The wedding vows
Patrick and Linda
Patrick with David witnessing the wedding
Harriet, Patrick and Linda taking part in the Tea Ceremony
It was extra special for me being able to catch up with all the family. My aunts and uncles have all played really important parts in my life.
My aunts: Sue, Fiona, Ali, Diana
Peter and Fiona
Fiona was the first member of the family to meet me at the age of 5 months when we stayed with her in Mauritius, she also helped my mother vet all my potential secondary schools when we arrived back in the UK after living in Singapore. Sarah, Fiona's daughter, was a great friend of mine - she frequently came on holiday with us and picked up her love of art from my mother.
The Country Gidneys
David used to pick me up from nursery when Mum was at university and Dad was at the London Business School, I remember the excitement of being a bridesmaid for Ann in my blue and white Laura Ashley dress and I always wanted to visit the Country Gidney's because they had dogs, huge houses in the country, delicious food (it has been my life's aim to make roast potatoes as well as Ann!) and there was always a lot of fun and laughter.
Guy, Stephen and Diana Dru Drury
I have a very special relationship with Diana who provided me with a haven after my mother died and seemed to know exactly when I needed to talk and when I needed time to myself. She has always been available to give me sound advice on any number of topics.
Nick, Sue and Alan Mackintosh
As they lived all the way up in Leeds I didn't spend as much time with Alan and Sue as I did with my other aunts and uncles. They're the "brains trust" of the family and it's always lovely to catch up and spend a bit more time with them. I'm hoping they might come and visit us in Australia as they've got the travel bug now that they're retired.
Ali and Tom
And of course there's Ali who despite moving to Australia before I was born has managed to be an incredibly important figure in my life and she spent considerable time with us in the UK, leaving her own young family at home, when Mum was battling her cancer. I'm lucky that because we both now live on the same Continent we do manage to see each other more frequently than the other family members and the 5 days in Singapore was like being on holiday together. I'm hoping we'll do it again at some stage!
30 Woollerton Park - we lived on the 6th floor
I used to catch guppies in the drain behind me!
Ann, Gaye, Me, Dad, Ali, David, Mandy
Dad and I spent Thursday morning on a trip down memory lane visiting our old apartment block, my primary school Tanglin Trust (sadly unrecognisable) and the Jurong Country Club where Dad played golf and I swam and learned to play tennis. We met up with David, Ann, Ali and 1 of Ann's friends for lunch in a lovely cafe.
Tea at the Goodwood
I spent the entire day on Friday shopping which felt very indulgent and I finally sat down when I met Dad, Mandy and Ali at the Goodwood Park Hotel for tea and cake.
Robert, Diana, Edward
In the evening David and Ann hosted a fabulous dinner for the family at a Chinese restaurant. I was on the noisy table with Dad, David and Robert on fine form - the quantity of wine drunk may have contributed to the noise levels and it certainly contributed to my decision to join the "young ones" at a night club until 2am!
My immediate family
Harriet and Ann
Harriet and Edward
Me, Robert, Caroline, Tom
Monday was my last day and I was still desperate to capture some of the "authentic" Singapore that I remembered from my youth but which seems to have been replaced with European style shopping malls. Ali and I headed to Tiong Bahru and although the markets were closed the streets were more reminiscent of the Singapore I remember and there were a number of very funky shops and restaurants. Ali and I had a cheeky cocktail at ODP and vowed to come back.
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