Bukit Brown Cemetery

Yesterday Tcina and I decided to forego our usual Thursday walk in favour of a Tuesday one mainly because of flights. Like I've said before, it is impossible to pin someone down at this time of year, and we've both got trips to the UK booked.
Tcina is a much better planner than me, so when she suggested a walk around Bukit Brown Cemetery I instantly jumped on board.  The cemetery is currently being dug up and bodies exhumed to make way for a larger road.  You can find out more about the cemetery here.  I hadn't read about it before going, but now wish I did as I would have understood the burn marks on the ground (where people would burn 'money' as a sign of respect or looked out for specific plots,) this is somewhere I think Mark would love to come with the good camera too.
Tcina suggested taking Monty, a dog she helps keep an eye on, and I jumped at the chance to go on a proper walk with a bigger dog. I love my Daisy dog, but she would not be able to cope with any of our walks and I just couldn't take her (serious Pet Mummy guilt). Tcina found a taxi that would take a dog and we set out, unfortunately I forgot Lornie Road can be terrible in rush hour so we wasted some time waiting about to get turned into Kheam Hock Road.
Once we arrived we walked past the construction works and along the road without looking at any maps, being hemmed in by busy roads on all sides makes you reckless like that! We walked back and forth and occasionally wondered into a dead end road, but we kept moving for 2 hours and didn't get bored. Whilst out the heavens opened and I got caught in yet another downpour, but at least it kept cool and there was no thunder or lightening.  The only other people was a couple we kept passing as we criss crossed our way around the place and three horses and 2 riders taking a leisurely stroll.
I'm so glad I got to see this before it was lost forever, as a westerner I'm so used to regimented straight lines in a grave yard and so to see memorials placed in no particular order (to my untrained eye) within a jungle setting was so interesting to me.
When the time came to get a taxi home we all looked down at our muddy feet/paws (yeah, I'm pretty sure Monty looked with shame at his sodden paws) and prayed we'd have a kindly  Uncle. Well the first one wasn't, though we never got to give him sad puppy dog/please take us home eyes as he said we were a no show aka he saw as and kept driving! The second guy must have been in a good mood as we took us all to our respective homes where as soon as I got in I dived in a warm bath.
The tolerance I have for the cold i.e. the temperature drop to 26 with a slight breeze fills me with fear for the upcoming UK trip. Keep me in your thoughts!

New Newbies

Sally was the first person to take me out when I was brand new to Singapore so it should be no shock at all that she spotted a new person that nobody knew of.  With our liaison officer on holiday we had no idea that another family had moved in.  Sally happened to be out and about when she saw Christine and invited her out from there.  When Sally caught me walking Daisy after book club the other night she invited me out so I could say hello too.  
Christine and her husband had arrived in Singapore a couple of weeks ago, but because they didn't have a car or a freight delivered yet there home continued to be unassuming so nobody popped round.  When we did meet up I jumped right into expat overdrive, which is known to anybody else as totally overstepping the mark, and started to plan other meet ups.  The only going which saved a Christine from being whisked away then and there is the fact she's having a little one.
I can't wait to try and get to know another new person, I'm sure she'll naturally move into a new Mummy group (although she's more than welcome to come walking too), but in those first couple of months I hope I can be a friendly face.  
Sally put on a perfect spread (seriously she was made to be a perfect housewife whereas I muddle around the house never finishing any jobs). There was home made yogurt and fresh fruit all cut up perfectly, it made me think that choosing to spend the last two days sunbathing and reading all day was not a good idea.
Hmmm, best get started on those welcome cookies, I do always need a few batches to perfect it.

House Rules

I've been wondering about what to write for a while, not because we've not been up to anything, and not because we've been too busy, but because there's a bit of an elephant in the room.  You see we've just waved off our fourth visitor, and it didn't go well.  I sat down to write the meanest most negative thing I could as soon as she left. I was about to call her out on every single teeny tiny thing she did....and then I deleted the post.  It was good to get it out, but instead I will point out all of my failings and hopefully help anyone that might ever come across this post, or indeed read it back when I get a dumb idea in the future.

