Chasing pavements

While it was lovely to walk around the bayside beaches and Pt Nepean last week, we are back to 'Chasing Pavements' here. We had planned to do the steps of the pagoda again on Thursday but made a good decision Wed night, as we were heading to bed, to cancel that arrangement. Instead, having received an email to tell us the Everest shirts were ready for collection, we walked to Toa Payoh to collect them and back, about 10 kms we estimate. 

On Friday Peter and Eric walked while I swam and then we went to the stadium to watch Sharapova play Radwanska in the WTA Year End Finals. The session started at 1:30pm so we went a bit earlier to have a look around and caught Serena Williams on the practice courts.  My, she's a big, strong girl.

Taking our seats in the arena, the lights went off and the smoke effects began with laser lights, rock and roll music and then fireworks as the players made their way onto court. The atmosphere was like that at the start of a rock concert. Not anything like the match days at Kooyong. 















It was wonderful tennis with plenty of power, great shot making and court craft interspersed with Sharapova's grunts and 'whoas' and robotic court-side behaviour. In order to prevent herself stepping on the lines, she has developed an idiosyncratically rigid, stuttering walk around the court between points. Weird considering the number of points she must have played. 

If Sharapova had won in straight sets she had an opportunity to beat Serena for the top spot but Radwanska played a really gritty second set, climbing back from 5 - 1 down to win it in a tie-breaker. Eric had to leave before the end of that set but I could stay at least that long before leaving to get to work on time. We look forward to seeing another session next year as Singapore has secured the rights to host them again. But at work I was so tired; like I'd been playing shots in every rally from both ends of the court! 
Like a number of the players have mentioned, I was very impressed with the crowd's behavior. Unlike the last time I was at the Australian Open, this crowd was appreciating every point and applauding appropriately. I felt they were very neutral and fair. 

The end of the year is approaching quickly and there are few opportunities left to revisit our favourite haunts with colleagues before they leave town. We arranged to return to La Pizzaiola in Lorong Chuan on Saturday night which we hadn't been back to since my birthday in January. 

Monday's walk was from Clementi through West Coast Park and on to Haw Par Villa finishing at VivoCity. Unfortunately before we even left McDonalds, where we met first for coffee, June felt unwell and complained of searing pain in her neck and base if her skull. We sent her off in a taxi with Kathy and she went to the hospital. It was proclaimed a virus, probably the rapid onset due to her over-tiredness, and sent home. By Tue night she was admitted to the ICU with a small bleed on the brain. We are very concerned for her, she had been planning to do the Everest Base Camp trek with us. Our walk began in the heat but not long after we found ourselves sheltering from the rain.  Haw Par Villa, built by the brothers who invented Tiger Balm, depicts Chinese folklore and mythology in static concrete forms. The gruesome 10 courts of hell is hideous but you have to see it at least once and we had a few with us who experienced it for the first time so it was good to see it through their eyes. I just can't fathom how much it must cost to keep up the maintenance on the thousands of figures. 

I broke a filling while we were having lunch at Food Republic in VivoCity so rang my dentist when we arrived home and he was able to see me that afternoon. How's that? Turns out to be an old filling he had replaced for me once already, advising me at the time that it wouldn't last. I should instead have had a bridge but I balked at the cost. So, instead of wasting more money I have had to opt for the bridge this time. The good news he tells me is that it is cheaper to get it done in Sg. Maybe, but it is still so expensive! Only money! We spent the evening over at Peter's place playing ukulele, first time in a long time. He wants us to take them trekking again and teach the Nepalese a new song. Well, I guess he should stop singing the old Rolf Harris classics now that he has been disgraced. 
Tuesday morning we walked to Stadium along the Park Connector which proved to be a good choice with a cool breeze off the water at times. It has been very hot here lately, but with thunder storms too. In the evening we went to see the Deepavali lights along Serangoon Rd in Little India. Heather joined us for dinner at Shish Mahal in Albert Court. Michael has now gone back to Australia for the rest of the year, returning for the Dec holidays (joining us in Langkawi) and then he will spend 2015 in Aust. It's time, he says, to get back to a real life, not just twiddling his thumbs in Sg while Heather works.

Packing bags again

So we've signed off on the trek t-shirt order and they are underway. 

We've booked a seats at the Boomerang Bar for this year's Melbourne Cup festivities (ANZA event at the Kranji racetrack already booked out) and we've packed the suitcases for Friday evening's flight to Melbourne. No doubt the students will be missing us terribly for the rest of this week.
With Peter we tackled the Pagoda in Chinese Gardens on Thursday morning. 

