Since my knee pulled-up OK after the walk earlier in the week we took the chance to join Heather and Michael (who is back for a short visit) for birding at the new Kranji Marshes, out beyond Sungei Buloh. Located on the northwestern shore of Kranji Reservoir, the website tells us this is one of the largest freshwater marshes in Singapore. We took a taxi, as online it seems the only way to get there is via the carpark. The facilities that greeted us there were beautiful, designed to resemble a small-scale wetland in a man-made fashion with two ponds surrounded by marsh plants. Must have cost them a bucket of money but the result is good, especially the toilets which really bring nature into the washroom and have eco-friendly skylights and a grass lined roof.
We walked in to visit the hides and the raptor tower. Unfortunately a big group of ignorant, loud men were there at the time and had frightened away whatever birds we were likely to see initially.
We were disappointment with the scale of the project. This may well be one of Sg's largest freshwater marshes but public access is very limited for now. It was a long way to travel for such a small area. We did manage to see quite a list of birds, though not the marsh varieties we were looking for. Below you can see the magnificent contrast in the colour of the blue tailed bee eater in silhouette, a paradise flycatcher who just took of as Eric clicked the shutter and the noisy dollar bird.
Returning to the carpark we found the Community bus arriving and discovered it now incorporates this stop on its route back to Kranji MRT. Good news and good timing as the next one was not for another 2 hours. Hate to think how long a taxi was going to take to collect us.
When we got home we packed up the sound system so that after work I could get home and then get it to the MRT where I had arranged to meet a buyer. Fortunately Eric turned up to take over as I was struggling along Upper Serangoon Rd with a huge box precariously balancing on shopping trolley wheels. Deal done! And Eric was pleased to discover he can watch Apple TV and movies from the hard drive through direct connection to the TV still.
How good was it that the Bulldogs won? Such a great story for all those die-hard supporters and players who have gone without for so long. Of course we were working, Eric got the final score result on the train as he was coming to meet me at Kovan. We are so happy for our friends who are supporters, one who got a ticket to the ground but chose not to go in case she had a heart attack! Beverige was already a legend before the final siren sounded, but to then be so generous towards a non-playing captain after the game was an act of sportsmanship that helps us remember the whole ideal of sport is bigger than the interfering politics, big money and banned substances. Thank you Luke.
Then Cronulla did it again on Sunday. Year of the underdogs.
We tried out the revamped and reopened Kovan Bowling Alley as a Sunday night, end of the week venue but although the price for beer was cheap it was uncomfortably noisy and they don't serve wine so we returned to Joe's who were happy to see us once again.
In the morning on Monday, Eric went to Bugis to meet up with Wendy Tate, a teacher he worked with at Humpty Doo while I packed some boxes ready for mailing. In the afternoon I got them sent and Eric joined the walkers on a lap of Fort Canning finishing at Gluttons Corner.
I did seriously consider going, even got to the mrt, but while waiting for the train I accepted that my knee had already done enough for one day and made the right decision to opt for a haircut (ooh! Bit short, might not need another trim until I get back to Darwin) and a night-in instead. Must be getting more sensible as I get older.
We met up with Wendy and her friend Miriam again on Tuesday and had a lovely walk around Joo Chiat to show them this vibrant neighbourhood which is Singapore of old. They loved the colourful two-storey shophouses and terraces with ornate facades, intricate motifs and colourful ceramic tiles. We had a late lunch together then went our separate ways.
In the evening we met up with lots of friends at Wine Mansion in Outram as most of us won't be seeing Michael again. It was a very enjoyable evening with good company, food and wine.
We were disappointment with the scale of the project. This may well be one of Sg's largest freshwater marshes but public access is very limited for now. It was a long way to travel for such a small area. We did manage to see quite a list of birds, though not the marsh varieties we were looking for. Below you can see the magnificent contrast in the colour of the blue tailed bee eater in silhouette, a paradise flycatcher who just took of as Eric clicked the shutter and the noisy dollar bird.
Returning to the carpark we found the Community bus arriving and discovered it now incorporates this stop on its route back to Kranji MRT. Good news and good timing as the next one was not for another 2 hours. Hate to think how long a taxi was going to take to collect us.
When we got home we packed up the sound system so that after work I could get home and then get it to the MRT where I had arranged to meet a buyer. Fortunately Eric turned up to take over as I was struggling along Upper Serangoon Rd with a huge box precariously balancing on shopping trolley wheels. Deal done! And Eric was pleased to discover he can watch Apple TV and movies from the hard drive through direct connection to the TV still.
How good was it that the Bulldogs won? Such a great story for all those die-hard supporters and players who have gone without for so long. Of course we were working, Eric got the final score result on the train as he was coming to meet me at Kovan. We are so happy for our friends who are supporters, one who got a ticket to the ground but chose not to go in case she had a heart attack! Beverige was already a legend before the final siren sounded, but to then be so generous towards a non-playing captain after the game was an act of sportsmanship that helps us remember the whole ideal of sport is bigger than the interfering politics, big money and banned substances. Thank you Luke.
Then Cronulla did it again on Sunday. Year of the underdogs.
We tried out the revamped and reopened Kovan Bowling Alley as a Sunday night, end of the week venue but although the price for beer was cheap it was uncomfortably noisy and they don't serve wine so we returned to Joe's who were happy to see us once again.
In the morning on Monday, Eric went to Bugis to meet up with Wendy Tate, a teacher he worked with at Humpty Doo while I packed some boxes ready for mailing. In the afternoon I got them sent and Eric joined the walkers on a lap of Fort Canning finishing at Gluttons Corner.
I did seriously consider going, even got to the mrt, but while waiting for the train I accepted that my knee had already done enough for one day and made the right decision to opt for a haircut (ooh! Bit short, might not need another trim until I get back to Darwin) and a night-in instead. Must be getting more sensible as I get older.
We met up with Wendy and her friend Miriam again on Tuesday and had a lovely walk around Joo Chiat to show them this vibrant neighbourhood which is Singapore of old. They loved the colourful two-storey shophouses and terraces with ornate facades, intricate motifs and colourful ceramic tiles. We had a late lunch together then went our separate ways.
In the evening we met up with lots of friends at Wine Mansion in Outram as most of us won't be seeing Michael again. It was a very enjoyable evening with good company, food and wine.
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