Theo liked charging around with the soft play equipment.

Theo's first tug of war. We suspect it won't be his last.

Theo's first tug-o'-war

Theo's Sport's Day involved many activities but he seemed particularly well-suited to this one.

Theo's school Sports Day

Dulwich Kindergarten organised a really fun set of activities for the children with lots of different games and nothing too competitive. Theo had a great time!

Theo demonstrates karate to the under-fives

He was supposed to be leading the warm-up for Sport's Day ...

Sometimes things take-off

After almost a year of never going out, Lou & Tim managed it twice in a week with a dinner from Camco, one of the companies that Tim works with. Drinks followed and they got back late but happy!

First night out in almost a year

Anne & Gerry kindly offered to look after the children so that Tim & Lou could go out. Since e'd been working to get our house ready to rent before we left England, it was the first time we'd been out alone since last May. We had dinner and cocktails - very nice!

Summer Palace - not so summery

The Summer Palace is a must see but we must say it was pretty chilly the day we chose to go. The dense crowds and high frequency of (admittedly very cheery) Chinese tourists wanting to take photos of the children drove us out onto the lake to eat our picnic. Other pedalo users still snatched the odd shot though...Verity put her hood up but Theo remained a phot0 opportunity throughout!

Well, you've got to see the pandas haven't you!

We braved the zoo after hearing conflicting reports about the quality of animal husbandry there and were relieved to see that the 6 pandas appeared healthy and stimulated, rolling and chewing their way around large enclosures. There was a great selection of animals in equally stimulating environments - beautiful big cats, elephants, gorillas... On the other hand, keepers were happy for the bears to eat the plastic bottles thrown to them by the crowds and for the zebra to be serially fed chocolate biscuits, so, still a way to go it seems.

Where did you say this was again?

Thought we ought to soak up a bit of history so we visited some square or other and a forbidden place which came well recommended. Ann and Gerry again got to soak up some Beijing sun - it hardly ever rains here so the skies are usually Mediterranean blue - nice change from the UK, eh!

Fortunately not a step too far...

Anne did fantastically well getting up to the great wall just a few days after her fall. As you can see from this picture, it was well worth the effort.

Gerry and Tris took a longer walk and tobogganed down. He went on to be adventurous the next day by independently, and without any Chinese, taking a taxi to the Bird's Nest and getting a public bus back (we've been here for 7 months and haven't got our heads around the bus network). Nice going, Dad!

5,000 miles & some tricky steps

Lou's parents made their longest flight ever to come and see us; everything went well until the first night when they stayed in our spare room which has a bathroom next to it and a staircase next to that. Theo woke up in the night, Tim went down to get him and turned the light off as he carried him upstairs. Half an hour later, there was a scream and a crash and Lou's Mum, who had gone in search of the bathroom in the dark, fell down the stairs. She bumped her head badly and hurt her back and leg but luckily didn't break anything. Sometimes, being energy efficient does not pay!

Choose wisely!

Lou broke the camera so this is an appalling mobile phone photo of a cracking view from the balcony of a lovely room at the Riverside Retreat in Yangshuo (cheap, cheerful and very popular). Do book a room with a view though - we were lucky there had been a cancellation so we could upgrade on the first night, the next day we had to move to the worst room in the hotel - no view, a bit smelly and a magnet for mosquitoes- a real backpacking experience. That was the day Tris became ill and had to stay in bed for 36 hours! So it goes.

Drifting through paradise...lost?

Monday was hot and sunny! We rafted down the river Li, not quite 'white water'...but lots of fun. Through the amazing scenery it had the potential to feel like drifting through paradise. The locals do need to make a living though and had anchored their rafts selling cold beers, fried fish, and endless photos of you at 5 minute intervals on route!

A bird in the hand...

In the fascinating town of Yangshuo how refreshing to see that the traditional and now famous cormorant fishers still haven't cashed in on the commercial opportunities of photo-shoots with tourists (NOT)!
We did see them in action though and must say that it's a great sight.

A room with a view

Cormorant fishers may be moving with the times in some respects but they still live in one roomed homes like these.
Whilst we travelled round some of the surrounding villages, these two women kindly allowed us to take a photograph. Many of their neighbours live and sleep in rooms like these - roll up mats for beds, a ring for cooking and a TV - mud brick homes in the midst of the most beautiful scenery in the world. The contrasts in China are quite stunning!

Sharing a bed in Guilin

Beijing had been very warm, the forecast was good and they were flying three hours south so Tris, Verity and Lou put a conservative selection of summer clothes in to their rucksacks. How they laughed when touchdown in Guilin was rainy and cold, strikingly reminiscent of last year's English summer in fact! The first hotel had no heating so they slept together in one bed and layered on everything they had the next morning. Fortunately, the stunning scenery on the cruise to Yangshuo the next day lifted spirits!

Ear ache stops play

After months in Beijing, Lou planned a trip for the whole family to Guilin. We were due to fly on the Saturday and return on the Wednesday but Theo got a middle ear infection on the Friday night and the doctor said that he couldn't fly. So Tim & Theo stayed in Beijing while Lou, Tris & Verity flew south. The weather in Beijing was great so Tim & Theo went to the zoo, boating in the park and dined at Theo's choice of restaurants which included two Indians and a posh American joint. Theo also got some Crocs which he is here testing in the bath.