We have another visitor arriving

So the race is over for another year and we enjoyed some down time. Eric went for a walk and checked out Bidadari on Wednesday, only to return home very disheartened to see what they have done to our birding sanctuary. We will not return. Then it was back to work, but the upside is the end of term is just around the corner. This time we are heading to Croatia then on to Rhodes where we will meet up with Sandy for a belated birthday celebration for her. 

On Thursday Eric was keen to return to Istana Woodneuk, the former town residence of the Sultan of Johor. He walked through the Botanic Gardens and then up Napier/Holland Rd but was prevented from proceeding by signs that threatened arrest for tresspassing. Not wishing to be deported he did the right thing and came home. 

Meanwhile Tahlia sent through a picture of the esky full of ruby red grapefruit she just picked from our garden in Tiwi. They have been reaping the benefits of our limes, lemons, dragon fruit but I haven't seen any mangoes. 

On Sunday evening Ann Anderson arrived from NZ. She was here with MAE in 2009 and '10. At the end of that she trekked to Everest Base Camp with Peter and June but fell on the last morning and smashed her shoulder. Hence she left Nepal in a daze of painkillers and never felt like she was finished with the place or the people. As a result she chose to join us in Dec 12 when we trekked to Gudel with Jim. It was a very small, cohesive group that year and we will all remain close friends. Ann is now on her way further north but is stopping over here for a few days to renew old friendships. Peter met her at the airport and we met them after work at Lau Pa Sat. After supping on satays we moved on to Penny Black for some breeze off the river. Across the road from Lau Pa Sat we discovered these fabulous statues by ju Ming, a Taiwanese sculptor whose works we have admired in a number of settings around town, including The Metropolis at Buona Vista. 

These are from his Sculpting the Living World works. Arriving at the river we were surprised to discover the quayside area is being renovated so the waterside bar has been removed. Instead, we went upstairs to the elegant snug bar. We discovered they serve a traditional Gunners. We used to enjoy these after golf in Butterworth. A drop of Bitters to line the glass and then a mix of Ginger Ale and Ginger Beer. So refreshing! But it was too late in the day for that, we settled for a mixed round of English beers and a red wine for me. 

My left leg has been giving me lots of grief lately so I returned to the doctor on Monday but after an hour's wait he just told me it was old age and to take pain killers. I went directly across the road to the Chinese Medicine Clinic and with no waiting had 20 mins of acupuncture and a massage which did bring me great relief. Dr Mak, who speaks very little English, found a knot at the base of my spine that felt like a golf ball to me, but was probably only the size of a marble. She worked on it tenaciously with fingers, knuckles and elbows and I feel much better already though I'm sure the imprints from my clenched fingers on the bed frame remain. I was exhausted when it was over, but I'm going back for more! Very happy it has been referred pain in my knee rather than further deterioration of that joint. This can be fixed.

Meanwhile Eric and Ann joined a small group of walkers at Beauty World to head around the bike trail of Bukit Timah. The trails of the park are still closed to walkers while they upgrade but the bike trail remains open and fortunately they only met one biker.

Things you see in the outdoors.

In the evening we met up at Sque with Deb and Michael Canaway who have returned for a few days on their way through to the UK. They worked with MAE at the Jurong Branch in '13 and 14.

Tuesday morning was a little slower. By this stage I had learnt a little more about the way Ann is financing her travel and comfortable way of life while not working more hours a week than she wants to. Hmm, now that gets you thinking, is it for me too?  I tapped into her personal experience and achievements over the last 12 months and will be spending more time delving into the field of personal development. But, breakfast calls, so first it was down Paya Lebar Rd to Prata King for a breakfast of rotis and curry sauce. Ann sent some time online, attending to her work and I did much the same but wasn't being paid for it.....hmm. In the evening we all went in to Gluttons Corner where we met Peter and Syd and Kim. After a quick bite Ann went off to wander around the bay and gardens while we all went to see Cameron Mackintosh's acclaimed new production of Les Miserables. It featured a predominantly Australian cast, with the exception of British actor Earl Carpenter, in the role of Javert. Simon Gleeson played the role of Valjean. We loved it. Later we found Ann, who had been very impressed by the light shows during her evening walk, waiting for us and all came home together. 

On Wednesday I felt fit enough to try a swim, the massage and acupuncture has helped, and Ann joined me in the pool. Eric cooked up a great breakfast for us then, before Ann packed her bags to move on to another friend who lives in Tiong Bahru. She has left me with a lot to consider.  Eric crashed down with a flu virus in the afternoon as I headed off to work.

I tried some yoga on Thursday morning. Ooh it has been a long time since I did some serious stretching. Am determined to keep it up. Then I spent some time getting on with my curriculum project before finishing this post. Only 2 weeks of term left, then a break and home in time for James, Nichola and the kids. Will be lovely to have family with us again.