Leaving London

(I will post some photos later. I haven't uploaded anything from the camera yet.)

We are sitting at Heathrow, waiting for our flight to New York after having 3 lovely days in London. I love it here, I really do. There is just something about this place that feels like home and I feel it every time I come.

We've been staying with an old blogging buddy of mine and her family. They stayed with us twice in America, so it was time to return the favour and we had such a lovely time with them. Gorgeous people.

Their house is quite a way out of London, and we seem to have spent a lot of time traveling this trip, but a gorgeous place, and a lovely old house.

We arrived Thursday morning and it was lunch time by the time we finally got out to their house, so we stayed local on Thursday and caught up. Friday Kit and Ella and I went into London and did the hop on and off bus tour for a bit (loads of frustrating traffic) and then went to the London Dungeons which was fun but LOADS of standing in a line to get in. When we came out thought the sun was shining and we did the river ferry Up the Thames from the London Eye to the tower. We got back on the bus and off again to have a look around Covent garden and back on the bus to Victoria station make it home on the train by about 8:30. Yesterday we went back into London and braved the cold and rain on the bus and walking around. I honestly feel like we didn't do that much, but the kids got a good little taste of the city and they both really like it.

Next stop NYC.

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Got it!

Thanks for all the digit crossing. I'm getting an offer sent to me tonight! Phew! That was nerve wracking. But now I am so excited!!!!


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Under pressure

Seems I work best under pressure - 2 posts in one day!  This one's a quick tutorial.

I love to be organised when I travel.  I found the last time I travelled by myself that I am so used to Matt carrying a brief case with all the paper work in it and I needed some kind of folder to put in ticket printouts etc.    I actually made one of these yesterday, but I didn't make it quite tall enough (annoying!) so I had another go this morning.  They are super quick.

So, here's my travel document folder tutorial:

First I started with my folded e-ticket and cut out a piece of card (this was cartridge drawing paper, but I would have preferred to use a manilla folder if I'd had one) so that it is plenty taller than the width of the paper.

 Next I put some interfacing on some fabric and cut the fabric so that it wrapped all the way around the piece of card front and back

 Next I cut away all four corners (through both pieces of fabric) like when you cover a book

 and folded the edges over one side of the card, and just down on the other side and ironed them into place.

 I flipped the other piece of fabric over the card and stitched down along all 4 sides through the 2 pieces of fabric and the card.  (The fabric that isn't wrapped around the card does stretch at a slightly different rate to the "bottom" piece.  The interfacing helps but you may still have to adjust as you sew.)

 I then cut out two more pieces of card to make the pockets for the documents. They are the same height as the original piece, but not as wide.

 I wrapped them in fabric using the same technique... then stitched them down on the 3 open (folded over) sides.

 I then stitched the pocket to the cover around the edges leaving the inside pocket seam open. I also tucked in a ribbon half way down on one side as I was sewing - long enough to wrap around the folder and be tucked in on itself (see last photo)

Then I did the same on the other side.

 Ta Da!  A little travel folder for e-tickets, directions for travel in London, e bookings for attractions etc.

And the too small one can be used to put our usual collection of used tickets and what not that Ella and I collect when we travel.

Nearly there

Quilt top that I'm taking to the US to finish for my bed there...run out of time to do it here.

Three more days of school until we leave.  Kit had his 8th grade graduation ceremony on Friday.  I did take my camera this time, but it decided not to work at all...I fiddled with it a bit, but didn't want to miss out on actually watching the ceremony.  I was able to fix it properly when I got home, but alas, no photos.  Hopefully some will appear from school.  We also had his graduation dinner on Friday night which involved a lot of grade 8 kids dancing on stage.  Quite fun, actually.

A busy weekend for me studying up for an interview I have on Tuesday...yes, the day before we leave. Please cross your fingers and toes as I really want this job.  3 days a week teaching art to kindergarten and grade 4.  I spent all weekend reading documents on the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme as all the research I've done so far has been on the Middle school Programme.  I didn't sleep last night as I kept thinking about art teaching for little kids...

Also trying to book things for our stop in London and pack and get things organized to leave. Not to mention squeezing in a dinner to celebrate Oscar's birthday last night (although his birthday is today- but he has to work).  Last time we'll all have dinner together for a while, but hopefully the next time will be in VT...still trying to workout the logistics of getting us all together on the same weekend!

