Michel's Blog - some personal comments on life in SW France - Welcome to Michel's Place (michelsplace, michelsplace.fr)

Another week done ...

29/3/2015

magnolia-stellata (pink)

It seems hard to believe I've been out here for five weeks already, but there's still a while to go before I can head back home to get on with the projects we have in hand, not least the new deck. The Easter week end will at least give me one extra day of rest in the gruelling schedule.

... and it's a momentous week end here in Singapore as the state funeral is taking place of the late prime minister Lee Kuan Yew.
Back at home, a week further on, and the magnolia-stellata (left) is resplendent in more flowers than I've ever seen on it at one time.
Down on our field, David has added two more trees to our young orchard, including this nectarine.

Young nectarine tree

The harbinger of spring ...

22/3/2015

.... our magnolia stellata is always the first of our larger trees to produce flowers each year. It's actually quite late this time, no doubt held back by the rather chilly February we had.

I shall miss it in real life this year, since by the time I return the flowers will be over.

Feeling pretty tired, I opted for a relatively quiet day off, with a brief wander around in Chinatown then a walk back to the hotel and some time with my book - Le Livre du Roi - by Indridason.

There was a big storm during the afternoon, with torrential rain, so I was glad not to have been out and about at that time !

Work again in the morning, with an early start as I've quite a journey to reach the venue, then even earlier for the next few days, so it looks like being another demanding week ....

magnolia stellata (pink)

Another week done ....

21/3/2015

Balloon art, Marina Square, Singapore

... which marks the half way point of this 6-week tour.

The weather has been mixed this week, with some stormy showers, one of which was badly timed such that I got very wet walking to the bus stop after work on Thursday !

The photo shows a display of balloon art on a grand scale which is currently showing at Marina Square, Singapore. It just so happened that I was working in the same building yesterday.

A cloudy day ....

16/3/2015

... yesterday was ideal for exploring Faber Park on the south ridge of Singapore.. From the top of the hill a cable car runs across to the island of Sentosa.

Faber park contains one of the few patches of rain forrest left on Singapore. It contains some impressive large trees, some of which were already giants when Raffles arrived back in the 19th century.

Sentosa from Faber Park, Singapore

The weather has been mixed ...

13/3/2015

Sunset over Singapore Cityscape

.... this week in Singapore, with some extended periods of light rain and occasional thundery showers as well as good sunny periods. With daytime temperatures in the low 30s, it becomes very humid when it rains.

Another week of work done, as the sun sets on Friday evening and a welcome couple of days of rest begins. There's still four more weeks ahead, and next week is looking complex with several changes of venue to cope with.

A trip to the Botanic Gardens ....

8/3/2015

... provided plenty of photo opportunities on the second day of the week end. There was more shade available here than at the Gardens on the Bay which made it more bearable in the heat of the day. Some timely clouds also helped.

Water Lily Singapore Botanic Garden

Ginger flower - Singapore Botanic Gardens

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Work looms early in the morning, and there'll be little chance to see anything but four walls, a piano and a desk for the rest of the week. Hopefully there'll be something for the blog next week end !

One week done ...

7/3/2015

Singapore Flyer from Gardens on the Bay

.... and a welcome break for the week end.
A trip to Singapore's "Gardens on the Bay" provided some good photo opportunities, but it was less than comfortable wandering round in the intense heat. A cloudy day would have made it a more enjoyable experience.
The weather back home is really good at the moment and it seems such a shame to be missing it, but with five more weeks of work out here ahead of me, I'm not going to be able to get on with our projects any time soon.

With the holiday over ...

1/3/2015

.... I've made my way from Thailand to Singapore, which will have to be home for the next 6 weeks.

Work starts in the morning, with a briefing meeting, then it will be full on for the rest of the six weeks. At least there is some respite at the week ends !

Singapore is currently celebrating 50 years since its independence with various displays and festivities about the city. This night shot was taken earlier during a walk along the river bank.

Singapore 50 decorations