Happy New Year

First Footing.. for which you need a black dog or is it a lump of coal or a tall bloke!(CLICK)

Felicitations from a hot Granddad

I am sorry to read of all the accidents and sickness to my loved ones in UK.
Today, Jen took me to the local Centre Point - a large Mall not very far from here but too far for me to walk, so Jen took me in her lovely Honda.
She had arranged to meet an old college friend from England.
What a lovely lady. An Indian by birth who lived in Goa. She has four children, aged just a little younger than Daniel and quite a bit smaller. They live in Chessington, Surrey. The two elder boys Hari and Max are little imps and at the moment are creating havoc in Nic and Jen's Flat with Daniel and Claire. The little girl, Mara is a strikingly beautiful little Indian girl aged about 3 . Have I said all this before?? Last is baby Tara who is keeping her Mummy company in her meting with Jen.
I went into the M&S shop in the Mall and bought myself a pair of similar navy blue shorts to the khaki ones I find so comforable. We had a Chinese meal in the Mall, and I had pork rice, with lots of different sauces. I am getting quite good with my food and am happy to experiment.
Nic has lent me this little laptop computer which I used to follow the test match (Which we won)
Like the smll one you lent to me Cathy, butvery powerful.
I am pleased to read that the snow is disappearing in Wales. I hope it is OK in K/S as well.
The children go back to school next week, before I return on the 5th. Everyone is so kind to an old man, and I am very grateful for all the help I get. Jen's maid, Mary remembers me from Christmas 2000 when I was was here with Mum, and is pleased to help me out with my washing. She is a dear and calls meGrandad!. Love to you all from Singapore. I hope Jan's ankle does not cause her too much pain.

Poor Jan

So sorry to hear about your ankle and the loss of your Boxing Day. Not much fun!
The temperature here rose yesterday and it began to rain and carried on all evening, this morning the snow has gone from the roads and the roofs and there is only a little on the hilltops and in the gardens. And there is a strange dark sky and mist keeps coming and going.
Yesterday we had to cancel Kates birthday as she was feeling ill, she was due to have some friends over for films and pizza and a sleepover, so she's hoping to reschedule in a couple of days.
In fact we have all been a little under the weather, which is a great pity, but nice to all be together. I am thinking of you all and I wish I could see you all much love Cathy

Jan on crutches again....

Less than 18 months after breaking her metatarsal a la Beckham, Rooney et al, Jan went over on the ice on Boxing Day during a late evening walk and we spent the rest of the night at A & E in Mandeville getting her broken fibula plastered. Left side, so other ankle to last time...And now I really am chief cook and bottle washer.

Prayers and any practical assistance happily accepted!

Sorry Kate that we missed most of your birthday after not getting back home again until 6am on the 27th... Ah, well. C'est la vie. At least we are on vacation for the moment...Back to the fracture clinic on Friday 7th. Jan is doing okay but of course is understandably a little uncomfortable at times....

Love to all

Pete

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO KATE

Welcome to your 15th birthday KATE, tomorrow 27th, from all of us in the warmth of SOUTH EAST Asia in Singapore. Today we watched the Ashes cricket match from Australia, in the BRITISH Club in Singapore. We later went round to Jen's Mother and Father's house for a family meal.
Today is the 26th of December and is Jen's younger sister Ming's Birthday. She has two lovely children James aged about 5 and Grace, about 2/3 years old.
Have a lovely time and don't get too cold in the snow.
LOVE ALSO TO MUM AND DAD AS WELL AS TO EDMUND AND THOMAS.
From GRANDAD XXX

Happy Christmas Everybody

It's now Boxing day here and you a very much in my thoughts Dad. There is still snow all around but no new snow for a few days. We will try to get some pictures up on the blog for Claire and Daniel.
The Boxing Day Hunt has had to be cancelled and it's not looking good for the New Year Hunt, there doesn't seem any likleyhood of a thaw as it is so cold. The cancelling of the hunt is rather a blow localy as it usually gives the community a fincieal boost. And of course a spectical and a reason for standing in the square eating mince pies and chatting to the nabours.
Kate and I are sitting warming ourselves by the fire, and feeling a little smug as I thought I may not be able to light the fire as the logs are wet, the men/boys are still asleep. Kate and I have a birthday to plan, she's hoping for a few close friends and pizza and film night here at home, so we have to get the friends over and make some pizza.
Thinking of you all lots of love Cathy xxxx

Happy Christmas!

