Both sides have now said the revamped Huanggang border crossing is ready. It opens Monday.

Immigration said the same thing on Friday. So that is Hong Kong, Shenzhen and the officers at the counter, all saying "ready" before anyone has walked through.

Look, I believe them. But "ready" is what a restaurant says at 5pm. The test is 7pm, when the table of twelve turns up without booking.

For a border, that table is Monday morning. Everyone who has been waiting for this crossing will turn up together. They will all find out at the same moment whether the new layout makes sense.

The reports we have do not say what changed inside. So I will not guess at it. What I can tell you is how it works at a crossing.

The first week tells you more than any press release. Signs get argued over. Queues find the one gate nobody planned for. Someone's auntie, with two bags and a trolley, will find the bit nobody tested.

If you cross on Monday, leave extra time and don't schedule anything tight. Day-one queues at a new crossing run long.

The Observatory has no warnings in force today, 29°C. Use the weekend to check your travel documents.