family life high and dry in Hong Kong

Messy Boy....

2010-02-04T06:53:00.000-08:00

Finley has very much grasped the idea that 'bigger is BEST'. You know; if you break a bit off yours to give him, he wants it all, if you have a bigger spoon/ plate/ chair, he wants that.... Culminated in him nabbing the serving spoon one night and proving he could, just, eat with it, even from the tiny bowls he prefers.

Is my spoon big enough, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Bigest spoon, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.
Messy but then he always is... I am appreciating the laminate floor, considering the hammering he gives it. Koko in Petes office has a wee boy, who, from the start, loathed mess of any sort. Says he holds up even slightly sticky hands and demands to be cleaned! Not an option with Finley.

Stole mums nectarine, see, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Even if he's hugry, food is dropped, splatted, squashed, thrown, rubbed into the table, his clothes, his hair, and if it has a satisfying squishiness, carefully squeezed until it oozes through his fingers.

Fin likes spaghetti, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Removed from throwable food, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Fin has left the feeding..., originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

And if there is any object/ creature/ person within sight who he thinks needs feeding....

Fins dribbling lunch watchers, Stanley, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Fins dribbling lunch watchers get offerred food, Stanley, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.
He's a bit of a Pied piper for hungry birds, I reckon they have lookouts that track us from the second we leave the block and call in the crew whenever we stop to eat. I do try to feed him outside as much as possible, indoor places must hate us. And we could do with the scavenging sparrows/ a dog at home too...

Fins dribbling lunch watchers get bolder, Stanley, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

On the plus side he does like washing up. Has turned into a kitchen bully, actually, drags a stool in whenever anyone goes into the kitchen and yells until dressed in his apron and allowed to 'wash up'. Very wet process involving lots of dripping the water into different containers using the sponge. And splashing. And floor puddling followed by complete change of clothes for everybody. He even spends most of his time at visits to RHKYC inspecting their washing techniques too.

Inspeccting dish washer RHKYC main bar, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.
And he loves brooms, sweeping, etc although he's not very effective/ helpful especially when i'm trying to clean at home. The Stanley sweepers think he's funny, he brings 1 flower or leaf at a time to their piles.

Helping the flower sweeper, Stanley3, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Helping the flower sweeper, Stanley4, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Ready for rain helping sweep, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

We have been going to the main club every week or so to have lunch with Pete/ play with Connor (Richard in the Sailing Office's baby), and also as Pete was going there every week or so whilst Middle Island is semi-shut down for building works (as in no loos or food/ drink except at weekends). Saw this van there, made me laugh.

Ah Hoi marine van HK, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Fin n Conner RHKYC, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Fin pushed by Conner, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Fin still isn't really into other kids - he's sometimes fascinated but TBH I do need to get him to a playgroup or something... he's just as distracted by toys.

Talking to waving pandas, stanley market, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Fin sometimes woudn't go to bed very easily the last few months. He tended to be Ok to put in about 8.30pm (any earlier and he rises by 5...6 is early enough, thanks!) but now and then refused even when he's knackered.

No I'm not going to bed, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Not tired, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Luckily we now seem to be over that and he's back to his habit of ASKING to be put into his cot during the day. Sometimes for actual naps, sometimes for cuddles of his fave toy, monkey bear (who I try to keep in the cot otherwise he gets wet and mucky being taken everywhere). So finally, its getting easier - a nap of an hour or so before lunch, another hour or so late afternoon, and bed 8.30ish. Hes also just about stopped waking up through the night. He still wakes me up as he still won't go without a midnight snack and whines in his half-sleep if he can't find his bottle, but - YAY!!! Finally! Now if only he'd stop getting up so early...I hear that's not so easy to cure...

Cheeky mug stuffing top, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

I'd also quite like to find the 'off' switch for the reaction that means he goes to the loo as soon as his nappy is removed. Once again thank goodness for wipe clean floors - I am SO impressed, never going back to carpets if i can get a choice!

Ready for world naked bike ride, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Also the button to make him at least lie down when putting on a nappy would be good too! Makes for interserting nappy changes, with him standing up...we are trying pull ups too.

Why it went quiet - loo concentration Feb.AVI, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

The trike is still popular and comes on daily trips down to the expensive supermarket and back. He still can't steer so to keep him from grabbing the handles and sending us off on angels, I tend to give him his beaker or anything to occupy his hands. Or he helps himself to my phone and gabbles away (holding it under his neck, head to 1 side so people think he's deformed)

Driving bike whilst on mobile, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Driving bike whilst on mobile smile.AVI, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

The weather has been insane this winter. Its supposed to be dry and sunny but cool, the best part of the year. Instead we had LOTS of rain and even had Fin in his rain suit several times. I nearly bought him wellies too. On the plus side we found the slippery nylon suite makes him go MUCH faster on the slides which are a bit slow & sticky otherwise. Also handy as he was trying to drink juice boxes for the 1st time and kept oversqueezing them...

Ready for rain extreme speed.AVI, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Ready for rain juice box joy, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Monkey bear came too - Stanley slide step, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Monkey bear came too - Stanley slide top, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

So it has meant days on the beach have been few & far between, sadly. The last warm day we spent on Repulse and had to go meet Pete at Middle Island to try to de-sand Finley. As the club is being replumbed and having a huge new hardstanding/ marina built, the loo/ shower facilities are not working during the weeks so a bucket was it.

Photos Repulse Bay Feb, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Hose rinse at RHKYC MI after Repulse Bay Feb.AVI, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Hose rinse at RHKYC MI after Repulse Bay Feb, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Attempted rinse at RHKYC MI after Repulse Bay Feb.AVI, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Sunset RHKYC MI after Repulse Bay Feb, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

New Year, New Vehicles & Brian's Visit

2010-02-03T19:22:00.000-08:00

As said, at RHKYC at Christmas, Fin was just in awe of the cars etc.
And Pete's friend Susan gave us her old trike which is going down a storm. He can even sleep in it. Have had a few accidents with the tipper-tray at the back suddenly deciding there is too much weight in it (not much shopping fits but its handy on daily grocery trip)and shedding the load (always with the eggs!) but its handier and actually easier to get round than our wee buggy.

Asleep at the handlebars Jan 2010, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Greeting the fish STanley supermarket, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

But before she left Sue & I went to a couple of different 'play centres' for kids. And we found Fin's weakness - he's never had/ seen anyone on ride-along cars so really does NOT get the idea of pushing with your feet! He finally worked out how to move his favourite car (same as the one at RHKYC) but its not fast...or smooth...or cool...

