24 days count down

Its 24 days count down. All official responsibilities were hand over mid last month before going for my pre retirement leave. It seems rather quiet today as the guys were out for performance. So I guessed this would be the best time to clear stuff in the office. What is left are personal stuff and what not. There were lots of old photographs stacked in the cupboard and drawers taken while at work and on recreation. Lets share some of these before total packing.

1991 in Edinburgh (see the moustachio?)

1987, the combo band members at the Istana with President Wee Kim Wee

1995, leading the combo band at Mandarin Hotel

End of my UK driving tour

Ho ho ho ho I am back here after an “internet blackout” since 2nd June. I thought I was very lucky to have stumbled into someone else network at the B&B in Inverness late one night. Unfortunately in the morning after, my laptop was down. It just refused to start up, lol. Thus for the next 10 days of the trip I was deprived of a computer.

OK lah, cut long story short, I left London Thursday at 6 pm after driving a distance of 1688 miles within 15 days, that’s about 2700 km. Not bad ya……
Route and destinations were carefully planned so that at any one time, traveling distance would not be exceeding 250 miles and each driver should not be driving more then 90 minutes at a stretch. So far this was my furthest distance ever and it was fun. Through out the 15 days more then 500 pix were taken and of course.....many shopping as well.


evening in Inverness




A castle somewhere in Scotland




wifey in Windemmer, Lake District




Warwick Castle in Stratford upon Avon



wifey on a street in Liverpool






An old building near the hotel in Liverpool



Stratford upon Avon






Cardiff Castle


City of Bath


Luggage to London was 45 kgs………back to Singapore was 70 kgs with some clothing left in UK to create space for new items. Among other things, these include 4 clocks…….an American Ansonia regulator, a Dutch Clock, an Enfield Mantel clock and a Napoleon 8 days Mantel. All except one reached home in perfect condition. The Enfield torsion spring was broken. Hope to get a replacement spring from eBay.


American Ansonia


Enfield Mantel


Dutch clock


Napoleon Mantel

5th, 6th and 7th Day Edinburgh and Inverness

Edinburgh was not as crowded as during the festival in August. Though it was a breeze walking along Princess Street and Leith walk it lacks the festive moods Edinburgh is famous with. Royal Mile was quite crowded but not much activities though. Preparation for the Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle was still on going.

Wifey at the famous Royal Mile

Preparation for the Royal Edinburgh Military at the Edinburgh Castle

Somewhere near the Edinburgh Castle

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We left Edinburgh this morning and headed for St Andrews. The wind was so strong and temp was a low 9 degrees. There were quite a number of golfers in action and seeing them playing in a sweater and wind breaker. After an hour we left for Dundee.

Driving towards St Andrews

At the Old Course

By the sea of St Andrews

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We spent a short while in Dundee walking in the old city, after which we left for Inverness the highland of Scotland 200 miles up north. The scenery along the way was breath taking with rolling mountains and farmland. After driving for more then 2 hours, we arrived in Inverness at 6pm.

Wifey along the street in Dundee

By the comic character statue, Dundee

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Summer Lee B & B

By the riverside at 8pm in Inverness

Another riverside posing