It's Christmaaaaaaaaaaaaasssssssss!!!

Happy Christmas Everyone

After much waiting, much counting down and much shopping the day is finally upon us. It is Christmas 2015 in Singapore. A few little snaps for you to have a look at - very lucky kids, and adults actually. We all loved our gifts.

To all our friends and family all over the world, I just wanted to pass on massive Christmas Cheer and our love to you all. We miss you all, and think of you continually. To all our friends locally happy hot and sweaty Christmas - hoping to see a lot of you late today, and truly hope you have a wonderful day celebrating with your families and friends as well.

Take care all - "It's Christmaaaaaaaaaaaassssssssssss!!!"
Much love from The Kennett's

Santa Claus sure was busy today - flying in with an ice cream maker and set of ice skates all the way from Finland. Wow he is amazing - just what every 7 year old wants in Singapore ha ha.

Wow the bowl of sugar completely gone, and the reindeer made a massive dent in the carrots. Santa went through the cookies with no issue clearly, and washed that down with a Scotch to take the chill out on these cold Singaporean Xmas nights.

All you here was paper tearing and "oohs!" an "Aaaahhhs!" Successful present hunting this year it seems!!! 

What a lucky thing. Not every day you get ice skates in Singapore. Now we just need to get to Kallang again. 

What you got Baby Jude - wow LOADS of presents too you lucky thing. And Dad's token show-up in a photo is my yellow toenails.

Happy Christmas one and all.
Much love family Kennett.
xxxxxx

Dishita's Birthday Party

Dishita's Birthday Party

It's Saturday, it's 6 o'clock and it's the party witching hour. And no, not for us parents but for Amy and one of her best mates from school - Dishita - who turns 7. So make-up on (cough cough), Princess dress on, sparkly high heels on, present in hand and we're off.

A few photos of a very nice party - thanks to Dishita's parents for allowing us all to rock up, Jude and all. Great fun thanks!!!

OMG Amy - you look beautiful. A Princess off to the party.

Now with her best mate Dishita - Happy 7th birthday Dishita. You sure do look like very good friends!!!

Liking this shot of the wee man a lot - he went balloon crazy. Still so very cute Master Kennett.

Sorry did I say Jude went balloon crazy, ha ha...

Bubble; "Er Dad, are you being really serious...?"

MWAH - such a cutee!!!

And the magic show is about to start - look at them all lined up. Are we sure this isn't a One Direction concert?

Yep guess who got selected as a magician assistance - yep Elsa ha ha!!! Actually this guy was really very good.

Now dancing - Birdy Song time, and yes he then made a dove appear from nowhere.

And the final one - Happy Birthday Dishita. Thanks for inviting us all to come celebrate with you.

A lovely Sunday out at the beach

A lovely Sunday out at the beach

Off trots family Kennett, minus Ollie who had other things to do, to the beach. 

We'd just been to a beach bar/restaurant - more of that on Islifearecipe of course, but here is the family fun. 

Mary, Amy, Jude and I building castles on the beach, at East Coast Park Service Road - a little further down than normal, but well worth a venture. We took a bag with beach mats, balls, buckets and spades, and sat close enough to the restaurant that we could keep dipping back to get drinks and use the loos - a perfect location.

Here we go with some pictorial fun of the afternoon.

My beautiful girl kicks it off with some sand-writing, although as soon as she started asking me how to spell stuff I stopped taking photos, ha ha. 

I have to admit this is certainly not Boracay. I wouldn't want to be getting in the sea for too long, if at all. The view is a little hazy today (thanks Indonesia), the multitude of ships is an eyesore of course and the weather not that brilliant. BUT, we're still outdoors and doing stuff together and we had fun. 

In comes the Master Builder now. OK kids I am the Program Director, and I will now start allocating roles. Jude sit there and look cute, Amy start digging. Program Director is just going to have a quick sip of beer - back in a minute. Ha Ha. Joking.

We decided on building a sand castle in a moat with a bridge and then filling the moat with water, and maybe some decorations. That's a damn fine idea. We started the construction project in earnest. All hands to the spades and buckets.

Put some back in to it son! He actually did a really great job. Well done Jude Jude.

"Dad I need a break. I'm tired. I think you are working me too hard," said Jude.
"Get back to work!" said I.

We've finished. The castle is done. The moat is done. We've decorated it with seaweeds. We even made some flags with seaweed. I think it looks absolutely great - good work kids. What a team.

The I looked at it again...
Whoops.
Maybe remove the drawer-bridge?
(Still bloody good though!)

I think baby Jude realised too.
"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH, DAAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!"

