The Chapman's Singapore Christmas

Christmas 2011, a set on Flickr.

So Christmas has been..... and gone just about. All-in-all it's been a real nice time and a lot more fun than last year's somewhat forced affair. This year we were lucky enough to have genuine friends and family here to celebrate with. Thirteen for lunch (including three under fives) and not a hitch, probably because I stayed out of the kitchen! Good food and good company. The dinner was a traditional turkey affair (and beef.... and ham) although there were suggestions (threats?) of salads from the antipodean faction (thankfully quashed). The food was great thanks the work of the girls (and a boy, not me) and we all sat down with paper hats on heads and proceeded to eat more than we should for any normal week. As is traditional, evening approached and the remaining survivors settled down with the Monopoly set (Singapore edition) which remained completely untouched as the 15 year old malt made an appearance and with that Christmas Day was slowly put to bed.
New Year's Eve now and getting ready to go to Marina Bay with the in-laws to watch the fireworks. That, of course, is on the assumption the our daughter gets rid of her 39C something temperature or it's going to be a quiet one at home!
We're finally getting some blue skies and sun after several weeks of rain, rain and more lightning and thunder. The in-laws have been stunned about the lack of sunlight. Granddad had visions of a sunny Christmas with BBQs, Aussies and beers. Well, he's had the beer part! Maybe we'll manage the BBQ and Aussie bit in the New Year before they depart for the UK.
Time for a G'n'T before the sun disappears I think!
In other news, I believe this is my 100th blog post. Seems it should be a milestone so, HURRAY!

More paperwork

Last night was spent sifting through various bits of paperwork (electronic and paper), that the relocation company need completing in order to move us. I thought it would be a case of 'pay us the money and we'll move you'. But, no, definitely not! Copies of passports, letters of introduction, work passes, inventories, customs declarations, you name it! The fact that we have no idea where we'll be leaving left a few blank spaces but I think we got most of it done. That took a little while so by the end it was unanimously decided (between me and my wife), that it was time for pizza. With a G'n'T. Done!

Still lots to get through and indeed rather than writing this blog I should be emailing the relo company with questions I need answering. Nothing desperate but it needs doing and answers need obtaining. You can't believe how much space is taken up with seemingly small amounts of goods that need shipping but, we've managed 137 cubic feet with no trouble at all. Now, I know that's not much as far as container ships go but it costing £1060 and we're barely taking anything. thank goodness the school's paying!