China

I have an apology to make. In a recent blog I complained about a DNA, and wittered about responsibility etc etc. I have just remembered that the student involved is away on a holiday. He had in fact told me but I had failed to write it down and hence forgot.
My memory is getting worse i know, probably too much wine blended with too many years. I can remember things if I really make an effort but sometimes things just pass me by.
Anyway there it is - i am sorry and will make sure next time that I have at least some of the facts right.

I made a resolution today. Never to buy anything that is made in China. Never ever again. I spent this morning trying toassemble a dining suite for a friend. It is smart and stylish and came in flat packs. The table looks lovely and when we find the legs for it I am sure that it will suit him down to the ground. As it is, down to the ground right now, it is pretty useless.

It came with six chairs - also flatpacked in some Bejing sweatshop. I spent at least an hour and a half attempting to assemble the parts into a sturdy dining chair. Note - One .....king chair. The last nut, integral to the whole thing would not go in. My fingers are so sore from trying to bend the chair to accommodate that last piece. It would have been so good if all the holes had been drilled to the right tolerances and in the right places, but that would have required the engineering skills that China seems to be missing.

They seem very good at copying western designs, and making replicas so much cheaper that can be done over here. Unfortunately it may be cheap but on the whole it seems to be turning out to quite nasty too.

My fingers hurt and there are still four chairs yet to build. He can wait!