The roads of China have just got a little more dangerous. My wife has passed her China driving test today!

People of China, save yourself while you can!

Need coffee.

According to some reports on social media, two hospitals in Shanghai have been put on lock down and classed as Medium Risk areas. I believe the hospitals to be Renji Hospital and the Fudan Tumour Hospital. Worrying and challenging times ahead.

This is my local car dealership. It just shows how much #China has changed in the last 20 years. #Hefei

Do not do server admin when you have Man Flu as you may drop the wrong database.

Now let’s see if the backup can be found.

The last few days I have been battling with the dry air here in Hefei. My nose has been blocked and really painful. Now my apartment is full of humidifiers, and today I brought a small one for the office. Does anyone else have similar challenges in Winter?

Looking at the New Year’s Honours list, It appears that once again, The Queen has forgotten my knighthood.

Am I completely stupid or is there any browser that can remember pinned tabs? Every so often they seem to disappear, which makes me wonder why on earth have them in the first place? I must be doing something wrong or do I need some addon?

My Boxing Day treat was a flu jab. I went to a community hospital in China for the first time, although it looked busy the process was not only efficient but cheap.

I just saw this posted on WeChat!

Hello eBike’s are now my favourite transport to take around Hefei, cheap and much less effort than a bicycle!

Christmas has arrived in Hefei!

And now a shot from the apartment window!

Our first fluttering of snow in Hefei! Maybe a white Christmas awaits?

So hospital was a success, once registered I got seen by a doctor and was on my way with my medication within 15 minutes. Future trips should be painless!

On the second floor of the hospital was this store, I guess they have bigger pockets than me!

My Apple Cinema Display got smashed in the move from Shanghai to Hefei. Any recommendations for a 4K (or higher) monitor for use with a 2018 Mac mini that won’t break the bank?

Hmm, I’ve lost a day. I thought it was Wednesday!

One of my initial observations on the difference between Hefei and Shanghai is that the air quality is significantly worse. 😷😞

The air quality is Unhealthy in Hefei, Hefei!

All our stuff arrived from Shanghai today, I think it’s going to take a few evenings to unpack it all!

My wife and dogs have arrived in Hefei after a 7 hour road trip from Shanghai. I am heading home from work to go and see them now. 😊

I love this save paper notice I found in the bathroom at work yesterday!

I have arrived!

You think very differently about COVID-19 when it affects your family. Sadly this morning I found out that my brother-in-law passed away due to the effects of this terrible, indiscriminate disease. May he rest in peace.

Be safe out there everyone. Take this disease seriously.

I saw this online somewhere, made me laugh and think of my code!

Some rare blue sky in Shanghai. I have a clear view of the Shanghai Tower as I approach the Nanpu Bridge.

After 6 years I must say farewell to my friends and colleagues at thyssenkrupp System Engineering in Shanghai.

My new China adventure will start soon!

The smog has arrived in Shanghai. Pack extra N95 masks people! 😷

Sunday evening traffic in Shanghai. Will I ever get home?

Last night I finally got around to watching the Apple announcement from earlier this week. Although the HomePod doesn’t interest me because I am a big SONOS fan. I am pleased that Apple have reverted to the best iPhone style/design. I am really interested in trying out a 12 Mini.

Ignoring all iPhone 12 related posts so I can enjoy the announcement later tonight.

Anyone who has ever been to a bank in China can relate to this. I just wasted 90 minutes of my life trying to do some simple transactions and now I must return tomorrow with an old passport to complete everything. Probably another 90 minutes lost.

Is inbox zero actually achievable?

A view from Nanchang Jie, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province. Again, I’m Playing with HDR.

After 19 years of marriage, happiness is the 21 year old Balvenie in my glass. 🥃😜

Some sites from around Lihu Lake, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province with me playing with HDR and filters.

The view from our hotel in downtown Wuxi.

I have also discovered a cool HDR app on the iPhone!

So tonight my wife and I met my mother-in-law for dinner near our hotel. Afterwards we decided to walk my mother-in-law home and neither my wife or mother-in-law knew the way and had to rely on the only person who did not grow up here to lead the way!

A live band is accompanying our evening meal!

Finally, some vacation time! Heading to Wuxi (my wife’s hometown) for a few days.

🐕Harry is admiring something he cannot have!

🛬 Wheels down Shanghai. Only 4 hours late which is classed as on-time in China 😜

Let’s try again. Boarding for second time, let’s hope we make it to Shanghai.

I hope they can keep their Flux under control this time.

Only in China can you board a flight on time, sit on the plane for an hour and then be told to disembark as there are air traffic control delays.

Wheels down 🛬 Xi’an

I am just leaving home to go on my first business trip since returning to China. I am headed to the ancient city of Xi’an I sincerely hope this trip lasts it’s intended length.

