J & J brew some Tea … July 4th. 2016

As we await a sprint finish on Stage 3 of the Tour, Jean heads for the Tea-Table…  Fingers work

Stage 3 .. another Win for Cav

Just for a Day .. But what a day!!

TdeF 2016 .. Mark Cavendish in YELLOW

Stage 1 winner and Race Leader: .. Well deserved ……

Buckets O' Fun

Croquet and Lawn Bowling ..passé.. Lawn Dice are hot

Eras End

Nostalgic reflections about Steam Trains and days of yesteryear:
(Pictures thx to China media:)
Modern locomotive power displaces steam locomotives as they gradually fade into history.
China's Liaoning province, the last few steamed trains will be out of service in June, ending an "Age of Steam"

 A final check before we "Engage"

A stoker's job is relentless, the Engineer enjoys an iPhone moment.

As in most places, steam fuels the tourist industry and small local branch-lines still can be found. 

An old passenger steam train chugs through the countryside near Jiayang, Sichuan province.

A Dicey Proposition

Lawn Dice: not your average dice set.
Custom; Solid Hardwood, 5 inch cubes. (1.96 lbs each)

As with all dice games you need a cup / tub to toss the dice: .. still in the build cycle, 1 of 2 .. traditionally the task of a "Cooper"

An alpha test run ...It's too heavy Papa:.... 6.76 lbs, that's with no dice !!!!

With dice:

Some of the building process: cutting Staves .. Angled - Tapered & Notched (the Croze) Made by reclaiming material from Jean's crib

"Make tea in the tea-room Papa."

Saturday morning .. early, Jean wants us to make tea: ...

A nice way to start any day....

Tea with Maw Broon (and pals)

Synonymous with "Oor Wullie" are "The Broons"

 Afternoon tea with Maw and her pals: ...

Pals, Tea and a Chinwag

 Serving only the "Best" 

Oor Wullie turns 80

First ever Oor Wullie panel. 

Oor Wullie complains he never gets any fun, in the way of boys everywhere.
This panel was the first in the very first Oor Wullie story, on March 8, 1936.
Now celebrating his 80th anniversary,as the iconic character.

Spiky hair, wears dungarees and often sits on an upturned bucket to sum up his situation for us.

Snow Tea: .... and Trains

We got snow in Chang Ping town ( near Dongguan City, Guangdong pr.)

Interesting shot above the terraced Tea Gardens:... (China daily pic)

First signs of folks heading home for New Year family celebrations: ..

If Only:..............

From London Telegraph: Thursday 21st. Jan 2016
叫板卡梅伦先生。让我们在一杯茶的讨论

Next day Friday 22nd.

T-4-2

Sharing some Taiwan High Mountain Oolong with Jing Wang

101 at night .. Friday

After dinner Friday night we stroll around 101:

Yes it is that dark .. walking up / down Elephant Mountain (near 101)

Sunday in the Park

View from up top .. 5 story tower: Nice day in Huang Jiang central park

High End Car Repair .. ShenZhen

On Saturday we had to drop off some parts at a friend's Auto Shop.
Impressive line-Up in any country
Even the best need TLC:
Aston Martin, Maclaen, Lamborgini and a Bentley all take their turn:

 A-Jing and A-Fen check out progress on their new car....

Room for a tree

There's always room for a Xmas Tree in the lobby: 
The Windsor Park hotel .. now The Midtown Hotel
For those that remember: 2nd floor Japanese restaurant is still going .. and Joe is still runs things.

Couple of Gai Wan's

You can never have enough .. had to buy more with matching cups: