This family is now a walking and cycling advertisement for Decathlon sports stores. Three bicycles, safety helmets, plus shirts, shorts, sandals and sundries galore. We ventured out for a bike ride en famille for the first time this morning, braving the oppressive heat and humidity. There’s a river that runs through Pudong from the Huang Pu river on which Shanghai sits, to the Yangtze River estuary about 13 miles from here to the East. There’s a riverside pathway for nearly its whole length which provides an excellent cycle or running route away from the insanity of Shanghai roads. The Danish father of one of Matthew’s school friends uses it for training runs as it’s exactly a marathon distance to run to the coast and back! Hmm, perhaps next week. We went out before the day got too hot, and with a bit of air movement it wasn’t too uncomfortable. 
Our 12km round trip was Matthew’s longest on his new bike and was very enjoyable, although we must have looked like a commercial for a family outdoor activity holiday centre. We even spotted a Great White Egret (I think) and lots of people fishing for cockles and turtles with elaborate net constructions.
The weather broke this afternoon with a dramatic thunderstorm. Our 28th floor vantage point allowed us an amazing view of the storm moving in from across Shanghai. Thunder and lightning surrounded us accompanied by torrential, tropical rain. But unlike a British summer storm the air was still thick and humid when the storm had passed. I did manage to drag myself out later for a run though. My running career is a new venture in an attempt to get fitter and carb-offset the dumplings. I’ve only plucked up the courage to move from the treadmills at the gym to the outside world this week, but I managed to run the 5km round Century Park in a personally pleasing, but publicly embarrassing, 29m47s. As I urged myself round the circuit I tried not to think of all my friends who would be way ahead of me, but instead of those of you who might possibly have been behind me or still in the armchair. I thank you for your unconscious assistance.
Tomorrow we’ve been invited to a party “In honor (sic) of the United States of America beating up the English on July 4th some 234 years ago”. I think we’re welcome.
And for those who missed this elsewhere. Arthur is playing knights and castles. The knights have just gone into the gift shop. I ask why. “Because you can’t get out of the castle without going through the gift shop.” Of course. Silly me.
Wow, Arthur’s grown. A lot. Looking forward to seeing you all and catching up on an island in the Sun. I trust you’ll be bringing at least one recipe to cook in Millcombe. I might even bring you some home-grown tomatoes.
I thought the picture was of matthew at first glance! I just love the gift shop comment. classic.
The heat must be really hard I struggle to function on a hot day here, which must be vaguely on the scale for you guys. When do you think is the best time of year to visit shanghai weather wise?
well done for the running , think I would definately be behind you.
sorry we missed matthews birthday. joseph was wanting to send a letter to matthew the other day so can you pass on your postal address to us thats if he ever gets past dear matthew and he also wants to meet in club penguin land….is that time scale possible?
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