Monday, February 4, 2013

And my final one today - Happy Birthday Ni

Yes it's the 4th of February yet again.

4 years on.

What to do on such a day, such an evening - well of course you spend it with very good friends and family. 

Luckily we had all of the above with us.

It's weird, you don't forget - but you don't celebrate the day any more. We get hit quite a bit this month with similar occasions - Ni's birthday, the actually nasty day of tomorrow, my grandfather's wedding anniversary with my wonderful Nan - all in one short space of time.

But look at the kids. They are amazing.

I thank all my friends, my family all over the world and my Mary. 

First thing to do though is chase those demons from the condo - a Japanese custom of walking the house and having Amy and Ollie shout wearing masks and sprinkling some special foods in to each room. Thanks for bring that over Miz (by the way is not wearing her mask in the photo - cough cough).

Good work kids, I feel better all ready thanks!


Off to China Town.

Year of the snake - holy cow what's that thing coming out from the side street.

We were all very surprised Amy did not shout "Bumblebee, Bumblebee!" 

(private joke sorry that us here will get - apologies!)



Amy takes the camera from Ollie now.

Oh dear me!

Yes Amy you are indeed VERY beautiful. 

Just in this picture you are someone with a MASSIVE head that is very beautiful - ha ha!


Is it just me on is Manchester United or Liverpool playing football tonight.

Red everywhere.

Of course it's CNY, or Chinese New Year - red is lucky - bring it on. I wear red, eat red meat, drink red wine - bring on the luck please - ANYTHING!



I just love the hustle and bustle.

But everything seems to have a purpose.

Everyone has a role.

Including the big guy in the red and black t-shirt, with the black back-pack that seems to want to get in all my photos.



We chose Da Dong's Fatty Weng on Smith Street (love that already).

Nice place we have been to before, and been with Ni of course. A really nice, local, and very family place, with just amazing food.


See what I mean.

Friends and family.

Some old.

Some new.

But family, and what a lovely dinner we had. Thank you!



Then out in to the night market for the weird and the wonderful sites.

Amazing smells wafting over you.

Must get those kids home, time for bed.

Tired from the food.


It's all red.

It's time for bed!


Like the Eurovision Song Contest - in reverse order, here is Sunday


What's this?

Have we moved a Singaporean hawker food court to Tankerton, Kent?

Is that Vikki Edmonds I espy?

Yes indeed, she came to Singapore for 4 days or so to spend some time with Eddo, as he had extended his work trip. 

Very sad in that last day is tomorrow 5th.

I think Amy may have partaken off some of the brown beverage you may see on the table, as man is this photo crooked - but my darling you go us all in and all smiling - well done!


Then through the pouring rain we trot off to get to see Ollie's new acting venture with Playacting Productions - 52nd Street.

Basically he had written a story that was then converted to a play. JUst he and one other character in the play.

Son you NAILED it yet again! Just amazing, so natural Ollie. It was so very very bloody good.

If anyone is reading this can any one show me how to upload video to the blogs now and you'll be able to see him perform.


Seriously check him out.

He was confident, you could hear every word, the emotion, the humour were timed perfectly!

Well done Ollie, well done Sangeeta - fantastic!



Got a bit freaky here in Ollie's dream state, this is Gepetto the carpenter, and talking to Ollie as if he were Pinocchio. Huh?? Have I got those 3D glasses on again!



Now it's a ski on Jack & the BeanStalk - ha ha. The crazy world of Ollie's imagination, written down and acted out. 






An absolutely transfixed audience it seems!


Even our Sangeeta had a good few goes on stage this time.

Here she is "fear", a companion of us all. 

Acting here to discuss the relationship we have with fear. Very interesting and actually VERY funny!


Two performances then BLEW ME AWAY AS WELL as Ollie's.

Firstly was a young girl of 13 telling her true story of how she lost the ability to do what she loves - sing! How she ignored her voice coaches, teachers, parents and got on with it and sang.

I am sorry I cannot remember your name, but my goodness.


She then stood and sang. She sang Gianni Schicchi - an amazing aria by Puccinni, one of the hardest songs ever.

She was amazing. Tears and limps to throats!


Then to Sid (I think)

Such a cool kid. He did this really amazing solo.

Almost "jazz club" style but spoken - so my friend you go in as black & white, super cool and great performance!

Then all the kids got awards which was really nice of PlayActing to give the kids a memento to cherish!


I do believe we should go for a celebration meal!

Off to one of our little secrets in Singapore - Le Barca.

It's hidden, it's secret, it's exclusive, it's bloody good!


It even has a foozeball table to keep the munchkins entertained, bless. We were apparently a little early for the kitchen to be open. Oh no!


Worth the wait?

You betcha carnivores!

Below is the platter, a sharing platter - yes we had TWO of these.

We had breads with oil and balsamic.