PlayLand HK Dec 28 stuck in reverse.AVI, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

And he does like to make his own cars too.

New vehicle - Fin shoogling box on wheels, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Pete turned up one day with a 2nd hand 3 wheeler 'jogging buggy' like the one we borrowed in NZ - they are stupidly expensive but very easy to push! He spotted this 1 passing Stanley's 2nd hand shop (which is usually full of brand new stuff donated by shops). Cool - bit bent but lovely to use, a wee bit taller than the buggy so comfier to push. AND came with attachments for a baby seat so could have baby & toddler in at once. Hmmm. Pete says we either have another baby or use it to cart his windsurf kit round in - it collapses down big enough to wheel his board along! So far just Finley and a load of groceries in it.

Pete's dad Brian arrived from a stay in NZ and finally broke the awful weather we had for most of Sue's stay. Just as well as he arrived with a horrible cold he'd been on antibiotics for ages with, and we were knackered. Finley wasn't tired, even after getting me up several times a night and then getting Pete up for good at 6am....but then he naps twice a day. So, much playing on slides (luckily every mini-high rise in our development has a slide and there are also public ones AND the ones at RHKYC HQ) and us generally not having much energy ensued.

Dead tired day - all down, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Double slide boy, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Double slide boys, originally uploaded by wildcatfin. Finley is funny - sometimes he charges up (or down) slides and scares me, other times he's desperate to hold your hand even when its too tall for me to reach, really...

The scarey spiral slide look down, originally uploaded by wildcatfin. But he's now completely confident on the pirate ship at RHKYC HQ (almost the same as the pirate ship at the block next to ours) and charges up the steps, along the head high platforms, then grabs my hand if we can reach to go down the spiral slide.

RHKYC Pirate ship about to go, originally uploaded by wildcatfin. At least 15 times in a row MINIMUM. Plus the club got a bunch of new cars/ trikes etc this month so he pushes them around.

RHKYC new toys, originally uploaded by wildcatfin. And, of course, the club wendy house is a fave - much door slamming and bursting out of the window shutters...

Boo Inside wendy house RHKYC jan 010, originally uploaded by wildcatfin. Brian dug Finley his 1st big hole, on Repulse beach, to the confusion of tourists. Especially when we tried to convert it into a car - not very scupltable sand. One bunch kept taking his photo and gave us mini polaroid pictures of him which were cool.

Fan with polaroid Fin Repulse Beach Jan 09, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Hole Fin Repulse Beach Jan 09, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

I think I put up the famed pic of Pete & his 2 siblings, all blonde and under 10, on the Ocean Park cablecar on their way to live in Papua New Guinea in the 1980s? Can't find it now. Well, Brian hadn't been in it since then. When we were having some more not-beach weather, we went. Fin & I go weekly anyway.

Brian on Ocean Park cablecar 1st time since 1980s, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Usually we stick to the baby rides, the goldfish and maybe the Whiskers Sea-lion show but tbh he prefers watching bigger kids or twirling the wheels on the car/ boat remote control rides (luckily not yet demanding coins in to make the vehicles actually WORK:)).

Ocean Park pretending to steer, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

I don't think he's even noticed the pandas yet, as they tend to sit right beside a laptop. (Note the panda asleep on its iced rock)

Ocean Park - what da ya mean, look at the panda - there's 1 on the laptop!, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

What Panda -theres a LAPTOP, originally uploaded by wildcatfin. I finally saw the otters - at the UK zoo I worked in it was always the otters that hurt keepers, never the lions - but Finley was distracted by being close to a big boy. Same species as we had - Asian short clawed otters. I never forgot one sunny December morning in Suffolk, doing the otter feeding talk to a biggish crowd. A robin was hopping round the pool, looking gorgeous against the frost, and everyone was going' aww' and snapping pics of it. Just as I announced that the otters ate 'fish, crustaceans, small mammals, eggs and birds ' the female otter stopped juggling her boiled egg, darted out, snatched the robin, bit its head off and spread blood and feathers all over the front of the chest high viewing glass. Upset lots of kids and little old ladies! Hohoho indeed.

Ocean Park - no otters in WATER fin, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

We went to watch the sea lions - an alleged display of how they train their animals but really clowning tricks for the poor things - not sure any zoo I worked in would ever have got away with it.

Ocean P Jan 2010 sea lion show, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.
Anyway, for once, Fin was totally engrossed. As usual half the crowd watched him instead of the stage, especially when he kept clapping and cheering. Of course when the sealion blew through a giant bubble maker (to proove it was a breathing mammal) he nearly made it onto the stage to chase bubbles - too much temptation!

Ocean Park entralled by sealion show, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.And we were all impressed at the dedication of the seal trainers in their tank (well, we were - I think Finley thought it was just an odd sea lion). Poo collecting....

Ocean Park diver collecting seal poo, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

We went to see the new bird show as well, and sadly it really depends which member of staff is narrating as to if its any good for us - I got bored as this time there was basically no English, but Fin was again entranced and got so excited we had to forcibly remove Firefox (his walking red panda) as it is very heavy (electronics inside) and HURTS when it makes contact if twirled by the tail.

Watching birdshow with walking red panda toy, Ocean PArk, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Ocean Park bird finale parrots circle in, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

They have now trained some of the parrots that circle in from the hill to take money for the donations box too.

Ocean Park parrot depositing donations, originally uploaded by wildcatfin. Ah the walking panda toy....I think I posted pics of Finley cuddling the barking pig we always have to go and see in the toystall in Stanley? These are the same just in different fur. My season ticket gave a discount & the vouchers Brian's day ticket came with meant we got him one at a reasonable cost, finally.

Ocean Park walking pandad being fed.AVI, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Brian soon got the hang of renting Fin out to tourists for pics. We could make a fair bit charging for snaps/ cuddle/ touching his hair !

Ocean P cable seals n fin Jan 2010, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Ocean Park fins photoshoot, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.
Not sure the selling blown kisses idea will work tho (mum taught him) - Finley tends to slap his hand to his face and kiss it but not blow it - so looks like he's doing the dumb 3 Stooges head slapping idiot thing.

Ocean Park blowing kisses to tourists, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

We ate in one of the Park's hill top cafes for lunch (Fin woke to polish off the rice at the end of it).

Ocean Park posh lunch, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Amazing view and I finally used some of the discount vouchers my season ticket gives me. Pretty impressed actually - not only did we get 2 for 1 on the lunches (sort of bamboo-leaf-wrapped triangles of chicken), we got free ice cream, and, as a manager rushed over to ask if we wanted it, a free bottle of wine! OK!

