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

Yorkshire

Left London yesterday and took the rented car at 1pm. It was a medium size Vauxhall auto transmission. After refueling, we left for York. As it was my first time driving in the UK, the GPS was highly depended upon and yet it took me almost an hour to find my way out to the motorway.

Driving was fun and the 400 km journey was a breeze with beautiful scenery. We arrived in York at 6 pm. After checking in, we left for Leeds to do some errand and had dinner at subway. By the time we returned to the hotel, it was 9pm. The hotel is an F&B property owned and managed by a family of four with an old English theme.

Driving up North on the motorway

The Ascot, F&B in Yorkshire

A farm along the way to Leeds

Old country house in Leeds

It was cold and raining this morning. Although Yorkshire boasts the highest concentration of stately homes and castles in England, we just managed to take a walk in York city. It’s a beautiful city with many old gothic and medieval buildings.

At noon, we continue our drive to Edinburgh another 400 km up north. The drive was more scenic with open grassland and highland and we stopped more often to enjoy the scenery. After almost 5 hours, we arrived in Edinburgh at 6pm.

The ruin of York city

Street of York

Scenic view along the way to Edinburgh

Border of England and Scotland

2nd & 3rd day in London

There was a make shift market behind the hotel (just like our pasar malam). These stalls start their business at 8am but shops are only open at 10am and close at 5pm (malas lah Mat Saleh), After lunch at the Sub Way yesterday, we left for Central London, We walked n walked n walked n walked sampai kengkang baru balik……..by then its 7pm. Pewai la.

Some pix to share

Entrance to the Noting Hill tube station

Entrance to the Oxford rube station

1st pix with wifey

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Today we left for Portobello before 8am. The crowd was unbelievable. There were so many Spaniards there……fans of Barcelona Football Club (tonight is the EUFA Champion league final between Barcelona and Manchester United in Wembley),

Portobello is a well known Bohemian market where retro and antiques are much the thorough fare. I can’t resist at the many old clocks on sale. So, I bought one for my self. Its embarrassing to say that I will be self collecting 3 more clocks bought earlier through ebay. Wifey, as usual………shopping for bone china and more shopping. Now I am thinking how to bring them back to Singapore.

After Portobello, we headed for Oxford Street. It was madness there with the soccer fans of both teams in town. We even had problem going back to the hotel by the tube. It was so bad that tube stations were close due to overcrowding. In the end, we had to take the bus. It was all day long of walking and walking and more walking. Semalam punya pewai belum hilang lagi.

Along Portobello

Along Portobello

Makan time at Portobello

Fist day in London

After on flight delay for an hour, we finally arrived in rainy Heathrow at 3.30pm. The airport was busy with many flights arriving almost at the same time thus immigration clearance took more then an hour.

Next was the walk to the tube station with 45 kg luggage which took 15 mins. Finally at 7pm, we arrived at the Hotel in East London safe and sound and of course with sore arms and legs.

After checking in, we get to survey the vicinity. Halal food restaurants were every where and that include the Sub Way. There were 2 mosques around the area as well. Get back to the hotel after dinner at 9pm (4am Singapore time) for the much needed rest.

Some pix near the Hotel at Bethnal Green to share,

Long overdue trip

Last minute packing for tomorrow’s flight to London.
This trip was planned many years back. It was supposedly a retirement trip in 2008, a month of backpacking in UK and Europe. However, it was postponed due to my official trip to UK in the same year and Japan trip in 2009.

Suspecting that my contract will not be extended, I went ahead with the planning and arrangement since last year for all necessary trips ie the umrah and this long overdue trip.
Instead of backpacking, I decided to do a 15 day self drive of the UK.. The map below is the planned route and it will be extended from Edinburgh to northern Scotland, Inverness. covering more then 2000 km.

England
London 3 nights
Yorkshire 1 night

Scotland
Edinburgh 2 nights
Inverness 1 night
Glasgow 1 night

England
Lake District 1 night
Liverpool 1 night
Stratford upon Avon 2 nights

Wales
Cardiff 1 night

England
Bath 1 night

Many years spent in the SPF helps to a certain extend in shaping my personal character and world view. From impressionable and rebellious young men the Force turned me into a rationale gentleman………erhhhhhhh, perhaps not totally laa. Sometimes I would still challenge the authority on something which I think is not right but of course in a more constructive way.

LEAVING THE SPF

Reference to my posting on 25 Nov 2010 hinting about managing my last official project then, well it is true. After 33 years of loyal service my application for an extension of re employment was unsuccessful due to a certain criteria that were not met. Thus with much trepidation I’ll be leaving the SPF on 7 July 2011 for the unknown frontier.

