Drrrrrrilllliiiinnnnggg!!

Wow, it's loud! They're replacing the waterproofing on the roof of our tower and there seems to be a need for an awful lot of drilling and jack-hammering. On the plus side I've found out where the pitch & putt practice area is. It's on the 5th floor of the multi-story car park. But of course it is. How did I not find it there before? Well, I haven't actually seen it yet but it should be good therapy after a day with the kids.
Other things we've done since I last blogged. We met up on Saturday with T's new faculty for lunch (various dishes of very nice food at a road side restaurant). Seem like a nice bunch. Her boss has two kids of similar ages to D and Z. D spent his time (after getting over his initial shyness) playing throw the jigsaw puzzle on the floor with Nico (his lunchtime partner in crime). They seemed to get on well and went on a bit olf a scout to see what else they could find before being called back from the small pond. Z on the other hand sat in her high chair (Ikea must do a raging trade in their bog-standard high chairs as every eatery we've been to so far seems to have at least five), eating everything in sight (including the chilli king prawns) and trying her hand at chopsticks, much to everyone's amazement and amusement. 

Dan was fascinated by the candles for the Hungry Ghost next door. Afterwards, on Chris' suggestion (a colleague of T's who, along with his wife who came along to the Botanic Garden with me, we have befriended as "newbies'), we went over to Sentosa Island. Not a trip for the feint hearted as the cable car is quite high up. T and Chris both hate heights but there were some great views. On leaving the cabin of the lift, I found a lift to take me and the buggy up to the ground floor. When I arrived at the ground floor I found myself at the back of a gift shop with nowhere to go. There was no way through the glass doors and no way that the staff were going to let me through. So back down the lift and carried, with the help of Chris, the buggy up the flight of stairs. Not sure what you do in a wheelchair! Still very much WIP. Chris and I took the quick route down to the beach via the luge, an experience which was over all too soon frankly. I was just starting to get up some decent speed. Zoe covered herself in sand, we drunk anniversary cocktails with Claire and Chris (who were married a month ago today) and Dan slept in the buggy. Sentosa, a manufactured haven for tourists and Singaporeans alike, is really just that. Not terribly organic and you can see how the planners have enjoyed being able to put everything exactly where they want it. And you pay for everything. Through the nose. Except the free bus which takes you back up to the lifts (designed remarkably like something you'd find at a ski resort in the Alps). The free nature of the bus probably explains the huge queues that we encountered at the bus stop. In the end we bottled it and caught a cab home. It was a good call as the kids were not up for hanging around (and I don't think we were either). Then home in time for a dip in the pool with Dan becoming ever braver and Zoe ever more frustrated that we won't let her jump in or swim by herself! A good time had by all.

Work In Progress - an alternative view

And by the way

Zoe enjoyed it a lot too!

Two weeks later

We're still here! It's still working. Term started for real yesterday for T with the new intake coming in meaning she met her new students for the first time. First impressions were good by the sounds of it. She was shattered when she got home though which I imagine will be fairly standard for the next few weeks.On the other hand I spent the day at the Botanic Gardens. I met up with another teaching widow who was pleased to get into the open after two days stuck in waiting for various deliveries. She's great with the kids, especially as she's not as mum. So it was very good to have another pair of hands as well as some good company. It's a fantastic place, especially with the kids. I can see us frequenting it quite regularly. It was a hot day yesterday with a lot of sun (apart from the thunderstorm at midday). So I was a  bit concerned with the kids welfare. I needn't have worried, they didn't seem to notice and a bit of factor 50 saw them right. Most of the day was spent at the Jacob Ballas Children's Garden inside the Botanic Gardens themselves. A garden specifically designed for kids to enjoy (see a map of it here), you're not allowed in without one. Indeed, when Claire arrived and I wasn't there she felt security were viewing her with some suspicion! Anyway, inside, it was taking all my powers of persuasion to get Dan from one area to the next due to the fact he was enjoying it so much. Tears were had after the first eco exhibit that he liked but he soon settled down and enjoyed the rest of the day. Sufficed to say it was two very tired children I bundled into the taxi at the end of the day a very successful day out and the longest and warmest one I've done on my own (albeit with a lot of help from Claire).

Loveerly....

