We are in the kitchen. Bernard is playing with his blocks. Temperature is probably about 36 or 7 degrees but it is cloudy as we are building up for a storm. And so humid you break out in thick sweat just changing a nappy or washing up. This morning I brought playdough out of the fridge and the atmospheric humidity turned it horribly slimy. Bernard is doing fine with the heat but has a rash on hbiggbhhhhhjhfdzsfm,vbxctf jnhsgdxfdcfbnv vbbbggbddffxf bbvczzxcbbggnhnnhhhhjhrqghjk,kjmmjjjmjhgdaaaqwertuyuukiiooopppsadfhhhjkk.llzxvccvbb mm,,. Ah yes the joys of trying to do anything on a computer when he is awake. We have had to stick to cotton reusables because the plasticky disposables are making the rash worse. he loves the cream, though, and asks for more every time!
Today was a happy day as we did our usual Saturday routine of going to the market then to a cafe to play. We had a long nap and then Bernard, refreshed, played beautifully with his toys until we went to Tiniworld. An older child adopted Bernard and took it upon herself to guide Bernard round the soft play climbing frame, which he loved.
Just a few more days to go and I have a complex plan pinned up on my fridge. It looks like I may have found a few more hours for the nanny so am happy about that. Everything is falling into place. Glad I had all this time as it has been a relaxed process so far. Advice please on entertaining an alphabet obsessed toddler on the plane!

Sent from my iPad

Bye bye daddy

Nicholas' last day today before he heads off into the jungle.  We won't see him till September.  Yesterday Nicholas and I went to see the Matrix at the cinema followed by a delicious Japanese meal at Ky Y restaurant, just a stone's throw from the cinema.  The aubergines topped with bean and sesame paste were amazing.  Today we celebrate by having lasagne at home followed by chocolate mousse.   The chocolate mousse went wrong just the same way as last time and i guess I need a lesson from someone in whipping eggs to soft peak - I never get it right.  However, un-risen chocolate mousse is... refrigerated chocolate!  The lasagne also went slightly wrong as I got all the sauces ready and switched on the oven, to find that the second half of the lasagne sheets had gone mouldy in their tupperware box.  I tried rinsing them under the tap to get the mould off, but they still smelled kinda mushroomy so I went for penne bake instead.  Our mini-mart is having a holiday.
Anyway, the passport is here hooray hooray, and I have hired this super guy to help me with all my last minute bureaucracy.  He's called Quan and he is helping me to get a police check, without which I cannot work with children in the UK, I believe.   He also offered to come with me to the immigration department to apply for a new visa in my new passport.  I was extremely glad he was there, even just as moral support, as the officials were corrupt and irrational beyond belief.  The guy behind the desk initially refused to serve me because he said I should apply through my company (now on summer holiday).  Then he didn't want to because I didn't have a police certificate detailing my loss of passport, which I was unable to obtain as I lost it in an area about 2 hours drive from Hanoi and my local police refused to issue a certificate outside their area.  We pleaded politely and he said he would ask his 'boss' (actually his employee, as he was just messing with us).  Eventually they accepted my application.   The guy who was also in the laughable 'queue' with me was Canadian, and they refused his application because he could not remember the phone number of his guest house in Hanoi.  He remained remarkably calm considering the circumstances.

leaving Hanoi

The crib is sold.  The playpen is sold.  The dresser is sold.  The fishtank has been cleaned out.  The bookshelf is clear but there are boxes and baskets all over our room.  We're nearly ready to go.... I just need a passport.
We're having a relaxed time and it's like a holiday.  Yesterday I took Bernard to Kinder Park in the morning (a kind of kiddy theme park) and we went with Izzie and Sally to the Water Park in the afternoon.  What, no photos? you ask.  I know, it's really lame of me but I've got out of the habit.
It remains to be seen what form this blog will take when we hit the UK, if any.  Friends and family will be much closer by then.  And really, as Bernard gets older, the changes are few and far between.   He is obsessed with the alphabet.  He can recite it forwards, backwards and upside-down.  He will take a tune and sing it to every single sound in the alphabet, and then start back again at A.  The latest fave song is Ten Green Bottles.  Bernard prefers to sing it thus: "One green bottle, standing on the wall... and if one green bottle should accidentally fall, there'd be two green bottles, standing on the wall."  This is excellent language - but someone needs to teach him subtraction!!!
I am looking forward to the flight.  Honestly.  I feel Bernard has matured so much that the flight will be a positive pleasure.  Hopefully I won't be disappointed, but in comparison to previous flights it could barely be worse.  I am packing sheets and sheets of stickers, and will purchase myriad toys to keep him occupied.  Having mum so close, he will be happy and play whenever he is not sleeping, and he has a guaranteed seat to himself.  What could go wrong?  Watch this space.