A couple of months ago I returned to England from my very first trip to China. I was travelling around, staying in hotels, meeting … See more...
Leaving England (Again)
So the day has arrived, and was I ready? Definitely a lesson to be learned (the same one it seems I never do learn) about … See more...
Arrived in Beijing
你好北京。(nǐ hǎo běijīng : Hello Beijing.)
Just passing through. Not at all sunny, unlike the last time I was here; I can definitely see the … See more...
Arrived in Hangzhou
I have arrived in Hangzhou, and I had a KFC while I was waiting for JD. I was very happy to see her, but I … See more...
The mixc
I don’t have much of a photographic record of my first day in Hangzhou either. I guess I was still blown away by everything being … See more...
Church Welcome
This morning after breakfast with XC, watching “Animanimals”, I went to Chongyi church for the morning service. My friend, LP, kindly pointed me to this … See more...
1st English Corner
I found out about English corner from LM and XY when I came here on holiday in June.
They meet on Sunday afternoons from … See more...
1st Lessons
So on Monday morning I set off to find the school. If I hadn’t been in touch with YH I would have been very lost … See more...
Haircut
我的第一个中国发型。(wǒ de dì yī gè zhōngguó fǎxíng : My first Chinese haircut).
Thanks to YY!
YY had invited me for a meal today. When I … See more...
Tesco
My last two days’ lessons have been with FL 老师 (lǎoshī； teacher). I will just share some photos with no further comment.
I also made … See more...
Pet Shop
I found out from YH where I could find a large pet shop.
I am feeling somewhat philosophical, so please excuse me for venting some … See more...
Wheel
I had gone to the “pet store” to buy a present for my host family – a hamster wheel and ball for their hamsters (… See more...
Beautiful Chinese Ladies
I spent the first half of today with three beautiful Chinese ladies: first my teacher, JL (another difficult but enjoyable lesson), and then the two … See more...
Light Show
Tonight I went for a walk along the riverbank and then to see the light show for the second time. I first saw it in … See more...
Tea Massage Dinner
HH invited me over for the day on Saturday, with some surprises in store.
First we went to a golf training centre where her uncle … See more...
Amazing Grace
It seems Sundays are going to be the fullest days while I am here, what with church in the morning and English Corner in the … See more...
Light CD Lessons
My second week of lessons.
After classes on Monday, teacher FL directed me to a huge bookstore that also sold some CDs. I couldn’t decide … See more...
Fei to Church
Here are some photos from today’s lesson with teacher FL. On the way home there was a couple of ladies sitting on the bench in … See more...
For Whoever
After class today with FL老师 I went to explore around Wulin Square and had lunch at Pizza Hut. On returning home I spent some time … See more...
Tesco Typhoons
After class with JL老师 today I went to Tesco and discovered that I can only benefit from the offers if I have a Clubcard. I … See more...
Saturday Play
I spent my first completely free day almost entirely inside. By the afternoon I had to get out, so I checked the map, discovered there … See more...
Fellowship Corner
Today I went to the smaller fellowship where NW goes, to catch up with her and to introduce EY to her and the fellowship. EY … See more...
Substitutes
FL is on holiday. She is having fun somewhere in Thailand. So today we met TL, who is another teacher in ChineseTown. She replaced … See more...
Hymn Book
I went to the 80s90s again at Chongyi church tonight. I still have not worked out why it is called 80s90s, as there are people … See more...
TV Soap
I am of course realising that if I write posts too frequently, they could become (more) boring and repetitive, especially seeing that the majority of … See more...
Useless Bank Account
On Wednesday I had gone to the Bank of Hangzhou near to my accommodation, as we had discovered that this was one bank that might … See more...
Enduring Memories
YY had invited me for this evening to go with her boyfriend and another couple of friends to see a spectacular show at West Lake, … See more...
New and Old Friends
Today I met CF at the church. We sat upstairs – my first time up there – so below are some photos from the balcony, … See more...
Bird in a Tree
This week has started off as what is now an almost ordinary week of lessons, albeit the last week before the “Golden holiday” week. Here … See more...
Calligraphy
This morning instead of a Chinese lesson we had a cultural activity of learning some Chinese calligraphy.
YH introduced the calligraphy master to us, who … See more...
How Great Thou Art
Tonight there was a special 8th anniversary celebration of the 80s 90s group. A lot more people than usual attended, and I think many non-believers … See more...
Happy
Yesterday’s lesson.
I love the look MLX gave me taking her photo. Haha!
Today was my last class before the golden week holiday.
My lovely … See more...
Ebenezer
The first weekend of the “Golden Week” holiday. Yesterday I did some exploring of the local neighbourhood. Saw an interestingly decorated car, presumably a wedding, … See more...
National Day
Today is National Day holiday – 国庆节 Guóqìng jié. Spent the morning playing with XC. She watched Frozen and was singing along to “Let it … See more...
Tuesday Play
Today I felt XL and I were running out of things to do with XC – there’s only so much drawing and Lego building you … See more...
People Mountain People Sea
It’s Mid-Autumn Festival Day!
I decided, against all advice, to go to West Lake and walk over the broken bridge to see if it really … See more...
Tap
With my host family out again, I decided to try to fix the tap in the kitchen. I went to B&Q (百安居) first, but it … See more...
Bore
I had heard that today was supposed to be a good time to see something called a “Tidal Bore” on Qiantang River. (The Tidal Bore … See more...
Neng Li
Really loved this morning’s church service.
能力能力圣灵的能力,托负着万有,牵引着你和我世人不能看清,世人无法明白,这是一种不可测度的能力。
Some of the friends I’d made at the 8090s group invited me for lunch together after the service.… See more...