Henry Berlandier - read if you like the era of adventure

Henry Berlandier - read if you like the era of adventure

Wild Malaysia Buffalo

So we are down East Coast for lunch, a play at the beach and then a meander home. But it is hot, as in flipping hot. So we need another stop for a rest and refreshment. Well actually so we can wait for a cab, and have a beer so we don't have to walk any more. There we are chilling and Mary comes back from somewhere with Jude and says why do they worship a cow. I was thinking Indian family and sacred cow when I spotted what she was referring too.

No1 not a cow it's a buffalo or bison.
No2 I don't think it's a shrine as it is mounted.

As I am looking this guy pops out his head.
"It's a wild Malaysian Buffalo." he says.
"My Dad shot it when I was 2 years old." he continues...
"It was 6' high at the shoulders, and had killed 7 people." he goes on.

(Miz - you would have LOVED this)

Do you think he had me at this point? Hell yes.

He then finished, that his Dad was a hunter in Malaysia and used to get called in when they had rogue animals. And this monster was no exception. Seriously look at the size of this thing.

I had to ask. So if you were two years old when this got shot, when was this actually shot.
He said; "I am 54."
So that makes this beast 52 years old since it was put away.

Totally amazed now, I return to my seat, eager to tell Mary. As I sit there over comes the owner with a book, and some bookmarked pages.
"This is about my Dad."

I read it, and it is incredible. If only there were more memoirs to read, what an incredible three pages describing adventure, then family and then sadly his death to cancer. His name was Henry Berlandier. Born 1930, died 1992. He goes down in history as being one of the very best hunters in Eurasian history - with specific focus at the jungles surrounding the Malaysia areas of Johore and Pahang. Not a sports hunter, only hunting for necessity.

Bit if something went bad and an animal went bananas, or rogue, and started becoming a man-killer then the park rangers would call Henry. The park rangers, or Orang Asli, would always call Henry as he always got the job done, and done efficiently. He would always do it alone, maybe to preserve others lives or likely because they'd just get in his way. Incredible stories like he would never use insect repellant as the animals could smell it, so he would endure hours of sitting the jungle getting eaten alive by all types of parasitic insects (we who live in Singapore will know all about that). He only took water so not weigh him and down and hinder his movements.

He had to track it.
Find the right one.
Deliver no sound, but listen to the sound of the animal.
Sit still for hours on end waiting - whilst getting munched on.

He would also never shoot the animal in the head, only where he absolutely intended so so as not to ruin the value of the animals skin - a 'perk' of the job was to onward sell the skin. Within the book is a picture of Henry with a rogue elephant he had just despatched - huge bloody thing. B&W photo of Henry, stern faced standing over the animal at this feet, with his rifle in hand. Apparently there were witnesses that watched this man kneel in front of the charging elephant and released a single shot to end its carnage. WOW. Imagine it.

He also killed a 5' rogue albino crocodile once with two shots in to the neck (that's a lot of crocodile). People apparently disputed that he had actually done so as normally shot crocodiles would float to the surface thereafter within 2 days. Apparently Henry sort of shrugged this off with the confidence of a man that knows his skills, went back a week later and claimed his prize. Love it. Apparently the skull of that very same croc still exists and is with one of Henry's children - not with Paul it seems as he has the buffalo memento.

I just felt compelled to write about this amazing man. I remember days as a kit reading compendiums of adventures to Africa and other jungles and encounters with natives and wild animals - and hear I am at 47 meeting the direct descendant of one such adventurer. Paul I hope I have done your Dad proud - great to meet you, and hope to one day again soon.

Thank you so much for sharing the story with me.

So folks a recommendation - get down to Sunset Bay Garden Bistro, Carpark F2, 1300 East Coast Park Service Road. Go meet Paul and have a few beers, a chat, and some of his delicious food too.

Wooooo Scary - hold on a minute...

Halloween

So Halloween is upon us and Amy's ballet class at Siglap South Community Centre, has decided to put on a party. A very SPOOKY party.It was actually really very good. Loads of games rooms and a haunted room. Packed to the brim with people and kids - of whom about 95% were all dressed up.

So Amy is all; "Daddy I want to dress up as a with. But as a pretty witch Daddy!"

A pretty witch????

So off goes yours truly to the supermarket to purchase stuff. And by stuff I mean eye shadow, lipstick and blusher. Oh yeah plus a mop handle and a couple of scary masks to get us all in the zone. Notice no Ollie - he was out already at his own Halloween Horror Nights @ Universal with his friends.

#2 and #3

And bloody hell did she look pretty - OMG, where has my little girl gone? Thanks to my Mary for transforming her in to a teenager, mwah. And hello to my little man Jude - wow loving that Baby Jude, very scary with your sister.

Bloody dentist

 I tell you the NHS here is rotten! 

