Grandma and Aunty Tanya took us to the park down the road.
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
Monday, 2 January 2012
Wednesday, 28 December 2011
Tuesday, 27 December 2011
Gifts
Alex and I were very lucky to receive lots and lots of gifts whilst we were on holiday.
There were lots of books which I abosolutely loved.
As well as lots of toys.
Alex and I were very lucky to receive lots and lots of gifts whilst we were on holiday.
There were lots of books which I abosolutely loved.
As well as lots of toys.We also got a beach kit (spade, shapes, bucket and ball), animal connectors, a beach shelter, pirate towel, and a baby towel; to name a few more.
Friday, 23 December 2011
Singapore's Botanic Gardens
So mum and dad book a day in Singapore in the wet season and decide to take us to the Botanic Gardens.
We arrived and began to explore the gardens by firstly going to the ponds which contained lots and lots of turtles as well as the usual array of birds.
Whilst we were standing there it began to lightly rain. Mum and dad got their coats on as well as putting our raincover.
We continued along the paths going up and down the stairs as the rain got heavier. It got so heavy that we sheltered under several large trees. Then the rain got heavier and here was no sign of abating.
Mum and dad made the decision to run to a more permanent shelter which required them to backtrack a bit.
The rain continued to pour down but now it was even harder. Mum and dad were soaked and so were all our luggage. Alex and I were also getting a bit wet despite the raincover and mum's efforts to ensure that it remained on us.
Eventually we found shelter which was approx 5ft square. Unfortunately, it contained another 20 people.
We squeezed in just in time as the rain came down even harder. This was very hard to believe.
Mum began to rummage through the bags searching for dry clothes for Alex and I. She managed to find some so she then asked if she could use one of the 2 seats in the shelter to change us.
We were stripped naked (even taking our nappies off) then redressed us in front of all those people.
One lady (who happened to be a photographer) very kindly gave me a packet of peanut M&Ms. I'd never had them before but they are wonderful. She asked if she could take some photos of us (once we were dressed) and snapped me eating the M&Ms.
Eventually, we were the only ones left in the shelter as everyone else had disappeared into the rain.
"It's been over an hour and its not abating, even a little. We're going to have to make our way back to the airport."
This was easier said than done as it was still pouring down.
Mum and dad managed to get us to the main entrance but there was only a tiny bust stop like shelter with a map on it. We sheltered there for 15mins whilst dad got our bearings.
From there we dashed to the main office buildings. These were like large pergolas as they provide shelter from the rain but the air can circulate so that the mugginess of the tropics is minimalised.
We tried to call several taxis but none were answering.
Eventually, (another hour) another couple had a mini van rock up. Mum asked the driver if he knew another driver who would be willing to take us to the airport. He spoke to the couple who agreed that we could share the van if they were dropped off first.
It was kinda awkward as the traffic was jammed and we were in the taxi for over 1 hour before we managed to drop the other couple off. Then it was another hour before we managed to get to the airport.
Once we were there mum and dad checked us in and then headed straight for the baby change area to dry some of our clothes. Bad news for mum and dad was that their clothes were soaked so they had to get on the plane with the wet clothes they had on.
So we spent half of our Singapore day in the airport.
So mum and dad book a day in Singapore in the wet season and decide to take us to the Botanic Gardens.
We arrived and began to explore the gardens by firstly going to the ponds which contained lots and lots of turtles as well as the usual array of birds.
Whilst we were standing there it began to lightly rain. Mum and dad got their coats on as well as putting our raincover.
We continued along the paths going up and down the stairs as the rain got heavier. It got so heavy that we sheltered under several large trees. Then the rain got heavier and here was no sign of abating.
Mum and dad made the decision to run to a more permanent shelter which required them to backtrack a bit.
The rain continued to pour down but now it was even harder. Mum and dad were soaked and so were all our luggage. Alex and I were also getting a bit wet despite the raincover and mum's efforts to ensure that it remained on us.
Eventually we found shelter which was approx 5ft square. Unfortunately, it contained another 20 people.
We squeezed in just in time as the rain came down even harder. This was very hard to believe.
Mum began to rummage through the bags searching for dry clothes for Alex and I. She managed to find some so she then asked if she could use one of the 2 seats in the shelter to change us.
We were stripped naked (even taking our nappies off) then redressed us in front of all those people.
One lady (who happened to be a photographer) very kindly gave me a packet of peanut M&Ms. I'd never had them before but they are wonderful. She asked if she could take some photos of us (once we were dressed) and snapped me eating the M&Ms.
Eventually, we were the only ones left in the shelter as everyone else had disappeared into the rain.
"It's been over an hour and its not abating, even a little. We're going to have to make our way back to the airport."
This was easier said than done as it was still pouring down.
Mum and dad managed to get us to the main entrance but there was only a tiny bust stop like shelter with a map on it. We sheltered there for 15mins whilst dad got our bearings.
