The week with Mum

The first few days of the work week flew by with Mum here. We managed a swim, to shop for shoes and clothes and we left her with dvds to watch while we were away. Even though I 'insisted' she not do the ironing, she managed to set up the ironing board and find the iron that I had conveniently left within reach! Thanks Mum. 

On the Fri we went to Gardens By the Bay. Unfortunately the planned tour on the trolley was unavailable, they were all booked out to dignitaries. Not to be deterred we hired a wheelchair and I pushed her all over while Eric met up with Barb Doukas, from Humpty Doo Primary and her two kids, and spent time with them. Mum and I met up with Mitzi Hesper who we had met in Darwin too. She was visiting a friend in Sg that she shared an apartment with while they both worked for Morris Allen some years back. Small world. It was lovely to all share a coffee together at one point in such a gorgeous environment. 

 in the Flower Dome

The weekend would have been two long days for Mum. On the Saturday night we were pretty worn out so we ate at the hawkers across the road and Mum was treated like royalty. They were so pleased that I had honoured them with my Mum! I was able to arrange a Chi reflexology massage for her on the Sunday at the centre downstairs. She found it pretty challenging to deal with the pain inflicted, but felt it did her a lot of good. In the evening I picked her up and she joined us at Joe's, the end of week drinks spot we share with a few colleagues, in Kovan. 
On Monday the walkers had planned to complete a lap of the Botanic Gardens, but in the morning it was pelting down with rain. It just wasn't letting up but they still met up in hope. Eventually four took it on in the drizzle while the others gave it a miss. Peter is away doing recruiting interviews, over the weekend in NZ and then the East Coast of Aust. By the look of his pics, he has had some fun with Ann in Auckland. Unfortunately Eric tweaked his back somehow on the walk and is in a great deal of discomfort now. from the look of the pic below he was well looked after by his mates. Perhaps he should have said no when they begged for a piggy back though. On returning home he also booked in for a Chi Reflexology massage downstairs, that's new!. He says it was torture, that there are now teeth marks in the bed cover. I don't think he will be going back under any circumstances.

Mum and I had so many options for the day; the flyer, Chinatown, art gallery, shopping, haircut....... We started out with me doing some alterations for her on the trusty Singer as it was too wet to venture out early. By lunchtime we were in Chinatown and we happened to enter the Heritage Centre just as a tour was about to get underway so we joined that. It was terrific, only 3 of us in the group so plenty of opportunity to interact. It tells the story of the Chinese immigrants who came to Singapore to find work in the early days of the colony. The rooms are filled with period antiques replicating coolie living quarters, shops, clan association houses, and other places that were prominent in daily life.  Our guide had personal experience of living in a cubicle, one of 6 on an upstairs floor of a shophouse where large families and groups scratched out a meager existence with shared kitchens and toilet. These conditions were still very common until the 80s when the govt cleared them out and moved residents into HDBs and the hawkers into wet markets. The family below paid extra to have the window. 

 

 Colourful shophouses

 Indian Hindu Temple

After lunch of noodles and dumplings we browsed a couple of streets and then tried out the ladieswear section of OGs. More parcels! The weather had cleared but we felt we had done enough for the day so headed for home.  Since Eric was suffering we figured it was better to eat in. That means I get to cook! My goodness, it's been awhile! Since I had to get groceries I figured we'd kill two birds with one stone and get Mum's haircut at the same time. Just watching her have the shampoo and massage treatment was good for me too!  I don't mind saying the chicken stirfry was pretty good. 

 Shampoo and massage in the chair

Our last morning together. Eric slept well but is not going further than the surgery across the road for some pain relief. Mum and I visited the Botanic Gardens where once again we were able to borrow a wheelchair. I had taken the pedometer out of interest and we managed to clock-up 5kms around the Orchid, Ginger, evolution and healing Gardens. 

 featuring the 'new do'

 Orchid Garden

We enjoyed lunch in the air con before heading to the Flier. Reaching a maximum height of 165m it gave us extraordinary views of the beautiful cityscape, the fascinating super trees and domes of the Gardens and the busy harbour. 

 The Flyer

 Up, up and away

 Overlooking Gardens by the Bay

 Marina Bay Sands Hotel

After a bit of a rest with her feet up while I had photos printed, we finished off the visit with a refreshing dip in the condo spa. Next it is off to the airport, all too soon.