Author Archives: haonowshaokao

Yunnan trip photos

Posted on 12/01/2013 by haonowshaokao

This gallery contains 38 photos.

We’ve just returned from a massive three week trip to China’s southwest corner. Here are some photos – click on the thumbnails for big versions.

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Beijing Baozi – An Epic Journey (part 1)

Posted on 14/12/2012 by haonowshaokao

It started with my wife. She’s from The South, loves every kind of baozi, and takes me to eat them whenever she has the chance. Sometimes, if there’s time, we go out to eat them for breakfast. One morning we … Continue reading →

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Mary Roberts – 1920 – 2012

Posted on 11/12/2012 by haonowshaokao

Mary Roberts, my grandmother, died on the 29th of November at the age of 92. It’s her funeral today in Speke in Liverpool, where she spent most of her life. I’d like to be there, but one of the disadvantages … Continue reading →

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Winter in the old place

Posted on 09/12/2012 by haonowshaokao

So, we’ve moved back in with V’s parents, suddenly and without much warning. Her sister, currently seven months pregnant, decided she wanted her flat back, and that was pretty much that. Fortunately the two houses are ten minutes walk away … Continue reading →

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Shanzhai article in Cassiopeia

Posted on 20/11/2012 by haonowshaokao

I’m busy this month doing NaNoWriMo, which on top of work, baby, Christmas holiday preparations, etc, has left me very little time to sleep, let alone write anything non-novelly, but just in time to prevent this November being a NoBlogMer* … Continue reading →

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Les Rougon-Macquart #4 – La Conquête de Plassans (1874)

Posted on 05/10/2012 by haonowshaokao

AKA The Conquest of Plassans or A Priest in the House It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these, and for good reason. While the first three books in the series were a breeze to get through, this … Continue reading →

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Hats off

Posted on 04/10/2012 by haonowshaokao

I found my first proper hat when I was “working” in Northam Books in Southampton. It was a gloomy old second-hand place which averaged around three or four customers per day. The pay was £10 per day, less than you’d … Continue reading →

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This is China Daily’s special coverage of the Diaoyu / Senkaku Islands dispute

Posted on 16/09/2012 by haonowshaokao

You would think they could at least maintain the charade of pretending to be balanced and having some shred of journalistic distance, but no – straight out cultural-revolution-style incitement seems to be the plan today. Yes, everyone knows it’s a … Continue reading →

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Capital and melon questions

Posted on 14/09/2012 by haonowshaokao

NB – Before anyone says anything, I’m perfectly aware that it’s ‘winter’ not ‘east’

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Life update

Posted on 12/09/2012 by haonowshaokao

It’s Autumn in Beijing now. Proper two-week-summer-winter-fluctuations-Autumn that is. Official Autumn began at the peak of the summer on August 7th, for reasons best skipped here. It was a proper, scorching hot summer with the occasional storm, but poor V … Continue reading →

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