My name is Kyra Somerfield and some of you may have seen my Farming Diaries during the past year (Editors Note: These diaries ran during 2002 - 2003).
At present however I'm leading a very different lifestyle, in South East China teaching English to Second and Third year Uni. students at Quzhou, in Zhejiang Province.

I have been here six weeks and the weather, I'm pleased to say is becoming decidedly warmer. My apartment lies at the foot of Lanka Mountain, a noted tourist spot, which is more beautiful by the day as leaves emerge and the flowers spring up everywhere.

Some things are similar to my Bethlehem farm in Carmarthenshire, others so very different. Take the Public transport System. Few people here have anything other than a bicycle, some not even that, so the ever faithful No.18 bus service travels to and fro at 11,12 or 13 minute intervals from early morning until late at night. This is still a land of bicycles or if you're really flush,maybe a tricycle with trailer attached! Otherwise its a walk to get you to your destination.

Work starts here very early. At around 5.30 a.m. the first of the light commercial trucks comes charging up the hill outside my window. All painted the same Mediterranean blue, the fleet carries sand, cement, rocks, bamboo & any other possible building material to excess. All used in the construction explosion that's going on everywhere in China.

Not only are these vehicles very noisy but they belch out clouds of black, particulate-laden smoke that would have our own Env. Agency putting them behind bars! Oh how I miss the clean, fresh mountain air at home. Although I am supposed to be 'in the country' a haze of pollution is all pervasive here, for at present, nearly all power-stations are coal-fired and much of the heavy industry too.

The food here I greatly enjoy. Masses of fresh fruit and veg.(This is a noted citrus growing area) and many interesting local dishes. Specialities include fish heads, duck heads and rabbit heads in fact it must be one of the head eating capitals of China! Streets are lined with little stalls selling hot noodles,dumplings soups and bowls of steaming rice. All at very low prices for the people here simply do not have much to spend. A superb cafe/restaurant meal will cost no more than £2.00 and you'll be sure to have more in the dishes than you can ever eat.

The people here are all most friendly though I am the only white CeltxAnglo-Saxon among thousands with fair hair and blue eyes I'm used to being stared at now and anyway it isn't hostile just speculative!

Much more to tell but a violent tropical thunder-storm is arriving for the second time to-day and a monster downpour of rain. Now that's just like Wales!

Kyra Somerfield