Post UK thougts!

The dust has settled and my girls have managed to contained their damage within our four walls quite well. We had various eating outs (soooo cheap here in comparison to Europe!) and all the laundry is under control.
As of tomorrow morning when we wake to start the week, my 'Cinderella-midnight-clock' ends. As life attempts to resume to some sort of normality and my girls eager to go back to what they normally do in Singapore, I have a whole list of things to achieve:
1) To ease the girls back into school work (actually the one that has to ease back is ME!)
2) To re-organise all various extra curricular activities (dancing, swimming, chinese lessons)
3) To study for my Driver's Licence Theory test to convert our Aussie licence to Singapore version (Yuck! I hate testing my ever weak short term memory!)
4) To remember how to cook for the family
5) To rebudget our lives and bills~ aftermath of holidays
6) To prepare for Alex's parents visit (errr, with trepidation!)
7) To plan our short holidays in advance till next April (we were warned to plan in advance, VERY much in advance!!)... best bit!

Putting on my thinking hat...

I truly believe that the entire month that we went through in UK was not a ad hoc happy-go-lucky situation. Here's why:

Firstly, when we took the bold step to act in faith regarding taking such a BIG trip. We did not know if we could afford it nor did we know how we can manage it. As time drew near, we got cheap tickets (1pound Heathrow to Aberdeen) and was offered accomodation by total strangers (Thanks Auntie YL). Then, there was the big '?' on how we can afford the tickets and spending $$$ without eating into our savings. By February, we were greatly surprised by the introduction (into our lives) of year-end-bonus! Alex has worked hard and worked well. He's performance allowed us this beautiful and meaningful trip to UK (Bristol, Cambridge, Canary Wharf, StoneHenge, Bath), Scotland and Paris.

On top of that, at the beginning of the trip, we were showered with fresh crisp snowfall to the endearing amazement of my girls (they will NEVER forget that as they prayed fervently for that to happen!!), we were given beautiful warm spring weather (very RARE apparently) throughout the entire trip. The gloomy weather only appeared long enough for our travels and rest days. The flowers were blooming and we felt like we were constantly standing in a flower shop everywhere we went. My girls were in fine health all the way. They were safe (Letitia got lost in Heathrow, and never again will we take SAFETY for granted!), happy and constantly well treated (great memories!), Alex had 2 weeks of work enough to take the work load off and enough for us to see him during our time out.
Not wanting to sound like I am preaching (well, actually I am!), I TRULLY believe that someone UP THERE took care of us. HE took charge of our trip as we prayed for and HE made all things possible! This is where I want to say THANKS... to our dear GOD! The same GOD who sealed my marriage on solid rock, the same GOD who blessed us with Letitia & Mathena, the same GOD who took us through good and bad times, the same GOD who is still here, helping me face my days ahead...

When we first decided to move to Singapore, doing travels and more of it was part of our plan. This has taken one chapter in our lives.
I hereby close the chapter of our holidays in UK. Thanks for listening!

We have safely Arrived!

Our biggest tribute to our host: Aunty Meng Frost aka Ee-Por, See-Ee! She clocked up a years worth of mileage while driving us around, bought up to 6 mos worth of groceries to feed us and the other extended families, she slept an average of 4hrs a day only to get on top of all the cleaning, the meals, the laundry. We salute you and give you with our best gratitude!

Thanks also to:
Andrew and Georgina LORD (New Mr & Mrs Lord!!): whom without you guys as an excuse, we'd never make it to the UK this soon!

Uncle Phil: for providing us the entertainment and being so big hearted with our 1 month stay.

Aunty Yoke Lan: for allowing us to tread mud & mess into your ever calm and blessed home!

Jeanine: For helping us with the airport trips as well as being so flexible in everywhere.

Uncle Thong (Roland) and Aunt Freda: For meeting up and being such an encouragement as a trendy, loving Christian couple example to us.

Audrey: for all the organising and navigating for most of our trips and being SO proactive!

Albert: Great to meet up and you are on our babysitter's list!

Aunty Carol: for your undying friendship and love to us as a family!

Cliff and Viv & Boys: For the Cambridge goodtimes and may we meet in Australia!

Carol and Standish bunch: Great to have caught up properly (after how many years?) and yes, Mathena still wants to visit Hugh!

Last but not least, my mom (see above) who put up with us our tantrums, helping in so many ways to give us a relaxing and happy holiday. Thanks for spending this precious time with us Ah Mah! Who would have EVER thought that we'd be in UK together, kids and all!