We had cannelloni beans, with garlic, chill, sage and oil.

We had potatoes simply roasted.

Hmmmm delicious.

HOLD ON A SECOND - I didn't tell you about the 15 day aged T-Bone the size of a small car, that gets carved for you and then you can continue to cook your self on a hot stone.

Me wipe it's bum, pull the horns off and serve please - yes medium rare please. Have to say this is like eating meat flavoured butter. Oh yes please - come Ollie do another play so we can go back from more celebrations!






Saturday for my Nina


Lovely today was that my great mates Neil and Vikki were there with my family to share what can be a really upsetting weekend - yes it's Ni's birthday and our usual celebratory day to remember her.

Joined as usual this year by our lovely friends from all over Singapore. Just so very very nice to see them all together again. We worked out, it has potentially been the entire year since the last party since all were together as one gang previously. Nina has that effect still, bless her!


However also some new arrivals. How is this little bundle of cuteness. Roy & Karen come and show her off. She was just so so beautiful. Goodness me. SO many congratulations to you both, she is gorgeous, ladies and gentlemen I give you Phoebe Clifford.


I think Dave must have forgotten his sunglasses, or this picture was much later in the day than I thought. Nice snap chaps!


Mwah - nice photo girls. 


A motley crew if ever I have seen one. 
Far left is the Singaporean Head of Innovation, an amazing chap - half-Dutch/English, Jeeeoff.
Second from right the Singaporean Governor of Loud Shirts
Marathon Man in the red - "I love people who are like skittles".
Green vest, singlet, aeorobics hard - "Can I have my shorts back now please Brian?"
Far right "One night in Bangkok, and the tuk tuk's all yours love!"


Ahhh my girls!


"Ding Ding, no standing please!"

Clearly reaching the end of the first stint, the 1300-1700 booking of BBQ pits.

Food demolished, most of drink gone, smiles all round, people arriving still (Eddo and Vikki clearly on UK time-zone arrived early evening - cough cough), people leaving.

But I think everyone all had a good time. Thanks Ni for getting us all back together, and sharing some fun and some stories and allowing us to see new additions and kids growing so very very fast.


"Ding Ding!" OK different bell now and definitely not "last orders".

Everyone back to chez Kennett for a continued party and giggles. Barrie arrived after having played golf. Terry even pooped round which was legendary as he never met Ni. Plus this year we also had Eddo and Vikki.

Thanks to all!

Lovely time.


OK when I said we had Eddo and Vikki - I think it was actually only Vikki.

"Eddo, Eddo, hey has anyone seen Eddo...?"


Following now are some lovely late night/early morning snaps of the friends and family.

Very nice!






Oh sh*t - then this happened.

I seem to remember it all getting a little blurry.

I know I'll try wearing 3D glasses, that's clearly going to help.

"Yep I was right, much clearer now, see I am holding up 4 fingers. That's right count em, one, two, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!"


Sunday, January 27, 2013

I love my mate Eddo

So Mr Edmonds happens to be in Singapore for work.

Let's some fun together over the weekend then. Well half day Saturday, Saturday night, sleepover and half a day Sunday. But a BELTER of a weekend. I think he likes it here!

Up first was Amy's first swimming lesson with our friend Linda. 

She really really did so so well. Here's a few snaps.


Practicing bringing her ams up and over, below. She nailed it and actually started swimming. Amazing. Ollie even made her a certificate at home, bless him!


Not quite certain what's happening below. I think she's a tiger or something, but why doing this at the sides of a swimming pool and mid lesson is beyond me. Funny girl!



Here she is again. Point the hands up and then swim with hands in front and head in water. She did it first time. So well done Amy, and thanks Linda - clearly an amazing teacher.







Here she goes look. She's actually doing front crawl here. Go Amy Go Amy Go Amy.


Next stop off to our great mate's Dani and SImon for an Australia Day BBQ.

Mwah, here's Eddo and Mary. Nice snap.


Our host Simon with his mate. Now notice the shadow of Simon. It was SO SO SO hot. Absolutely boiling. YOu could not stand on the floor barefoot type hot. Cooking, it really was. But also a beautiful day. Kids in pool and all that. Lovely!


Major battles between my two for the ownership of a bucket. Why? I don't know. Crazy.
Amy has it though for the time being. 
She's clearly very proud of herself.

Guys it's a bloody bucket!!!!!


A very happy couple below enjoying a great party.

I even took along my Asian Brussel Sprouts which seemingly went down a storm, with a massive bowl being completely consumed and being asked for the recipe.


A cracker of my mates new and old.

Dave and Barrie that we have met in Singapore, so now have known them for 5 years, and Eddo who I have known for 30. Great mates news and old. Lovely to share some laughs, and some cold beverages of course.