Maybe just a little more moisturiser?

Yours truly and my beautiful daughter - I think I win on looks, ha ha ha!

Similar lipstick though???

My beautiful girl

Do I need to say any more other than; she is just beautiful.
Oh my gosh!!!

Jude's first school party

Jude's first school party

So the little man is loving his half days at school, and today was his very first ever school party - themed with dancing in the jungle. So his big Sis, Mum and Dad tagged along too to Jude's first school party.

One crawl through box, a second crawl through box, and  third crawl through... HOLD ON A MINUTE, who's that? They all look the same, maybe the last one has bigger teeth though ha ha. So yes as jungle theme Amy decided out comes the frog costume. It's relevant I suppose. Amy, who's party is this we're attending hmmmmmm.....

"Check me out Dad. I can crawl through this easy peasy. I might even smile in a minute."

In action now on the climbing area - like a mini assault course for two year olds. Reminds me back to The Krypton Factor. I think Jude would do very good on that program as he nailed this time and time again!

And in the spirit of Melbourne, and AFL - Jude chooses the correct team outfit, yes Richmond Tigers. Good boy! Ha Ha OK OK in the spirit of the jungle theme all the kids got decked out in animal costumes to start the dancing and party games.

Jude said to me; "Dad, do you like my .........................................................................................outfit?"
I said; "Yes buddy, but why the big pause?"
Jude said; "Because I'm a tiger Dad..."

Here's that flipping frog again. They get everywhere. Hopefully she doesn't wander too near No Signboard Restaurant, or she could end up battered, fried and served with some chilli sauce.

So cute pumpkin! Having a ball. What fun it was.

Jude said to me; "Dad look I'm a TV remote!"
I said; "What?"
Jude said; "I just found pause."

And Jude comes first in the sack race.
Man that boy can jump jump jump.
Winner.

And the frog gets in there again.
If a frog can't win this race, no one can.
If her costume was knitted would that make her a wooly jumper?

On to ice rocket racing now. Happy Happy faces - even from Mum of course. Whizzing little ice rockets down a sloping course. What fun again. 

Crafts time - making frog puppets now. Works of art I think these are.
Not really sure though what Jude is looking at to make that face though.
Did the frog fart?

And the final snap of the morning.
Everyone showing off their amazing hand-made frog puppets.
Well done kids (and parents) such good work.
Shame re the photo though and someone's photo bombing hand.
Look he's even forgotten to put his hand puppet on - or is the puppet naked?

So glad we all went - what a lovely Sunday Morning!!!
Thanks to Pony Running.

Melbourne

Melbourne 

I just realised I had not done this post of my trip to Melbourne recently - a very cold Melbourne it must be stated as it was mid-Winter. But still how lovely to get back. No The Semi-Naked Chef this time, as this was purely for a work. A very intense trip with early starts and late finishes for 5 days in the week. But because I knew our old stomping ground when I lived there with my Nina and Ollie _ did have the chance to take a few walks rather than taxis - and here are a few snaps of those walks through one of the very best cities in the world in my reckoning.

Here she is at night - now ain't that a pretty city folks!!!

Who needs a Bridge and what looks like a cut mango??? You know what I mean!!!

Here is the official tourism site for Melbourne, but of course you could always ask me too.

Just make sure whenever you visit that you bring layers...

 Known as "Four Seasons In One Day", Melbourne has a habit of sneaking up on you with weird weather, and yes potentially all in one day. In fact our very first day in Melbourne was like that. We started walking to the CBD in shorts and t-shirt, 200 yards later we get hail-stones and have to run back to get coats and jeans, then sunny, then pouring with extreme wind rain. Yep you gotta love Melbourne and it's weather. 

Winter is July and hits circa 4 degrees with a wind chill to freeze your nuts. So we used to have a 2nd Christmas in July as expats to enjoy the cold weather.

Summer is in December so outdoor BBQ's roasting chickens with all the trimmings, with a wilting conifer just not able to handle the 42 degree heat. I know how that feels.

Meet you under the clocks?

 A tradition of Melbourne, when meeting mates in the CBD (Central Business District), is to meet them at Flinders Station - the main station of Melbourne City. A truly wonderful piece of architecture as you can see. But see the main entrance, the larger arch, with 9 or so clocks showing different time zones, and the huge amount of people milling about. Yep, that is the evidence of: "I'll meet you under the clocks..." Directly opposite is one of my old frequented drinking halls (pub) - Young & Jackson.

Transport in Federation Square

 One of Nina and I most frequented bar/restaurants in Melbourne when we first arrived. We were always here. A spit from our services apartment on Flinders Lane. We went here for a beer on our first day and fell in love with it. Ollie loved it too. Family friend, nice food, near the river ,near home, just off the main tram-line. Yes this is a cool place to visit.

