas – one is usually about right but I thought I would have some too and they might be hungrier than usual. Just as well as the Chinese was clearly not up to the mark. We got two kiddie pizzas – tiny about 5/6 inches across – I starved and made a sandwich after we got home and these skinny but active kiwi kids ate some of that too. But the pizza was nice and everyone happy and now sleeping.

Found a swimming pool

Ali at the Mandarine City swimming pool - Louis is the spot in the water

Guilin Park

Guilin Park 桂林公园

Another week nearly gone so today I am in Guilin Park. This is the nearest biggish park to our house, but it is like all the others, walking paths, teahouse, shady grotto space. I am writing in one of those. But it is still hot. Usual chatty people – all very curious and friendly but I have now explained two or three times every day who I am how long I have been here etc. Advanced conversation today as I managed to say I don’t like shopping and prefer walking in the park. Regret how much it feels like endless intrusion and how much I prefer tapping the keyboard. How sad is that?

Getting there

I thought I would just begin writing, then choose colors and themes and all that, but I forgot I was in Shanghai – so had to find out more about Internet here than I really wanted to know. See you again soon