Eric and I managed 8 summits, Peter did more. If you have to climb steps in preparation for a trek these are about as good as it gets in Singapore. We were all soaked in sweat by the time we finished but planning to return each week from now on to do it again and again. 

Walking around the gardens to relax the leg muscles we bumped into Bev having a few quiet moments by the lake. How nice would it be to have this closer to home as she does.

These elegant bronze monuments-'12 Gentlemen' from Taiwanese master sculptor, Ju Ming, are the permanent feature standing tall outside the Metropolis Business Centre beside Buona Vista MRT where we stopped for coffee on the way home. Eric thought they needed a bit of colour.

The second and final Bollywood dance class was on again Friday morning. We saw a few new starters this week, but then others were no-shows. We rehearsed the one we learnt last week and then Thea launched into a new dance which is fast and furious. I found it too jerky on my knee so stood out only to realise later that it becomes the introduction for the one I know. Maybe I'll just have to adapt it. All a lot of fun and 2 hours of exercise without relentless walking. Once we reached home I uploaded the video so all participants can now continue to practice and we packed our bags. 

Unfortunately we spent 3 and 1/2 hrs on the plane on the tarmac at Changi waiting for departure. Apparently the manifest didn't match the passenger list so the pilot couldn't leave until the ground staff fixed the errors. I was very impressed by the general mood of the detainees who kept it cheerful though felt at anytime it could turn quite nasty.

We arrived in a cooler Melbourne and collected the hire car only to be told that it was a very bad weekend to have chosen to come; The Caulfield Cup, a Jehovah's Witness Convention and the Phillip Island MotoGP were all happening. She forgot the Around the Bay Cycle event but more about that later. Despite that announcement, we had a terrific run into the city, through the tunnel (our first time in this) and down the Peninsula to Dromana where we still had plenty of time to relax before the 4pm wedding of my nephew Jason and his gorgeous new wife Georgie. My sister Judy had booked us into a small hotel along with themselves, Mum and brother Col and Beth so it was a lovely opportunity for a family reunion. We haven't seen James, my brother's eldest son since he moved to Qld so that was really special. The only ones missing were our own boys and Tahlia in Darwin.

The wedding was held in a church in Shoreham and then the reception at Crittenden Estate Winery.  Tucks Ridge was a nice spot to enjoy a glass of bubbly while the wedding party went off for photos.  Both wore beaming smiles throughout the service and celebrations making it a most relaxed and enjoyable day for everyone. We certainly slept well that night.

In the morning we drove to Sorrento to meet Judie Mac who had come over from Ocean Grove on the Queenscliff ferry. On the way we saw hundreds of cyclists all participating in the Around the Bay event. Apparently there were 12,000 entrants this year and as a result the road was closed at the ferry terminal as they all take the ferry service to complete the loop. That's something we hadn't anticipated. We still managed to meet up with Judie just after 10am and walked a few of the trails on Point Nepean. We were spoilt for walking options down in this part of the world. Pt Nepean has beautiful natural landscapes and is also rich in history having played its part in early settlement, quarantine and defence. Not to mention home to Cheviot Beach where Prime Minister Harold Holt went missing in 1967. It is right at the tip of the Mornington Peninsula with great views of Bass Strait, the Rip and Port Phillip. Coincidentally today marks the 100th anniversary of the first fleet of ships to leave Melbourne carrying soldiers off to the First World War. We could see the Heads that they sailed through and happened to walk by the point from which the first round of Allied shots were fired, forcing a German ship that was leaving the Port of Melbourne to return and be detained.

 

The Quarantine Station (1850's) established to contain the spread of diseases like yellow fever which immigrants were often stricken with, if not before they boarded the ships then before they arrived, at the height of the Gold Rush. 






It was lovely to catch up with Judie who worked with us here in our first year and trekked with us to Gudel in that Dec. We really appreciated her making the effort to cross the Bay so early to fit into our tight schedule. After saying goodbye once again, we drove back to Portsea and joined a very happy and vocal post-wedding group at the pub for lunch. 

When it turned quite chilly we drove on to Beaumaris for the night. After a quick meal of fish and chips we were all in bed by 8:30.

We went for a morning walk along the beach from Black Rock but found the wind whistling right through us so we took shelter in the suburban streets and ended up in a familiar park where we often walk a dog if we stay down over Xmas at Val and Arthur's. Then we took the train from Sandringham into the city and met up with Eric's brother Laurie and wife Sue who came down from Maryborough on the train. We had a lovely day together wandering along the Yarra, passed Southbank and on to Federation Square then down Bourke St and back to Southern Cross. We caught just a few of the icons that make Melbourne Melbourne.