From there we dashed to the main office buildings. These were like large pergolas as they provide shelter from the rain but the air can circulate so that the mugginess of the tropics is minimalised.
We tried to call several taxis but none were answering.
Eventually, (another hour) another couple had a mini van rock up. Mum asked the driver if he knew another driver who would be willing to take us to the airport. He spoke to the couple who agreed that we could share the van if they were dropped off first.
It was kinda awkward as the traffic was jammed and we were in the taxi for over 1 hour before we managed to drop the other couple off. Then it was another hour before we managed to get to the airport.
Once we were there mum and dad checked us in and then headed straight for the baby change area to dry some of our clothes. Bad news for mum and dad was that their clothes were soaked so they had to get on the plane with the wet clothes they had on.
So we spent half of our Singapore day in the airport.
Are you that dumb or a spy?
Mum and dad had booked a day in Singapore on our route to visit the family.
We were staying at a hotel near the botanic gardens and decided to walk there after we had brunch. Our meal of stir fry veggies, local delicacies and pickles (we went local all the way) was eaten in a food hall in a small shopping centre. I particularly enjoyed the stir fry.
Off we went following the Sat Nav.
OH NO YOU DIDN'T (in true pantomime fashion)
Oh, yes we did!
Our route was abruptly cut short when we discovered that the map's road was now disused and had a tree growing in the middle of it (along with vines, and various other plants).
Yet 3 feet away (up a very steep incline) was a car park which we could see had an entrance onto another road.
Bright Idea - we'll just all get up this "little" hill and go through the carpark to that road which will get us to where we need to be.
Mmmmmm....
Not as easy as it sounds.
The ground was soaked from the rain earlier this morning making walking, let alone carrying the double buggy which Alex and I were in, extremely difficult for mum and dad.
Finally they made it and gleefully put us back on terra firma.
Except!!
Two very displeased Singaporean security men stomp towards us purposely displaying their armoury.
Suddenly, mum and dad look very worried.
After a short discussion, the men begin to relax and give mum and dad directions to the botanic gardens.
With both myself and Alex screaming, dad and mum made a very quick exit whilst being watched by the two security guards.
As we turn the corner mum and dad look back and see a sign for the building. It read "Department of Foreign Affairs".
Oh Yes, not only were we were trespassing but doing so on a politically charged government site.
From the look on mum and dad's faces I can only guess that they were thinking of the very lucky escape they just had.
Can you imagine them calling up my grandparents and asking them to fly to Singapore to collect us little ones as they are currently locked up in jail for stealing Singapore secrets? What an international incident that would've been.
Mum and dad had booked a day in Singapore on our route to visit the family.
We were staying at a hotel near the botanic gardens and decided to walk there after we had brunch. Our meal of stir fry veggies, local delicacies and pickles (we went local all the way) was eaten in a food hall in a small shopping centre. I particularly enjoyed the stir fry.
Off we went following the Sat Nav.
OH NO YOU DIDN'T (in true pantomime fashion)
Oh, yes we did!
Our route was abruptly cut short when we discovered that the map's road was now disused and had a tree growing in the middle of it (along with vines, and various other plants).
Yet 3 feet away (up a very steep incline) was a car park which we could see had an entrance onto another road.
Bright Idea - we'll just all get up this "little" hill and go through the carpark to that road which will get us to where we need to be.
Mmmmmm....
Not as easy as it sounds.
The ground was soaked from the rain earlier this morning making walking, let alone carrying the double buggy which Alex and I were in, extremely difficult for mum and dad.
Finally they made it and gleefully put us back on terra firma.
Except!!
Two very displeased Singaporean security men stomp towards us purposely displaying their armoury.
Suddenly, mum and dad look very worried.
After a short discussion, the men begin to relax and give mum and dad directions to the botanic gardens.
With both myself and Alex screaming, dad and mum made a very quick exit whilst being watched by the two security guards.
As we turn the corner mum and dad look back and see a sign for the building. It read "Department of Foreign Affairs".
Oh Yes, not only were we were trespassing but doing so on a politically charged government site.
From the look on mum and dad's faces I can only guess that they were thinking of the very lucky escape they just had.
Can you imagine them calling up my grandparents and asking them to fly to Singapore to collect us little ones as they are currently locked up in jail for stealing Singapore secrets? What an international incident that would've been.
Wednesday, 21 December 2011
What do you mean "it just broke"?
Well, you see it was about 4.30pm and mum was at Fulham grabbing some veggies from the market stalls when it began to rain. (just setting the scene).
Instead of walking home, we waited under the very crowded shelter of the bus stop hoping that the bus would be along shortly.
Mum was just moving our pram (aka the chariot) so we wouldn't get wet when she felt a sudden forceful pulling at the front. With lightening reflexes she managed to catch the pram, preventing Alex from being slammed into the footpath.