Duff Beer portrait, taken with my iPhone. I’m quite pleased with the outcome. The beer was good too!

And there it goes, big rain on my day off.

My dogs let me sleep in an extra hour this morning. Sometimes I think they understand me more than I give them credit for.

🐶 This is what happens when you all want the rope…

I got this email this morning. Looks like I can finally quit my job! 😜

Sounds like a neighbour is decorating. Constant drilling and banging for the last hour.

The joys of Shanghai apartment living.

Since I was away in Germany, the German supermarket chain ALDI has opened more locations in Shanghai. I guess it’s possible that some were opened beforehand but I only knew of one across the river in Puxi. Now I have one nearby and can place home delivery orders via WeChat!

I have no idea why, but after I came home from the Whisky L! Show, Benny decides to sit with her butt on my head!

This sunset was taken in Rizhao, Shandong Province back in August 2012. Not the best of photos, but not bad for an iPhone of the time and it appears I was leaning out of a taxi! @odd

Harry on his new naughty chair! 🐶

Bath time for Harry 🐕

I’ve been quiet lately. I am finding a day of work in the heat and humidity along with the commute really tiring. Maybe I should just face the fact that I’m getting old.

Sadly, this first week back in the office has me working on Saturday. I now miss Germany!

These are some cool photos from yesterday’s storm in Shanghai:

Lightning rods on the Oriental Pearl Tower and other skyscrapers in Shanghai "attract" lightning as thunderstorm looms over the city. pic.twitter.com/TlOLnlEik3

— CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) August 11, 2020

The view from our apartment during dinner. Such beautiful and clear skies for a change!

Today is my first day in the Shanghai office since January. I wonder if I still have a desk?

Because of being stuck in Germany for over 6 months, my Mac mini has been left without love for the same period of time. It is amazing how much software has received updates during this period, almost every app I launch needs to be updated.

Early morning walk before it gets too hot. Harry and Benny are both happy that I am home!

Wheels down🛬 Shanghai Pudong Airport

All aboard CZ6225 from Qingdao to Shanghai.

Interesting, the last row in the plane has 3 foreigners who finished quarantine today and the row in front of us is empty.

Funny, considering we are probably the only passengers certified virus free on the plane.

Check-in for my flight to Shanghai was an interesting experience. At first I was issued a boarding card and then when I handed over my quarantine certificate, a phone call was made, it was torn up and reissued and then I was told I was at the back of the plane!

Finally free and heading to Qingdao Airport in a lovely air conditioned bus 🚌.

The air conditioning was disabled in the hotel fit to fear of spreading the virus if someone was infected!

After 14 days I have left the room! The concierge came to collect me and escorted me to checkout!

Quarantine is officially over, now the waiting game starts. I must stay in my room until I am escorted to checkout to collect all the paperwork!

Throughout quarantine my temperature was taken twice a day, so being a nerd I kept track of it!

How is it possible to enter a hotel room with a suitcase, spend 14 days in that room without leaving, and then struggle to fit everything back into the same suitcase?

I hate packing.

Another stormy and consequently sleep deprived night. I sincerely hope that Typhoon Hagupit doesn’t delay my return home on Thursday!

Sunrise today here in Qingdao. I didn’t take this picture but a fellow quarantine inmate in the other side of the hotel did. Beautiful colours!

I could swear someone is trying to get me drunk!

The drink delivery guy has been again!

Humidity sucks

During the last six months in Germany I genuinely forgot how frustrating the China internet can be at times.

Just been restocked! Another big thank you shout out to the Qingdao West New Area Government for the complimentary beer and soft drinks!

Nightlife across the street from the hotel. I need to find a decent iPhone HDR app. Any recommendations?

Just had my 3rd COVID-19 test in 5 days. I guess different authorities must be involved.

🍺It’s Quarantine Beer O’Clock. Cheers everyone!

I just found out it’s the Qingdao Beer Festival next week. Just to rub it in, one venue is across from my hotel! So near, yet so far! 😭

Today there is a a clearer view of my surroundings, you can see the mountains and what looks to be the Lingshan Island. This quarantine is actually quite pleasant! 📷

Is it OK to drink 🍺 at lunchtime when in Quarantine in China? #askingforafriend

🛬 Wheels down Qingdao👏

Overcast and wet, but safe and sound.

Eventually got back to sleep. It looks like we are in China Airspace now. Temperature was checked again 36.3°C this time.

1h 52min until arrival in Qingdao. 😊😊😊

Great, I was fast asleep and was woken up so my temperature could be taken. It’s was 35.3C somewhere over Russia I guess.