Ocean P lunch Jan 2010, originally uploaded by wildcatfin. As before, this cafe does have jellyfish on the menu - dubious as it sits on top of the jellyfish displays. (We tried jellyfish with Brian the 1st Xmas he was out - sort of like cold, crunchy jelly...interesting texture but no flavour). I do wonder if any that didn't make it though the night are what ends up on the menu of the day.

Jellyfish to music & lights, Ocean Park, HK.AVI, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Then I had to go get my fix of the 'Sky' guitar album being played with colour phasing lights and swirly jellyfish. Fin's not sure he likes it but he does like the interactive jellyfish bopping wall after it - projected animated jellyfish you can sort of 'bop' away from you when your shadow hits them. Similar to the 'shadow painting' in the kids zone, where as you jump around and waggle your arms, your shade wipes out a giant photo of fish/ animals etc to reveal a different one beneath it.

Ocean Park jellfish music hall, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

I think Brian managed to get a fair bit of sightseeing done, including walking over Lamma (where Pete had his au natrel night on the mountain experience - never go trekking after a whiskey session), and checking out the HK architecture. He even crewed for the wife of the commodore in a load of boat races at club HQ 1 day and did pretty well!

HK Harbour from kowloon by Brian, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.
I should mention that after nearly 2 years with no interest, Roger from the club boatyard gave Pete a contact who was interested, a French guy setting up a boatyard in China who wanted old but OK bots to train his new staff on. Pete rang, the guy visited and was very interested. THEN we had 2 more interested guys - both totally unconnected but all French! Weird....fingers crossed 1 of them takes the boat.

OK - whats this, then?

Petes paraglider Dragons back space, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

... the aliens have landed.
Nope, Pete's about to jump off a cliff.
Brian climbed up there with him - I have no desire to and am quite glad as from looking at the pics Brian took I think I'd be too nervous to watch anyway. Nice view from there (the Dragon's Back) over Shek O though.

OK, as far as I can work out; you para-wait for several hours/ days/ weeks (often having to give up at dusk and trudge back down the mountain with your giant backpack thingy). If you get lucky and the wind hits the tiny window of direction, speed, etc, you scramble.

SO:
1st he says his prayers; to the gods of not slamming back into the mountain, not getting blown behind the mountain and onto a BBQ and breaking his arm, not landing in the sea and losing his paraglider, and not muffing the landing and being saved by landing on 3 picnicking Phillipino housemaids who were OK finally but gave it really bad press (all happened here in the last few months to paragliders)...

Petes paraglider Dragons back, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Then he does a bit of macrame to calm down. Or get the leylines sorted..

.
Petes paraglider strings Dragons back, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Then he spreads out his inflatable ready for his emergency landing...

Pete paraglider Dragons back, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.
...Slaps on his space helmet and walks off a cliff backwards. Or something like that.

Petes paraglider Dragons back backing, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.
Yes he made it back Ok this time...

We ate out several times but Finley is so full of energy he won't stay still for long. After initial removal of anything grabbable from the table, and feeding, he gets very antsy if he can't go off and explore. Especially in Stanley where everyone brings their dogs out. But we discovered the manager of the local Pizza Express (I like them - had no idea you got NICE pizza places - will never go to Pizza Hut again here, its awful) also doubles as a child minder.

Fin playing with Pizza Express computer n us, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

After offerring pizza sticker sheets (etc) which were alll enthusiastically shredded, and seeing Pete & I run up and down the street after dogs, he took Finley off to play with the staff and we didn't see him for the rest of our meal! Well, apart from the occasional beep of protest form their computer ordering system. Lovely :)

Fin playing with Pizza Express computer, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Fins fave game at the mo is feeding people/ plants/ toys/ THINGS 'invisible food' which he picks up from the floor and passes to them. (He wasn't sure about the cool walking balloon we spotted 1 lady with tho. )

Ocean Park cool dino walking balloon, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Which was done all over the place with Firefox to the delight of Chinese tourists. Then at the club (Middle Island) on Sunday, there was a dog tied up near the restaurant he was dying to play with and yelled his head off when I took him away from it, not knowing if it was safe. The lady owner came over and apologised for her dog scaring Fin, only to invite Fin to play with it when I explained, as her kids were all off at the barbecue ignoring the dog. And it refused to eat out of its bowl - it liked being hand fed. Perfect couple! Fin spent about an hour feeding it 1 dog biscuit at a time then confused the poor thing by moving onto passing it leaves and 'invisible things'.

sun 24th jan dog fin was allowed to feed for hours, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

We left Middle Island pretty late that Sunday night - Brian's last in HK with us. The boys decided it would be a good idea to paddle after 8pm..in the dark...with Finley...and unsurprisingly got soaked feet.

Repulse bay night winter paddle Jan detrousering, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

So Pete took over from a dry perch whilst Brian de-shoed.

Repulse bay night winter paddle Jan brian soaked, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Repulse bay night winter paddle Jan.AVI, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

So eventually after the nappy was soaked AND Finley fell in several times, we decanted the baby into a spare jumper and went home to pack Brian off to the UK with wet shoes. Apparantly he always gets on a plane with wet feet, maybe it helps jetlag...
.

Repulse bay night winter paddle Jan final, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Happy Hogmany etc

2010-01-09T04:47:00.000-08:00

MUM etc - if the 'photo' has a small triangle/ arrow on it, click it to play a video.

Bet you haven't heard this before -

Stanley artsmart chinese jingle bells wibbly, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Jingle bells on traditional Chinese instruments! Crouching tiger stylee! One of the events on regularly down at Stanley Plaza - Fin was leading the clapping so was again the photo opp boy....
They have a thing every weekend where if you have a receipt from 1 of the shops you can swap it at the srt stalls for something. They have a 'face painter' (shudder - don't get me started I have to avoid that area) doing awful hand or cheek 'art' with dodgy acrylics. But they have colouring in, giant bubble making etc too, and a girl doing this.

Sues finished ribbon cricket Stanley artsmart, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

She was very slow and not as good as the old man I saw whipping out truly lifelike crickets from bits of bamboo leaf a few years back, but its cute, isn't it? Sue had mentioned the Ukelele Association and Pete had been interested (but was as always at work on a weekend) so she had a lesson from the stallholder. And bought a ukelele for Pete - we had a tiny 1 on the catamaran that Heather loved when we sailed through the Philippines, but it was a cheapy and I don't think it survived the trip!

Maicy n sleeping Fin Repulse bay, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Its really quite amazing how fast Finley changes...
When Sue arrived he could just about get down the slide,with help.

