Half-time match report

This is the last day of my first visit to Shanghai. Perhaps a Bridget Jones style wrap up:

Weight: 80kg (I have heavy bones, alright?)
Weight lost: 5kg
Pigeons: 12
Jelly fish: 1
Scallops: 25 ish
Frogs: 20
Chillis: 245 (est.)
Stinky tofu: 1.5 units
Alcohol: several thousand units

This has been an inspirational, wonderful experience. I have enjoyed every minute of it in one way or another. China is by turns fun, frustrating, exciting, interesting and most of all different. I absolutely love it here. I am dying to get home to see my family, but when I do, I know that I will be looking forward with real excitement to bringing them back here in August with me.

The August trip will no doubt be very different (unless Abigail absolutely insists that I go out partying with Tony). The work I am doing is progressing well thanks of course largely to Tony's willingness to spend time on this project when he has many others on the go. A concerted effort in August and September will be required to move things on in time to launch in 2008.

There are many, many people to thank for encouraging and allowing me to be here. I will take care of that at the end of the second instalment of this blog. Oh you didn't think you would get away with it that easily did you? Look out for more drivel from me polluting the blogosphere in a little over a month.

As I write this, someone is letting off firecrackers outside the hotel. Perfect.