The fruits of my labours

 We had the art show tonight.  I think it looked fantastic and I was really thrilled to be able to be such a large part of putting this all together.  Not only putting up the work, but being involved in the creating of some of it too.

 The vision of the 3 art teachers at school was fantastic to take on such a huge thing.  The kids at school have been so enthused and inspired by the whole process. This was a show for the whole school.  Kindergarten all the way through to grade 9 (as the school only goes up to grade 9 this year)

 It was less about showing off the students' work individually as showing the whole of the creativity of the art department and school.

 And there were some really interesting projects done throughout the year; a huge inspiration to me too.

 I loved this one the grade 9s did where they had to draw an historical figure in the style of Tim Burton, and then make it out of clay.

Kit's big blue teapot

Ella's is the one second from the left at the back, but she's really unhappy with it because bits broke off it when it was fired and it doesn't look as good.

These trees were my work of art made from twisted crepe paper, and by the end of a week they're a bit saggy

Some pillows and monsters from the textiles classes I've been helping out with.

These animal eyes was one of Ella's favourite projects for the year.

 The whole of the 6th floor was covered in art and there was barely a part of it that I hadn't stuck up/hung/arranged/touched in some way.

One of Ella's friends sang in this pared down version of their band. I love that they had live music as well.

 LOTS of people came.  It was crazy busy and hot but it was great to see such a community event at school.  I am thoroughly exhausted at the end of it, but I loved every minute.

Crunch time

ACK! A week!  Only a week (and a day) until we go.  While still recovering from our HK trip (I still feel like I'm on a ferry) today I started looking at getting around/things to do in London, and have only just started to begin to think about packing. I should really be frantically organising myself, my life, and packing.  Instead I did a little sewing.

 Ella and I bought this fabric ages ago, and seeing it tonight I decided I had to make a bag for her to take traveling; her London bag. (and yes, she does look exhausted...)

She absolutely loves it.  It has pockets for her phone and travel card and even her passport she decided exactly how big it should be and how long the strap.  She's a little excited about our upcoming travel adventures.  A new bag helps.

Planes, Ferries, Trams, Buses and Trains

Whew!  A whirlwind trip to Hong Kong.  What an amazing place!  I've arrived back home feeling that Singapore is actually quiet and peaceful and positively provincial.

Looking across to Hong Kong Island (with the Peak) on the right and Kowloon (with the 4th tallest building in the world) on the left

 We stayed with an old friend of Matt's (he's Canadian and his wife is Mongolian and one of our biggest regrets is that we couldn't afford to go to their wedding in Ulan Bator when we first moved back to Sydney.  They very graciously put us up even though they were in the midsts of renovations with 2 small boys and she was 8 months pregnant.  But we got to see a very exclusive neighbourhood of Hong Kong; Discovery Bay on Lantau Island.

 It's amazing "gated" community cut off by a tunnel and the water.  Only buses and specially authorized taxi vans are allowed (and deliveries), but no cars.  So people drive around in golf carts if they can afford them.  There are even people living in house boats at the marina as it's cheaper than the Hong Kong real estate.

 A better shot in the afternoon with a clear sky and the sun reflecting on the buildings.  This was the view from the room where we stayed. "DB, as it's known, has beaches and a "plaza" with many restaurants and shops and a supermarket...almost everything you need actually.  Matt and I had a lot of fun comparing prices to Singapore (while the real estate's high, the daily cost of things is much lower...and so much more choice!)

We wandered around on Friday morning,  had a huge feast of dim sum and a nap (it was a 4:30 am start for us).  Hong Kong was HOT. Hotter even than Singapore.  The sun was brutally bright, and we spent the whole trip bathed in sweat.  So naps and showers were required daily.  (we decided not to do the big buddha as the line was very long as we drove past and did I mention it was hot?)

In the evening we headed out into the city for dinner with our friends.  I love the ferry over to HK island.  It's a bit like living in Manly in Sydney and using the ferry for transport.  It takes a little over 30 minutes and the ferries are really regular.