Fin getting the hang of slides.AVI, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

2 weeks later and even although it's not something we do every day,
he's flinging himself up the steps and down the slide and even freestyling - this was him spontaneously going feet 1st on his tummy!

Slide pro NYD 2010 tummy 1st, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Tummy slide 2nd ever NYD 2010 top, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

He's also decided now that he LIKES things being wrapped round him. He used to go beserk if you tried to put a scarf, necklace, etc on him. But suddenly he struts round the flat with the bicycle lock I keep in his buggy (so I can safely leave it at the steps to the ferry boat etc) hanging round him like a bandolier or one of those giant african necklaces.

Fin happy in garlands end dec 09, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

And we have had to fill a kitchen drawer with stuff he's 'allowed' to take out and play with - like seives, plastic plates and giant spoons. He can reach anywhere on the table now too so nothing is safe!

Seive awe, originally uploaded by wildcatfin. Anyway we had a few days more of grey, horrible, cold wet damp weather. Very annoying as its not really meant to rain until March, Winter is usually sunny but cold, best time of the year. Drat.

Fun with clear plate fin smile dec 09, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Fun with clear plates fin dec 09, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Fin's still being a but fussy about eating any amount of food - gone are the days when I could get a bowl of porridge in him every morning and a good tub of something most other meals. He appears to survive on a couple of breadsticks and a bit of banana. BUT Sue did suggest chicken nuggets and he will stuff several of them down in 1 go. Or the steamed pork buns (sort of dumplings of sausage meat) the stalls sell at Ocean Park. Hmmm. Not ideal...he is positively anorexic compared to the other baby in Pete's office, but he's lively and healthy, I think. It has got a bit embarassing as we often pop into the dreaded MacDonalds in Stanley when we are at the supermarket, to pick up a few nuggets to make sure he eats SOMETHING. And he sort of begs food off people! He'll offer them his breadstick and happily accept chips, nuggets etc in return (whilst retaining his breadstick of course). Cheeky thing...keeps running off there when we are playing in the Plaza or watching whatever entertainment there is going on, as lots of the Chinese tour groups end up there and all wave at him to encourage him to come for photos where they are eating...

Scarey snowman robot dalek Ocean Park Jan 2010.AVI, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

We went to Ocean Park quite often, as usual, and did nearly all the seasonal extras they had on offer. (Except the inner tube sledgeing down a fake ski slope). I had thought this weird plastic snowman was a statue but we realised it was a talking robotic (or remote controlled) thing. Yuk, creepy, like those Noel Edmunds/ Jeremy Beedle 'jokes' they used to have on TV. Fin was also freaked out by the 'strolling entertainer' this time a face-painted 'Nutcracker Prince' who kept sidling up to him...can't say I blame him!

Fin scared of toy soldier guy Ocean Park jan 2010, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

They had been building a new bird arena as we went to watch a 'practice' show - they don't officially open the show until Chinese New Year but of course have to train the birds with audiences too to get them used to that. Quite interesting and very different to most bird displays I have seen in the Uk - very little education, all about impressions/ laughs, really. But we did like the fact that the birds were released from all around the arena to swoop over the public - 1 man was invited to sit and take a photo as an owl flew at his head, wow, what a shot! The finale was a bunch of macaws spiralling down from somewhere on the hillside, around the arena and settling for photos.

Parrot back rainbow, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Clement came round and cooked another yummy selection of chinese dishes. Finley ate lots even after deciding he LIKED the hot salsa dip we had for starters.

Dipping decisions - hot, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

We also tried an alternative to the rather pricey but very fun Smart Kids play centre. Sue, Fin and I took a bus round the west edge of HK past Pokfulam, to find a place called PlayVillage. Had to walk down 100's of outdoor, spiral stairs to get into a mall which housed it. Sort of like a giant hamster-tunnel/ ball pit funhouse for kids. Bit busy & VERY NOISY in the holidays, think will be better for titches like Fin on normal weekdays.

Playvillage end Dec 09 crawl thru, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

And I want knee pads if we go again - too much crawling through giant suspended tubes for me! But the Mall was decorated with Sponge Bob which Sue loved :)

Spongebob Christmas decs, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

For Hogmany, I stayed in with Finley (after opening Sues champagne with them) and she & Pete went off to meet Clement in Kowloon. Having experienced 'events' and the crowds they cause I didn't think it was a good idea to take him out, even in his buggy, as Kowloon on a normal night (like his birthday was) is enough of a heaving, busy chore. They ate at a street cafe, walked 'miles' (I bet they did - police kept closing and openinf different MTR station entrances to 'control' the crowds).

Dancing with drink Hogmany.AVI, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Amnyway they finally got on a train but when they reached causeway bay they had no HOPE of getting to the tunnel under the road to the RHKYC let alone getting anywhere near the seafront. I read there were 600,000 people watching the fireworks along the harbour! But they were near the Midday (midnight in this special case) gun and got scared witless by the cannon - Sue thought it was a bomb I think. But all was well organised and unlike the sad New Year last decade, nobody was crushed to death - snd they got home easily. HK police are pretty impressive at organising crowds now, as I always say when the Rugby 7s are on.

Pete & Sue were a bit fragile after their late night out so we had a slow day wandering down to Stanley and chilling in the (at LAST!) sun. Fin, of course, paddled and I ended up getting soaked shoes after a surprise wave, doh!

Burying Sue 1 grain at a time - Jan 2010, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Susan (friend - teaches her daughter to sail) had arranged to take our Sue to the stables whilst her daughter had a horesy 'experience' but Pete cancelled it due to the horrible weather. Instead, Susan asked me meet her at the Country Club to collect the very well preserved trike her (8?) yr old had finally agreed to let Finley have. Wow, just like the ones he'd loved at RHKYC, it was perfect! I took a trip to the famous (and totally overpriced) wherehouse she is currently converting into living & business/ wherehouse space. The government are pulling down the historic building they had been using as home/ shop until now so this new one is in Aberdeen, opposite where the new underground station will be. So Aberdeen is on the up. The building is striking - they had some world famed graphic artist - comic book style - come in and paint it all with murals, inside and out, but she and her daughter hate it. Plus some of the walls she is knocking out and has to replace the murals somehow along with the walls when their lease runs out! I met a very interesting bug drowning in a puddle on her roof garden, and the ungrateful sod turned out to be a stinky shield bug and sprayed me when I rescued it. So I had to tie my scarf up in a bag and wash my hands lots....

