It is rather hot here - mid to high 30s. Outside most of the ladies hold umbrellas to avoid being tanned by the sun. Our house, to add to the problems of the noise and 100+ step climb, is also very stuffy inside except for the two bedrooms with air-conditioning. That doesn't seem to worry the kids though. Qiqi gege (big brother Qiqi - Tan's 2nd sister's 2nd kid) came over today together with his mum and Tan's brother's wife and Waipo. They all slept in the non-air-conditioned room. I would have offered them our room but I got back late that night and didn't realise they were in the house.

Leilei's hair looked ridiculous due to his self-inflicted effort the day before we left the UK. I took him to Lao Ma's salon (the woman who used to be one of Tan's best friends but now isn't). It was a great struggle but we managed eventually to get him shorn and I got most of his old hair over my clothes. He actually looks a lot better now and it must let a lot more heat out. It's also aged him by a good year. And for the first time no-one is asking whether he's a girl or boy.


Qiqi, Leilei and Xixi hiding in the cupboard. Leilei looks like a boy for the first time in China