• This sounds pretty basic, but make sure you don't offer all and sundry an invitation to your new home.  I did this and accidentally invited someone I didn't actually have much in common with.  Yes they were fun sometimes to be with, but this friendship wouldn't really have survived if they didn't have a holiday riding on it-and I was trying to not renege on a promise. 
• Find out what is expected of you as host or be clear on what you can offer.  I always say come over, stay with us and we'll feed you.  With family I made lists of things to see and wanted to take them everywhere.  However, with a friend staying upward of three weeks I had assumed they'd know what they wanted to do and also be comfortable if I got on with my own thing.  I didn't say any of this, and so when they arrived and asked what they were doing that evening they were a little put out that I had no definite answer. 
• On the same vein, when guests don't appreciate everything you show them don't take it personally.  I felt like an awful tour guide when my guests didn't care to see a Orchard Road, Marina Bay or the Botanic Gardens.  When they asked what a Merlion was I felt like a failure, however it's not my job-as someone offering free board-to ensure their enjoyment.  (And not to toot my own horn or anything, but they loved Universal Studios and I was the one who suggested it....just saying)
• Be very clear on 'house rules'. I never really thought we had any, but I now feel like we must be super strict in this house. I like a table set properly and there should be no phones at the table and the tv has to be off or at the very least not watched/listened to. Those are rules.  I like it when everyone talks to each other and there's no sulking or interrupting, and after 1 in the morning is quiet time in my book, also guests get brownie points for not leaving stinky food on the sofa (or clearing up their own pee on the floor), I said none of this to our guest but seethed when they probably did as I requested and treated this place like home (no hosting brownie points awarded to me then).

Oprah has a part in each magezine called What I Know For Sure which I love to read, I don't have my own What I Know For Sure, but I like to read others and try to see what I agree with.  The positives from this experience are that I have a few more items I'd put on my list.  I know for sure I'm all about manners.  I know for sure I'm all about trying to be a better Christian and I know for sure I'm all about education.  I just didn't know I was all about such an early bedtime!

My New Bike......

When we packed up all our stuff for the big push to Singapore last Novemeber, we decided to take our bike with us. They were not in the greatest condition and some readers will remeber that Sheila go her new PINK bike a few months back.

My bike was okay and I had used it a few times. I did however notice a crack within the gears and investigated having this repaired. This was mistake number two. Mistake number one was probably bringing the bike over in the first place!

So, back to mistake number two. I went online to source some repair shops and was not overly surprised to find loads. I emailed about six of them to see if they could assist. I recieved only two replies to the six emails sent out. Of the two replies one offered to adjuste my brakes and gears for $15 per adjustment. The other offered me the chance to invest $100 for a full bike inspection followed by $15 to adjust the brakes and $15 to adjust the gears. They were unsure if they could fix the problem but could replace the gears at a cost of between $70 (for used parts) and $150 for new.

The thought of investing around $300 on my old bike was not overly tempting so the decision was made to buy a new bike. There are loads of places to buy a bike, however I'm not a professional nor sports rider. I just need something to use in the park and to ride occasionally to the office.

This is where Giant comes in (Not a huge person but the Hyperstore) We bought Sheilas bike from them and I really liked the choice, service and cost. So I bought my new bike from there. I selected about six or seven, bunny hopped them around the store and then settled on the Gold & Black Dream Machine! It has everything I need, two wheels, pedals & chain!  It also has a really light frame, carbon seat, 24 gears etc etc.

I was just a tad over the $300 it would have cost to repair old bessie but I think this one will serve me till I decide tohang up my yellow top!



Even has a bike stand, ooooh fancy...........