Loving Emmas trike Jan 2010 susan, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Anyway Susan gave me a lift back to Stanley, where we met the other 3 and introduced Finley to the trike. Immediate joy, much squealing crowing and happy burblings as we pushed him along. He's not quite big enough to reach the pedals even with the bike at its shortest, but the handle means we can push it and there's a strap to tow it too. Even a seat belt! Definite alternative to the baby buggy although the wee tippable hopper on its back only holds a few items of groceries!

The Sunday before Sue left she and Pete joined a distance sailing group and sailed to Po Toi for a fishy (I expect - all the restauraunts tend to be seafood) lunch. I took the buggy round to Repulse Bay and was attempting to meet them. Sadly Finley discovered his 1st stick so it took over an hour to walk the 10 min trip, with me trying to avoid him poking it into the more unsavoury items along the path side. And getting glared at by Chinese who do seem totally overprotective of their kids. A boy - with a stick!!!! Horrors.

Loooking to Poke things with stick Jan 2010, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

We showed a man around our FOR SALE houseboat but he admitted although the hull was sound and it was a great space, his friend and he were looking for a far smaller project to keep them busy at weekends - ie a little dinghy to do up, I think! Drat. Well, stronger than drat - we are going to have to scrap the boat as we can't seem to sell it and its just costing us mooring rental at the mo.

DVDs from the boat eaten by mould, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Its fine inside - I was surprised how little mould there was after nearly 2 years unlived on. (Yes, OK, all old dvds etc ruined but maybe its that micro-org the scientists got so excited about in Belize as it could break down cds etc). But we worry that as it now has no working engines and we aren't handy to drive it round to a typhhon shelter before storms (which also means renting more expensive moorings) it will come loose, or sink, in the next typhoon. And if that happens we are liable for BIG fines.... so as getting it scrapped is free, that seems to be the safe option. Gutted - all the savings we had are in it. Ah well, was fun while it lasted - but even just showing the guy around I got all dizzy again, always did take me several weeks to get used to the motion. Yuk am feeling ill as i type this :)

123 whee Repluse Bay Jan 2010.AVI, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Then I filled up the buggy with some stuff left on the boat (it is nowhere near emptied but we still can't locate my missing face paints) and we headed home with a very chirpy Finley who'd been stuffed with rice and fish. Its a nice promenade; full of small kids on scooter and dogs in randomn outfits.

On Monday I had finally managed to get tickets to see Avatar in 3D Imax at the only place in HK showing it with the original english subtitles over the alien bits. It had been fully booked for weeks and we got the last 3 seats together for this showing. Don't get me started on the onlone booking system; STUPID. It was in Megabox, a large, red, cub shaped mall in Kowloon so we took a taxi to save faffing around and arrived an hour early. So Sue & pete had a quick go at ice-skating in the rink below the cinema.

Pete Sue skate Megabox Kowloon Jan 4, originally uploaded by wildcatfin. And that was Sue's last day before she went off to see Kate & Bully in NZ....

Christmas and all that...

2009-12-25T00:07:00.000-08:00

OK, so I haven't blogged since we got here. But you may as well have this instead of a massive email.... plus hopefuly the videos on here will work too! As always there are loads more on my Flikr account if you click the links under the pics/ vids.

Well aside from a sudden unexpected cold snap mid Nov (I had to rush out and buy us a winter wardrobe/bedding each) we haven't been wintry at all. Warmest autumn in 30 yrs etc etc.

Helping push Nov 14, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Cold snap hat in Aberdeen HK Finley, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Finley is still pulling the crowds; he is liking it less now and had a panic the other week when 8 coachloads of school girls joined us on the beach and surrounded him squealing (them squealing not him).

fins 8 coachloads of teen girls fan club STnaley beach nov 09 clap, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

He did learn to 'jump' from watching them play games, tho until yesterday his jumps were all intention and a loud 'eeee-yooh' (scottish country dancing style) with arm swinging and no actual loss of ground contact. He's getting the hang of it now. He also does well in pressies & 2nd hand stuff from the mums of kids Pete teaches to sail - most are chinese and just adore the blue eyes Finley still has!

Anita, fin n chicken head Dec 09, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Fins fans Ocean Park dec 09, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Fin try top n crocs from susan.AVI, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Fins lovely thomas tent from Wendy, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

He can also walk most of the way down the covered path/ gardens to Stanley though due to detours, 'ooo'ing, leaf flapping, periods of intensely still concentration (ie nappy filling) and doubling back, etc, the 10 minute route generally takes over an hour. I have found the addition of a strawberry shaped shopping bag he can twirl like a bolas seems to encourage movement.

Walking strawberry bag home from Stanley Nov 09, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Walk down to stanley 09, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

He tries to copy the old guys doing Tai chi etc.

Unlike several babies I have met he is totally tactile - everything has to be felt, squished, rubbed in his hair, the table, on us, then sprayed with swipes of his hands as far as he can get it to go. Yak, quite often. But he also loves 'helping' tidy with the mop, broom, etc so hopefully that will last! He's finally grown out of the squeaker shoes..not sure if thats good or bad, they were annoying but handy to locate him if he was out of sight.

We went to the local church fair - not quite like a typical UK one! Santa arrived by helicopter (and later turned out to be 1 of the scottish dance display team too) and the 2nd hand book stall had about 1 table of actual used books supplemented by 2 LORRY loads of new books at the same price. Oh and an hour of lion/ dragon dancers and chinese acrobatics!

Scottish dancing santa Stanley Dec 09, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

I do have a bit of trouble with people just GIVING him things - toys, foods (everything seems to contain milk that he's allergic to), inappropriately dangerous to baby objects.....

Pete n Fin dress elmo , originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

I picked up a research student for a couple of weeks - Tiffany is at HKU studying journalism and picked body art for her paper, so followed me around and definitely got a taste of the odd things I do. Like the Abalone launch. Smelly.

Abalone girls the Fly shell eye pose, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Abalone girls pose water 3, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Abalone mermaid sat posed, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Luckily I had some nice bookings, as well as normal parties. HK Land (huge as everyone rents from them) pulled in the entire entertainment population of HK for their annual party. I painted a bunch of snow queens/ elves and stiltwalkers but missed most of the acts apart from rather stunning blonde triplets in white corsets playing electric fiddles.

The HKers were stunned - the girls had been told to make the most of their unusual hair, I could tell ;).

