Time in the hills - walking the new year

 The weather over the new year period was icy plains wind cold, but clear, which matters a great deal given how inundated we can be during the cold season, downwind from the Chinese manufacturing exhaust.  Ange arranged an afternoon walk, ending up at Po Toi O for lunch.  It was fantastic, out on the new bike trail, with a few other people.

Pickle on his way up the bike-track.  Note to self, bring mountain bike in Granny's garage back to HK.  I am definitely getting too old to whizz down single-track, but the boys would have a blast.

I know I sent you this one on WhatsApp already, but I do love it, gives one an idea of the elevation, with Clearwater Bay Beach 1 below to the left; my summer swimming spot.

The boys and their mates up on the ridge-line.

Po Toi O village way down below, with the golf course behind it.

Ev on his way down back to the water...

Ev, Jake, Luke and Aiden heading down the final bit of road to the restaurants.

The first two weeks of the new year... please let it be... a new year

 How does one know it is a new year?  The same incredible challenges for the people of the world; the same insanity in American politics?  The same, ongoing grind against poverty, unemployment and corruption? For me, I know it's a new year because we pause to potter, to tackle little projects.  And they delight disproportionately.  I loved your ride map of the Cradle of Civilization - thank you. I engaged in a big clean-out, in the process discovered some old diaries that I'd kept ... 1989, 1991, 1993... 1995.  From Jan 31, 1994 - "Joshua is born!  Early afternoon, Jan 31, 1994.  He is beautiful and delicate".  Ok, so at least there is some change there, you being robust in every sense now.  Reading pieces in them I confess was a bit shattering.  So many new years, but so alarmingly unchanged in the things I worry about or want to change in myself.  So maybe, given nature and nurture, whichever one, or combination of both really matters, it is just that... sort of all.  I feel so different but am so the same.  

Starting the year, beautiful morning with Holly

New year, new table, Ange in action tackling renovation.

Took a picture of the old and the new as it emerged....

In the end, sanded and stripped...

Became this once tackled with Teak oil - bring on 2021