A Goodbye Lunch

After our RDA session today a group of the volunteers went out to say goodbye to our good friend Karin.  This is the first goodbye I've done and I didn't think it'd be so difficult to send someone on their way.  Karin was only here for a short while as her husband Ivan was on sabbatical and after a month out for travelling they are going to pack up and head back to New Jersey.
Karin has been so much fun at RDA and our walking group, so we all signed a RDA book for her then took her out for lunch at Cedele on the top of Wheelock Place.  It's the first time I've been there but is a pretty location for a lunch. The other women had amazing looking salads or sandwiches, but I went for the roasted pepper and tomato soup.  It's a bakery/cafe that looked like you get get a few healthy options out of the mains menu.  It also looked like there were good vegetarian options too.  There were bread and chutneys on sale at the front door but I was too busy getting group shots of our post RDA lunch group.
Good luck in your future travels Karin, we'll miss you lots!

Snapshot

Another snapshot.....still waiting on the laptop to get its act together.....
Reading
My New Years resolution was to read the Bible end to end. I've probably read it through a few times and read most parts of the NT loads, but I've never went all the way through.  It was only when I tried to understand something from the NT by checking back on the OT that I thought there's probably so much I'm missing. I keep marking stuff off so I am trying to get myself into the habit of writing what I want to go look at down and coming back to it later! (Need to get into meditating, it's on the to do list)

Listening to
I'm listening to loads of Coldplay at the moment since I finished my HP.  I got really bored for two days then started playing about with music on YouTube.  When I heard Magic from their recent album I remember how much I lived Parachutes when it came out (oh my gosh, I was about 14 when that happened!). So right now I'm getting fill of Everything's Not Lost and Warning Sign.

Eating
Everything that's in the freezer so I can get all our stored stuff out of there and get some space!  Also trying not to snack as much after all that junk food from all our visitors! Urge, I ate way yo much.

Watching
I am still obsessed with the exploits of The Duggars,  somebody help me...

Loving 
The vitamin D I'm getting right now with the walking group. Every so often someone will turn to me and strike up a conversation in Dutch, but my blank stares are enough for them to say "oh, so YOU'RE the new girl!" I love visiting all these new places, getting out and exploring, as well as the plentiful cake opportunities that go hand in hand with the walking group.

Loathing
Waiting in for the workmen so they can fix up the cracks in the floor tiles, there are so many more things I'd rather get out and DO!

Planing
Fun things for when Holly comes over!

Learning
How to use my new kitchen aid. I'm reading up, as I don't have the converter yet, but when it arrives I'll be ready.

Snapshot

Another snapshot of life at Daisy Towers whilst I wait for the laptop to decide it wants to come out and play.
Reading
Im currently reading Divergent by Veronica Roth which I'd started a while ago before our visitors came along.  When I love a book I go through it whiteout stopping, but with people coming out and wanting to chat with them and show them about all the time I just couldn't grit into it and sometimes found I didn't have the energy for it at the end of the day.  I also only picked it when I'd read it was a bit like The Hunger Games but I shouldn't have picked it for that reason as I didn't appreciate it for its own story.  However, Mark and I went to the cinema the other day and seeing as it was my turn to pick the film I picked this which made me want to give it another go.

Listening to
I love listening to talking books and originally picked The Hunger Games thinking it would be a nice easy to listen to YA. However, I absolutely fell in love with the books and the characters so when I'd finished it I was deep in Book Mourning.  I felt I needed something which I knew I'd love so I went back to Harry Potter. Of course it was easy and nice to listen to whilst I pottered (see what I did there?) around the house, I knew these stories and it was easy. Right now I'm on the last book and I'm back to how it was whilst going through THG.  Oh my gosh, I totally forgot how much I love these characters and hadn't read the last book since I waited up until midnight to buy it and read it in 15 hours without putting it down once. Please remind me I am trying to pick easy to listen to (which means easily forgettable) books that I can have on in a quiet house whilst I do the dishes..

Eating
Erm not very much! Weeks and weeks of visitors eating what people do when they are on holiday has made me put on a few lbs, so I am eating healthily, not picking up snacks at the supermarket and walking more. 

Watching
19 kids and counting.  Totally trashy tv, but I love it.  It's pretty much what the title says and is about a right wing American family who have loads of kids.  Enough said.

Loving 
I am loving walking Daisy in the park right now.  I love letting her off the lead and letting her play and run.  It's what I felt so bad about when I got here and I'm grateful that we were able to find a place foe her to run about in.

