So this is it...well almost, having slight trouble keeping below the 30kg baggage limit, it's pretty tough packing for a year! Had a lovely past couple of days with old friends and family celebrating birthdays and the like, a great way to end my England days. Looking forward to the next couple of days I have a vague plan of action - meet the team and get on the flight! On arrival in Beijing on monday evening, stopping off in Dubai on the way, we hope that an airp...

What with visas, some form of accomodation sorted and only a matter of days to go until I leave; Mum, Archie and I have ventured up North to the beautiful isle of Anglesey to see the Laceys! En route we stopped off in Eglwysbach for an exquisite annual Parks Family lunch with G&G, Chris & Rona and Mary. Only 6 days to go guys.... Wooohoooo! Next big task - Packing! 30kg limit on the Emirates flight, whats the betting I will go over? Dad, whilst trying to...

Hello everyone! This is the beginning of an adventure, a journey that I want to share with all of you, so here is the background and the vague plan of my year away in China. In september 2011 I started my first year of university doing a BA in Chinese at SOAS, London. I am often asked why I decided to learn one of the hardest languages in the world, and to be honest I wasn't a 100% sure back in september and after a year of gruelling character and grammar lesson...