A web site dedicated to Tom Harrington's family containing news, gossip and tales of the unexpected. Fun for all.
If everone adds a few lines of news and information - others will look at this site and it will spiral into a web log of the Harringtons!
It is so easy to add comments even I can do it.
Tom
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What time is it there?
Tom's Training Routine
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Here are a few more pictures - I may add some new ones of Nora when I get round to it. Tom
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Sunday, February 22, 2004
Wednesday 18th February
Shopping in Beijing markets with Phil’s friend Tolson who is a Chinese goods importer so he knows all the best places and gets me good Chinese prices!
Thurday 19th February
Visiting the zoo with Carin for the day, videoing her work and playing with the animals (endangered species only)
Friday 20th February
Today I had an adventure on my own – exploring the local Beijing countryside on a mountain bike,
I slept in until 6.30 today which means my body is adjusting to China time and I am back to waking up at my normal early morning hour. Phil was off to work at 7am and I abandoned my original plan to go with him in to Beijing for an alternative Michael “take it easy day”. I started of at the local café come restaurant which is just down the road from Phil and Carin’s house where I thought to start the day with a Chinese style “Desperate Dan slap up feast”. My Chinese breakfast of what appeared to be a large bowl of watery porridge (Zhong)and 4 white doughy donut looking cakes (Mantou) duly arrived . The taste of the “porridge” was just too bland and the bread cakes where equally disappointing – I could not understand as Carin had said what a wonderful breakfast they did. I assumed she must have been here too long and her taste buds where turning Chinese but I spooned some more rice soup into my mouth and followed this with a bite of the doughy substance as I needed some energy for the day of cycling ahead. But I could not believe Phil had eaten this so I asked the waiter if this was what Phil ate for breakfast? He said no not like this as it was “Chinese style – a non sweet breakfast” but Phil has the English sweet breakfast – surprise surprise, I said “I would like it the same way” ( I felt I had done the cultural learning bit) and he brought out a load of sugar to add to my porridge and some “milk honey” to dip my doughy cake in. Needless to say I munched the lot down in no time at all.
Fully Charged up I set of on Phil’s mountain bike from out the back of his compound / housing estate into the countryside towards the local river 3 miles away. I felt fine, cycling here was easy and Phils mountain bike was top of the range so I received a lot of attention from people as I passed them – just watching me closely and even shouting hello! All very friendly I headed for the river bank and once on here I was on my own as this was just a dirt track along the river bank where cars could not go. There were just a few trees and dried looking grass, the path was very bumpy and I had to be careful to dodge the bumps and mini ravines created by other bikes in more muddier days. The river did not look to clean but as it was a cloudy cold day maybe this caused it’s murky appearance. I passed a few people who seemed to be farming types collecting wood or just stood looking after their sheep. 7 miles later I left the river bank and joined a road to get a different perspective of the countryside. The road was quiet so I could relax and look around at the brick buildings and sheds that seemed to be shoddily put together. All the buildings were of a small size and seemed of have a little local industry of all types going on inside. Then there was large areas of just trees and fields with nothing much in them. There were lots of people for me to see and many of them were taken by me as their eyes followed my progress down the flat straight road.
My hands were red with the cold now as I did not realise the effect of the cold air - I was fine but they fingers were loosing there feeling. So I stopped at a garage and mimed gloves to the girl attendant. She did not speak any English but she got the point and took her gloves off and gave them to me and refused to accept any payment!
A pleasant surprise. Now my ride became fun once more and I decided against going home as I had only been out for 90 minutes. I carried on into the ever more desolate countryside and eventually came to a small village – just a lot of houses and shops and little industry blocks all built along the road side. There was a market of sorts with a few clothes stalls, many food stands selling to the punters and a big corner of pool tables all with players and all this out in the open. This was 16 miles now according to Phils bike satellite navigation system which was to prevent me getting lost. I was a bit peckish so I stopped at a small restaurant and went in - there was no one there just a Chinese lady watching TV. I pointed to the teapot in the side of the counter and managed to convey what I would like. I did not get the earl grey but a nice refreshing pot of Chinese tea which was really refreshing and warmed me up. I did not know enough Chinese to try and order some food but I made do with my fruit bar instead. 20 Minutes later I got up to go but the lady would not accept any money for the pot of tea. Strange - but she was adamant so I left a few notes on the table instead and was off heading home before she could complain.
Back the same way home again and I felt good and pushed it even harder on the bike – maybe it was the rest or my warm hands or there could have been something special about the tea but what ever I was flying back along the river standing up on the bike so at not to get my backside bruised by all the bumps in the track. I was back home to Phils in what seemed like no time at all but I was feeling tired as I tried to figure out which house was his. I had a great trip and will do another one again soon, but there was little time to bathe and get ready for our big night out at the “1001 Nights” Arabian restaurant we were dining out at that night. But that’s another story.
Saturday 21st February
Went to Beijing with Phil to look at the market while the the Iyee took Erin and Culi to the kids indoor adventure play ground across the road. I bought 2 jumpers for Rizwana and one for myself with Phil doing the all bartering in Chinese, then we met up with Carin for an afternoon meal at a Chinese restaurant
Tonight we are all gathering around the internet radio to listen to the Leeds united match!
I am having a great time with the brother and family but missing my soul mate Rizwana as I know she would love it here!
Bye for now
M
posted by Michael on 2/22/2004 02:22:00 AM
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