So, at the half way point. Hopefully I can get back to sleep again.

Believe it or not I am smiling! Seat 36A will be my home for the next 11 hours. Next stop Qingdao, Shandong Province, China!

Boarding now! The start of the next phase of the adventure will start soon.

After a torturous 7 hour wait, I got my COVID-19 test results. It looks like I will be finally heading home later today 😊

That’s check-in and security complete. Nothing really open in waiting area, just some expensive coffee shops.

Now I must wait for test results.

Well that was not what I expected. I had two throat swabs, one each side. I was expecting to have my nose violated!

Let the adventure begin!

I am currently waiting in line to get tested for COVID-19. Fingers crossed 🤞 the results come bag negative later today.

Good night all. Fingers crossed 🤞 that this is my last night in Germany 🇩🇪 for this particular trip.

Tomorrow the adventure begins!

Just realised it’s 6 months ago today that my two week trip in Germany started! 2020 has been strange.

Why on earth would I take them off in the 🚽?

I guess I am slowly losing it.

Ok, I am hunting for my glasses again👓🤪

After 6 months here in Germany, this will hopefully be the last day in the office here before I return home to China.

Despite the hardship of being away from my family for so long, I have enjoyed working with my colleagues here in Langenhagen. Sadly the future for all of us is uncertain.

Eating and drinking al fresco tonight 🍺🍽

Ok folks, where did I leave my glasses? 👓

I am going to miss my walks around Hodenhagen once I return to China. Fresh air and tranquil views.

Take off at Hodenhagen Airfield

🌟Finally some good news!🌟

Today I found out that I have been allocated a seat on a German Chamber Charter Flight to China on 22nd July. Let’s hope the next 12 days or so go smoothly and I can start my journey home.

Devastated 😭😭😭

I missed getting a seat on 15th July charter flight to China by about 2 hours! I even registered my visa within minutes of obtaining it.

I have no idea when I will see my family again now.

Waiting for news about a flight home is torture. I have hardly slept in the last week and each morning I wake up to no news, and when pushed for a response I get “maybe tomorrow”.

170 days away from home and counting.😭

🌟Visa Award Unlocked! 🌟

Now I need to keep🤞🏻 to get a seat on a special Charter flight back home to China.

Just to prolong the mental torture a bit longer I must return to the Chinese Visa Application Service Center this afternoon to collect my passport. Only then will I know if I am a step closer to going home. I have never known stress like this.

Waiting patiently for 9am!

Just arrived in Hamburg, ready for next phase on my quest to go home! Destination Chinese Consulate in the morning!

I hate heat with humidity. I miss my airconditioned apartment in Shanghai!

Today’s brew at the BBQ. Good German🍺

What Mastodon client do you use on iOS?

Looking up from my seat

Just boosted the German economy by buying a complete summer wardrobe. I only packed for winter back in January.

Today’s garden refreshment in my adopted German hometown of Hodenhagen. 🍺

🔗Margarita Pracatan: Cuban singer beloved of Clive James dies at 89 - BBC News

Known for her appearances on James’s ITV chat show, the woman born Margarita Figueroa in 1931 brought a Hispanic flourish to numerous well-known songs.

RIP. She always brought a smile to my face.

Apologies for the multiple posts but I am trying to understand why Micro.blog posts from Drafts don’t appear to have the Markdown handled correctly.

I stupidly thought I could survive today without coffee. I made it until just after 10am. Large pot is brewing now. ☕️

When I go for a healthy walk around Hodenhagen I always say hello to my favourite pigs, Bacon and Schnitzel!

Listening to some lockdown recorded music, April 25th, 2020: An Evening of Songs Performed at Home by Aoife O’Donovan 🎵🎤

It’s BBQ and Beer time here in Hodenhagen. 🍺

I am in the zone!

A few of these raised my spirits this evening! 🍺

So Germany has launched its COVID-19 tracker app, but because my Apple ID is linked to the UK App Store I cannot download it.

🎵 Listening to Americana Essentials on Apple Music

CSS must have been created by the 👿. I need to find a CSS guide for software engineers who are total idiots.

Beware! iCloud Backups Deleted after 180 Days - TidBITS

I just checked, my iPad which I left back home in Shanghai was last backed up on 2nd January…not long now before the backup is deleted. Seems wrong considering I pay for 200GB of iCloud storage. Thanks Apple!😡

Due to being stuck overseas in Germany because of the COVID–19 pandemic, I haven’t seen my little buddies for 5 months. I hope I can return to China soon.🐶

Hi! I am Paul Rudkin, a geek who has been living and working in China for the last 9 years. I have just joined this platform in the hope that I can write about my experiences much more than I have in the past. When I have time I enjoy tasting Whisky while listening to good music!