London again

It's been a couple of weeks of jet setting. Planes, trains and automobiles... On Saturday it was time to head down to the big smoke again. Our dear friends Tahlia and Brian got married on 12th April in Thailand and we were unfortunately unable to attend. On Saturday they had a reception in a pub in west London, near Portobello Road.
Mark, Vera and I got the train from Royston at Saturday lunch time and after struggling (fighting!) with the travel cot at Terese's, we handed Vera over to Terese.
Terese and Vera went to Kentish Town City Farm
http://ktcityfarm.org.uk/
Vera slept all the way there but had apparently enjoyed looking at the goats, pigs etc!
The weather has been absolutely atrocious all weekend with lots of rain.

Mark and I met Ana and Mark in the Grand Union pub, also in west London for some food and afternoon drinks/. So nice to be out and be able to relax and have an un-interupted conversation!

We had a great time at the post-wedding party/reception and got back to Camden close to 2am.

On Sunday, in the midst of more rain, we had some brunch at Bar Solo in Cambden, next to The Good Mixer, one of our old London haunts. Vera slept on the way back, so we popped into the Price Albert pub for a farewell drink. very child friendly pub (= high chairs and baby changing facilities). Nice to know for another time!

http://princealbertcamden.com/#13357781671101&true
Got a taxi back to Kings Cross and then the train home. Over tired Vera last night after all the excitement!

 Vera playing at Terese's

 Hanging out with Terese

Sleeping under the rain cover in the Price Albert pub

 With daddy

 In taxi on the way back to Kings Cross - wearing new cool trainers

 Train entertainment

Vera packing (or unpacking as the case may be) for London

 Vera with mummy's present from Terese, a bouncy eye ball (niiiice!)

 Vera home again, playing with "Joe"

Learning!

We're back from Ireland this afternoon and I'll write a proper post about soon!. I just wanted to share some of Vera's new skills, she learnt to "throw" (release/drop) a ball so greatly enjoys rolling it back and forth. She has been playing with kind relatives all weekend (Thanks uncle Enda who had lots of patience).
She knows to go and get her ball when anyone says "where's your ball Vera?" and "Go and get your ball Vera".

She also knows how to wave good bye and sometimes says ba-ba (bye-bye) as she waves. Too cute!

She also leart to say "nananana" to nana Olivia.

I love this photo:

New skills

Vera is certainly showing more and more of her personality every day. She eats well at nursery and Terina's, but at home she is only interested in what we are eating. She has been refusing her porridge the last couple of mornings, but happily munches on my Bran Flakes.

She is very vocal and loves making sounds and flexing her tongue! She also enjoys interactive play, such as rolling a ball to Mark or I and picking it up when we roll it back to her. Today she had been crawling around with a car at Terina's, making car noises. She must be copying the older boys.

Tonight we've packed for Ireland, as we are flying off to Knock tomorrow to see our family in Ireland. Can't wait!

Home!

I arrived back on Thursday morning after a long journey. I was greeted by Vera and Mark and Vera had a BIG smile for me. It was the best feeling ever! I worked from home during the day. Vera was very cuddly and it was so lovely to spend time with her!
On Friday we had a brilliant day together, met Clare, Alice, Liz and Ben at the Shelford Delicatessen and then we went to the swings
http://www.shelforddeli.co.uk/
Terese came to visit in the afternoon and we had a second visit to the Deli and more swings. Vera had a field day!
On Saturday we went for a day trip to London to meet friends in London. Joe was down from Edinburgh and Cathy happened to be in London too. And Terese of course. Such a treat! Joe and Barry had bought Vera another present, this time a toy named  "Joe" to play with. She was given "Barry" the hand puppet this summer when she was very little. Vera was very good in the pub and Terese took her for a stroll so that she could have a nap.

On Sunday, Vera and I went to see Ana for coffee and a catch up. Another lovely afternoon! Junko and Ryan came too, so it was lovely to get some Ryan cuddles!

 Terese, I and Joe

Barry

Photos from China/HK

sorry for the low profile, have enjoyed spme family time and been busy at work. Here are some photos from my recent trip

Well deserved (according to me!) Chinese beer after work

 The reception in the office

 View from The Peak in Hong Kong

 Gas mask in my hotel room

 More from the Peak, HK

 View from Shenxhen

 View from the office, Shenzhen

 More views from the office

 My office while I was there

 Classy huh?!

Day out in Hong Kong. Ice rink in shipping centre

 Views from the harbour, Hong Kong

 The ferry

 Me on the ferry

 The tram up to the Peak

 View from the Peak

The tram

Ladies market, very busy!

 Novel parking near the office.

 Side walk near the office, on the one sunny day we had

 More HK, this time in Black and White