Summer in Hong Kong can be resort-like. Living in Stanley, just 12 km from the centre of the city, there's the beach sounds and smells, the playgrounds, and the pool. Most of all, there's the pool - large, child-friendly, and on our doorstep. Of course, in the heat of the day, when the searing sun would cook the likes of Byron, there's the inflatable pool in the backyard. And what a treat that is. It is not just the fun of sitting in the cool shallows. The process of filling the pool is an adventure for Georgia and Byron who love to spray the hose around and share its coolness with their unsuspecting parents. And slow-paced afternoons in the backyard pool roll on into dinner on the terrace overlooking Stanley Bay. On the weekends there's summer's ... read more

We all look forward to April. Simone's birthday at the start of April heralds a succession of celebrations, including Easter and Mother's Day. Simone's Birthday this year was especially fun, with Georgia now old enough to relish the thought of presents, and she really got into the spirit of happily giving Simone her Birthday presents. The smell of pink lilies reminds us of Hong Kong from when she was here in 2003, and so a quick raid on the Flower Market yielded a swag of them. Champagne and strawberries completed Simone's birthday breakfast (and made the gift unwrapping an unhurried, happy affair). Byron also joined in, especially once all the wrapping was on the floor. He felt it was a gift for him, and had a big smile as he reduced torn paper to shreds. Easter ... read more

We returned to Hong Kong from Australia just in time to celebrate Chinese New Year. It is a special time of year in Hong Kong - although the weather is invariably cold and cloudy. The city itself is largely deserted. People take advantage of the holidays to leave for warmer climes, skiing or visiting family. For those who remain, including us, the reward is quieter roads, lion dances and fireworks. Each Chinese New Year we head to the Dynasty Club for lunch. The food is great - and both Georgia and Byron love dim sum. But most importantly, every year the Dynasty Club has a wonderful Lion Dance in the foyer, with the lion and its entourage later paying a visit to everyone in the restaurants. The lion dance is performed by skilled acrobats and martial ... read more

While Christmas was an explosion of happiness, the days that took us to the end of the year were filled with little joys, like repeated breakfasts of delicious Christmas ham, of children rediscovering and investigating their wonderful new toys, of seeing them wear the beautiful clothes people had chosen for them with such care, of reading on the beach in the weak but pleasant sun while Byron happily ate sand and Georgia played with her beach toys, of sitting on a swing with Byron as Georgia tried to go ever faster down the slide, and of long languid lunches with Simone in some of our favourite eateries. It seems the year is a rush to Christmas, and then, only briefly, is the respite of a few days of calm happily locked in succession. Festive New Year's ... read more

Georgia turned two in October. Milestones come thick and fast for parents of little kids. Months are acknowledged. Years are serious anniversaries. Georgia's second birthday, low key as it was, held for us (the parents) the endless fascination of a milestone in her progression, and a reference point for comparison with what had gone on before. Georgia is bigger, stronger and smarter than she was twelve months before, all of which is a source of wonder to us, something taken for granted by her, and of course, not such a big deal for the world at large. Perspective though, is not the strong suit of parents! It has been an interesting 12 months for Georgia. There is so much for any child to get used to - new understanding that must be as confusing as it ... read more