Du wan juan shu, xing wan li lu

Read ten thousand books and walk ten thousand miles.

This proverb tells us that reading will enlarge one's second-hand knowledge while observing will enrich one's first-hand knowledge. Both are indispensable for one to achieve true wisdom.

This is the first post of my new blog, not that there is an old one existing elsewhere, where I will attempt to share whatever is thrown my way. Feel free to post comments as well as requests.

At the moment I'm not sure whether to backdate or start anew. This year has been another one those re-starts, which seem to have happened throughout my adult life! I blame fate but at the same time, trust fate to see me right.

This day has started with a large snowstorm reminiscent of childhood. Blizzards and drifting. When snow was real snow. None of this politically correct 'wrong type of snow' nonsense. The personification of snow then, was the Malboro Man, strong, rugged, but reliable. Nowadays, it's a children's tv presenter, generally wet, useless and not very inspiring!

I did manage an expedition out earlier and I emailed a lot of you with the same photos here (the duck is new). I was trying to get to the local shop to get some bread and water but nobody had turned up for work. This doesn't happen in China! This is exciting.

On the way, I met Manuel and Josie, from San Diego, who looked more than a little shocked, more probably because they were told to go into work. No taxis, no buses. I'm staying here.

With the white stuff now coming through the windows, I'll leave you with some pictures.