 Eric with Laurie, who is about to celebrate a Big 0 birthday, and Sue outside Jeff's Shed

The Sandridge Bridge sculptures installed in 2006.

One of the ten abstract sculptures in a piece titled The Travellers, which represents the different types of immigrants who traditionally arrived by train over the bridge from Station Pier. This one is called Walking Sun and represents Australian Multiculturalism. The whole series of giant steel sculptures slides silently and slowly across the river depicting the waves of immigrants who journeyed to make Melbourne their home.
The Sandridge Bridge feature includes 128 glass panels each offering information about Australian indigenous peoples or the countries of immigrants to Australia, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.

 Along the river looking towards the MCG

 Federation Square

 Flinders St Station

 

Another iconic view, Chloe at Young and Jackson





















Back at Beaumaris we enjoyed a fabulous paella for dinner which Rog put together and shared pics of the wedding. Once again it was a very reasonable night. 

On Tuesday morning Eric and Rog took off on the bikes for a ride to Parkdale with a few other keen 'guys'. 

You have to be a guy to do this apparently. Never mind, I enjoyed the morning listening to a pair of young butcher birds in the garden (once I'd cleaned up the kitchen that is). Then we drove out to Mum's at Yarra Glen. Hew garden is such a treat at this time of the year! A tonic for the senses with abundant colour for the eyes, fabulous perfumes for the nose, trilling birds for the ears, trailing wisteria over the front portico you cant resist touching and thriving vegetables for the palate. Benji looks so handsome with his coat clipped for spring. Mum looks pretty good too don't you think?

There was an accident on the EastLink so we were held up and Mum was ready and waiting for us when we arrived so we went straight down the street to her favourite cafe for lunch. Then I spent most of the afternoon getting very frustrated with IT, but hopefully we will now be able to Skype, Facetime and play Words with Friends between ipads.

Late in the afternoon we headed up into the beautiful Dandenongs to Selby, where Denise and Gerry live. We haven't seen much of these dear friends since we left Croydon in 1985 but it doesn't seem to matter, whenever we do get the chance to share a meal we just take off where we left off and it feels like only last week. The boys talk music and Denise and I catch up on all the other friends and family. In fact one of their boys, Josh and his fiance Kat were there for dinner too. 

Since they had to go to work and we had an early start to get to the airport we had another sensible night. Are we getting more mature or just boring?

Eric did a great job driving while I navigated to get us back to the airport via Wellington Rd, the Monash Freeway and Bolte Bridge in very heavy traffic. I'm glad to report the plane took off close to the scheduled time for this return leg. Work tomorrow! Really?

What a difference a week makes

Eric received an email from our boss Renee on Tuesday to say the company had employed a new Operations Manager. We expect this will have a positive impact on the workplace and has definitely put a skip into the step of a few of our workmates. Our CEO is Mr Cheng, and the new appointment is Teng, his son. 
In the evening we caught up with Bev at Penny Black, a favourite haunt on the river at Boat Quay. We have had bad haze all week but at night with a slight breeze and the lights reflecting in the water, it all seems so fresh.

On Wednesday our usual staff meeting was cancelled due to a PD session the following day so we walked to Serangoon Gardens and home via Lorong Chuan. There was still time for me to go shopping at Tangs in Orchard Rd before work. Problem was by the time I got to work I felt like I had already done a day's work. It was testing week, so not too difficult so long as you keep ahead in the marking.

We are having a Bollywood theme this year at the Annual Dinner and the company have arranged a couple of Bollywood dance classes at Bras Basah. The first of these was on Friday and of course we both joined in. It was such a laugh! Thea, our poor teacher, had no idea how unco-ordinated some of us could be. 

Should have kept up those belly dancing classes because the rock and roll and bush dance steps weren't much help. If you would like to imagine us listen to the track 'London Thumakda' 









On our way home we fitted in a quick walk at Toa Payoh before ordering the t-shirts with logos for this year's Nepal trek.  On Tuesday they sent through the mock-up for our approval but they have put the colour in the opposite position, like a negative image. I hope they can make the changes easily. This we I have also been investiating natural therapies to combat altitude sickness. The 5 ingredients that keep appearing in all the research are ginko, ginseng, Siberian ginseng (not a true one) ginger root and reishi mushroom. I have ordered a product online from USA that we can have on hand if we need it. 

