Op shop haul

Today I escaped the endless tennis and cricket marathon on television in our household by going op shopping on Hong Kong Island. Certain friends complain that I rarely disclose what I buy from the charity shops here, so I've taken a photo of each item so you can celebrate with me in my victory spoils.

First of all, I did not buy these shoes. I wasn't even tempted.

Nor did I buy this tree trimmer. Anyone interested in decorating a tree with facial features?

And perhaps only the Bissetts can appreciate the chain of events that brought this tee shirt to my store in Hong Kong.

Here are the items that I did purchase in the six Salavation Army stores from Wan Chai to Chai Wan.

Mosaic kit

Felt board pictures to add to our collection

One book (I just couldn't leave it on the shelf after seeing the gorgeous illustrations)

A sensory toy for work

A set of BibleMan toys

Educational resource

A beanie for Jemilla

Huge bag of Lego, regular blocks, no minifigs (for Sweeneys or Kochs if they are interested)

Lots of paint-with-water activity books for the present cupboard

A BibleMan costume

A summer blouse for work

A jumper for me

And two brand new winter jumpers for Craig

I also wanted to show off my new handbag which I bought at the Ladies Market while the Spencers were here.

There you go, Amanda...do you feel like you've just been out shopping with me? Minus the sore feet and lighter wallet, of course!

January 26

We needed to celebrate Australia Day somehow, even if we couldn't summon any fireworks, sunny weather or Aussie friends.

So we travelled to the most Australian place we could find in Hong Kong...

The Outback Steakhouse

(Which really is not Australian at all, but Craig was in the mood for a juicy steak.)

CNY parade 2012

So far we have been spending our Chinese New Year holiday lazing around the house in our pyjamas all day. However, we actually made the effort yesterday afternoon to get dressed and travel into Tsim Sha Tsui for the annual parade which started at 8:30 pm. 

The range of costumes and cultures on display was excellent. (You can compare the pictures to last year's parade here.)

Our youngest daughter who is normally into all things purple and "princessy" declared this group of sliders to be her favourite of the entire parade.

You can see them in action in this short video.

One surprising new participant in the parade was labelled as the "501st Legion/Rebel Legion Hong Kong Outpost". (I'm sorry Elliot missed them!)

As it is now officially The Year of the Dragon, there were numerous dragons represented in the parade; on floats, costumes, and actual Chinese dragons themselves which were surprisingly long as you can see in the next video.

We all enjoyed the parade thoroughly and sleepily made the long trek back home to Tai Po.

Keegan was thrilled to be going to bed so late. I just wish it meant that he and his sisters would sleep in late too!