Bukit Timah Re-opens

We had agreed to meet Jo at Tampines on Friday morning so we rose early and went to Eco Green first. The bird life was prolific and we were really enjoying it until we were caught in a heavy downpour, those birds knew it was coming. We first sheltered under a tree but that wasn't very successful so we decided to walk on and not too far ahead found a shelter. It was way too late though, we were soaked to through. I called Jo and arranged for her to bring a towel. That's a sooty bulbul on the left and and very damp long-tailed shrike above a pair of black-naped orioles on the right.

We met up with her once the rain stopped. She has an idea to publish a book on what colours mean to her and the people in her life that she associates with colour. Interesting idea, not sure if it will ever come to anything, but if it does you will find us in the orange and blue pages.
Once we got home I had a lovely long chat with Jude in Melbourne and caught up on all the family news. Col and Beth have been away in Canada and the USA for a few weeks.

The weekend went by quickly, especially at Kovan where we had 3 of our usual 6 staff away on Sunday which left the rest of us to manage with combined classes and some help from available relief teachers for some sessions. 

On Monday we travelled all the way out to Sungei Buloh with the walkers. Unfortunately I couldn't complete the lap because my knee was playing up. It has been so good lately I didn't have a brace or painkillers with me so just made the long journey home again. The rest of them continued on and Eric got some lovely pics. The best were of the Common Flameback pair in the carpark right at the end. Here also is a pied fantail, sunda pygmy woodpecker and Mongolian Plover

In the evening we went to Lakeside, way out west to have a bbq at Syd and Kim's condo. It was lovely to sit out and enjoy the smoky aroma of a bbq even though it was located right next to the train line so we had to frequently pause our conversations! Fortunately they live on the far side, so do not have the noise when at home. 

Eric heard over the weekend that Bukit Timah Nature Reserve was open to the public again after 2 years closed for trail rehabilitation and maintenance. After confirming on the web he was so excited that he and June walked there on Tuesday morning. He loved being back in the rainforest and walking the trails we had become so familiar with when training in our first years here for Nepal treks. I cant say I have missed it quite so much, as I used to find the deep steps a real grind for my knees. I do hope to get back there at least once before we leave however, now the steps are better, though Eric says there are more of them!

In the evening the agent for the owners brought not one, but 5 interested new tenants through our apartment. We are hopeful that one of them will put in an offer as that might mean we do not have to pay the rent through to the end of the lease which goes to Jan 14th. Keep your fingers crossed.