Its Boxing Day morning here in Potts Point and we're waking up slowly with tea and croissants. After a week of heat, today is the first rain, and we could see some lightening later. Saying that its still 20 degrees at 10am.

Yesterday we were treated to scrambled egg and smoked salmon for brunch, then a walk through the Botanical Gardens down to the Quay and a look at the Opera HOuse in full midday sun - quite something. Then home for red snapper for lunch and clive's mushroom and goats cheese risotto with plenty of wine for supper.

As Gdad says Christmas not the same here, more like August Bank Holiday with the perfect summer weather. Plenty of barbies, and sound systems going across the gardens. Though some shops are open on C Day, and down by the opera house its seemed business as usual for the tourists places. The ferries were still operating across the harbour and we could see groups of people making their way up the bridge climb.

The Aussies seem a bit worried about the Ashes which resumes today, they are comforting themselves in the paper with photos of past glories and Shane is rallying support. Also today is the famous Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, which leaves from nearby Rushcutters Bay. They think its going to be a classic due to the rough wet weather so shld make for some exciting yachting!

http://rolexsydneyhobart.com

love to all xx

G&C

A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

Saturday, December 25, 2010

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

It is now 8.50pm on Christmas Day.

We had 16 to lunch in Nic's house, including Jen's Uncle Daniel from San Francisco, who has spent 12 years in the States and has now returned to Sg to live. He was for many years the chief Electrician to the Sultan of Brunei until he retired.

Also present were Jen's Mum and Dad (Bobby and Ivy), Jen's two sisters (Li and Ming) with husbands and children, plus Nic and me, Jen and Claire and young Daniel.

They (Jen, Nic Claire and Daniel) are playing on the TV with the WII game Nic bought them from the Japanese Takashima monster store in Orchard road, (which is ablaze with 20 ft long hanging blue streamers and wall to wall cars all with their red rear lights shining - a magical sight).

Last night we all ( about 20 of us) had Christmas Eve dinner in Bobby and Ivy's lovely house.

Although Singapore is British based with English as the first language, it is not strictly a 100% Christian country, Christmas does not have the religious connotions the UK has.( or should have!!, But everyone seems to join in with every other religious holidays. So the Newspaper comes out today and the Christian churches are open.

A Happy New Year to all our readers and if the planes are still flying I should be home on 6th Jan. Love to you all from Dad and all the above.

Happy Christmas

Happy Christmas to all my lovely people, from all of us in white wintery Wales. lots of love Cathy and John, Edmund Thomas and Kate xxxxx

happy chrimbo all!!

Back from the traditional visit to Les Halles, and remembering being there last year with you Hugh, and Margaret.....

So, a tinge of sadness too as we prepare for the big day, which isn't that big as for the first and probably last time it's just the two of us. Cat cuddles, and my homemade chocolate covered figs, and various lovely things that the chef is cooking up. Partridge, scallops and black pudding, john dory with wild mushrooms....

So thinking of you all, ye Merrow Smithies, and sending you much love from a very quiet Les Cougueiux. Wishing you all peace, joy, health and prosperity in the coming year.

Oy Mate!

Happy Birthday Peter.. this year snow and an eclipse just for you!

doo DOO doo do.. weird my phone went as I was parking up exactly outside this shop in Haywards Heath. Who do you think it was?

(clue)..he lives in Singapore

Phew what a scorcher..

herber
Originally uploaded by CRESTW00D
Happy Birthday Peter .. It could be worse mate stuck down here in the middle of nowhere doh!
||:•|)

News just in...

The Holts have arrived in HK.
Went to see Gem and Clive off on Thursday evening and tex'd later they were checked in at LHR on their Cathay Pacific flight (average age of passenger 15yrs!!)
Were separated from their luggage, and flight promptly cancelled!
Bussed off to The Thistle Hotel for the night off City Road in Central London.
I got a text yesterday from Cathay at 4pm saying flight was due out at 5pm yesterday and forwarded to Gem and Clive who were still at the hotel waiting for the bus to arrive!
Another text saying not enough room for everyone on the bus but they had seats.
Next one at 5.30 saying at Park Royal.
Then- 'we're on the plane' at 6.55pm.
I started imagining that film with Steve Martin sat next to John Candy in 'Trains Planes and Automobiles'.

