It was a very grey day today and looked very much like it would rain but, happily for us, the rain stayed away for the time being. We took a taxi into Central and made our way to the IFC builiding. It took us some time to find where we were going, but we eventually found our way to McDonald's where we were meeting our good friend Jocelyn and her little daughter Phoebe for lunch. Julie knows Jocelyn from when she used to visit Hong Kong in the past, but has never...

After her usual breakfast of Weetabix followed by crumpets, .... and then a mince pie, Julie was ready to face the day. We drove into Central and went to Seasons Fitness Gym where Julie waited in the lounge and read her book while Mum did her exercise. Afterwards Simon met us and we all strolled over to Hong Kong Park, just a few minutes walk away. This beautiful park is built on the side of a hill which means that there are lots of steps in every direction and ...

Julie slept very well, and not a trace of jetlag although she still had a nasty cough and cold which she brought with her. We decided to drive over to Stanley and have a look round. Julie was already getting used to crawling in and out of the Saab. Two door cars are not so much fun when you are the one in the back! It was a lovely drive up over Wong Nai Chung Gap and down through Repulse Bay, but not the sort of weather for having the top down even though there ...

Julie's flight arrived on time and Mum and Simon were there to meet her. In no time at all they were in the car and on their way back to Happy Valley. The weather was overcast but clear and Julie was impressed by the amazing bridges and the huge container port she saw along the way. On arrival in Happy Valley Julie had to climb more than a hundred stairs before reaching the apartment but agree that it was well worth it once she got there and she was very pleased...

Sitting at Hong Kong airport with (as usual!) a glass of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc in hand (Kim Crawford this time) we sit and hope that our flight will eventually appear on the board. Today did most definitely NOT go according to plan. We woke to find that a Typhoon 8 signal had been hoisted since 5 am. The storm which had caused such havoc in the Philippines had been expected to pass at a reasonable distance but had moved closer than anticipated during the n...