With 20 ish people gawping at her mum managed to investigate the issue whilst holding onto the handles so the pram wouldn't over turn
The front wheels were now next to the pram with the big metal plate that attaches to the frame. The plate was sheered in two with the remaining piece fixed onto the pram.
After collecting the pieces mum managed to wait another 10 minutes balancing us on the rear two wheels for the 424 bus.
Mum managed to lure the bus driver from his lofty purch long enough for him to see that the pram had indeed broken and she did need help getting it onto the bus.
Once inside we were placed in the pram area but had Alex's seat onto the seat so that when the bus stopped or lurched around the corners mum could keep us upright.
At the next stop an elderly black (Afro Carribean if you want to be politically correct) lady got onto the bus and was disgusted that we were blocking 'her' seat. It was the seat which is signed posted for walking impaired or elderly.
Given our predicament mum felt we took priority.
This lady is extremely mobile (as she demonstrated shortly afterwards) and there were several other seats next to the pram area which she could've sat in. She was so unhappy she began to harras mum and every other passenger was told (in a very loud voice) how horrible it was that we were in those seats.
Mum tried to explain that the pram was broken but was cut short with the following tirade.
"I don't care. In my day we weren't allowed on buses with prams let alone those monsters. They should be banned. We managed with several kids without buses".
This continued for the next 10 mins until the lady got off.
Not one person on the bus came to mums rescue nor offered to help when mum eventually had to get off the bus. Thankfully, the bus driver came unasked to her aid.
He commented on how shocked he was about the lady's abuse and looked embarrassed when mum pointed out that he should've told her to stop or he'd get her removed for harrassment.
Mum managed to wheel the pram from the bus stop (with all of the shopping) to the house and get us inside without a scratch.
Upon entering the front room, dad noticed that there was something amiss. That's when mum told him her tale of woe.
The pram is now useless and will need a new plate to secure the wheels on.
UPDATE....
We contacted the maker and they fobbed us off with appaling customer service.
After reading various forums online we discovered that they would not replace the part and that the company is horrible for after sales service and repairs.
Dad went online and found a replacement part (this is vary rare). As dad fitted it to the pram he noticed that this part has been modified from the original one we had to try and stop the breakages we had.
Fingers crossed.
Well, you see it was about 4.30pm and mum was at Fulham grabbing some veggies from the market stalls when it began to rain. (just setting the scene).
Instead of walking home, we waited under the very crowded shelter of the bus stop hoping that the bus would be along shortly.
Mum was just moving our pram (aka the chariot) so we wouldn't get wet when she felt a sudden forceful pulling at the front. With lightening reflexes she managed to catch the pram, preventing Alex from being slammed into the footpath.
With 20 ish people gawping at her mum managed to investigate the issue whilst holding onto the handles so the pram wouldn't over turn
The front wheels were now next to the pram with the big metal plate that attaches to the frame. The plate was sheered in two with the remaining piece fixed onto the pram.
After collecting the pieces mum managed to wait another 10 minutes balancing us on the rear two wheels for the 424 bus.
Mum managed to lure the bus driver from his lofty purch long enough for him to see that the pram had indeed broken and she did need help getting it onto the bus.
Once inside we were placed in the pram area but had Alex's seat onto the seat so that when the bus stopped or lurched around the corners mum could keep us upright.
At the next stop an elderly black (Afro Carribean if you want to be politically correct) lady got onto the bus and was disgusted that we were blocking 'her' seat. It was the seat which is signed posted for walking impaired or elderly.
Given our predicament mum felt we took priority.
This lady is extremely mobile (as she demonstrated shortly afterwards) and there were several other seats next to the pram area which she could've sat in. She was so unhappy she began to harras mum and every other passenger was told (in a very loud voice) how horrible it was that we were in those seats.
Mum tried to explain that the pram was broken but was cut short with the following tirade.
"I don't care. In my day we weren't allowed on buses with prams let alone those monsters. They should be banned. We managed with several kids without buses".
This continued for the next 10 mins until the lady got off.
Not one person on the bus came to mums rescue nor offered to help when mum eventually had to get off the bus. Thankfully, the bus driver came unasked to her aid.
He commented on how shocked he was about the lady's abuse and looked embarrassed when mum pointed out that he should've told her to stop or he'd get her removed for harrassment.
Mum managed to wheel the pram from the bus stop (with all of the shopping) to the house and get us inside without a scratch.
Upon entering the front room, dad noticed that there was something amiss. That's when mum told him her tale of woe.
The pram is now useless and will need a new plate to secure the wheels on.
UPDATE....
We contacted the maker and they fobbed us off with appaling customer service.
After reading various forums online we discovered that they would not replace the part and that the company is horrible for after sales service and repairs.
Dad went online and found a replacement part (this is vary rare). As dad fitted it to the pram he noticed that this part has been modified from the original one we had to try and stop the breakages we had.
Fingers crossed.
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