Not entirely sure what drove it... several possibilities... life brightening so in Hong Kong, such edgy years before... maybe just the sight of a break, however short... the prospect of seeing Aiden... glorious weather even? Such a wonderful time.
 |
Just perfect perfect weather, Clearwater Bay beach one basking. |
 |
From Jordan; Aiden and his mates rocking her Bambalam, fueling anticipation. |
 |
A new role at work... new shoes... but wonderfully interesting, and often more efficient at home. |
 |
Back on little Mils with the village gang (Tracy and Simon back, such deeply cool and life-loving people) ... the tireless beauty of the beach. |
 |
Aiden came back... oh intergalactic delight |
 |
Wendy and Ian came to visit, which was just wonderful, we walked across the new TKO bridge |
 |
Ruby and Evan hung out watching movies over the weekend |
 |
Holly soaked up the cool weather and attention |
 |
I rode so fast in my zef glasses that gob streaks dried on my cheek... |
 |
putting some relentless kilometers down on the Foundry, such a weapon... |
 |
Ange went to Bali for a week with a gang of mates, Ruby and Ev put in a cooking shift... |
 |
Both of the Schats boys were in right arm shoulder slings ... |
 |
I turned fifty four and was feeling fab |
 |
We went out for dinner and had one of those accidental parties ... I kept the shirt on all day |
 |
The self-acquired prezzie that the card so perfectly alluded to arrived a bit late... a Christmas project with all the bits being old-school stuff plus OEM carbon bought over time on e-bay |
 |
Aiden and his mates, Jake and Luke, all back from Uni; Sean and Gill, Luke's folks. Sean has been the single biggest non family contributor to Aiden and Ev's lives, deeply deeply quality people, greatly appreciated... |
 |
...and more stupefyingly fabulous weather. |
 |
Morning coffee in bed with the cat :-) |
 |
Dismantled the wonderful Big Blue, lots of wear and tear over the years, a couple of crashes, great great bike though, unforgettable journeys |
 |
And then rolled into two Christmases - an afternoon and eve with Jason and Lara, with the gorgeous new Jesse to keep Ezra company (Ollie not getting it at all) |
 |
Followed by a Chrismas day bash at the divine Schats' house. |
 |
Nights duf duf duffing with the school mates come home :-) |
 |
Days on the hiking trails, High Island reservoir, emerald colours |
 |
A reminder of home walking to Yau Lei |
 |
And a sampan back to Sai Kung after lunch |
 |
Lorna, Pieter and Meadsy |
 |
Robyn spending some quality time with Hugo |
 |
Kau Sai Chau island golf course as a backdrop to an old working junk on the way back. |
 |
Grinding progress on the bike, discovering that old shit is, well old, and does not necessarily work. Composing f-you letters in my mind to the sellers whilst dismantling fidly bits and pieces to properly clean and oil them before reassembly. |
 |
... along with stuff that shouldn't go together like titanium bar stems onto carbon forks, "school fees" and frustration. |
 |
Ruby went to Oman... |
 |
...sent astonishing photos of otherworldly places. |
 |
Jacques went to Paris with Chad to see his mom. |
...and then suddenly it was the end of the year, and thank god for the trend, phoenix-like Hong Kong, the Covid exodus masses looking to return.