Geo: 29.647, 103.279Isaac celebrated his 6 month birthday visiting his Daddy's village for the first time. It is such a breathtakingly beautiful place. I always feel really privileged to have had the opportunity to experience such a place. In the spring, the lush bamboo and pine forests are scattered with flowers making it even more stunning looking across the rice paddies. Bill's Grandparents' house has changed quite a bit since I last saw it. The road is now finished and leads right up to the front courtyard. New windows and brick walls have been put in one side. Bill's old bedroom has had a makeover complete with giant bed, huge corner sofa, panda table and e suite with (the best bit....) a proper toilet!! Poor neglected pigs!! I've found myself really enjoying the food this time ... read more

Geo: 29.5011, 103.391Although we are in Emeishan (famous for trekking up the mountain with monkies and monasteries) I have no intention of voluntarily climbing giant mountains with a baby! Instead we've been hanging around 'Hostel C' just like in the old days when we first met except this hostel is pretty empty! Did meet some lovely travellers from Dongbei who understood my Chinese and said Isaac looks like the offspring of two celebrity super stars. I liked them a lot!!We headed towards the university as I was craving nai cha (milk tea) and Chinese universities always sell it. Mission accomplished we then went on the search for food. We ate 'gan huo' (dry fire pot) A delicious new find. It's a giant stir fry with a bit of everything in it plus a lot of oil ... read more

Geo: 30.6534, 104.075Isaac is very contented with the constant entertainment and attention. He loves the noise and the crowds! He finds the constant cooing and cuddling very pleasing which is a good job considering he's now been passed around to about 30 people! Just hoping he's still too young to develop little emperor syndrome! With our new found baby eyes, we've discovered that the famous fan dancing squares are also the place to be seen with a baby especially between 4-6pm. Isaac met his 'yeye' for the first time and gave him a big dragon kiss! I remain as fond of chengdu as ever! You still can't get a taxi or breathe through the pollution! This time, to add to the city's many accolades, you now can't seem to get a room for under 180rmb. So ... read more

Geo: 51.5001, -0.126236Now this is an interesting place. For somebody who loves the buzz of airports (in true love actually style) this isn't quite doing the trick! No queues and piped bird song is giving this adventure quite a subdued start. I hope we're in the right place!... read more

Geo: 35.9125, 14.5019Following the advice of the friendly retired British couples in the hotel (Isaac's fan club!) we caught the 222 to Silema, got off the bus at St Justin's Bay and walked along the promenade to Silema. This was a lovely seaside walk. It was a Sunday, so the whole world were out in force to admire Isaac! We managed to get a Harbour Cruise for 8 euros. Most people were getting it for free with their hop on and off tourist bus tickets. The cruise was stunning. Malta really is breathtakingly beautiful! The tunnels used during the war that Grandad told us about were pointed out. So he wasn't making it up!! Back in Silema we walked along the lines of luxury yachts whilst munching our 80 cent tuna and spinich Qassandra (Popeye would ... read more