Hey Hey and a Big G'Day toya,

There is always time for The Last Cuppa. Today at 12:00 my time/2:00 her time my family offered her my parting rose.

This morning I figured that with the two hour time difference we still had time for our Last Cuppa so I boiled the kettle, made a brew, filled my tiny thermos and off I sped to the tea plantation I found yesterday. I don’t think Fran had ever visited a tea farm and I figured it was as good place as any to share The Last Cuppa. I spent my time meandering around saying hello to the Tea Pickers and then sat reading in the shade provided by the lone tree at the top of the biggest tea hill. At 2:00 I closed my book and with thoughts of her and the loss felt by both our families and all of our friends I chose an obscure tea tree, dug a hole and buried my little tea cup and in doing so I buried one of the greatest and most special friends I've ever had.   

Today she was put to rest in my hometown cemetery;
But for me, she will also watch over this tea plantation.

The Last Supper

On my way back this afternoon I dropped in to one of my favourite eateries for a late lunch/early dinner. The dish is my latest favourite but I am unsure how to actually write it as I just know it by sound and it sounds something like; FernSa. Oh it is so delicious, noodles made from sweet potato combined with tofu, bokchoy, Chinese cabbage, baby shrimp, an egg and minced beef. If you look at my last blog, it is usually served in the little pot it is made in but I always ask for a second bowl to transfer small portions as when left in the pot it remains too hot to comfortably slurp down.

Today they actually gave it to me in a normal bowl which made me very happy.

The Last Cuppa Photos

As you have probably noticed, I didn't actually make it to SanQingShan Mountain.

I drank a little too much beer after writing my last blog and slept through my alarm and upon awaking I remembered that it was May Day Holiday and that the mountain would be insanely full. So I figured hey, I am actually living in the mountains and there is no rain coming our way so why not just stay here. All the students have gone home, it is totally peaceful so why bother grieving in an absolute frustrating atmosphere when I can do it right here at home in peace.
 
The last few days the weather has been awesome and I've been over doing it a little when it comes to riding, too many hours and riding too far but for some reason I have had this great need to be around water so I've mostly been following the river.

Several days ago whilst out and about in an area I usually ride I noticed several cars heading down a small road that I have never really bothered exploring as I thought it led to a tiny village not far away. This time I noticed that the cars continued past the little village so I decided to follow and see where I ended up and I am so happy I did. I have now found an entire new area to ride and one that includes a tea farm that not only has an existing plantation but after following a dirt track I found an entire new area that has only just been excavated, or I’d rather say, carved getting it ready for a new plantation;

Life After The Last Cuppa

Life my friends, it really is the most amazing adventure.

I just got off the phone to my family and have been chatting to others for the past hour or two and all have said how wonderful her 'send off' was. Her family chose to amuse the hordes by remembering all of the crazy things she got up to throughout life so I'm actually surprised they're not still going and won't be back to continue tomorrow. As for my tomorrow, its time to get back on the get go. At times I will return to the burial place of my beautiful tiny tea cup and and watch the new tea trees as they grow and think of my beautiful friend.

But for now it is time to bring back the balance in life that I love so much. 
To begin with, I'm thinking a big plate of Dongbei Dumplings and a beer. 
I will always love N miss ya guts Nielsen xoxox
Beers N Noodles toya…..shane
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The soundtrack to this entry was once again by Bon Jovi
The album was once again 'Slippery When Wet’
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