Loathing
All the people coming over all the time to investigate the house and those cracks...all......the.....time.

Planing
Holly comes over in only a couple of weeks and I need to keep her entertained. I am mostly excited to just hang out and do the things we normally did ( read eat cake and talk rubbish). But it's going to be so much fun to do that whilst at Universal Studios, Mount Faber or Marina Bay.

Learning
I'm learning to get back in the habit of having the house to myself.  This is great that I get to strip all the beds and toss everything downstairs to drag through the house to the laundry room which pretty much means make a mess before I get things in order...... But it's also really weird to have an empty house again.  I am taking full advantage of the chance to read in the afternoon or perhaps watch some more of that trashy tv.....

Dover Canal Walk and Labour Day Off

Hope you're having a good Labour Day!  Marks had the day off, but planned on taking it easy until mid day when I'd head home then we could do something fun together.  He had originally planned to take Friday off too, but it was too late before we thought of it.  However any extra day that we can spend together having fun is a bonus!
Our walking group headed off at 9:30 from Dover MRT and walked along the canal.  We came up from the canal shortly to cross Clementi Road and walked past some more estates.  We visited a community vegtable garden where a really kind Uncle took us along an old abandoned railway line to a Buddhist Temple where were able to look around for a little while.  We then continued the canal route, past the AYE to Bukit Batok.
Apparently lots of people have seen kingfishers on this walk before, but we never saw them this time, but there was lots of lizards lazing in the grass and we saw a large one cross the river.
Malavika who I know from RDA had to head away quickly too so we got on the red line at the MRT and switched to the green one to get home.
Mark said he'd pick me up at the station, but due to series lack of communication I headed home one way and he waited at another exit at the MRT!  Eventually it was sorted out and we took Daisy to East Coast Park where it was super busy but really nice to see as the last time we were there it was right after picking Daisy up from the airport.
By this time we'd decided it was time to head home and into the pool.  I was pretty tired after our day of walking and felt more than ready to chill out with Mark and eat fried chicken....seems all that good work was for nothing!

Baking for RDA

After our RDA sessions we sit down with a cup of coffee and talk about how the kids did.  This is the best way for the instructors who have to watch everyone get a better idea of how the kids are doing or offer help/feedback to us about the kids and how we could help them better.

Of course nobody drinks coffee on its own.  Thats just odd...of course we've got a cake rota!  This week is my turn so i broke out the betty crocker and whipped up some fairy cakes.  As i was stuck in the house because of the ongoing work i thought i would make up some cookies too (a la betty once again) and tipped the ingredients into the bowl along with an egg and some oil and mixed up some cookie dough....this is the kind of baking i like best!

Hey, I put some new shoes on and suddenly everything's right

My new trainers for the walking group...no more sore baby toes for me!  Mark got them for me when we were up at the Navy Exchange meaning that they were really quite cheap for some super comfy trainers.  Right, show me a hill and i'll climb it!

Wandelen Dames

When I headed away from RDA yesterday I saw that Karin was heading in the same direction so we struck up a conversation on the way to the MRT.  Although I see fellow volunteers every week it's quite difficult to get chatting as we are so focused on the kids.
Karin also lives on the green line so we had to switch stations which gave us adequate time to ask each other questions about how we're finding Singapore. I love these chats as there Is so much tacit knowledge we just don't take advantage of (that's probably the librarian part of me coming through....)
One such tidbit was Karin's walking group, the wandelen dames.  It's a Dutch group of women that plan weekly walks all over Singapore. When I found out about them I jumped at the chance to join as a walking group has been on my to do list since I got here.
I was told to meet them at Pasir Panjang which is on the circle line so a two and a half hour walk along the Southern Ridges.  The walk was really good and I'll do another post with lots of pictures describing where to go and each stage.  As someone who hasn't walked very far in ages, let's just say blogging is all I'm good for today.
At the end of the walk we came down from Mount Faber and went to Vivo for juice. I stayed to get an orange juice and chat to everyone, but was also really wanting to get showered and changed into fresh clothes. I used to adore hill walking and love the freedom of getting lost out of doors for a couple of hours, but there's always that moment you get back to civilisation and find you don't look (or smell) like anyone around you!
I hightailed it out of there and hot home ASAP for a quick shower followed by a long bath....heaven!
I'm so grateful I get to go on these adventures and have the opportunity to make new friends, once again Singapore-you delivered!