Southbank - the opposite side to the CBD

 Here is the Yarra Rover running through the heart of the city. To your right = CBD and to your left = Southbank. Southbank has grown with bars, restaurants, the Sunday market, hotels and of course the Casino. Its a damn funky place to sit in the sun and people watch. Kids can go crazy on bikes and scooters as Mum and Dad sit with a glass of wine chatting with mates, maybe over a nice breakfast or lunch (as we often did). Plus you can catch tour boat rides - see the one to the bottom left.

In fact our very first day time in Melbourne was a Sunday and there was the farmers market all the way down Southbank from the very bridge I am standing on. We walked down there sampling produce and sipping wines - and the lovely people of Melbourne heard the accent, asked how long in the city? "Our first day is today..." And away with walked with Ollie's push-chair brimming with free gifts, including about 8 bottles of wine. Man I love this city!!!

You just gotta get city skylines with trams...

Such a beautiful city. Now minus the freezing Pom, from Singapore. A much nicer view.


Many friends here too - our great mates Craig, and Katherine and Di and Mario - and their gorgeous kids. Miss you massively too guys, and so sorry again for no pop to say hi. It was an intense few work days with absolutely no time to visit sadly.

Plus a quick 'plug' - if you do come to Melbourne, take the tram on Flinders and head to Richmond - great shopping and food by the way on Bridge Road there. And whilst there go visit Dia and Mario at the truly amazing and wonderful Bendigo Street Milk Bar - you simply have to try it. Its is 15 minutes from the city, and a great way to meet lovely lovely people and see suburb living within Melbourne. Oh yeah = also happens to be where we lived our 4 years there.

Boom....

 And my final one - is again Southbank at night. About every 30 minutes or so you hear this noise. Almost like when you flush the toilet on an aeroplane (sorry only way I could think to describe it). What is it? Well it is these towers, about 8 of them down the Southbank. WOOF!!!! Huge fireballs go off into the night sky. It is truly impressive. Always a good memory of nights at Southbank.

So come on get yourself to Melbourne. Admittedly The Semi-Naked Chef was really not out this time, as he was in a suit working, and also did not get chance to sample the amazing food. But I could not visit without posting something about our beloved Melbourne.

You are missed - but we still love you.

GO TIGERS!!!!

London Town

That sad day on my Nan's internment.

My bro and sister were off afterwards to celebrate their 1st wedding anniversary, so bless them I got a free ride to the airport. Now with 7 hours to spare how could one not take a trip to London. So I did. Checked in at the airport, dumped the suitcase and off to Putney we jolly well go.

Here is a few pictures of my little journey there.

Off we go.

Heathrow Express to Paddington and jump the tube to Putney Bridge and lets have a little walk.
Actually it turned in to a bloody long walk as I walked all the way from Putney Bridge to the cemetery to see Ni and Yui.
That is a good few miles I can tell you. But it was worth it indeed to see the place up front and personal.

Old Father Thames.

This is the scene from Putney Bridge - also well known for the starting point of the Oxford & Cambridge Boat Race.

The old church by the river - walked past many a time on the way somewhere for drinks at the river's edge.

Putney High Street.

Not much has changed to be honest. The shops are the same, apart from a HUGE H&M (don't tell Mary). The buses are all modern now, with the old 'jump on the back' ones being de-commissioned sadly.

Manorfields.

A walk up Putney Hill out of the high street brings you nearly to Wimbledon - our home for many years. Manorfields.
A lovely place full of gardens, birds and squirrels.
It was great to see it - many memories flooding back of course.

Here we are.

Yep that's ours - the one on the second floor to the left of the door.
Our home.
Where baby Ollie grew.

Heathrow landings.

Being in Putney it is exactly on the landing path for Heathrow Airport - every minute of so a plane will come overhead, yes literally ever minute or so. I'll be on one of them soon, just going the other way is all.

The cemetery.

Now because I walked I entered the cemetery from the top this time. Something never done before, so I was able to see these beautiful gardens, fountains, trees, walkways, sort of avenue like. Beautiful.

Naoko Kennett

I got to see my Ni. Just a brief hello.
An update on all things changed in the last 12 months.
Of course Mary and I is the big breaking news. She was happy with that I am certain.
Lovely to see her though - albeit fleetingly.

And final stop - The Green Man

And my final stop for my little tour - The Green Man and a pint or two with my mother-in-law, Mizuyo who was in London that very week, and did also come to Nan's funeral.

So a couple of pints of Guinness and a lovely chat. Jump the bus, jump the tube, jump the Heathrow Express, jump the plane - Hi Mary and kids, Daddy's home.