Back in UK - August 2006

Security checks at Changi Airport before departure were very thorough and because many were caught off guard, there were delays because extra time was needed to sort out what could and what were not allowed as cabin baggage. On arrival at Heathrow we were again delayed because no one knew what had happened to the items that were confiscated from the cabin baggage. After much to-ing and fro-ing we finally located our belongings and were able to depart Heathrow. The whole journey was quite an experience.

Our home in Welwyn Garden City was as we had left it, except that we had difficulties opening the front door owing to the amount of mail that has piled up behind it while we were away. Owing to the dry couple of months while we were away, the garden was in a terrible state. The fruit tress looked dehydrated. The fruits on them are small and dry. Well, not going to be a good harvest this year.

All things considered, it is good to be back in UK again. We can go for our daily walks which we can’t do in Singapore due to the hot weather. It is good to shop at the supermarkets again without having to fight for parking. These are but a couple of things that I miss when away from UK.

The garden is now sorted and with the additional water from the kitchen waste and the rain, I hope the fruit trees will revive and provide us with a few fruits. While we are away, the garden birds have not been fed. Now they are back feeding on the bird feeders we have in the garden. It is relaxing to sit in the conservatory and watch the birds.

Oil painting is another hobby of mine that I do when in UK. I have just embarked on touching up some old seascape paintings I did years ago when I was working in Iran. Now that I have gained a little more experience in painting with oil, these old paintings are beginning to look rather amateurish.

Life is beginning to get back to the UK norm. It will be another 4 months before we have to leave for Singapore again. During this time we have a trip to Chicago planned and another to Spain in November. Looking forward to these.