Easter Visitors

Happy Easter!
I can't believe that last year Mark and I dug the car out of the snow to find a place to drive to so we could roll our eggs.  Now a whole year later (and about 3 weeks) we are in sunny Singers welcoming friends with a traditional Easter roast!
Yesterday we headed over to ZAC butchery on Changi Road for halal meat to serve and picked up a lambs leg, rosemary gravy mix and mint sauce.
We headed home via cold storage to get our vegetables and potatoes, as well as some roasting trays. We still didn't get any real ones so we had to pick up the tin foil/throw away ones, but at least that means less clearing up for me! We also got some cake at the bakers. Apparently all of the bakery/delis in cold storage have alcohol in their chocolate cakes.....good job we found out before trying to serve it up to our guests!  It probably makes more sense to have a fruit based dessert after such a rich meal, especially a Spring one.
I love having people over so I can decorate and set out the table, so friends over at Easter is a total blast for me.
It was such a great day and was once again another time I get to turn to Mark and say "remember this time last year?"

STOP THE PRESS : My New Car has Arrived.................

Well, it appears that I'm the only one to be excited by this news! Sheila appears to be neither up nor down about it and Dasiy appears not to give one jot!

I've tried to explain the engine size, fuel economy, the electronic engine managment system, Ride Stability, air bags, stereo, TV, satnav and just about everything else and yet they appear uninterested. Sheila's main contribution so far is that she can now order our "Sticker Family" for the back window. We have only noticed them here but every one is saying that its all over. I'll pin and example but the long and short is - Your family as Stick people and then stuck on your back window. So, in our case we would have a Stick man (to represent me) and Stick lady (to represent Sheila) and finally a Stick dog (to represent Daisy).

Sheila's contribution to our new car discussion was the NEED for us to have a set of family "stick" stickers on the back window.......

The car is  currently in our car-park awaiting final inspection and the attachment of my Dilomatic Number Plates. So close yet still so far.......

A Very Special Birthday

Happy Birthday to my Auntie Margaret!  I'm so glad you were able (and wanted) to spend your Birthday with us in Singapore.  It's a bit sad when you think that not everyone is together like they would be in the UK...obviously I mean it's a pity they aren't here, not that it's a pity we are here in the sunshine!

We started off by going to Prive at Keppel Bay as we thought it was so pretty my Aunt was sure to love it.  Turns out it was a good call!  The sun was a bit bright (i don't actually normally pose like this, i swear it's because of the sun)

 We all picked very delicious things and the service was fantastic.  Afterwards we went up to take the cable car from Mount Faber to Sentosa where we stopped long enough to visit the cable car museum and then headed back again to Harbour Front for a coffee.  Mark and I sat in Starbucks whilst my Aunt and Uncle did a little bit of shopping before coming back to meet us again.

PLEASE remember we spent the holiday doing very un-poses

We then went back to the house to have a Birthday Tea...no matter how much you eat through the day you NEED a Birthday Tea.  This was just a little one though as it was much too long a day full of nice things already.  If this is the standard of Birthdays here I can't wait for my own one....

Marks Birthday

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to Maaaaaaark,
Happy Birthday to you!

