Wanderings in the journey called life

As Bilbo Baggins said “It’s a dangerous business, going out of your door, you step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no telling where you might be swept off-road.” Isn’t life just like that. Every day we get up, it’s a new day and anything could happen that we don’t always have control of. Unfortunately, the majority of the days are just the mundane routine, get up, go to work, come home, go to bed, repeat. We can get so bogged up in the routine, or the living and working till our next adventure that we forget to be grateful for today. I wonder what new lessons I have to learn today?

It’s been over a month since I last wrote, so there should be lots to write about but apart from the normal every day routine life is pretty much the same.

March has come and gone. We saw the return of my wonderful wandering cousins, missed celebrating an important birthday of my mums. Can’t believe it was 10 years ago when we had the fabulous round the world dinner party for her. Promise to be there in 5 years time for the next one Mum xxx

March going into April also saw Easter and although it is wonderful to now be able to eat chocolate again (I made the worst decision to give it up for lent and although I did it before it was never this hard before). It was a brilliant time to just reflect and remember the great sacrifice that Christ made for my sins and for the world. Christmas and Easter are always important to me, and I try and remember the true meanings every year, but even more so now that I’m in a foreign land. I thank God for my cousins and St Andrew’s who have been a huge help in keeping me centred and remind me daily of the glory of life.

At the beginning of March I did go and see an amazing lantern display. It was incredible. Here are a few photos.

I also decided to do what most Hong Kong people enjoy doing- hiking!!! This led to another adventure in the attempt to get to the peak, the first time. I went on bus and MTR trying to find the Peak Tram. This took most of the day, which was a miserable day. After a lot of walking and many scenic detours I eventually found it to realise it was an expensive experience for that day so I turned around and went home. The next Wednesday I managed to do it. I caught the no 15 and went up to the peak.

It was a lovely hike down to Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Rd, ending up at a riding school which the smell brought back happy memories of horse riding. While walking it was so peaceful you wouldn’t think that you were in a City at all.

Easter came in between then and my next hike, plus the dratted lurgy. A week spent either at work or resting trying to get better. It lasted just over a week, which is good apparently for Hong Kong colds. However on Wednesday I felt enough was enough I’m not going to just stay in the flat I’ll do the next leg of the Hong Kong Trail. So of I went to Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Rd to carry on from where I left. I must admit the first 1 hour was hard as it was up hill. Actually I don’t know what was worse going up hill with a tight chest from the lurgy or burpees at British Military Fitness!!! Nope, definitely the burpees even if they are good for you. It was a lovely walk, the sun was shining and the birds were singing. You couldn’t hear anything from below. Here are some photos.

However, and I know this should be at the beginning but I’m saving the best to last. Our family seems to be expanding at the rate of knots. My cousins all seem to popping babies. This year has seen the birth of Carla Rose and Whitney Jean. Both beautiful little girls and I long to have a cuddle with them all. This has been added to by the very recent birth of my first great nephew Eliah Chad Warren

He is gorgeous even if he does have his grandfathers button nose 😘 (love you Richard). I wish Jess and Chad all the best in raising this boy to be the type of man his name means

‘God is Lord.’ May all you babies grow to be strong, independent and loving people.

God bless you all.