Leave party early to get to home, a quick change in to smart gear and off to The Fullerton Hotel and Post Bar. Tabitha Quiz & Auction night with my mate Reevey. Table of 8 for us (well 9 as Eddo came along too), with Ged & Sue and Terry & Mechelle.

What a giggle.

We were pretty rubbish though.

Way too much alcohol consumed of course, which caused me to bid and win some wine and a framed Everton football shirt for my mate Eddo.

Here we all are.


Clearly some alcohol has now been consumed.


Clearly some more now.

Perhaps the BBQ followed by the quiz was NOT such a good idea ha ha!


Come on its a quiz night.

So the thinkers!


The "light goes on" moment"!


"I'm sure I know this answer" moment!


"I do know the answer" moment!


Now to Sunday and a day of showing Eddo our "local" stuff.

So off for a Chinese foot massage and some hawker fair.

I absolutely did this on purpose as Eddo has a thing for feet. Well not a thing, he basically hates anything to do with them. In fact at the boiling hot BBQ the day before he still kept his socks on - class act my friend! Class act!

So here we go to our local massage place, and I have to say one if not the funniest massages of all time. The guy doing Eddo kept telling him of his worn out kidney, liver and lungs. It was hysterical.

Just look at Eddo's face. Do you think he was enjoying it...? NOT!!!! Ha Ha!


Come on son, grin and bear it.

Hold on a minute, I think he's passed out from the pain!


Then off for some food fun.

Of course we got the classic chicken rice, with roast pork belly, char siew and some chicken livers. Not bad and Eddo devoured the lot.

Hmm OK how to "test" him a little more.

Yep let's get him some iced mango kachang.

Looks nice doesn't it.

Basically shaved ice, with mango puree, moulded in to a pyramid with some flavoured and coloured liquids poured over. Also some secret ingredients. These secret ingredients completely threw Eddo and not a great deal of this was devoured by him.

I mean Eddo come on what's wrong with having sweetcorn, condensed milk, beans and black tea jelly with your iced kachang?

Ha Ha Ha Ha!


After lunch we said our goodbyes as he was off to visit his cousin. So we just vegged at home.

The we decided hawker number 2 for us and our dinner.

We went to Satay by the Bay, the brand new hawker over in Gardens by the Bay.

It is official this is now my absolute favourite hawker in the whole of Singapore - it is a BELTER.

But on the way of course we had some scooter fun. Amy's gliding swan impression.


And in reverse.

I actually took this picture though because her leotard is a little small now and it rode up her bum, exposing all her knickers. One to look back at when you are a little older hun.


Ollie showing off this MECCA.

It is just awesome. Not 100% open yet, with about 50% of the hawkers still to start cooking and serving but what was there - dear me.

Check the location too. Amazing airy views of the city and/or the river.


This was our first dish. Man oh man this chicken was heavenly. See it is cooked on proper BBQ charcoal. It was simply delicious, crispy and smoky. This did not last long on the plates.


It's just beautiful isn't it.

I love hawkers and food courts, as you all know, but this one os a doozy! It's almost like a hawker in a garden, well actually that is exactly what it is.

Eddo we're taking you here pal - and of course Mum, Miz and Yuko and anyone else that comes to visit.


We sat ourselves out the back-side - this is the view from the table. You can imagine what this looked like at night when dark and the lights came on. Oh yes!


The gang eagerly awaiting food food food. They were not disappointed.


Kai Lan with garlic, steamed and served with a wonderful sauce.

Skate wing with sambal, divine.

Jumbo prawns BBQ and served with sambal - OMG.

Satay that was to die for.

Seafood fried rice, smoky and just delicious.

And the chicken wings of course.

Is that a beer I spy on the table - I'll get to that.



Hold on a second!

What's this, have we left the hawker and gone to a trendy bar and bistro.

No friends. This is in the bloody hawker.

Yes there is a bar in the hawker that stays open til midnight. Cold jugs of beer for 17 bucks, bloody amazing. It is REALLY nice.

And get this. One of the yet to open hawker stands is only a Turkish Kebab joint. Yes I can go to a hawker just over the water from where I live and get a doner kebab and a beer. I am truly in heaven.

We have committed to visit this place frequently as you can imagine. For me that could be every night of the week ha ha!


This is the view from the bloody toilet of all places.

Couldn't resist a snap, it's just so so beautiful.


Night now drawing in and the lights come on. It's just so dammed pretty.

You HAVE to try this place.


My gorgeous little angel showing it off for me.

Two beautiful things!


And here it is now at night as we leave.

Truly an oasis in our back yard. A mere 20 minute walk and we're there.


A little fun on the way back with the kids splashing in the fountains


I know you were waiting for it and here it is...

FACEBOOK FACEBOOK!



Oh yeah and a walk past this sort of thing.

How amazing does it look? 


This is our back garden!

Come visit I'd love to show it to you someday.

What a place!