Hello ,
Greetings from China.
I just arrived, in time to see Tomas off (he has been here the past two weeks), so the baton has passed to me to complete the jobs in hand.
Last week I was telling you about my torn hamstring in Spain, and about learning to swim.. (you can read about it here) so I'd like to say I have hit the ground running, but actually it's been much more like a hop and a limp.
I was a bit apprehensive about travelling with a torn hamstring, every step a painful one and quite slow.. but I could get there in the end. Maybe I should have made use of the wheel chair service, but probably stubborn pride prevented me. Anyway I discovered that I was not alone, there are plenty of people young and old limping though airports with crutches or walking sticks. When all those able bodied people have rushed ahead, you find your fellow injured folk. Cheerfully through gritted teeth I found some limp along fellowship.
Malaga to Paris.. not too bad - not far too walk. Paris, three hours connection, a long walk but enough time to make it, then to Guangzhou where I was due to change for Yiwu with 85 minutes connection. I was a bit concerned I'd make it. But I need not have worried because my flight was cancelled. Terrible weather across China had delayed or cancelled swathes of flights. They put me on another flight to another city two hours from Yiwu, which was subsequently delayed six hours - I finally made to Yiwu 12 full hours late and completely knackered.
But it was all worth it, as soon as I set eyes on my new family member; Eli. Just two weeks old. A grandchild. And of course to see my wife and the rest of the family.
Also able to have a nice dinner with some old China friends, all full of ideas to help with my ailments. Funny how a pain in the leg brings out the best in people.
Today I spent with Tomas, finalising some orders.. one of which with the soap flower people. We have some delightful new products coming.. I think you're going to love them.
