Still No New Door!

October 27^th Nothing had been heard from Window Man so we decided to go and see the peacocks in Nansheng. That meant two bus rides, a number two and a number five. Here’s a wide angle of Little Island on the way to the bus stop.

When we arrived Huan went to buy something to feed the birds with and I had a look at the local views. The rain had stopped so everything was good for me.

Because of the likelihood of rain the camera had been left at home today and I was prepared with two umbrellas in my little back pack. What did Huan do? Well, on the way up to the complex main gate, she found a lizard of course!

Soon we spotted our first peacock although the ornamental garden area was especially empty today. We wondered where all the beautiful birds had gone. There even seemed to be fewer pigeons than there have been in the past.

A couple more were found and feeding began.

We found a white pair but they seemed very wary of both us and the other birds.

Here’s another lovely wide angle shot for you although we still can’t find the missing birds.

Eagle Eyes did it again!

Unusually the complex swimming pool was full, being cleaned and almost ready for action. I wish our place had a pool; I’d be in it every day!

After a circuit around the apartment complex unsuccessfully trying to find the missing flocks of peacocks we went back to the plaza for a final feeding session.

Slightly disappointed we headed back out towards the main road and the town.

On the way we had a final look at where we think the birds used to sleep at night time. It’s the large aviary behind these ornamental figurines. Normally the door is open and it looks well cared for. Today the door is closed and the appearance is that nobody looks after it anymore.

Ah well, we had a nice day out, the rain stayed away, and we hopped on the bus home.

Even though we hadn’t done a lot of walking today neither of us really wanted to arise from our daily naps. Needs must though, photographs to sort, words to write, Chinese lessons to do etc. In the evening we had a lovely bowl of noodles for a change. There are occasions when noodles hit the right spot, today was one such occasion! Well for me anyway because I had noodles, Huan opted to go for wonton soup.

Next door we popped into the bakery to get a chocolate cake for our coffee break tomorrow afternoon. What we bought looked nothing like the one on the poster outside and cost more than I had been expecting to pay!

October 28^th I’m sure you can guess how today starts. Yes, you’re right, no news from Window Man about our new door. The weather looked very much like it was going to rain so we just walked into town via the road to somewhere.

Much to Huan’s delight some of the egret families have returned. However, much to her disappointment and following her advice I had left the camera at home.

We did manage some countryside views, a normal shot, a panorama, a wide angle shot and another panorama. You may notice that we are surrounded by clouds today too.

We took a little long cut alongside a farm just to extend our walk slightly. There were three dogs tied up who did not want to speak to me in the least but there was one not on the leash with other ideas. In fact we had to convince him not to follow us home!

Two little dickie birds, Sitting on a wall; One named Peter, One named Paul. Well they were of course sitting on a wire not a wall and I doubt very much that they were named Peter and Paul. How about 彼得与保罗, Bǐdé yǔ bǎoluó.

Staying with our feathered birds, can you tell the difference between goslings and ducklings? I’m not so sure that I can. To help you out the ducklings are in the foreground and the goslings are in the background. Huan, who knows the difference, is feeding a gosling.

And then it was dinner at lunch time, a cheap and cheerful spot that we quite like.

Back home it was soon nap time. Perhaps we can blame it on the weather! After dinner I tried phoning the UK pension place again. It appears that the reason I was unable to get through for the last couple of days was that I was pausing too long between the international country code and the subscriber number. Anyway, I got through and after the usual recorded messages and choosing the right number only waited about five minutes. That is five minutes international calling charges though. To be fair, the lady at the other end suggested calling me back but having got through I didn’t want to lose that connection. As usual I was a little grumpy with her. However, she, her name was Emma, was actually very helpful and after asking me some confirmatory questions she accepted the fact that I was still alive. My bank should be credited within a few days. Thank you Emma.

October 29^th Rain stopped play! Window Man was conspicuous by his absence. In other words we did nothing at all except go out for dinner.

October 30^th And the routine repeats itself yet again, zero info from you know who. What’s more the forecast was rain from ten o’clock. We tried the Little Island route again.

Repairs are very much underway but the road was still blocked further on.

Looking back to our place you can see the sky, at this time we were still dry.

Still dry is how we were when we snapped this rather large Muriel too.

The rain came slowly and drizzle began to wet us. Huan used her brolly, I stayed strong! She stayed dry and I got wet.

Our dragon boat train was sitting at the riverside, services suspended until further notice, due to the sheer amount of rain we’ve been having. It looks good though!

Very unusually for this weather, but much to Huan’s delight she found herself a lizard. Because we were not on the same sides of the trees she also took the photo with her phone.

In the rain we spotted a lucky fisherman, dinner for all the family right there.

Both of us under umbrellas now we saw no sign of any dancers today.

Here we are waiting at the bus stop to go back into town and buy lunch. I was chatting to a lady who asked if I could speak German and then got lost when I answered her and asked if she did! Huan didn’t manage to get her in the photo so you have only me. PS She thought I was German because of my long hair.

