i have returned from holiday to find: the library still hasn't acquired the books i want, philip reeve has a new novel (arthurian) out, a cramped inbox i'm too tired to go through - half of it is spam, i am sure, and while i was gone yeen teck has gone to new york to take up his post at the un.

seen in xi'an: huaqing hot springs (winter palace and bathing pool of the lady yang yuhuan,) mausoleum of the first emperor (massive and still sealed) the terracotta army (second time. still impressive.) banpo museum (completely rebuilt since i was last there thirteen years ago,) great wild goose pagoda (encompassing buddist study centre and sanskrit scripture library.) drank bittergourd beer; jiaozi consumed: none, silk scarves bought: as usual, very many.

in beijing: great wall hiked: three and a half watchtowers at juyongguan, in 36 degree heat, wobbly knees coming down. sarah and ariel climbed surprisingly well. olympic stadium, very much more attractive than initial media furore would have you think. impressions of other bits of beijing: see 2002 and 2003 trips.

too many early mornings have caught up with me. though i have not finished unpacking, i intend to sleep for the next three days.

in the meantime, a word about beverley birch's rift: good.