For those of you who have caught the travel bug...you'll understand the anticlimax "feeling" when making that slow taxi ride home. BUT we arrived without saga (not to be taken for granted nowadays) to the yet sticky and muggy Singapore. On the Maxitaxi home, I saw a little smile in Letitia's face as she prepares mentally to go through their toy chests and all their STUFF! Ahhh, the sweet security of your own place, your own bed, your own things.

80% unpacked but yet to be sorted and put away....VERY HOT and groggy! I think I need another holiday. Anyone for a 3 nighter cruise in August?!?

Spring has SPRUNG!

We've been told that we've brought with us VERY warm and unusually sunny weather. This couple of weeks has been very lovely and we truly were amazed how much difference it made to our travels and journeys... See these amazing "wild blossoms" from all around us!

Cambridge

Now, Cambridge I like! The bunting experience was lovely yet almost too exciting (tourist trying to do it themselves). Cambridge young college lads are not too sore for the eyes too!

People we saw & Met

At Aunty Meng's lovely back garden. The spring weather held out and we had many a dinners in the warm and lovely backyard. We met 'Uncle' Phil for the first time and the girls enjoyed dancing to his many musical talents. Uncle Roland and Auntie Freda were a HUGE encouragement and a refreshing couple to be with. We have extended our home to ALL that we've met... in exchange for a night of free babysitting while we go out to dinner!

The main reason we made the memorable trip to UK! To attend Andrew and Georgina's wedding in Aberdene, Scotland.

With cousin Kay in Bristol.

My girls refusing to let Hugh alone for one minute!

My cousin Albert (from Mom's side) who flew from Melbourne/New Zealand to take part. Kudos for making the HUGE hike!

This entire UK trip was as much as trip to catch up with family and friends as it was to see the country. We were hosted for the longest of time with Aunty YL who's a long time friend of our Aunty Meng. She loved life and all it surrounds and my girls enjoyed her lovely and stable home. Our heartfelt gratitude Aunty!

We met up with Aunty Meng and her family as well as cousin (from mom's side) Audrey (Malaysia) and Albert. Aunty Meng lives in UK since the 60s and my mom has frequented her home many times. Never in our dreams could be have imagined that we are wll together under one roof,...enjoying her hospitality!

Cliff, and his family of 3 boys. A young an upcoming Cardio Surgeon in Cambridge. I have known of this guy since her was in his early twenties, still finishing Med school. They've since moved around quite a bit too and we've managed to stay in touch. Thank you for having us in your amazing NEW home! Good to have caught up with you, Viv!

We found NEW second cousins and my girls could not leave poor Hugh alone. These are the kids of my cousin Kay (from dad's side) in Bristol of whom we spent a few days with and had some lovely time together. May this moments be kept in our hearts and minds together.

Frozen Rocks, Bath-ing near Bristol & TrifleTower

On the way to Bristol, we drove to StoneHenge and Bath.
This is the girls posing as statues in many of Bath's lovely gardens

We were there in reknown BATH Crescent.

We arrived at the StoneHenge late avo and was FROZEN. Letitia was brave enough to take the entire walk to listen to the history and origins etc of the place. We all saluted her (and daddy Alex's who's lips were so frozen he couldn't speak)

We did the LONDON eye thingy and dance by the ferries of beautiful River THAMES.

I can say that we have NOW been to Paris (enough said!)

Paris

After much planning and juggling, Alex and myself hopped on the famed Eurotrain to Paris, the city of splendour and Amour.

In true Parisian style, we were welcomed at the train station by beggars and homeless people. That wasn't the impression I was prepared for...

As we walked further, we discovered that nearly 50% of the FRENCH speaking sort were black African origins. There were loud temper trantrums, screaming and plenty of rainbow languages. Everyone on the shop fronts had pimps to bring in business for whatever 'trade' they were making. The trip was begining to seem scary.

We checked in but the room was not ready, went off to try to catch some scenes and attractions. We managed to see the Notre Damme, the Eiffel (trifle) Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and lastly the Palais of something or rather. In between all that, Alex got mugged on the Metro, lost his wallet and all it's content, experience terrible customer service when NOONE extended help when we asked for it AND, we had the rest of our 2nd day in Paris experience in paranoia.

Being mugged was a HUGE shock though we were warned and already had been extremely careful. We were later told that we had only have to look 'Asian/Japanesy', and we are SURE to be targeted. Alex and I both summed up that we may never return to this dastardly filthy, poverty stricken, rude, over indulging and poo-infested country.

NOT happy with Paris!