Back to School
School resumed this week, and it’s been a full week, so this is going to be a long post covering five days! Partly because apart … See more...
Security
Raining hard this morning, so got to church soaking wet. There was a security check-point set up at the gate. A new friend I made … See more...
Sunset
Another week of lessons, but with some changes.
Monday class with FL:
Tuesday morning with JL:
On Tuesday afternoon we had an extra lesson with … See more...
Language Games
Today my school held a sort of “language games” afternoon. I invited a number of friends to it, which was great, not only to see … See more...
Still Secure
The security check-point is still in place at church.
Photos and a video from this morning’s service:… See more...
Birthday
This morning’s lesson with FL.
YH surprised me today and very kindly brought a birthday cake to class during our break. Even more kindly I … See more...
Outing
After today’s lesson with JL I met up with CF for a lovely outing in the tourist area / old part of town with her … See more...
Oh! Happy Day!
Lesson with FL as usual today:
There was a special united celebration of several of the churches in Hangzhou tonight.
The group in the last … See more...
West Lake
Yesterday’s lesson with FL:
Today’s lesson with JL:
I asked JL if there were any other places where I could buy some DVDs as the … See more...
Starbucks
Today I had a lot of proof-reading to do for CF, so I decided to get out of the apartment to do it. I went … See more...
Sunday Routine
Most things have become so routine, it’s very hard to write to accompany the photos. You may have already noticed this. What was different about … See more...
Hair Service
Yesterday morning’s lesson with FL:
I didn’t take photos in today’s lesson. I expect you’re getting bored of them anyway! Haha!
Now, you may remember … See more...
Invitation
Lesson today with FL again:
Now, YH has invited me to her wedding! After the initial excitement, I realised that I need something smart to … See more...
Hire Shop
After class with FL today, I set off again to find a suit hire shop. Thanks to my good friend, XD, (who is currently in … See more...
Stickers
This morning’s lesson with JL:
This afternoon I met up with CF. She wanted to buy some stickers for a good friend of mine, so … See more...
Rolling Around
This morning after spending some time with XC at breakfast while she was doing some homework, I met up with JD for the first time … See more...
Blessing
Church this morning, only a couple of photos:
“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, … See more...
Scouting
This morning’s lesson:
After class I went to scout out where Gulou Church was, as I would need to go there on Sunday for YH’s … See more...
Green
Yesterday’s lesson, only one photo:
I realised I have only three weeks left here.
从今天起三个星期我要回国了。 我不知道我是快乐还是悲伤。
I don’t know if I am happy or sad. … See more...
Coincidence
This morning’s lesson with FL:
At the English study tonight I learned that there will be an event at the Gulou Church tomorrow! I am … See more...
Yuan Li
What an amazing evening!
Today started off as usual with lessons. After the lesson I went to pick up the suit I have hired for … See more...
Cinema
“Singles Day!”
A quieter day today. Took some photos of the sun going down from my window before going to meet TY. (It always looks … See more...
Wedding
The big day has arrived!
I got suited up (took some awful selfies that I’m not going to share) and went to NW’s church. Sadly … See more...
Normality
After such an amazing, full and emotional weekend, this week feels a little strange, “back to normality” – well almost. After all, I’m still in … See more...
Cute
This morning’s lesson:
Tonight’s 8090s:
耶稣爱你。Jesus loves you.
And discussion afterwards:
哈哈！我们是不是很可爱？！Aren’t we cute!?… See more...
Century City
Yesterday’s lesson:
In the evening I joined the English Study again:
A couple of “neighbourhood views” today:
才了解如何把房间里的空调转换成供暖方式。 I only just worked out how to … See more...
Batman
N came all the way from from Shanghai to visit! We met up with LD (and NW for about half an hour). We had planned … See more...
Penultimate Sunday
It’s my penultimate Sunday. Not much else to add today.
Church this morning:
And English church this afternoon:
Preparing for Christmas
It’s my last week of lessons, and as usual here are photos from my Monday’s, yesterday’s and today’s lessons. Yesterday went over to the mixc … See more...
Last 8090s
It was with a somewhat heavy heart that I went to 8090s tonight, the last one I’ll be able to attend and there’s only a … See more...
Souvenir
Last lesson with FL this morning.
This afternoon I went souvenir shopping and bought some gifts for my teachers.
And my last English study … See more...
Certificate
Since several friends are posting their graduation certificates on WeChat, here’s my certificate.
It was my last class today. I am so going to miss … See more...
Shanghainese
Today G and SF with EP and CZ and LX all came from Shanghai to meet up for my last Saturday here. We met up … See more...
Christmas
After the others had to return to Shanghai, I headed over to the Raffles building to meet LM for the last time. JH was with … See more...
God will make a way
My last Sunday morning service at Chongyi church. The choir seemed particularly good today. I felt like they had prepared especially for me.
I confess … See more...
Last Day
I spent my last day with CF and her little doggy.
This evening I gave XL her present and spent some time with her and … See more...
Leaving Hangzhou
Checked in and through security 非常早 for my flight… The plane was waiting, but boarding was not for another hour or so.
Still can’t quite … See more...
Leaving China
Surprisingly blue sky in Beijing today. Waiting to board the plane to London.… See more...
Heathrow
Safely back in London. Can’t quite believe it. I wanted to take a photo of “Winter Wonderland” from the air – the place that stood … See more...
Remember
It seems my cat is happy to see me. I am glad he remembers me.
I will always remember my time in Hangzhou. I don’t … See more...