its Marks birthday today so its especially nice that we have family over to see him on his special day. Mark hates birthdays so we normally keep them quite small, apart from the time we went to Edinburgh on a surprise trip, or when I've decorated the whole house, or when i've taken him out for dinner, or had a great big birthday tea with all of his favourite foods.  Ok, i don't do little birthdays at all!
We had cinnamon rolls and bacon for breakfast as a treat out on the patio and then headed down to Vivo to find a present Mark would pick out for himself.  Our visitors could get to see some shops and we'd also be able to show them Sentosa from the roof of Vivo.
When we arrived we immediately decided it was entirely appropriate to stop for a rest as we'd been circling the car park for a full 15 minutes prior to finding a space.  We were initially disappointed when our new car wouldn't arrive in time for people coming, but now we are happy we have the small one that can fit into tiny spaces.  We headed up to Starbucks to grab something cold and people watch before hitting the shops.
Marks first port of call was a gadget shop, but nothing appealed so we run an errand for my uncle and went to the camera shop...big mistake, huge mistake.  As soon as we got in Mark wanted whatever my uncle had and started asking about cameras and the different accessories he could get that would go along with it.
My aunty and i wanted to see some real shops aka clothes shops and went our own direction after waiting about for the men for too long.  We looked at some shorts in different places before i found the most beautiful maxi dress in Warehouse-one of my favourite shops in Scotland.  When the sales assistant asked if i was going to buy it for any occasion i replied it was for going to KK!  When i got to the counter, however, i found that there was a long pulled thread running right down the front.  booo, so i never got my new dress after all.
When we got home i started to make Marks birthday tea which took longer than i had originally guessed which meant we weren't able to follow our original plan of going to the animal safari.  Mark seemed to have a really good time and our visitors are still happy (and haven't been poisoned by my cooking just yet), so things are still looking good!

Lazy Day and Planning

Today was quite a lazy day as Mark and I headed up to the Navy Exchange for some groceries whilst our visitors took the opportunity to laze by the pool and sit in the warmth of our lovely Singapore sunshine and read or relax.
Whilst shopping we spotted Rob and Sarah who were also getting their big-shop in.  We were like 'kids in a sweet shop' picking up all of the items we had gone so long without, didn't think was normally good value or hadn't seen before.  
When we got back we decided to write down everything everyone wanted to do and arrange days to do them on.  I wish i had done this with my Mum and Grama when they came over as its really quite stressful trying to guess what things people will enjoy, and even worse-heartbreaking when they announce things aren't to their liking.
We now have three full weeks of things to do and it looks like the only time we'll be able to sit down is when we go on our holiday to kk!

A Proper Welcome

Our visitors arrived safe and sound today at the appropriate time.  (After i thought they were 4 hours late, frantic phone calls to the airline, making Mark panic mid-meeting, and then finding out i was 24 hours wrong). We needn't have worried as the limo took them right to the house just before Mark arrived home.  The welcome to Singapore dinner went better than the arrival dinner my poor Mum and Grama got and my Aunt and Uncle seemed to be doing well after such a long flight.
After we chatted and got something to eat (and drink from those coconuts i spent ages trying to cut open) we went for a little drive around town and ended up going down Orchard Road to show off some of the sights of our new city.
We then headed down to Marina Bay to show off the hotel just when we noticed that it was getting quite close to the time we could park up and see the water, light and sound show.  We managed to find a space quite quickly so the men-folk played with their cameras whilst the women spoke about the shopping opportunities and the ladies nights at the sky bars.
Everyone seemed really impressed with the show, although being a Friday it was super crowded. Pasar Bella had also set up a pop up kitchen where the seating for the show is normally meaning people were more squished together than normal.
Afterwards everyone seemed exhausted and our guests were more than ready for bed and the start of a really fun three weeks! Fingers crossed...!

Delayed Flights, or Perhaps NOT!

Today was another day where i went into hyperdrive trying to make the house pretty and presentable for our visitors.  Although i'd like to think its always clean and tidy there is something that comes over you when you have guests that makes you question everything.  Oh no, a single petal has fallen off the flowers, what a mess!  The tv remote isn't back in the exact position it belongs, they'll think we're slobs!  The pillows haven't been fluffed up to the exact same height, i can't handle this...

And so on and so on....

Mark 'happens' to be working in KL again (just as the visitors are supposed to arrive...suspicious, i think so!)  This is probably actually a real blessing for our marriage as if he was working from home i would probably be really nagging and moan at him to help (at the same time as huffing because things weren't done the EXACT way i want them).  So i can accurately say its a good thing he has to work away.