Early morning swim with the kids on a bright, sunny blue day. No need for the factor 50 with a cooling shadow cast by the complex towers.
Yesterday D took to swimming on his own in the pool. Quite a step forwards. Today he's decided he can jump in on his own. Now obviously his sister wants to as well. Not quite as convincing! Lovely morning. Then back for breakfast after working up a suitable appetite.
Spent most of yesterday at Singapore Zoo. Our first major excursion since we arrived. A bright, sunnny, humid (goes without saying) day greeted us as walked up to the MRT at Buona Vista. D absolutely loves travelling on the trains which makes the journey a breeze. Took about 45 minutes to get to our stop amid much amusement for other passengers having D repeatedly say hello and telling them how much he likes his new home. I'm guessing the novelty of seeing Western kids about probably won't wear off while we're here. And the kids love the attention!
The zoo itself was lovely and pretty busy. I think we're going to get a season ticket which means we can pop along any time without feeling like we've got to say and see everything at once. Lots of flora and fauna that we hadn't seen before. Something else I'd never seen before was entire Japanese families riding round the zoo on mobility scooters. Not even getting off to look at the exhibits. Maybe they had the right idea (although it was a bit weird), because after only a few hours you could feel the humidity tugging at you, so rather than slog it out with two young kids we decided to come back home. Taxi time. Good plan. It took only about 20 minutes for $14 which, when you're a bit frazzled, is a bargain!
Then sleeps for mum & D while Zoe and I played the afternoon away. I don't know where she gets the energy!

Saturday shopping

Hmmm, my blog entry for yesterday seems to have turned up on the blog today. Nevermind!
Went out last night to buy a laptop so that we might actually get to Skype some people. Jollied down to City Hall on the MRT to check out the electronics scene down there. Must've got there at around 1930 and had a little look around but decided that, if I was going to do business, then some food was in order. Aside from the fact that whatever I ordered in the food hall had the guys behind the kiosk killing themselves with laughter (I think they thought it was going to blow my head off. They ended up more amused that I left the cucumber (I just can't stand it!)), the food was actually very nice (and yes, little spicy).
So, by 2015 I was ready to do business. Shame no one else was. All the outlets closed up while I was being laughed at! I did find one open however and realising that one of T's colleagues had satisfactorily bought one there a few days ago I dived in. 45 minutes later I had successfully purchased a laptop, leads, printer, more leads and some software to redeem at Sim City. Well, to be honest most of the stuff was thrown in or done at cost. Not a lot of haggling, just a lot of asking how cheap they could  do it. Not the most intense experience but quite a friendly one, ending with one of the salesman asking my advice on mobile phones (I just bought an HTC Desire, leave the maps at home and look like you know where you're going!). Now all we have to do is get the flippin router online!
Off to the zoo tomorrow.

Friday morning

Waking up to what seems like yet another apocalyptic storm but in reality is just another bit of usual Singaporean weather. The traffic is horrendous and T has been on the phone for 15 minutes trying to order a cab.
Had planned to take the kids to the Children's Garden this morning but might take a rain check! Ain't gonna be much fun in this! Which brings up the question 'what do you do with them in this weather'? I think it's something to think about as there's a lot of the wet stuff about. Note to self, check out the softly in the area.
Finally we know when our delivery day is for our shipping. Next Tuesday. It's taken a while but at least we now know when it'll be here! Can't even really remember what's in it apart from our mattress which is now void due to the fact we have a queen size bed in our apartment. Hey Ho. Queen bed is good. Bit of extra space makes all the difference.
We have Cbeebies on cable now which is good as I think D is feeling a bit under the weather today. He's slumped on the sofa while his crazy sister runs circles around the living room. She's bonkers. And happy. So it's all good.
Yesterday saw the arrival of several things chief among them the safe arrival of my mates baby daughter. Due some six days before we travelled out to Singapore it was born some six days after we arrived. Determined, the important thing is that she's here and safe. Other things to arrive were the kids beds. Some pictures for the living room and the TV.
Starting to feel a bit more homely now.

The weekly fumigation of the complex.

Finally made it!

So here I sit in the one corner of the apartment where I can pinch somebody's unguarded wireless connection. The things I do for a blog!