Then I did a (Zzzz) gold bodypaint - which due to it being my friend Zani in an already gold suit took all of 10 mins. But was in yet another v posh hotel so I marvelled at the massive loos, video lifts (all surfaces inc floor were playing videos) and amazing ostrich feathers xmas trees (I know 1 big plume costs about 5 UK here so how much the giant TREES were...) - and the fact that they were still building the stage (with our 'changing room' meant to be behind it) 10 minutes AFTER the business forum ON IT was meant to have started. Whoops.

Then I became a wholesale dealer in mad eyelashes, mainly feathery. I'd spotted cool peacock ones in a chemist chain and people in the UK etc wanted me to get more, then HK YAF asked me to do makeup for the Urban Dance Fest. 80 dancers, me, 5 vols, needing dramatic modern dayglo stuff...eyelashes and sponged stencils it is then! So I found the wholesalers and had a brief trip to northern Kowloon to choose them all. Yum! (Good discount I get so if anyone wants some do say.)

YAF Urban dancers dec lashes after dance 2, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

The Dance Fest itself was on a day I had 4 bookings already, but I did do the launch/ Swire Xmas party for them the night before where we trialled my designs/ lashes. Drag queen it WAS, bit Clockwork Orange too, but matched the ideas sheet, costumes and would stand out to the crowds watching (were 5 diff themes/ groups).

YAF Urban dancers dec lashes dance pose, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Sue & Pete came along - missed the dancers/ singers etc but did see the amazing photo exhibition (dancers leaping around randomn HK spots like under the motor-causeway) and got stuffed on yummy canapes and mulled wine.

Then had a nice one in a law office, decorating staff for their annual costume ball. This office went as people from Batman - I have yet to see them in costume too but they emailed to say not only did they beat their mortal enemies the Finance Dept, my 2-face won the top prize and their office won best group costume too!

Batman booking 2face evil, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

I also did a test shoot (where model, photog & I all work for free to test new skills and get portfolio pics etc) on an idea I have had for a while - a full body glitter tattoo. I'd done my 1st ever freehand glitter tatt (and came 2nd, beaten only by World Champ Bibi) at the Welsh fest this summer, so had offerred small ones at the RHKYC Ball in Nov after my live bodypaint, where it was very popular.

RHKYC Ball Passions live bodypaint on stage by cats-creations.c0.uk, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

RHKYC Ball glitter tatt cat-eaten bird wings, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

RHKYC Ball glitter tatt shoulder stars, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Symone teaches pole dancing, silk dances (where you hang from a silk streamer) etc, and agreed to let me coat her in body glue and cosmetic glitter at her pole studio.

Symone body glitter tatt saty x on pole; body glitter tattoo b cats-creations.co.uk Photo by WahphotoHk, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Symone body glitter tatt n cat smile; body glitter tattoo b cats-creations.co.uk Photo by WahphotoHk, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

The photos can't do it justice, it was SO sparkly, wow.
MVI_0810, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.Definite seller - already have 2 clients interested in it, think it will be great for dancers or hostesses at events as its waterproof and can be done the day before as will last several days. Luckily Symone said it wasn't too bad to get off with rubbing alcohol. (On a side note, WOW how cool and fit is a pole dancer? Am tempted to take a class with her, not that I'd ever be able to do the flying/ hanging upside down moves like her, but anything would be lovely!).

Symone body glitter tatt stood on pole; body glitter tattoo b cats-creations.co.uk Photo by WahphotoHk, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Then I had a mental Saturday (again - get 1 a month) starting with painting 4 hrs outside at a 100 kid birthday football party - the best bit being the giant table football game where the KIDS were the players strapped to poles;

Connors football party fussball, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

2nd booking decorating bar staff; 3rd the pre-party for the guy who arranged a UV extravaganza for his 30th (friends flew in from around the world);

Cat painting at UV M1NT party dec 09, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

followed by painting at the private members nightclub (the one with the tank of live sharks) until 1 am.Not the easiest working conditions - nosiy and pitch black so I had on my old field studies (bat walks!) head torch.

Bens UV party tiger chest IMG_0908, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Bens UV Party M1NT disco vid.AVI, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Bens UV party IMG_0910, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Yowch but fun - all his mates made SUCH fab efforts at dressing up UV! I also did my annual gig at the party for the man who owns Cathay Pacific/ Swire in his amazing house. Well, in the garden - freezing cold for once but this yr including a stiltwalking Xmas tree and a scottish reindeer strolling about playing on his fiddle...

Then Sue arrived from a sodden UK and we had a week of cold dull rain which was a shock to her - she wore every item she had with her in 1 go, I think!

Fins 1st scarf helps sue unpack 9th dec 09, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.
Fin helping Sue eat Dec10th 09, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Most unusual - usually no rain until about March! Since then we have been doing the usual - trips to Stanley

Fins barking pig stall Stanley market Dec 11th 09, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

and Ocean Park (Sue liked it so much she got a season pass too and we go about every 3 days - much less exhausting in small bouts).

Arrrrgh! Fin deosn't like dressed up people. Except his mum, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Fin still looooves the goldfish especially the big tubs outside where he tries to catch them despite me and all the chinese tourists telling him no.

I christin thee bug eyed geek fish... goldfish Ocean Park Nov09, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Fin n fish n friend Ocean Park dec 09, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

We went for her birthday too and then out to Stanley for dinner.

Lip burbling totem fin peter sue Ocean Park dec 09, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Fins boingy glowy yoyo thing dec 09 sues bday.AVI, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.A german restauraunt - new one on me! I ordered a pork knuckle and got half a large pig.... We also toured several of the malls to llok at their decorations as that's a huge deal here - its all about getting everyone to want photos against your Xmas displays!

Sue n Fin Repluse Bay dec 09, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

This week Fin got a new tooth so now has 8 - 4 evenly top and bottom. He also worked out how to climb onto dining chairs (and then the table) so its not so much a 30 second rule as a 3 second - we have to stack the chairs and hook their legs under the table bar so he can't get on them. Now he has to RUN everywhere, only stopping when his feet get confused or he meets and obstacle like a door edge/ wall - he has a fantastic egg between his eyebrows right now which threatens to give him 2 black eyes for Xmas, oh dear. But still runs. Scared the other toddlers/ mums on his 1st play date at an amazing kids centre in Cyberport (rooms of cool toys and a 'multi-sensory' room where he was so happy he ran in circles for 20 mins). Jumping (and missing the edge) of the sofa being another fave that scares us. Plus hes not eating well anymore, whether due to teething we are not sure - but where does he get the energy form then? An afternoon with his sitter Maicey seems to be about the only thing to wear him out! Sadly he is very determined with a right temper (Petes side) but does seem to forget bad moods fast(my side :)) after a wail and a thow and a stamp/ lie / sit on the ground. Not boding well for terrible two's, etc. And he will go right back to where/ what you stopped him doing as soon as he can. Doh.