On Monday the walkers tackled the Western Adventure Trail beginning at Choa Chu Kang and finishing back at the Rail Mall for another Thunder Tea Rice after 12.5 kms. It was pretty hot out there but most of this trail was shaded fortunately. We have only done this one once before as a trial because I found it on the internet as part of the park connector network. Along the track you find a bit of everything: celestial Chinese statues in a park, a remote control car race track set up by local residents under a freeway flyover, a community vegetable garden and some rainforest.

In the evening we went out in search of a restaurant where the Punggol staff can all enjoy an end of year dinner together. They have some particular needs that have to be catered for; the food must be halal for the Muslim and at the same time serve alcohol for the leader.  

Fortunately we enjoyed a lovely meal at Kinara in Holland Village where Peter joined us. Everyone on staff should be happy if they can just now find a date that suits them all. 










This week is going to fly by as we fly out to Melbourne on Fri for Jason's wedding. very excited to be staying with family in Dromana Saturday night and Portsea on Sunday night. We plan to fit in a walk somewhere on the penninsula, perhaps at Cape Schanck. We are also looking forward to catching up with Eric's brother Laurie who is about to celebrate a special Big 0 birthday and Denise and Gerry Harris in Selby. Will be an action packed few days. Only wish we could manage a visit to Ocean Grove for a very special friend there too, but cant see that happening this time. 

October already

October already! Ai Yah (My Goodness), September seemed to be a busy month and it looks like October will be the same. We have a wedding in Melbourne on the 18th and tickets to the Women's Tennis the following week. In the middle is Deepavali which falls on the Wednesday so we have a long weekend. Hopefully all the renovations in our block will stop now that it is not so auspicious to renew outside the eighth month. There must be at least one project which has gone over the end date as I can hear a power drill operating as I type this. 
We saw in the new month with a night at The Crazy Elephant after work on Wednesday with Richard. It was Seth Roach's last night, a young American singer who can also play string, keyboard and wind instruments. What a show-off! Seth and the Blues Machine played many well known hits including a personal favourite, Jethro Tull. What a blast from the past.

The funniest thing that happened this week was looking back on the Friday walk. At the time it seemed far from funny, especially when I fell, but the pictures tell it best. We were attempting the northern end of the old rail trail, from Kranji to Bukit Timah. 

Our first mistake was choosing to walk along the left hand side of this canal - we should have selected the right. Our 'path' disappeared under impenetrable long grass just ahead.

 We could see the old rail bridge ahead but just couldn't get to it.

 Turn around and go back? No way, We can do this!

As we were walking hand-over-hand along the wrong side of the canal barrier, I noticed a local nonchalantly walking on a paved path on the other side of the canal looking somewhat bemused at our predicament. 

Then we realized why, if the threat of sliding down the embankment wasn't enough, add coiled razor-wire to the mix. It was either attempt that or scale an 8 ft fence (an option taken by Eric and Bev).

But we all managed it one way or the other and ended up back on the legal side. 

Our rail trail had a bit of everything. Here we walk on the old trail while a train passes overhead on the new line. 

At stages we were amid peaceful greenery punctuated only by bird-calls 

At other times it got lost under construction sites. 

Sometimes the vegetation got very thick and close.

Too close; this is about where I fell. At least it was a soft landing and no damage done except to my pride. 

 Almost at the end.

2 and a half hours later, just over 11 kms we made it to the familiar rail bridge at Bukit Timah.

And we reward ourselves with a fabulous lunch at Sunny Choice Organic Restaurant. 

Michael and I chose the Thunder Tea Rice and both struggled to find the bottom of the bowl. It was a good thing we had a long journey home so it had a chance to digest before a swim in the pool.  Just what we were craving.













The Saturday and Sunday at work went quickly. We all knew we should have had an early night on the Sunday since Monday was scheduled as another long walk. But of course we didn't, some ended up at Peter's place for night caps after dinner at Bliss.

Rising on Monday morning did prove to be a challenge but we found ourselves at Bukit Timah again for a walk to MacRitchie Rerservoir. It is about 12kms but a well maintained one compared to the rail trail. Being a public holiday for Hari Raya Haji, it also proved very popular (unfortunately - we are so used to having the trails to ourselves). 

We found this Slow Loris near the Ranger Station 

The crowd at the Ranger Station, many in the queue ahead of me for the toilets.

In the evening the same group reconvened at our place for dinner and the last of the Sullivan's Cove Whiskey. Eric cooked up Sri Lankan curries using recipes June collected from a cooking class she attended there.