Well it’s been a while since I’ve been here and it’s usually the bus that takes me here but now that Sissi has her driving licence we got there in style. The roads are so busy, the driving is atrocious, the Chinese just don’t have a clue. They are dangerous, they pass on the left or the right on a single laned road with hard shoulder. I gave the finger to more than one that tried to come up beside us to push through and that seemed to slow them ever so briefly. They are a bunch of selfish BASTARDS when they get behind the wheel and the biggest culprits seem to be the Tesla drivers that use the speed and performance to pull off some really crazy manoeuvres.

We went for a couple of Baozi for a snack before beginning our ascent and then made our way to the edge of the village before we headed through the fruit trees to the 24 bends which is the main challenge of the walk where so many people reach the top gasping for air.

This time however is was busier than Sauchiehall on a Saturday night. As usual everybody had been shopping at Decathlon sports shop and they had bought every conceivable item needed for a stroll. Walking sticks were very popular but this hill is no Everest and so the sticks were just another thing to lug up and down again. Mind you there did not seem to be much thought put into the footwear, most were wearing shoes that you would wear for a stroll in the park, not really designed for off road.

At the top of this section we headed onto the road to head back to 东山 and we seemed to be the only ones heading in this direction. Today was very warm, it got to over 20C which for winter is tropical and it caught many by surprise including myself. By the time I reached the top my back was soaked. On the road thankfully there was plenty of shade. There were also a lot of motorbikes flying around this twisty road that crosses 东山 so you had to keep your wits about you, these guys haven’t an understanding of road safety either because they don’t give you a wide berth, instead they hold their line and you just have to make sure you are not in their way.

I like it here, however usually I came during the week and it was very quiet and so it was a very different experience today. I might have time to come back.

The horse was just the right size for Sissi 😄

A very hazy day, the air quality was not good. My throat can testify to that. 😝

A quick wander around the old town and you will see plenty of evidence of spring, there is life everywhere.

And of course the flowers bring out the tourists in droves and even gaggles as you can see on the picture below,

And sometimes the warmer weather makes the poor policeman tired yesterday I saw him stop many street cleaners and delivery drivers.

Another hard day at the office fining poor people 🤔

In order to avoid litigation, please settle the arrears within three days after receiving this text message, if you continue to be overdue, the creditor may be dealt with in accordance with the relevant laws, and the creditor will also have the right to apply for a series of measures against all assets under your name, and even freeze the deposit in your account. For more information, please call 4008686555

I’ve only had my mobile number for a week and I’m staggered at the amount of phone calls and text messages that I have received. When the phone rings I block the number, when I receive a message I translate it as I have done above. This is why the English is not very good.

Below is a message from the local government.

【Jiangsu Provincial Public Security Department】Recently, fraudsters have used the FaceTime function of Apple devices, and there are many phone fraud cases targeting middle-aged and elderly people! Please pay attention to the majority of Apple mobile phone users, if you don’t listen to unfamiliar FaceTime calls, you can’t believe them, and if you don’t need to turn them off in time (Settings-FaceTime). Don’t believe the “customer service” who comes to the door, such as mentioning words such as “deduction, refund, loan, credit information” and so on, most of them are scams

I think these messages are a good idea because there are many folk out there that don’t take the time to question, to have a second look, to go to a different source to confirm or deny what they have been told and of course never give out banking information . Years ago many of these scams would have stuck out like a sore thumb, however as we all know if it’s on Facebook or Tik Tok it must be true. 👍

On another note, this is a common sight 😭 At times it really feels petty and childish and you feel like shouting “Grow up for fucks sake” or many other such things………. I mean why can’t I listen to Tony Blackburn on Radio 2? Is he really going to rock the establishment, is he a threat to “Chinese Democracy” yes that’s a things belive it or not….. Not sure what it looks like though.

I’ve been here a week, the first week was a bit hectic but since we found our new home it’s been good to catch up with old friends.

Some of the houses we saw had some strange architectural features. We went to one place that had three levels which had been made from the original two floors. A few comprises were made along the way as you can see.

Today I went to the old city to find one of the old ladies that have a sowing machine, the two spots that were familiar with me were empty and so I tried another area and came across this old auntie who mended my trousers for 10 RMB.

After catching up with Lydia I made my way back to the SIP to Jinji Lake where I was meeting Sissi and her boss to have dinner in a fancy restaurant, it was very nice.

Her boss is an interesting woman, well travelled and very unconventional compared to others. She is 64, travels alone to many countries on her own and in a few days time is heading to Siberia for a week. She had no fear and enjoys going off the beaten track, a big like myself really.

She treated Sissi and I to a wonderful dinner, noveau cuisine I think is the phrase…… everything expensive, the dishes are all beautifully presented and the portions are small.

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Sissi bought tickets for tonight’s performance and I had a front row seat in the balcony looking down onto the orchestra, perfect.

I don’t know if I have ever been to a performance like this. The sound is amazing and clear without blowing your ears to bits. Watching the individual members of the orchestra is fascinating, the foreigner members seem to be way more animated than the locals, mind you the young solo violinist was incredible and was nearly letting his hair down.

It’s the interval, so looking forward to the second half of the evening. I’ll have to find out what pieces of music they are playing because I haven’t recognised anything so far.

One thing that really surprised me was that I only heard two mobile phones being used although I did see a few people being told off, the Chinese are not known for doing as they agreed told.

Went to 西园寺 today with Lydia, it’s been over four years since we last saw each other but it seemed like only yesterday that we spoke. So familiar and within a few minutes the four years drifted into dust.

The temple was busy, being a Sunday many locals had come to pray to Buddha to ask for all kind of things I’m sure, I didn’t trouble him with anything, I just decided to say hello.

I like some of the temples here, however they are very traditional compared to say Thailand.

Lydia wanted to come here for the noodles and to ask the Buddha a favour, however the restaurant was so busy we headed back outside and found a small place that charged only 8 RMB for a bowl of noodles with veg, incredible!

So delicious 😍

Caught up with Partick today, I met him on my second day in Suzhou many moons ago. He introduced me to many people and places in Suzhou and also gave me an opportunity to teach as well as be a guest at many cultural events. I have to thank him a lot for making life in Suzhou so much better. One of the many friends that I made in my time here.

Still looking for a unit and we ended up walking around the old city near the north tower. It’s all traditional Suzhou architecture using only black and white for effect. It’s interesting getting off the main roads and wandering around here, the atmosphere takes you back to another time until some clown comes tearing up behind you on an Ebike sounding the horn.