On Saturday night we were invited to Wang Dan's home. She lives with her uncle in downtown Qingtian. They had prepared a large dinner and everyone was having a great time.

The most distressing thing for me when we go to someone's home for a meal is the inevitable pouring of rice wine. No matter how many times I say I prefer beer. Beer is considered common, so rice wine or yang mei jiu is thought to be more classy and represents someone showing you appreciation.

I can only say that it's like drinking metho, gets me leglessly drunk and normally results in loss of memory.

Saturday night was no different. Mr Ye had been brewing a huge glass bottle, about 30 litres of Yang Mei wine. I was doing fine on the beer, until Mr Fish suggested I try some wine. After sculling 2 glasses (Chinese people don't know how to sip), my face turned red as a beet and I began feeling hot and cold flushes as the poison took hold. Mr Ye decided to get some more.

He must have been feeling a little 'dizzy' too as he walked carrying the bottle he turned into the door frame where the glass bottle shattered and 30 litres of wine poured onto the floor.

What a SMELL and what a MESS!!