It was minus 10 celcius in Sussex at the time. The roads were like glass and the M23 was at a standstill.
We diverted round Gatwick, the temp gauge on the Range Rover plummeted from minus 7 to minus 9... but drivers were sensibly taking it easy.

A plane took off over our heads which gave hope that our bairns would be off soon not kept on the runway for 5 hours or some such horror. I've never seen minus 10 on a temperature gauge but I did last night.

Ginger hopped out after the long journey and then couldn't go. I thought he had frozen to the spot!

Delays

It seems like Gemma and Clive have not made it out of the country yet. I hope they get a flight soon.

That was just the title!

It looks like you travelers made it out just in time I hope all is going well for both you Dad and Clive and Gemma.
I just manage to make it out of work yesterday, my colleague left about 15 minutes later than I left, in the lovely red Landy with the snorkel and the chunky tyres and it took 3 hours for her to make the journey home, sorry Annette but I'm so glad I made my own way in!
So,too dangerous to go in to work today, 8 inches and still falling, very beautiful very quiet, but not much help to the last minute present buyer. Christmas may be a very humble affair for some in this household!!!! But I'm very grateful for the enforced rest as I was wondering how I was going to make it to Christmas.

Snowed again! It looks like you all got out of the country in the nic of time

Cop ya later?

Dear Family,

So glad to hear Gdad has safely arrived in Singapore. He is a big softie and we love him for it. Daniel and Claire - Give him a big wet kiss for us.

A quick message before we leave to catch the coach to Heathrow. A happy christmas and new year to you lovely people wherever you may be this holiday. We will raise a glass to you all from Martin and Nigel's in Sydney.

Love to you all and hope the snow stays pretty. We promise to try and come home.

Gem and Clive xxx

HURRRAAAH!!!

Lots of love to all the Singaporese

Dear all,

Dad has arrived safely; hooray for Dad! Wonderful for him to make the effort and although it's made easier by Business Class Travel and a wonderful plane in Boing's 777, he still has a huge cabin to shuffle around. He found the Silver Kris lounge at Heathrow and topped up on coffee, curry, tiger beer and some of other Singapore delights (being a privileged passenger and all), before he had even set off from Heathrow. Properly looked after by our international cabin staff, he arrived safely around 4 pm this afternoon. He looks pretty fresh. Daniel and Claire came to the airport with me and he was somewhat overwhelmed to see the three of us gawking through the glazing; big olde softy. I took him for a quick tour of our new Marina Bay area with it's splendent Casino and new financial Centre (towering 65 storey commercial buildings) before touching down at Sng Manor. There we were welcomed by Bobby, Ivy and Ahiah, Grace and James and later just about everyone had been through the house including Ming, Li, Koon How, Joshua and Esther.

After a tea, chat and orientation, I left him at around 7.15 to return my kids home for dinner. Dad will be with us from either Friday or Saturday depending on his acclaimatisation. Claire and Daniel will be helping to plan his activities.

Take Care

ove Nic

Singapore welcome

Hi Dad, hope the flight went smoothly and that you are not too tired after the long haul. How did your legs hold out? Keep 'em moving. I meant to phone before you set off but I've been pretty low with a flu-like cold even though I have been dragging myself in to work because (otherwise I wouldn't get paid under the current arrangement). I have all your old addresses from your old Mac on a memory chip. After you get back we can just move them across. Did the iMac reinstall successfully? Hopefully so. If you need me to do anything while you are away, let me know and I'll find some time to get over in the hols. Have a great time and love to Nic, Jen and all the family. We might try and follow your example and get out there one of these days.

Love Pete

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY

After my Imac crashed, I have lost all my addresses. If you can help send me your address and Email. My Email is hewsappy@gmail.com Thank you. Hugh

It's CHRISSSS MISSS

Been a bit snowy down in Sussex of late..

imac

reinstalled OS X
updating

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DANIEL

I hope you are having a good birthday, Dan. Ihope to see you next week. Love from Grandad

QUIZ - Here's one for you

Can you find the pound? Three flatmates put in a tenner each to buy a £30 radio at a store. The shop assistant notices on the system its been reduced by a fiver. He gives them £1 back each and naughtily pocket’s £2. So they’ve paid 3 x £9 each (£27) and the assistants got £2 (so that’s £29). Where’s the other pound?