Lunch in hand, 猪肉饼Zhūròu bǐng otherwise known as pork patties, we headed back home. By now the rain had stopped. My umbrella was back in the backpack and Huan did the impossible and found another lizard. This time I had to do the honours.

October 31^st Grouch doesn’t have to worry about Halloween anymore, he is retired! I suppose I should wish you all a Happy Halloween though. I have never really like it because it came over from the USA as a purely commercial enterprise. I know, I am in the minority. Anyway, back to us here in Hainan where today the weather is as it should be, glorious. It was market day so were out for a walk but a little late due the Minister of Housing having tenancy dealings. Passing by yesterday’s deserted square the scene today was very different. Although it is not obvious in this photo, dancers were dancing, singers were singing, musicians were playing and assorted snowbirds were playing various games too.

Now here’s a car wrap that I don’t have to Google for you!

Here’s some of that weather I mentioned.

On our way to the riverside market, going through the street market, I spotted this and had to take a photo of it. It reminded me of a TV show. Can you remember it? If you can’t I’m sure this clue will be more than enough – “sofa pants”. Having said that I can’t actually find the sitcom I think it’s from, maybe my memory is playing up again.

Slowly the market is filling up again although it was still fairly easy to navigate today.

A long time ago, when I was still quite young, well twenty one to be exact, I lived in Hong for three years. At that time I learned how to use an abacus, albeit very slowly. Here I am today chatting to the stall holder and having not the slightest idea of where to start. If you want to try, go here - https://sliderulemuseum.com/Abaci/HowToUse_ChineseAbacusAndJapaneseSoroban_NanjoAndCo_TokyoJapan.pdf

Lunch today was in the bakery where we forgot to take photos before taking bites!

It’s been a while since we saw Dafu so we had to stop for a chat. Now despite recently being neutered Dafu has a visitor every day, a randy young fellow from across the street. I guess it takes a while for the pheromones to attain a different state. It must be like me and my female hormones! Anyway, here they both are.

For the first time in a very long time we had salad for dinner today. Yesterday we had bought a rotisseried duck and the ingredients for the salad. Huan has the head, I have the bum, and the jars are there for whosoever wants to use them. I used all three. It made a very pleasant change, using our new table too. Soon I’ll be back to real cooking again.

November 1^st We didn’t even think about Window Man or our unfinished project this morning, we just went out to enjoy ourselves. We were late again due to the Prime Minister having duties elsewhere to start with. Lizard Alley was our destination via the #2 bus and as soon as we reached the riverside from the bus stop Huan found the first lizard.

Something was being sprayed on the riverbank walls, presumably as reinforcement just in case we have very high water levels again.

Other repairs were being carried out by drone, quite impressive too.

Egrets were spotted although to be honest I can’t be sure that this is not the same one, twice.

I grabbed a final shot of the drone before catching up with Huan.

And then she found two more lizards while I chased more egrets. What a lovely day!

Before she could find anymore I asked her to take my photo and then tried to get her to pose for one. Neither of us really likes posing but at least you can see us.

And then the good lady was back to lizards again. This time I was on the wrong path so I couldn’t see them. Both are rotated for your viewing pleasure.

While we were apart I took the opportunity to get some scenery in.

Huan still managed to find one more lizard for me, how does she do it.

Much to Huan’s delight she also found a snake today. We both took a video of it. However, mine was out of focus and hers was too small. I did take a screen shot from her video and cropped it for you. It is very difficult to see it but I can assure you it is there. It stretches from one side of the frame to the other, its head is centre frame right and its tail is lower frame left. As usual Huan was trying to get me to go closer and I was politely declining!

As for the rest of the day, just the usual followed by more duck salad for dinner.

November 2^nd The boss had some admin again today both for our business premises and for our neighbours new tenants moving in. She lives in Sanya so Huan helps her when either prospective tenants come to view or when new tenants move in. We did get out but very late, I wanted to take this scenic road.

This one is not real, well it is a real place, but for us it was on a hoarding. We have no idea exactly where it is, maybe we’ll have someone from Wuzhishan see this photo this week and drop us a comment. We’ll then go and visit.

Cats were next. The first one was sat outside a restaurant calling to everyone who went in. I guess it was asking for food. The second one was just having a good sniff of the first one and a dog that I had petted earlier.

Because Huan still had more admin to do later in the day we had dinner at lunchtime again. The venue was a buffet place in front of Baijiahui supermarket.

And so we come to the end of another week. Are you wondering where our new door is? I am. This morning Huan talked to Window Man’s wife who assured us that the door was here in Wuzhishan and that she would try to get someone to come along and install it. As usual, no further calls or messages were received all day and neither door now workers arrived. If like us you are on tenterhooks, then click to subscribe for next week’s exciting update. C U then!