SHMD

"Secret Santa" time in our family. Don’t know who got lumbered with me! (Made sure, years ago, that if they buy me model railways then they’ll definitely get it wrong!). So they always come and have a 'quiet' word and to ask for me to “put to”.

Is really really tired so no messing with my latest project. - Ok then just one tweak!

Just had a foot massage. (If you're in China then this is well recommended.) BUT in this case, not so good, the girls were much more interested in promoting them selves than soothing my punished soles.

Finished listening to the Phillipino Band in the Hotel bar, not bad, but there is only so many “Yesterdays” you can listen to... Luckily, there was plenty of anaesthetic available by the glass.

Just been out and bought a big bag full o bits to build my train Infra-Red proximity detectors, all for £11.

Got to go to GuangZhou tomorrow instead of flying back to Manchester. (Misses went ballistic on the phone earlier!) I’m seriously in dept on the Brownie-Points Scale and I’m pretty sure that the Favour Points from work won’t compensate…

Just travelled at 431km/h into Shanghai. Shame they did'nt build it all the way though. Does any one model Magelev? (Gatwick and Birmingham modellers need not apply. - OK I WILL be impressed if you do!)

Hear hear – for engineers:- http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15756113

Just had a Chinese Kebab for tea, (From HeNan, Central China). The bread was hot and it was stuffed full of stir-fried vegetables – well what did you expect and for nearly 20p too! (Will let you know tomorrow if its digestive qualities are up-to/down-to UK standards.)

Just took the train from XiAn to ZhengZhou. 2h19m with a top speed of 293km/h. Impressive. Then took a 2h taxi from ZhengZhou to Kaifeng at an average speed of 29.3km/h. Whacky races!