Sue's here a few more weeks then off to see her Katie who's expecting in Aug, in NZ, then back to us for another month. Brians arriving for a few weeks with us in Jan.

Petes attempting to paraglide or windsurf as often as the conditions allow, which is not much recently. He pops down very early to Stanley Beach where he stores his kit at the unlocked, unattended racks of the windsurf 'club (and its still there - I don't know where all this fear of robbers etc here comes from). He has a few hours then comes back before 9 or heads straight to work.

Petes ost windsurf hair Dec 09, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

He also got chased by police in a boat and guards on the beach when the main windsurfing club/ beach was suddenly taken over by the East Asian Games. Even though the race didn't start until hours later and was miles off in the bay. At least they removed the shark nets for a bit... As for his flying, they seem to 'para-wait' ie hang out on top of mountains and then give up when its dark and walk back down, a lot. Someone had a problem and landed on 3 helpers (Philippino maids on a day off) on Shek O beach last month so theres been a lot of bad press about it - fortunate as the guy wasn't in Petes flying club and really should have been able to avoid it.

Heres what we did on Christmas Eve anyway;

Xmas eve 09 Repulse Bay, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

paddling on the beach - 28 degrees, steamy!- then walking to meet Pete on his last day of work. Fins loving the seaon due to all the music being played everywhere - he jiggles and rocks and stamps to just about any tunes he hears - I must get some cds! He can also now climb the steps of the mini slide down below our block, throw himself off the slide and then run tround for more. Bit hairy on the bigger slides thoigh. And he LOVES wee girls of any age - boys he will stare at but girls he will slowly edge up to and then tentively pat once. He has also started patting me, Sue and Maicey on the bum, i have NO idea why :)

Today we had chocs for brekkie;rang Kate in NZ to hear their Beach Barbie (Brian had just arrived from the UK) and then got smart to go to lunch Pete booked at RHKYC. Which was GREAT - all sorts of salads and starters from Shi or whelks to smoked salmon; turkey & all the trimmings (sadly brussels were soggy brown lumps) with the best gravy ever, and we especially liked the roast ostrich. None of us had the goose iver they pan-fired to your order but it smelt yummy. Then we had a huge range of puds, the Yule choc log and the 'Gingerbread Pudding' (sort of a bread pud but actually NICE) were yum too.

Xmas Day 09 us RHKYC lunch, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

(As we don't have an oven at home, like many Hong Kongers).

Xmas Day 09 mr bump RHKYC lunch, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Xmas Day 09 mr bump not a true scot, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

What was fab was by chance Pete had got a balcony table which overlooks the play area so even when takinf turns amusing Finley we could see the others. They have a great wendy house (Fins fave) and pirate-ship play assemblage as well as having about 30 asstd trikes there for him to try.

Xmas Day 09 mr bump on trike like I hope to get him RHKYC lunch, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Xmas Day 09 mr bump police trike RHKYC lunch, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Xmas Day 09 mr bump rbackwards trike RHKYC lunch, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Anyway, thanks for all the messages/ letters etc, I will keep saying GET SKYPE to those of you who haven't yet. Its brilliant especially if its computer to computer as we can video call - Finley recognise the regulars, shows off to the camera, and shouts at the screen whenever we open a laptop just incase someone is on there for him!

Merry Christmas & Happy Hogmany!
Love Cat, Pete & Finley xxx

PS Just had to add some of the GORGEOUS pics Michelle just sent me that she snapped when I was hired by Shell / Bacton Gas Terminal round the corner from Sue's farm this July -awwww HOW cute???!

Arriving in HK

2009-09-04T20:25:00.000-07:00

Well we arrived back in Hk and were stunned by the heat & humidity. I think I always managed to avoid summers here, before. How Pete managed on the catamaran without A/C I don't know! Anyway after a snooze in our horrible wee hostel room (no phone, no internet, no fridge or kettle) we rang up some estate agents Pete had looked up here when we were in the UK. One was free that afternoon so we blinked at the heat, bought sandwiches from the supermarket, jumped in a taxi and staggered off to meet one. I was a bit unimpressed that the 1st place she took us to was the huge pink multi-story high rises on the corner just before Stanley Plaza. Niceley landscaped with seats, plants, kids playpark, etc, but at midday on a dry day we were coated with mosquitos as soon as we sat down to eat. Luckily she arrived and showed us a small but beautifully re-decorated flat on the 1st floor. (Only 18 steps and a gate). Lovely - could have moved in as all storeage was built in and the kitchen was fully equipped & westernised. Just needed matresses! BUT very noisy as was right above main road, though she assured us that it was 'quiet at night as all the buses stop at 1 am'. Hmm, no early sleeps then! She showed us another still being done, in the high rise next door, which had the advantage of a guarded lobby, being at the quieter back side, a lift and no stairs whatsoever - but a different room arrangement and really for sale not rent. Then she took us back to Stanley, into the actual market, to an apartment on the 1st floor reached by going between the stalls. Charming location and we sort of agreed to take it, tho it was dirty and dated with lots of broken bits - its main balcony looked out onto Stanley beach and it was much cheaper. But at 3 am I woke realising that now is the low season and most times I visit Stanley I have to shuffle in the crush of tourists; plus it was only 1 bedroom with an annoyingly laid out rest of the flat so accomodating Finley or guests was awkward; AND it had 3 flights of stairs; AND was exposed on 3 sides so had been boiling hot early evening when we saw it. So, not ideal and not meeting my 'no stairs, 2 bedrooms' criteria to make shopping/ going out with the buggy/ getting my paint kit to & from jobs easy. Pete had 2 other agents who all wanted to show us the SAME 3 places; unsurprisingly all told us that in our price range there were very few places; most began at 5x our limit and the bulk of the market was on a least 10x our range - hmm, mad wages around here, as we knew! Then on Tuesday, a final lady had a different 2 (as well as the same 3!) so we went to see them the next day.The 1st was a 5th floor (all stairs!) tiny but OK place behind Stanley market (so lots of little alleys with steps to find it) in a columnar building - views all round but again, BOILING. The next was back to the horrible pink high rises. Bingo - 5th floor but in the building with a taxi/ car drop off bay, coded/ guarded lobby and 2 big lifts - no stairs at all. Also the flat had been re-done by its current tenant, a maths teacher from the USA, a year ago. So was all modern and western and for once had laminate floors, not tiled. (Now important due to Finleys little escapade as said later). No built in storeage like the beautiful noisy flat below it we had seen, but just what we wanted. Said yes and asked if she was selling her furniture....went back on Sunday to see it again/ meet her and signed the contract! Discussing keeping her sofa & wardrobes as thats a few things less to buy/ move! (wanted her bed but shes keeping it). I THINK these buildings are 'government', like council flats, but seemed far nicer than the Uk's; and yes our landlords are chinese. Lora the teacher said there is only 1 other western family in that tower (or all the towers???) and allegedly a covered walkway to Stanley from the 'gardens' below, which will be handy. Sadly she doesn't leave till 5th Sept so we have a few more weeks in our grotty room. Still, not bad to have seen all available in our 1st 30 hrs!

