Tuesday, November 27, 2007

A message from Tom's dad, Peter

I want to say sorry to Tom for my part in the decision to return him to the UK
I now know in my heart that it was wrong and need to publicly apologise to everybody in Hong Kong who knew and loved him
It has tormented me every waking and sleeping hour since
Had he been alive, I honestly believe he would have chosen to rest where he had been happy.
Despite what we may have wanted to believe, he no longer thought of Leeds, or anywhere else in the UK, as “home”.
Tom told me many, many times; “Hong Kong is my home”
Sadly, as dysfunctional parents, we chose not to listen when it came to the crunch. Perhaps we were more concerned with image!
He hadn’t been happy in the UK for many years and Hong Kong offered him what he had been searching for
Tabs, I know you loved him very much and he loved you.
I for one did you an injustice. I’m so sorry. Please forgive me
Tom’s Dad

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Rose


A pressed Rose always reminds me your love for me.

Tabs
x

Friday, September 07, 2007

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Always Together


Enjoy! Cheers!

Tabs
x

Monday, July 30, 2007

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Tabs'd like to share Tom's favorite video with you



Here's one of Tom's favorite video which he took it himself. Enjoy and hope you like it as much as he did. And you have to TURN THE VOLUME UP!!

Tabs
xx

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Tabs' birthday in May







It was Tabs' 30 birthday, we'd two days off together and we went to the Clear Water Bay No.2 beach to celebrite. We had a pretty good pinic and enjoyed sunbathing there til 4pm. Sunbathing Eggs!

Tabs xx
19 June 2007












Monday, April 23, 2007

Tung Ping Chau

Our second camping trip to Tung Ping Chau. Early 9.00am ferry from Ma Liu Shui pier near the University KRC station on Saturday. The ferry's only run at weekends and public holidays. We packed some bacon rolls and some hot coffee. The trip takes about an hour and 20 minutes, as the boat chugs through the Tolo Channel, then the North Channel, into Mirs Bay, then out east. In fact Tung Ping Chau is the most eastern island in the territory.

(Above and below) Not the most flattering of photographs at 9:00am on a Saturday morning but it illustrates the point that we are active people and like to get out and about in a healthy way. This is my third bacon sandwhich. We were packing until 4:00am.


(Below) Through Mirs Bay. Some great ships moored out in deeper waters.

(below) Welcome to Tung Ping Chau, or east flat island, literally. I prefer Tung Ping Chau. Sounds more romantic, anyway. Here's Tabs at the main entrance after the pier.
Someone told me that the two policeman on the island are often at the pier when a boat arrives checking ID cards. I'm not sure why, and I've never come across that on the times I've been there. Most illegal immigrants from mainland China would probably prefer to use the alternative landing spot such as, er, a dark unlit beach, after a knackering escape across the channel. Some say that's why the inhabitants now only get the boat back there on Saturdays and leave on Sundays, due to a spate robberies by illegal immigrants. The villagers go back to their old life, sweep down the floors and sell drinks and food to tourists. In the evening each family (around 3) sit down to a serious feast; a variety of shellfish and sea life that, being indigenous villagers, are allowed to take despite it being in a protected marine park. Having said that, they were reluctant to be photographed cleaning out certain species. Like those really rare black sea urchins.

The water is probably the most beautiful I've seen in Hong Kong, given it's environmental crisis. Snorkelling is popular here and you can hire equipment from the local villagers. You don't need to camp; you can stay in one of the local houses for a round HK$45 per night including breakfast. You could quite easily pack an overnight shoulder bag and have a weekend away. Excellent food and ice cold beers are available all weekend.
You really have to be there and see it on a beautiful sunny day to appreciate it, given you're about an hour away from one the most densly populated places in the world. Two days and a night there and you're recharged and ready for Monday morning.
(Below) The camping site, about a fifteen minute walk from the pier. There are around 12 pitches.



(Below) The view from the tent. The land you can see across the water is the booming edge of Southern China.



































































































































Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Sharp Peak #2

Monday 9th April and a hike over Sharp Peak. We'd been this way before, but Mike and Cliff had broken off and done it, leaving Tabs, Diane and myself lazing on Tai Long Wan beach. I'd always felt guilty for not doing it, so I put in a special request for this week's hike. Below is Sharp Peak way way in the distance as we set off.


(Below) The closer you got, the tougher it looked. It was about 22 C and not too humid but the sun was hot.

(Below) The last point where you either hang a left up the gravel and onto Sharp Peak, or carry on for beers at Tai Long Wan. The temptation was too much for old Mike. Besides, he'd done it before.






(Above) We're off. The trail was long and steep, and a hard slog. Below is the view to the right of the trail, the beautiful beach at Tai Long Wan; probably the best bit of coastline in Hong Kong.








(Below) The marker at the top, and a perfect spot to take in the views, have our sandwiches, and open the flask. The last 20 minutes were mostly climbing and scrabbling on all fours. It was a tough hike in terms of getting dirty but not one of the toughest we've done.








(Below) On the way down towards Tai Long Wan, and some magnificent views of the beach.









Sharp Peak in the distance. Legs sore, we limped to Tai Long Wan village for beers. Then it was a hard, hour -long slog to get the speed boat back to Wong Shek Pier, where Tabs and I had camped last year. There were many tents on the beach at Tai Long Wan - would make a great camping trip - apart from lugging your kit.

Saturday, March 31, 2007

BBQ On The Roof

A rare day off together so what better than to have a BBQ on the roof? We bought king prawn, sardines, a rack of lamb and a nice salad.

It was Rugby 7's weekend, so we listened to the radio for updates on the scores and feasted and played backgammon till sunset.


We did the sardines Portugese style.

Er ... which means just putting them on the BBQ and eating them. With a squeeze of lemon. Now that's culture.

Ahem.

Wong Nai Chung War Trail

This is a new trail that highlights the Japanese invasion of Kong Kong in 1941. Starting off near the Hong Kong Cricket Club, the walk takes in old military installations and bunkers. Below is an old ammunition dump.

The walk can be done in a few hours, and is fascinating. Not many people are aware of the bitter fighting that happened during the invasion and subsequent surrender and occupation; perhaps through lack of interest or plain unawareness. The picture below is on top of an old machine gun or mortar bunker. You can see the ventilation shaft in the centre of the picture

This tunnel we found just north of the bunker, carved into the steep hillside. It doesn't go anywhere, so we assumed it was an ammunition dump, located away from the guns for safety reasons.

The building below was the main headquarters of the defending position. It's located just opposite the Hong Kong Cricket Club and was eventually overrun by the Japanese, but defended to the last.