Courtesy of Martin 'moneysavingexpert.com' Lewis

Sorry Gemma

I would have gone to the Trout, sorry for the misnomer. G

gmail toNic

Thanks for list of necessities. I have ordered the rib, but not sure of size/weight of a four bone rib (will it exceed my baggage allowance). How much can I put in the main luggage hold. I plan to put the rib and the two art books in the hold and take a flight bag (up to 7 kgs ) in the cabin. Clothing does not weigh that much, but the more I bring the heavier the bag will be. I can always buy in Robinsons if I need more.
Remember that it is 4 below in UK so I will have to wear some winter clothing. I am going to airport by my local taxi, which I have used before, leaving here at 2pm. Any useful things you can tell me about the terminal will be appreciated. I could print-out the Boarding pass, up to two days before flight, but will probably not bother. Love to all fom DAD XXXX

Grandad

Blogging this via phone so forgive brevity. The Trout at Wolvercote, not Plough - Sat 11 Dec, table booked under Holt for 12.45. Looking forward to it & glad to hear you are ok. We too are are preparing for our long trip, very excited! G xx

Hi Guys

Very cold outside but warm in here. I feel for you, Cath, having to fight your way to work in the Welsh snow. I had a very nice phone call from Witney, where Elaine was concerned for me. We hope to meet G&C at the Wolvercote Plough on Saturday week. If I have got it wrong please tell me. is 11th OK?. Nearly packed up, just a few things to sort out, love from Dad/Grandad XXX

That was a week that was

Dear All, I am relieved to be still here after a mixed week.
Monday, collected my car from a guy who had been covering up some blemishes, where somebody scraped me outside a school in Charlton.
Tuesday It was very cold and I could hear water in the loft so I turned off the main. Then the power trip tripped and I had no heat. Tried it a few times but it kept tripping so I turnd off all the power plugs, hoping to isolate the one which caused the tripping. No luck there and as it was getting cold, so I went to bed, More water sounds so I got up and turned off the water and decided to get my plumber pal Steve Palmer to come along in the morning.
I still had no heat so I contacted another friend of mine who runs an electrical business and he sent along his foreman, Dave Lewis. Stay with me as the names are important. Dave was first on the scene and after he made several attempts to re- connect the heating he went in the garage to check on the power points and he came back to say that there was a flood in the garage. The cold had caused a pipe to burst and that was doing the tripping., so he isolated the elect supply to the garage. Plumber Steve turned up and when he saw Dave, he said 'do I know you, your name is David Lewis. We were in the infants school together in Banbury, 45 years ago. They recognised each other after all those years. Anyway all was put right and they had many a story to tell.
Trouble is, when I switched on the power plug controlling the Apple Mac. nothing. Julian came on the phone and we tried to get the Mac to start, with no luck, so he rang Pete up and in the cold evening dear Pete turned up and tried to re-start the Mac. Still nothing. So, he re-connected the old emac and that is what I am using now. Thank you my lovely boys (and Beth who was on the other end of Pete's phone)
Sorry about the lengthly report but I was afraid I wwould not be able to contact the airport to see if my plane was flying, but I have a few days before then, as I travel on the 14th.
Happy flying to Gem and Clive on 16th to Sydney.
Sorry about all your travelling worries Cath. Love you all. DadXXX

I did spell check this blog twice now and it won't come out right....poo

Thankyou for the up date Julian,

What a disarster, that is going to make it difficult for Dad to make all his arrangements with Nic. Does he have power in the house I surppose it was just the garage that isn't working. Poor Dad.

Back in contact...

Dad is back on line using the eMac but the Imac remains non-functional. I've started it up with the D key down and carried out a short and an extended hardware test. The short test indicated there was nothing wrong but clearly there is. I am waiting for the extended test to finish now. I've tried using Diskwarrior and a Tiger start up disc to get into utilities but neither of them would start up with the C key down. Nor will the shift command PR combination do anything. We'll see what the extended hardware test says in an hour or so...

Pete

Dad is computerless

Dad had a flood in the garage and all his electrics fused in the aftermath. The computer seems to have been damaged when the electrics blew, I couldn't get it to boot (with dad as the technician) so he is without internet and access to phone numbers, and Henry can't be charged plus no washing machine... it's just started to snow but he has plenty of food and the telly still works. Telephone calls invited!

Dad

Good morning, how are you fairing out there in the midlands I haven't heard any weather reports, but then all my energy is taken up getting getting two and fro work.
I hope you are keeping safe and warm.
I can't seem to mail on Yahoo this morning so I'm blogging insyead it's probably just tempory.lots of lve Cathy