SUATU PERJALANAN

Alhamdulillah
untuk Mu segala pujian
pada Mu segala kesyukuran

selesai sudah suatu perjalanan
suatu peribadatan
penuh keshahduan
dan keinsafan

untuk Mu segala pujian
pada Mu segala kesyukuran
ini lah titik permulaan
insan di persimpangan

jika hati ini penuh noda
sucikan lah ia
jika diri ini bermandi dosa
terima lah sa ada nya
izinkan kami yang hina
menyahut panggilan Mu

We were thinking of spending Christmas Holiday at Cameron Highlands to wrap up 2010. So on Friday 24 Dec after my morning workout, we drove in to Malaysia so as to avoid the traffic snarl at the CIQ on Saturday morning. The traveling distance to Cameron is slightly more then 400 km or 5 hours drive so it’s good to have a night stop as it was already 2 pm when we left home. As agreed by all, we chose to spend the night at Melaka.
Hotels were fully booked in the city due to the long weekend but we were lucky to have the last room available. By then it was already 8 pm. After dinner, I went for the bed and wifey with the girls went for a Christmas countdown at Portuguese village.

After bfast the next morning, we left Melaka and arrived at Cameron Highlands around 3 pm just nice for tea at Bharat Tea Plantation. The weather was colder this time but being there few times, nothing excites us anymore.


Iskandar Falls. Midway of Cameron


Tea time at Bharat Tea Plantation.




Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur

The next day after lunch, we left for Kuala Lumpur for a little shopping trip. We stayed in Radius International, a walking distance to the shopping belt Bukit Bintang. The next day we went to Mid Valley for another shopping spree and along the way home, we stopped by Melaka again for what else……shopping lah. By the time we reached home, it was already 11 pm and all were tired but fulfilling trip.

Finally it’s done. The 85th anniversary celebration was finally over. Last night was the final leg, with a concert at the Esplanade. In my 7 years of coordinating and managing concerts, this was my most extensive and expensive production

It took me almost a year of planning and coordinating between various units, departments and divisions. With lots of last minute changes and requirements, it does increase the pressure on me especially the last three months. However, I managed to remain cool and thanks to the support rendered by colleagues, friends, supervisors and loved ones.
As this could be my last project, I am glad it ends well….a nice closure of my career indeed…..I mean 2010.

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Last week was also the final day of Didi’s wedding celebration. Preparation took many months with helps from siblings and in laws. Every detail is looked into and discussed. . On the final day, everything was well executed. Even the decoration was beautifully done. Its time and effort well spent.
.
The joyous ‘bersanding’ ceremony was attended by family members, friends and relatives.

Alhamdulillah. Didi’s nikah is over. It was last Saturday and the day starts with heavy downpour. With His blessings, the rain stops just before we leave home for the Japanese Garden for the akad nikah and reception. The event went on smoothly till the end. All those that were invited came for the reception and my siblings, nephews and nieces help us through out. Not forgetting friends of my daughter as well.

My sister Anah and sister in-law Rafiah came early morning to cook for us and our guests at home. Fahmi drove the bridal car, Irfan and Fahris took charge of the car park, Yanti, Tini, Sarah, Nadiah and Nani manned the reception counter and ushering guests assisted by Sandy my wife’s niece. Two of Yantis friend were stationed at the entrance near the MRT station to lead guests coming in from there. My brother Razni and Brother in-law Osman were the witness for the ‘akad nikah’. Brother, sister, in-laws, nephews, nieces and friends, we appreciate your helps. Thank you.

Both, my official project (it could be my last) and Didi’s wedding day are getting closer and there are still a lot more to be done…….and my heart is beating fast.

Just look at the schedules below. Its crazy………

Dec 1 Concert vetting
Dec 4 Didi’s solemnization and wedding dinner
Dec 6 Concert at SCAPE
Dec 11 Concert at Botanic Gardens
Dec 12 Didi’s wedding reception
Dec 13 vetting for the dining in
Dec 16 Another vetting for the concert
Dec 20 Concert at the Esplanade

Jobs done and pending
Concert tickets printed.......:)
Posters for the concert will only be out tomorrow.....what the heck.
Banners will be ready on Monday.....just in time.
Pgm booklet, amended umpteen times.....still in the ‘baking tray’
Invitation card will be ready on Monday.....just in time
Backdrops for B Gdns to be sent to printer on Wed.....OK lah
Backdrops for Esplanade to be send to printer on Fri.....OK
Draft Admin pgm sent and awaiting for approval.....:)
Budget has been approved.....:)
Tasking list.....working on it
Souvenir.....still in the “baking tray”
Display panels ready next week.....scary


Fortunately, the wedding is handled by a wedding planner………60% load off and the other 40% shared among family members and siblings.
I wish everything goes well. Amin….


In the mean time, no golfing (since last month) and no leave:):):)

Hahaha finally…..its done. The sanding, shellac, polishing and set up all done after almost 4 months since August. Now I am listening to them with a cup of hot coffee. Some pics to share from the beginning till the final product.