On Friday we took the bikes out for a spin, returning to Bishan Park where we walked last week. The park was a beautiful place to ride and we enjoyed watching a majestic White Bellied Sea Eagle circling the pond hoping for a feed. We went in a loop of about 30 kms but we're not sure. Eric has now downloaded an app for his phone which will track us and give us more accurate estimates. There were no serious injuries though a walker with phone earplugs didn't hear me coming so I had to head for the bushes. Pity it was a Bougainvillea.
At last we both have our visas for the Sept holiday in China submitted. We now need to arrange an interview in the next week or so. It wasn't all smooth sailing, we didn't have some of the information required to complete the online forms so I got in touch with the agent that we originally dealt with, but she only sent through documents in Mandarin. Not much help at all.
The walkers returned to Bukit Timah this week and we have some new recruits, Heather and Michael, who are considering Nepal and decided to take the challenge. We all enjoyed the cool weather as the thunder grumbled overhead but thankfully the clouds didn't send down a deluge. We met a new species of wildlife on the path who wasn't in the least perturbed about us trundling along. When we stopped it kept on going, passing within 10 cm of Eric's foot. If I am not wrong (and I never am, just ask the men in my family) it was a Spiny Turtle (Heosemys spinosa), its name immediately apparent from the sharp edged carapace, also known as the cog-wheel turtle. I'd like to learn the name of this flowering plant below but as yet I haven't had any luck. The perfume was beautiful.
We were out at the airport Monday afternoon to collect Mum who had flown in from Melbourne. I watched as all the passengers from Flight JQ 7 collected their bags and made their way through the throng of waiting family or friends. It is so interesting to watch the range of reactions at these reunions; I had to keep dragging my eyes away to make sure I didn't miss Mum while I made assumptions about how the travellers and greeting parties were related. There was no sign of her as the baggage belt changed its flight number to the next flight. Where was Mum, should I be alarmed? We know it's a long way from the jet bridge through immigration and to the luggage belts but has something gone amiss? Eric was at the only other possible exit keeping watch but he had nothing to report either. Eventually a tiny spec of a woman made it through the arrival doors and had no trouble recognising me. Welcome to Singapore Mum, sorry you had to walk all that way. One would expect her to doze off in the taxi on the way home but she was full of interest and wonder. Eric cooked for us and we shared a wine to celebrate her safe arrival. She has had a long day and it was something like 11pm Melb time before she got to bed.
On Tuesday Mum and I took a taxi to town so we could take a ride on a jump on-jump off bus. There was no jumping going on but we figured this was a good way to see a lot and work out what she would like to return to. The first thing she said she would like to do is take a spin on the Flier! She turns 90 on Jan 1 but there's nothing phases her too much. We purchased the tickets and took the bus tour first. It took us by Marina Bay Sands, through the financial centre, by the Botanic Gardens and Embassies and finished along Orchard Rd.
Unfortunately Eric rang to say he was locked out of the condo and needed us home to let him in. We had to pass up lunch and the loop on the flier and caught the train home instead. After lunch and a kip on the couch we went down to the pool for a refreshing swim before going out to dinner in the evening to New Everest Kitchen in Little India with the trekkers of 2013 and she still had the energy to join us. It was great that she got the chance to meet our good friends who we often mention here. We paid our deposit for the trek this week so there is no backing out now.
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This morning, Mum and I made a quick trip over to the Nex Shopping Mall before work. There was some idea that she might manage a movie while we are at work later in the week, so we needed to make sure she was well enough orientated to do it independently. Problem is the mall has 6 stories and so many escalators all of which are positioned to make sure you walk by all the different shops. You can cover quite a distance getting about in there. Anyway, we checked out the library and discovered there was really nothing at the movies to watch. What we did discover was that the shopping fairy was contentedly lounging on her shoulder and we had no trouble finding a few new items of clothing and a new pair of shoes without any trouble at all. It was nice for me to have such a choice because everything we picked up comes in her size. Nice change!
Meanwhile, Sandy was busy setting up a skype session with her SRC executive of Clyde Fenton Sch in Katherine, ready to talk to me about the school in Gudel. We had agreed that Gudel Sch would be a good project for the SRC to fundraise for and I had shared some photos in dropbox for us to view during the session. Problem was I missed any email explaining when the skype session was scheduled. Not to worry, Eric was home and able to step in. I'm sure he did a great job.
He did indeed and the kids are all pumped! They will stay in touch with you re their efforts and have decided they want to raise money for sports equipment. - a suggestion by Eric.
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