September Update

Sorry for not updating sooner ...

Our friend Helen arrived at the end of August and spent a week with us before heading off to explore other parts of China - she is due back in Shanghai in a few days after visiting Beijing, Xian, Guilin and Yangshuo. In the meantime we have been getting ready to welcome Ev's mom to Shanghai - she arrives today for 3 weeks.

As for us ... work has been fine although there have been many changes and things going on - we are doing fine and beginning to seriously plan for next year. Once our visitors leave it will be time to commit to plans by booking tickets and making final plans as we will have to be ready to leave Shanghai in a few more months. Looks like we will be taking some time off (of course!!!) with a trip to India, visits to the UK and USA and a month off to walk the pilgrimage trail in Northern Spain from the French Pyrenees across the north of Spain to the cathedral at Santiago - an old and famous pilgrimage since Medieval times and something we have wanted to do for years.... After that, we will either teach some more (Japan, Turkey and Russia are the frontrunners) or get visas for New Zealand through Andy's OT license ...

We have booked to go to Xian in October to see the Terracotta Warriors and the ancient capital of China. That will probably be our last big ticket trip in China, although we hope to go back to Nanjing and Hangzhou, as well as some more local trips, such as to the island of Punto Shan (near Shanghai) and the reported birthplace of the goddess Guan Yin.

We'll update soon with some visitor photos and more news.
xx