Overdue account of life in Hong Kong

Its been such a long time since I've written anything on my blog, and so much has happened I'll probably have forgotten most of it.

Life continues in Hong Kong where we are very busy most of the time.  As we did most of the sight-seeing last time we are not rushing around trying to see things. We do go to at least one new place every week, we visit museums and on Saturday last we walked through the walled city, which used to to be over run by criminals and such like, but in 1972 the British cleaned it up and now its a great place to relax and walk through. This time we are definately more relaxed and in our free time we are more likely to go out for a meal and a drink, mostly at Hung Hom where there is a beautiful place on the waterfront and if we go there between 5 and 8 we get our drinks for half price, and as you know thats important for tony ( two pot screamer) at 8pm we're ready for bed anyway, but they make great meals there as well (not cheap though)

We have become very involved with Fr John Wotherspoon (Brisbane man) he ministers to the sick and prisoners, both in gaol and when they are released, we go with him on a Sunday night where he has a fellowship meeting along with a lot of very willing helpers, for the first few nights we didn't get too involved, but last night it was fantastic, the people were looking for us and when we arrived they all came around us getting us chairs and wanting us to sit with them. Fr John said they are delighted to see someone else who cares for them. Last night we were helping a few of them to say a few words in English, and one woman who is just out of gaol told Tony she has two young children and would he teach them to speak english, it really is heartbreaking to see so many people there who just come for the free meal and a bit of companionship, be it only once a week.

A young couple came for the first time last night, and it turns out he spent a lot of time in Brisbane, he got married at Iona College and would love to live in Brissie. He has a very good job here, he is a school inspector. When the meeting was finished he took all of us around a hundred people in all to McDonalds and bought every one an ice cream, (he told us he was so humbled by the experience and wanted to share something he could give)

We have been to many school functions parish functions and of course the Fillopino's who love to  love to sing and dance and put on great nights on some Sunday nights.

I met a Fillopino woman yesterday who has two children in the Phillopines but there is no work there for her husband and she had to come to HK and only sees them once a year. There would be a lot of women here like that and they are all so cheerful and happy.

Healthwise we are both doing ok, I've been going for acupuncture twice a week and am beginning to get some relief at last thank God.

The chapel has just been renovated and this new statue of our Lady is really beautiful.

New statue of our Lady in the renovated chapel

 

 

 

 Fr Slawek in full form

 

 

 

 

 

 Fr Mark over from the Phillipine's 

I'm going to try and publish this now so here goes!

Tuesday

Today we had a very quiet day, we both worked at Oblate Primary and we both listened to 35 kids reading, it was very tiring but ever so rewarding.

Back in Hong Kong

We arrived back in Hong Kong a week ago today, and I must admit I have been very tardy.
The welcome we received was over powering to say the least, I became quite overcome with it.
School had already started but they were still organising and getting the classes up and running.

We had a very social week altogether, Tuesday night the principal from Oblate Primary took us out to a Thai restaurant, Wednesday we went out with the English teacher (from Newcastle) to a lovely place on the bay, Friday  was Notre Dame's  Liturgy for the students and teachers and ancillary staff. This was held at St Teresa's Church at Mon Kok, from there we were taken by the principal Stephen to a very fancy restaurant at the Grand Plazza hotel, called Jade Garden. Were hoping the social side has stopped for a while.

Friday night we went with Fr Slawek on the streets to feed the homeless, it was amazing to watch the people flock around him, they know exactly what time he will be coming, I enjoyed that experience very much.

Saturday night 3 Student teachers from a Christian Teachers College somewhere in the south of Brisbane arrived for part of their internship, very nice young women and friendly to boot. They will be teaching at Notre Dame only and I'm not sure exactly what that entails.

Sunday Tony started up choir practice and then sang at the English Mass at 4pm.

Today Monday we both were working at Oblate Primary School (OPS)

The lift at our residence has been out of order for 3 days and we had to walk up 6 flight of stairs (154) in all it was working today so I decided I would walk for the exercise anyway, hope I can continue to do it at least once or twice a week.





All for now

Breda's Return Home

I am delighted to report that Breda has returned home after her ordeal in Ireland. She has really been given a second chance in life. We are most grateful to the Medical Nursing and Ancillary staff at the Letterkenny hospital, for without them she would not be with us today.I would like to thank everyone who offered prayers for her recovery. It will be a long road before she is her old self again but by the  power of prayer she will return to full health soon.

Friday night we all met at Jacinta's house for a family reunion, it was such a lovely night to catch up  with most of our siblings.

Today we had lunch with  Anne Tara Deirdre and Tiernan, Roast beef withYorkshire Pudding, and a dessert to die for. Then we played a few games of bridge. and Tara dressed up in her formal dress, she looked so gorgeous, I will post some photos when we see her with her make up and hair done, she really is a beautiful teenager.

On Friday we bought a second hand chest of drawers, which we hope to have renovated before we leave for Hong Kong, so for the next few days its all go.

All for now

Home Sweet Home

Today I left Cairns and sadly said goodbye to my lovely family up there, I spent three delightful days with them and alas the time goes far too quickly.

As usual Jet star was late arriving and thus we didn't leave until nine forty five instead of 9am, we arrived in Brissie at noon and good old reliable Tony was there on the appointed time. Its good to be home, so now to prepare for our next travels in three weeks time, so have a lot to do between now and then.
Anne has just arrived so time to catch up on the all the local news

A Day in the Tablelands

Today we set off for a visit to see my old friend, Faz, and his family. Atherton is about an hour and a half from Cairns. We went up the Gillies highway, which was very steep and windy. We stopped en route at the Shaylee strawberry farm and picked up a couple of large punnets of the biggest, sweetest strawberries I've ever seen. We duly arrived at Faz's home. As usual, we got a huge warm welcome - a spread of home made sausage rolls, cake, chocolate biscuits, ham & cheese and of course some tea. Caught up with his mum and sister and reminisced. Faz is one of my adopted sons from way back.
We left at about 1 and went via Mareeba and stopped by Coffee Works for some lunch. Delicious coffee! Enjoyed it very much. We bought some coffee and chocolate on our way out.
We drove home leisurely and arrived ready to uncork afternoon tea. After a couple of glasses of wine over a game of up and down the river. Then had a fun time with the kids in the yard with their Nerf guns. Followed by a couple of refreshing Irish whiskeys. Then Emmy's family came around for dinner. And finished the night with a shot of Baileys!

Cairns Visit

Left Brisbane at the crack of dawn and arrived in Cairns at 9:30. Surprise, surprise, Talbot was so excited to see me that he came to the airport, even though my friends Debbie was picking me up. The three of us then went to have coffee at The Edge Cafe - the posh end of Cairns. then Debbie and I spent the morning sitting at the pier drinking lattes and had lunch. We had such a lovely morning. Debbie then took me over to Emmy and Talbot's house where we had a glass of cold refreshing wine - one or two. It was so nice seeing the kids. The family came over to have dinner. A surprise dinner - as Evelyn made me birthday noodles and Felipe roasted pork. Emmy made a chocolate cake especially decorated. We had another glass or two of wine with the cake. And they gave me a lovely present.

Then we watched the Broncos, who lost by 1 point! So sad.

Saturday: we had a quiet day at home - sat around, chatting, played cards, played Nerf guns - had a great time!

Tomorrow, please God, we hope to go to Atherton to visit my very good friends, Faz and his family.

Will add some more later...