The down side is there was a little bit of a hiccup in our communications with my Aunt and Uncle.  You see, we thought that they were coming out today, but Thursday is the day they are leaving the UK, this means that after many a panicked phone call to Mark we found out they were only in Birmingham.  The poor people at the airline were starting to get really sick of our concerns that they had mislaid two passengers....vi

Oh well, this gives me more time to fuss over teeny tiny details and get things sorted about the house.  Oh, and i need little tiny paper umbrellas for their coconut drinks i'm making or thats it, they might as well not bother coming at all........

Chartering a Yacht for the Night

Some time ago, in January I think, Amanda had called me to ask my thoughts about a 'chartering a yacht' groupon voucher she had just seen.  We would have to get a group of people together, but she outlined the price and what activities were included depending on what time/day you chose to go.

After talking it over with Mark we agreed it was a fantastic idea and quickly signed ourselves up for it.  This Saturday evening was D-Day and we got ourselves ready for a night out on our own catamaran.  In all 16 people came along which i think worked out as a perfect amount of people.  The boat could take 30, but i think at that point it would be a bit too crowded and not everybody would have been able to get a seat outside or move about as freely.  As it was also a groupon voucher we were only allowed a smaller amount of people on board so that the crew still made money from the trip.

I mostly knew everyone on the trip, and those I didn't I quickly introduced myself to.  Now that we've been in Singapore for 5 months I'd met most of the couples at either the Christmas party, coffee mornings or 'girls night outs'.  Although like most times we go out in Singapore my facebook friends list has an leap in numbers afterwards as everyone is so friendly.  

One couple volunteered to have pre-trip drinks at theirs and the bus was organised to meet us there too.  We arrived a little late due to a banking disaster i will outline in a whole other post (oh the joys), so we weren't able to get the party started until we were on the bus.  Once we arrived at Keppel Bay Mark and I had a good look around.  We'd never been to this part of town, although we had heard that Prive was a nice place to eat.  We met up with some friends who had made their own way down and then were led to our vessel for the evening!  

We decided to take our own drinks for the evening, but wanted the crew to take care of our food.  There was an extensive package, but we all finally agreed to the Indian menu which worked out well divided up between all of us.  After our welcome and the obligatory safety instructions we left the harbour and made our way around the island and Sentosa towards St Johns Island.

We listened to music and chatted in groups as we left the city behind us.  The champagne came out, but seeing as neither Mark or I really drink we got ourselves some peach tea and toasted the trip with the others!

The sun started to set as we dropped anchor for the evening and we watched the moon come out before our supper for the evening was prepared.  There was lamb curry and fish curry, really flavourful rice and chicken as well as profiteroles for dessert.  We watched the moon, chatted some more and even danced to some tunes on the way back before watching the fireworks at Sentosa.

Everyone agreed this was something we really had to organise again and I found myself nodding with the others.  One of the most common things I say in Singapore is.."remember what we were doing this time last year?"  Every time it is said with a grateful heart and joy.  Every time it is said is because we have been given an amazing opportunity.  Sometimes I can't help but stop and look around while I count my blessings.  

On the way back to the 'after-party' Mark and I were nominated to organise the snacks as everyone had gotten a bit wibbly for some reason or other....  So whilst everyone settled down with some more fizz we got the cooker fired up and started filling it with some more nibbles.  We managed to stay for about another hour before we agreed it was time for bed.

Luckily as Mark wasn't drinking we were able to jump in the car and head back to the other side of Medway and arrived home in no time.  Daisy as always had an inquisitive face, and because she had been so good whilst we were away for the evening I took her out for the last time that night.  It's a pity dogs aren't allowed on board as she would have loved the wind in her face too!
If this boat ever comes up on groupon again I would definitely say to buy the voucher.  In hindsight I would have tied my hair up and worn either trousers or a long dress as I am not used to blustery days after living here for a while now.

Grand Prix 2014

We've bought our tickets for the grand prix in Singapore!  As we aren't avid followers we've gotten seats in the Bay Grandstand which is the cheapest of the grandstands.  I'm looking forward to just watching everything around us!