Before the boys were in primary school, I never paid much attention to PSLE marking days, days where the rest of the school would be given holidays to assure the quiet or enable the teachers for the primary school leaving class cohort’s examinations. As much as I wavered about taking a quick trip away, it seemed really coincidental that the timing lined up with when my dad would be in Japan and when somehow we managed to catch the return leg flights on Zipair for $130! This was our jam-packed itenary over 2 days in Kusatsu, 2 days in Karuizawa and a day in Gotemba.

Last stop before the new school term starts tomorrow- I wasn’t too sure what to make of the idea of visit a Tang Dynasty-style theme park, especially on a very hot day, but it was a fun show and the (only) local visitors really got into it, all dressing up in traditional han fu.

Datang, one of the five large Chinese power generators, is synonymous with Jiangsu province, and has several thermal co-gen and offshore wind facilities in this area. It’s hard to describe how immense these huge wind turbines are up close.

Fascinating stop at the Qidong Evergrande Venice Resort <海上威尼斯>, where the “azure sea and silver sand” is also described as a 双色海 dual-coloured sea, because the blue lagoon turns into a Yellow Sea (no pun intended- it is where the 长江 Yangtze River tributary opens into the Western Pacific Ocean and forms the world’s largest continental shelf, which has a distinctive yellow-brown colour because of the silt washed down from the 黄河 Yellow River).

We were all enchanted but the children were mesmerized by the thrilling acts, hilarious Tweedy the clown, fat ponies and ice lollies amidst the hay strewn field. The show broke up by inviting the audience to dance in the circus ring before we dispersed into the cool air and still-bright dusky sunset.

I used to love the Wild Rabbit but this $200 3/4BR Airbnb is my favourite place to stay, on the quiet side of the Cotswolds. Jo Rigby is an interior designer and wife of CEO Charlie Rigby, their family-friendly cottages are an amazing combination of her style and eye for colour.

The New Caledonian sea ferries out to the Hebrides - guess who is the most excited about a ferry, just like in her book? I’d never actually seen cars go into a sea ferry before, the size of the open jaw hull is impressive

Happy birthday and Happy Fathers’ Day to Iggy Goh. Home-made chocolate fudge cake at a castle amidst wet laundry, but you have four children who all look like dad!

Today was the day the hike up Arthur’s Seat got the better of Pips, and also the day the kids were over spinach omelettes and PBJs so we went to Edinburgh for wanton noodles and katsudon. The boys clambered with me up the steep hour-long incline for some incredible views and we all really enjoyed the challenge- Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh.

Scotland is perfect for bigger families, larger, wilder, cheaper, kind of like the Mongolia of England. Return visit to Blairemore, where we could take some calls and wash some laundry, while the kids followed the farm feeding rounds. Farmer Ailsa and James Clark quit their professional jobs in Edinburgh to invest in this joint business of idyll ….

Find someone in life who looks at you the way Pips looks at an ice cream. Pictures from the slow southern drive back- Roro protecting her waffles from Pip’s guilty face and folded hands. Making roasted char siew soup noodles for breakfast. It’s gratifying just to learn their patterns, and for them to learn each other, and to have time for morning cuddles. Pips is the worst sleeper and rises earliest, usually followed by Roro or Wes.

Lovely stop at York, the last time I was there, I was 17! I remember gazing at the massive stained glass windows and I’m not sure I thought I’d ever be back! It was the first time I’d ever been to England, to study literature at the university.

Scottish summer strawberries, packed lunches of M&S sandwiches and apple juice, and waterfalls hikes. Heavenly and grateful to just spend 24/7 being together, especially after this busy half-year. The best thing about the challenge of nature, is watching them help each other.