 We went to this apparently famous restaurant which was a favourite of our hosts (the red pepper restaurant) and had yet another Chinese feast.

This was what was left by the end of the meal!

 There was a bit of excitement in the restaurant as the referee for the rugby match, Steve Walsh, came in with a table of presumably other referees/rugby people.  As he was leaving Matt had to get a photo with him.

Outside the restaurant where James and Matt show off the fact that we had 6 out of the 8 specialties.

 After the meal we jumped on a double decker tram.  Not sure I'd want to get on one of these during the day as they are unairconditioned and don't go that fast, but sitting up by the window in the evening was quite pleasant...as long as I didn't put my arm out too far to take photos as those tram tracks are close together.

 The next morning Matt and I headed out to the city with only a very vague idea of what we were going to do for the day.  Another stunningly gorgeous day.  I was loving all the water.  In Singapore I rarely see the ocean, and it rarely looks like this if you do!

I think this is the world's longest suspension bridge, or something like that.  What ever it is, it's  pretty amazing!

The big rubber ducky Kowloon side.  

Coming into the docks at Central.

Once we got in, we decided to go on one of these open hop on and off bus tours.  Now Matt and I tend to avoid really touristy stuff, but we had to be back in DB by about 4 so we had limited time...and it was hot.  And I have to say that we absolutely loved it.  A great way to see the city and the commentary was excellent.  Would definitely recommend it.

 We actually ended up getting off at the first stop which was the old tram up to the peak.  Fortunately we were fairly early so the line wasn't horrendous.

 The tram goes up the side of the mountain.  We were standing and at one point I had to put my foot against the half wall to brace myself as it was so steep.  That's the angle of the door windows against the buildings below

 But it's pretty amazing up there.

 We paid a bit extra and went up to the viewing platform right at the top.

Looking down into the city and across to Kowloon and the New Territories

a silly photo of me, but the only one of the whole trip.

 We were quite surprised to discover a whole shopping mall at the top of the peak.

 Complete with a Madam Tussauds.  Matt got a real cheer from the crowd when he did this.

 Conscious of time, we hopped back on the bus (after standing and watching the chaos of buses and taxis turning around while waiting for our bus) and from then on I was literally just sticking my hand in the air and taking random snaps.  It was way too sunny and bright to see the screen of the little digital camera, so it was point and shoot...

 I love how the roads just wind in and out through the buildings in HK...it's sometimes a few stories of roads high.

 Earlier in the day Matt and I had seen an old fashioned poster for "the riviera of the east", and on our bus trip we totally saw what they meant.  The south side of the island is just stunning.

In this photo, you can just see all the roller coast rides on the small hill which make up part of the aquarium.  There's a gondoler that goes all the way across the big mountain from one part of the park to the other.  Views from up there as you are whizzing around must be amazing.

 Eventually we stopped at Stanley and had some lunch down on the pier before a very short browse of the market and back on the bus.

 I can't get over how much more I felt like I was on a tropical island there....and yet we live on an actual tropical island.

 Anyway, Saturday evening was spent at the rugby (gorgeous setting for a stadium). We travelled there by MTR (not MRT like it is here), so that rounded out our transport experience.  It was a terrible match...really boring (and that's not just coming from me).  It was really hot and a lot of people in the stands were stripped down to their speedos.  We were in the south stand...the rowdy end of the ground, so at least there was some crowd watching to be done.  We didn't stay out too late, but we had special access to the "lions den" because of our cricket club membership, and down there after the game we met some really sweet Welsh boys who for some reason loved Matt and I.

 And that's the end of the photos.  Sunday morning we packed up and went and had brunch with an old friend of ours from NYC who Matt worked with for a bit in London (more dim sum). And then we had the easiest check in ( we did it downstairs in the same shopping mall where we had lunch), jumped on a train and went back to the airport.  I have to say that traveling between HK and SG is probably the easiest airport experience you are going to get anywhere in the world!  We landed just after 6:30 pm and were home by 7.

So there you have it.  My first time to Hong Kong.  Loved it.  Can't wait to go back.  Lots more to see and do, and I'd love to take Kit and Ella some time too.
Today I was back into a full day of art show preparation and I'll take some photos of that to share in a few days.  I really need to start packing and getting organized for the summer trip.