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 pleasent! 📷

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!