A Night at the Races

A Night at the Races

19th June 2013 

Adrenaline Bar - Happy Valley Racecourse 

http://happywednesday.hkjc.com/en/venues/adrenaline/index.asp#tab_overview

We were lucky enough to be invited to the Hong Kong Jockey Club by an old colleague I met out here  in HK

Yes in a shirt and tie, they have rules here

Plenty of lost bets or "charitable donations" as the HKJC is a registered charity

We spent some time down in the parade ring studying the form 

This one looks like a winner!! 

Nope, lost again

A great venue and a great spot to watch all the action

Many drinks were consumed and several more charitable donations by the end of the night 

Thank you to our hosts

Trail 4: Hong Kong Parkview - Violet Hill (again) - Repulse Bay

Hong Kong Parkview - Violet Hill (again) - Repulse Bay

2 hours 30 mins

18th June 2013

Comments: Had to collect a parcel from the local post office in Repulse bay so thought I would walk it. Need to explore more as I think there is an easier route.

Missed the turning for Repulse Bay, do not recommend walking along the road. 

The Route

Off we go again 

Up Violet Hill and over the top looking down at Repulse Bay. You can hardly believe you are still on Hong Kong Island

This is where I think I may have gone wrong. I did not take this footpath

I followed this for some considerable distance which seemed to follow the contour of "The Twins"

I could see Repulse Bay Disappearing into the distance but I continued on my path

Until I saw this small sign on the ground

Leading down here

The exit was a bus stop

But I decided to walk. There are large sections where there is no pavement and you have to take your life in your own hands and sprint along the road hoping the pavement will appear again. 

I am always amazed at the bamboo scaffolding in Hong Kong 

Made it to Repulse bay, collected my package and jumped on the No.6 bus (the right one this time) back up to Parkview

Trail 3: Hong Kong Parkview - Violet Hill - Wong Nai Chung Reservoir

Hong Kong Parkview - Violet Hill - Wong Nai Chung Reservoir

17th June 2013

2 hours

Comments: Just a short walk to stretch the legs

The Route

Google Maps

The view of Violet Hill from my front room 

The view from the top of Violet Hill looking back at...my front room

Me at the top

The weather can change very quickly

On all of my walks there has been plenty of wildlife. The butterflies seem particularly camera shy. This one sat still long enough for a couple of photos.

Back down the now slightly muddy trail

To Wong Nai Chung Reservoir

Which also happens to be a boating lake

Junk Season

15-06-2013

I have been informed that it is now "Junk Season" and we were invited onto a Junk on Saturday by a friend from the Hong Kong Jockey Club. 

 I had romantic visions of a day sailing on one of these...

To my disappointment we were on this...

Well to be honest, I was not that disappointed, it was very nice

These are generally alcoholic affairs and by the groups of people lined up at Pier 9 at 10 am in pirate costumes with slabs of beer I was beginning to worry. I am far too old to be drinking all day

Thankfully our boat party was a little more mature

So we set off for South Bay Beach 

****
Warning if you are easily offended please look away now
some of the following pictures contain me swimming 
****

It may have been raining but the water was still warm 

Our life guard had seen it all before

We were not the only boat in South Bay

Heading home 

Our fellow "Junkers"

Safely back on dry land

Lions vs Barbarians June 1st 2013

An historic day when the British and Irish Lions Played for the first time in Hong Kong (on there way to Australia) and my first time at a Lions game.

The stadium is pretty amazing 

It was VERY hot

We got there pretty early as I thought there would be more to see and do..sadly not

I was a little disappointed in the game as it was a bit of a one sided affair. I understand why as it is only a warm up game and to give the Lions an opportunity to stretch their legs, try out some tactics and get used to playing in the heat. Lets hope they are tested a little bit more is some of the other warm up games. 

The turn out could have been a bit better too

Everyone who did turn up seemed to enjoy the evening