Day 34 - great hospitality from David and Yvonne and fabulous cooking from Yvonne as usual

Day 30 - driving in China

The one where Phil sat in Bury Costa and read Wikipedia on the subject of driving in China

Day 31 - the one where Angie had Mexican pasta

Day 31 - met Angie for lunch in the Sack of Potatoes and she had some more wise words about this and that

Day 33 - the one where Paul said nothing and Claire spoke

Spent time in Birmingham City Centre today, met Paul and Claire for lunch at Bodega and then coffee and cake in the Costa on New Street - happy days

Day 27

the one where dad prefers caffe nero

Day 26

Not too much left to do now, so decided on some down time. My last matchday before going to China. Southampton FC vs. Crystal Palace in the FA Cup - Saturday 9th January. Started early when I went to pick up my ticket at about 1100. Saw the players coming in and got some exclusive footage - filmed Maya Yoshida signing autographs (never seen him move as fast as that when he is on the pitch), and later on my way back to the match at about 1400

 

saw Victor Wanyama posing for selfies with the crowd (before he got sent off to the hospitality suite) and then inside 1445 waiting for the players to come out

Day 24

What does Sian think?

Day 23

Went to London with Rich to pick up passport and new Visa. All went very well and we went over to Costa and I bought airline tickets on line and told SSE that all was confirmed. Then we walked around London doing a little sightseeing and some window shopping - stopping at the odd hostelry along the way. When I got back to Romsey, I walked up to Viney Avenue and just as I was buying a celebratory bottle of wine at the Co0p, I got the call from dad to say he had been admitted to hospital having just having had a fall in the street. later I learned that he was to stay in overnight

Day 18

Drove out to Hengistbury Head for a walk in the morning - very blowy so did not manage to get to do the whole walk but had a bit of fresh air and seaside refreshment

Day 17

Result! Took the application to the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre - and am going back on 6th January to pick it up!