Using Wooden Ladder To Harvest Apples; Dressing Up To Attend Wedding.

1992-10-31 continued:: It was not so bad earlier in the week because there was some sun, and no cold wind blowing, so I was able to do some work in the garden. You must think that I am always in the garden ! You are almost right ! If the weather is suitable I like to spend 3 or 4 hours a day in the garden, for there is always such a lot of work to do, and also it gives me some exercise. I have now collected most of the apples off the big tree, but there are some at the top of the tree which are too difficult for me to reach. When they fall onto the grass then I will pick them up and store them with the others. I had to use a long ladder to pick most of the apples off the tree, being very careful not to damage them. The ladder belongs to Brian but it is so heavy I can hardly lift it. It was quite a struggle getting the ladder in the right position on the tree, so that I could climb up and reach out for the apples. Of course it was much easier to climb up the ladder than to climb down it holding a full basket of apples. I had to be careful not to drop it whilst climbing down myself. I went up and down the ladder many times before I decided that I had collected enough apples. We have now given a lot of them away to the family and friends, but there are still many left. Some I have stored in the glasshouse, and some I have put in plastic bags and stored in one of the outbuildings. They should be protected from the frost when it comes, and they will keep in store for many months. Perhaps next year you will be here to help with the harvest !
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When you get back to the hospital, you will be able to tell them all about your visit to the UK and how cruel Lao D made you work so hard in the garden! Why did the people in the hospital say that you looked whiter ? I think I know ! You have not been in the sun, but staying indoors watching television all day or sleeping all day so that you could spend all the night playing with Jiang. No wonder he has not been to see you for a whole week. It is not because he has been with a girl-friend, it is because he is quite exhausted!
I hope you enjoyed yourself when you went to the wedding..... did you drink a lot of rice wine ? Perhaps you will be sending me some photographs of the wedding and you will be dressed up in a suit, just like a 'merchant'! It is a long time since I have been to a Chinese wedding. Perhaps when I am next in Longzhou one of your other friends will be getting married and you will be able to take me with you to the wedding. Of course, when the time comes for you to get married I hope I shall be able to travel to China, to celebrate the big event.

I missed two weddings last year, because my mother was not well enough for me to leave her. One wedding was Chinese and the other wedding was English. The Chinese wedding was between Huu's sister May, who married a Vietnamese man named 'Viet'. The next time I am in London, I must be sure to go and visit them, because I have not seen May since she was married and I have never met Viet. I hope to go down to London next month, as Hua is expecting a baby and I think Minh is hoping that this time, the baby will be a boy; they already have three girls. I think it will be a boy because it is the 'Year of the Monkey'. Do you think that will happen ? I will let you know if my guess proves to be right !! Take care of yourself and be happy!

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