I've only just managed to send you last weeks blog and now I'm trying to write the next one!! Our computer problems have not improved at all....in fact they have got worse!! We are now all quite worried that the google allegations will affect our access even more so don't worry if you don't hear from me for a while...just incommunicado...no fault of mine

The days are getting hotter but I am still managing to get out and about....trying to go sightseeing on the days when we have a slight breeze!! The photos this week are from my random wanderings around the city. Despite the pollution we do have some wonderful greenery and so many little parks as well as a delightful walk along the riverfront......I miss early evening when it looks the best but the mosquitoes eat me alive!! Nanjing is hosting the 2014 World Youth Olympics so I now know why there is so much construction going on....apart from the frenetic building that seems to bee going on across China. Local people tell me they are pleased because the lovely stadium built around the Beijing Olympics(wishful thinking??) at great cost might finally get used for a proper purpose!!! Unfortunately its looking a little shabby and I'm guessing it wont make the grade. Despite its fancy entrance it is currently used as a golf driving range!!!

I received the most elaborate invitation last week asking me to be a judge in the Provincial English Talent Competition. How could I refuse!!! So I spent yesterday(Friday) and again tomorrow judging the junior middle school and primary students. A rather tiring day listening to 220 students telling a story but there were a few that bought a smile to my face. One little boy managed to weave
Australia into his story...wonder if he was after extra points!!! We were fed a magnificent chinese banquet for lunch and they kept us well supplied with various refreshments throughout the day. Mind you I thought it was kind of funny......I was the only foreign professor...the other judges were all Chinese professors!!!! Its a great opportunity to meet new people from different schools and universities so all in all well worth the effort for me.

While I'm on a roll I'm going to try and post this so you are all up to date with my moves.....fingers crossed it wont take me another week to get it posted.

bye for now. xxx