Finishing work was a strange experience and more emotional than I thought it would be. Thank you everyone for my wonderful card and presents. It was all much appreciated and will be put to very good use. I enjoyed my night out too, but Louise I hope the late night blethering didn't spoil your chances at the golf too much.
Despite a bit of a hangover the morning after the night before I made the train (thanks for the lift Les) and reached here with no hassles. The fortnight or so has passed in a flash though, and I can't believe that my trip proper starts tomorrow. Its been great having this time to see everyone and organise my Chinese visa and the like. That was probably the first of many occassions where language and culture differences will add that certain something to the occassion. Mrs Grumpy on the desk took a bit of convincing that I intend to travel all the way to China by train. She didn't even seem convinced she knew what a train was - I was practically doing my Ivor the Engine impersonation before she eventually gave a huge sigh, tutted, gave me a look which could have been either complete disdain or abject pity, then said I could go back the next day to collect the visa. My return visit only served to let Mrs Happy-but-no-speak-English have a good laugh at my passport photo before issuing the visa.
Saturday saw the farewell bash and it was nice to see everyone before leaving. Thanks very much everyone for coming - especially Jimmy and Val for coming down from Inverness. At least the rain pretty much stayed away just a shame it wasn't a tad warmer to help me aclimatise for the weeks and months to come.
Well I'm away to pack the bag - again! At least after tomorrow there will be no more dilemmas about what to or not to take!