We're here! It was a long old journey, not-with-standing the fact that Singapore Airlines lost a wheel from the buggy on arrival, making what should have been transport for the kids into another piece of luggage to carry. Oh, and the kids into two more pieces of luggage. You get the picture. We were not best pleased. We were walking past arrivals en route to the 'Lost & Found' office to make our buggy claim when we became aware of three figures in the outside world franticallly waving at us. Our greeting party from Tanglin School, doubtless wondering what had become of us. I think they really started wondering when I said the wheels had already come off. However, after a short and grumpy explanation and them still in good spirits despite being on their third cup of coffee (I think everyone else cleared customs after one!), we were wisked off to our apartment. T was taken a short while later by one of the school reps to Mothercare to buy another 'stroller' (there is a fair amount of Americanise). And relax. Almost.
The apartment is a really good size and in an excellent location. Three beds with the master en suite. This means D practically has the run of the main bathroom as we barely use it! The kids have adapted well and absolutely love the apartment. I don't think I've ever seen them play together so much at home. Laughing and shouting in what is still pretty much an empty apartment barring the furniture (all of which seems very new). 
First day was spent with me and the kids bumbling around the complex in a bit of a daze. Lovely facilities for them (and us). Spent a lot of time in the kiddy pool and playground while T went to work to log on and somewhat find her feet. Everyone got a pretty good nights sleep on the Friday night which surprising (but very necessary considering D hadn't slept on the flight over!).
On Saturday T disappeared again, this time for a city tour. Lucky thing, I was a bit jealous of that to be honest. However, in the afternoon I met up with her and some of her colleagues and had a drink in Holland Village. Now, this was the first time I had taken a taxi in Singapore. Which doesn't sound too difficult. Except I had two small, jet lagged children and a new buggy in tow. Well, I now know how to disassemble a buggy with one hand, a clinging girl in the other and a crying, worried boy in the taxi. It all went remarkably smoothly actually. D has taken to taxi rides like a duck to water. Just as well as it looks like a substantial amount of our travel will be done in them!
We stayed out for the afternoon and found ourselves early evening at Clarks Quay to meet up with the rest of the Tanglin newbies for drinks. Sufficed to say this didn't last too long into the night with the kids in tow but it made for a nice introduction to the city.
Yesterday saw T with her first day with the family and so we thought we'd do what all families do when the have time together. Go to Ikea! Well, it was every bit as manic and busy as in Wembley and at least as enjoyable. Yes, we had meatballs. We also got some things to make the apartment a little less empty. Most of it being delivered this Thursday between 10 and 2 (since you asked). Let's hope Singaporean punctuality is as good as their service.
Weird old weather. After gearing ourselves up for the heat and sun we haven't needed to apply the sunscreen once (not that we remembered to bring any with us!). I think we are being lulled into a false sense of security somehow!
Spent the morning doing some washing and cleaning reminding me that we are, in actual point-of-fact, living here, and not just on holiday! Off to Holland Village now (another one-handed taxi trip), to see if we can set up a bank account. Can't do anything else without one so it would seem a fairly pressing thing to achieve. Can't believe this is only the fourth day in. Seems like we've been here quite some time already.

A week today....

Only a week today and we'll be there. Hopefully sitting by the swimming pool with a cold drink and the kids playing happily nearby. The reality is probably that we'll be absolutely knackered from travelling and the kids will be desperate for sleep. Either way, we'll be there!

Finally!!

Hurray, we finally have an address for Singapore. It's called Dover Park View And it's just the one we were hoping for. Close to the school T will be working at too. Shops are near by and the complex has untold facilities, which will be perfect for both us and the kids. To name but a few, there will be at our disposal; Children's playground, three swimming pools, jacuzzi, tennis courts, saunas and a gymnasium. Personally, I'm looking forward to getting to grips with the chipping and putting green. Sounds like a great way to while away some time (quite a lot in my case!). Haven't worked out what floor we're on yet but I guess the higher the better for the views (not that I know what they are).

So we are staying at my mum and dad's until we leave now having spent a very nice week down in Dorset visiting the parents-in-law. We were fortunate enough to be able to stay at my brother-in-law's place which is excellent as it suits the kids because it's all on one level and is also very comfortable for us too. It was also sunny and warm all week which was a real bonus so we spent most of the time outside one way or another. As is the way, during one of our day trips, we bumped into a chap who is living in Singapore and has been out in Asia for about 14 years. He didn't seem too keen to chat however so that was about all I managed to get out of him. Shame, could've been a really interesting chat. Nevermind, we'll find things out for ourselves soon enough. One week exactly (almost to the minute) until we fly.

The tenants moved in on Monday and we've already had our rent paid into our account which is a relief. I had a nice email from her today in fact wishing us well in our adventures. She seems very happy to be in. Hopefully that sentiment will continue for the next twelve months!