Home to base

Here we are back in HK after a wonderful 7 weeks summer vacation in Australia. As we had troubles with our internet connection in Oz you may or may not have heard about my last blog post. So a little update on our newest family member. Jasper flew to HK on Thursday night and arrived in good shape early yesterday morning. He seems to have survived the ""ordeal" of international travel well apart from being constantly thirsty. So settling into our new routine, me being jetlagged a little I was up at 5 am and set out for our first walk. Well, maybe I should say drag. Now I know those doggy lovers can imagine me at the back end of a very taught leash as Jasper ran ahead. Quite the opposite, me in front begging, cajoling, bribing, encouraging, pushing, pulling and prompting as Jasper lay flat on his tummy and refused to move. Seems the sights and sounds of a pre-dawn HK were not for our fainthearted little guy. Finally when I despaired I may end up carrying him he finally decided to give it a try and ran, baulking, ears down and tail between his legs most of the way.  Not to mention frequent stops to investigate every Rex, Fido and Lassie (& Carlotta!) potential toilet stop along the way. He is now safely back in the apartment but completely confused by the calling of the monkeys at the zoo across the road. He stands at the window listening then runs like crazy in a big loop then back to his post by the window.  He had a lovely visit from "Aunty" Odila yesterday afternoon and she is now a firm favourite visitor (LOL) after she visited, received loads of kisses and  brought him some puppy treats. 

On to other news. The kids are all ready for their new school year starting on Monday. I am already back into my work routine and spent yesterday morning in the office and will be heading off later this morning for a session as well.  Mark has been working hard for weeks now after he spent time in Australia with us and is just finishing his second last Masters subject- woo hoo!! One more to go....

We had a wonderful time in Australia and got to spend lots of time with family and friends although it just never seems like enough when we know we are leaving again soon. We delighted in our newest  niece, Oriana, as well as enjoying time with the now very "grown up" big sister  Aurora. We had great times with all the cousins including sleepovers and drive-in movies, surfing lessons and swimming pool visits. We spent time of course  at our favourite beach. We were thrilled to be able to be in Australia for Australia Day this year and had a wonderful day with family, visiting Fort Scratchley.  I even got some time to scrapbook so I will try to post some pages in the coming days when life settles back down here.