Later on Tues we popped into RHKYC HQ for Pete (and Finley) to see his boss/ colleagues and have lunch as we'd skipped breakfast to see the flats. Then we were off for a lie down to cool off a bit. He started work on Wednesday, straight in, lucky he knew what to do!

Oh yes with Clements' expert guidance (one of Petes weekend instructors - he works 1 day a week teaching sailing for the club, and the rest of the time is an accountant - hes a good friend who is determined to show us the 'real' HK and a very handy person to ring up in an emergency/ translation situation) again, we have been exploring different foods. We tried a dish of squid with 'bitter cucumber', which I think is the pale green super-wrinkly one. Maybe the same one I saw that documentary on that kept all the elderly Japanese people so healthy well past their 90th birthdays? Anyway , wooo, BITTER! Disgusting. Like compressed bile. Or cucumber pickled in bile. Clement bravely ate the lot - he says old people think it tastes sweeter. Yak. My fave so far was the fried dumplings (still quite soft like they were steamed) in ginger, yum, getting them again. I have promised him a return cooking 'lesson (don't laugh, mum/ Janet) as in the past he has made us traditional local seasonal dishes like turnip cake; but hasn't had a lot of my UK favourites. I suppose that depends on if I can find potatoes here though! As our wee flat will have a tiny but modern kitchen, I can't wait. Clement has also promised to take me round the markets to explain what everything is - even the supermarkets that cater to non-chinese don't bother labelling all the unusual veggies, etc, as westerners obviously don't buy them - all the other food is labelled in English too. He's bringing home-made dumplings to the housewarming he assures us we are having!

Leaving the UK

2009-09-04T20:24:00.000-07:00

I had hoped to be all sorted & packed but as usual that didn't happen - after the week camping in muddy sandy woods at the Welsh face & body painting festival, and stopping in Diss to paint for a day on the way back, I spent 2 days just unpacking & washing! Then had another gig for the Mind, Body and spirit fair lady - much more relaxing this time as she had the sweet Eastern European guy doing 'gong healing' on stage rather than a drum workshop like last time. Anyway, started packing a bit on Sunday between vaguely getting ready for a big family tea. Luckily Sarah and Caroline both brought yummy stuff with them and Mich added one of her choc cakes so aside from shopping and Pete doing some veggies, there was not too much cooking to do. Lovely to see everyone - wee cousin Tom had suddenly shot up! Fin did most of the entertaining, between naps and streaking the croquet field. One of the less highlighted events was him depositing a 'small brown fish' as the film says, in his paddling pool....

Monday 17th Aug was last chance to pack....I had it about sorted (well, what we would take with us anyway) but hadn't had time to empty our room and also was finishing emptying the barn I'd been sorting out stored things in. Pete cleaned and emptied the 'new' car as we hope to sell it - I really don't like driving it and the neck rests are designed to be uncomfortable, real pain to sit with. Filey 'helped' and as well as getting very muddy and filling his clothes with stones again, got totally overexcited by it all and had to tell me all about it after an early morning bath. He got another bath 'helping' Brian clean the muddy tent he'd been using the week before at some national boat races - kept getting us too then decided to drink from the hose. Sue arrived with Ali and a set of scales at which point we realised the airline we were using this time had about 1/2 the luggage allowance we had been used to as well as charging by the kilo for over-luggage, unlike BA which had a set 80UK per extra suitcase (which worked out far cheaper than shipping stuff). Panic as we were double the allowance. A lot of experimenting revealed that most of Finleys miserly weight (no 'same as adult' like when we went to NZ) went on his folding cot so that was abandoned. Then Pete found our fairly light suitcases each took 1/3 of our weight up so we had to switch to old soft wheel-less bags - pain to carry but 2/3 lighter! I got fed up at that point as I'd packed light anyway - all the stuff was things I had to have really as otherwise I'd be paying to ship paints I already HAD out to HK (where I couldn't get them) - I needed to take more than usual as I have 10 bodies to paint at the upcoming Shanghai festival. And as for non-painty things, I know I can't get shoes/ clothes in my size in Hk at all. Pete was the opposite and refused to pack more than a few shorts & 3 tshirts which means I will have to shop for him as soon as we arrive.

Anyway it all got packed into bulging bags and far more carry-on than I wanted to have, and we arrived at Heathrow on Tues am. All made it on the plane except Petes windsurfing kit! Security was annoying - of all the previous 11 flights we did with Fin, they were not bothered by his medicines, milk, food etc at all. This time they wanted me to drink his sterilising solution (um, NO its basically disinfectant) and made me open all the special food jars we had bought for him and taste them, even the sealed-in-plastic ones. (Total waste as it turns out the room we got in HK had no fridge and they all fermented the first day. Not that they would have lasted much longer, opened, in a fridge. Grrr.) Fin was pretty good although he only fell asleep once the whole trip and woke up when we tried to put him in the baby cot thing as Petes leg went dead. So we were tired

Last weeks in UK

2009-09-04T20:21:00.000-07:00

We left Brians for Grandpa Blacks funeral, which was sad but lovely to see lots of family. And the eulogy was interesting. Finley woke up teething that day so wasn't his cheerful self, but did wear his kilt again...(over a babygro as it was cold).

Walking to Grandads funeral.JPG, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Then we took a quick visit to Granny Fin's - Pete finally got to windsurf again

Pete windsurf tralee bay seagull.JPG, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Pete windsurf tralee bay Highland regatta behind.JPG, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Wind holding him up.JPG, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Pete windsurf tralee bay rains.JPG, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

and Finley enjoyed 'scottish summer weather'.

Fin in august beachwear scotland style- note windswept rain marks.JPG, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Shouting into the wind.JPG, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

AND took his 1st proper steps in front of Granny Fin!

Toddler!!!.JPG, originally uploaded by wildcatfin.

Then another stop in at Gran Blacks,