Mutual support

Mark has been making my stay here very comfortable with a new bed, new bedding and AC, which has cost quite a lot of Dong! My room is now a comfortable 24' which is a huge improvement on sweltering!

Went shopping at Big C with Nick and Gwen where we had lunch at KFC, and very delicious it was too! Probably better quality than at home.

Patricia making friends with Gwen, Nick's lady friend.

So I'm helping him sort out his files and folders as well as tidy up the house and kitchen. A woman's work is never done! But that's what mutual support is all about... while he looks after me, I look after him.

He's actually taking some time off work to visit Vung Tau, a coastal resort some 100 kilometres from here. As we'll be going by bike, we'll set off at dawn; 5am on Saturday, to make the most of the weekend.

Getting sorted

Patricia at home!

As I write, the AC is being fitted in my room, which is really essential for western comfort, though not so good energy-wise. In these climes, if every house had solar panels, there would be enough electric for every appliance. Maybe one day.

This morning I went with Mark and Nick to the school, which is nearby, where I act as Mark's PA at meetings and take notes.

This is taken outside the building, which the picture doesn't show well at all!

Hello VietNam!

Just to put all minds at rest, I've arrived safe and sound but only just managed to get on-line. (Patricia on the Qantas flight to Doha, where she slept away most of the 7 hour stop.)

Had two hectic days after landing at Saigon on Friday night. That night we stayed at the apartment of one of his colleagues and nearly all of Saturday was spent in Saigon as Mark was working at his new school there. It was Pearly's last day there as she's taking a well earned rest after months of hard work setting up the school and the staff brought in a quite delicious ice cream cake and farewell gifts for her.

We finally got 'home' to Bien Hoa in time for a late supper with Nick and old friends. My bedroom has no AC so I was pretty hot last night, despite the fan working away, so Mark is arranging for one to be installed ASAP, which will probably happen tomorrow, I hope!

First thing this morning I was introducing myself to some very young students at another school nearby, then most of the day has been taken up with shopping, meeting people and watching a film in Mark's private cinema; his bedroom!

My Big Buddy Michael (not quite so big now!) came over tonight and we caught up with all the gossip, so I've just had a shower and got on-line at last! It's now 11:40 pm and I'm likely to fall asleep any minute but I don't think I have Jet-lag, not so far anyway. So that's all folks for now!

Oldies but Goodies

Spending the weekend with a lady of advanced years and suffering from Parkinson's, but not yet ready to give up on life! She paints (not as well as she used to) and plays the mouth organ (quite badly,) still walks the dog and drives her car locally, but thankfully no further afield. She enjoys cooking, although not eating much. Her lifelong friend came for supper; two old girls sharing a great sense of humour. Her house is full of her paintings of boats and coastal views from her sailing days with her husband. Such an interesting old lady; I reckon she's had a good life and probably with more to come!

Jude's 'playroom', where she paints and plays the piano.

I can't believe that in 5 days I'll be flying abroad once more! I've been so busy with one thing and another that it seemed so far away, and suddenly the time is almost here! I've been waking in the night remembering things to do and just hope I've done everything I'm supposed to; tickets, visa, insurance... oh yes... passport!

HALLOWEEN

Phew! Had a great weekend celebrating my grand-daughter Cathy's 21st Birthday (actually on Wednesday) in the traditional Halloween manner.



I'm glad to say that everyone came to the party in fancy dress and a good time was had by all. The boyfriend Miguel was a very good Marcel Marceau, while Georgia was a little devil.

My Vietnamese student guests entered into the spirit, as you can see and guess who Morticia is, pictured with Birthday Girl and her mother ?

There was so much food that the party continued today and I only got home late this afternoon. We relaxed to a DVD; "The Illusionist"; a good film with an interesting plot, though some of us slept through part of it.

Through, up and inside the mountains!

Relaxing now after a hectic few days with my sister; first through the mountains of Snowdonia last week, stopping at the beautiful Swallow Falls (that's me there) and up to the peak of Snowden (in cloud) on the Mountain Railway from Llanberis, then into the heart of the GIANT Electric Mountain; an amazing hydro-electric power station housed in an enormous man-made cavern inside a mountain. (Empty, it could contain St Paul's Cathedral!) http://www.electricmountain.co.uk/

A short walk to the ancient ruins of Dolbadarn Castle, which was painted by Turner, then a quick peek into the local slate museum to marvel at the workers who still work the slate by hand for tourists. Over the last 200 years, at least, the finest slate from these quarries has gone all over the world to provide reliably waterproof roofing, as tried and tested in wet Wales! But punishing work for the locals; they had to be tough.

The weather was good apart from cloud at the summit, but unfortunately, I forgot my camera, which I'd left on charge! Luckily, Di's phone camera did just as well. This is her pic the evening before. Snowden is the pointed peak. I know, it doesn't look so high from here, but it is!

After our day in Llanberis we sped along the A55, a fast route (almost a motorway) into England that didn't exist when I first came to live here. Twenty five years ago most of the roads were double or single tracked and stone walled, which most in the mountains still are and can be daunting to tourists in their posh cars.

Our trip to England was to attend an EFT course, calling enroute to see our favourite Aunt and Uncle, (actually the only ones left.) They are 'getting on', but still well and active I'm glad to say. I just hope I'll be as good as they are at that age!

We had a most inspiring weekend in Ilkley adding even more tools to our therapeutic talents. See http://www.who2.co.uk/

House Guest

To get me in the mood for another visit to VietNam I've taken in a young student, Viet from Hanoi. His girlfriend Thao, one of Mark's former students, lives around the corner and they cook delicious meals in an evening, although sometimes I cook for them; fish pie or my attempt at asian cooking, which they are kind enough to enjoy.
These young people are so quiet and polite it's a pleasure to have them here and hopefully, I'll re-learn a few Vietnamese phrases from them before my trip in November.