Elsie new business

Elsie just bought a new van here in Malaysia for her business

The old and the new in Shanghai

Modern fashionable Shanghai

Ragamuffins or phychotics forbidden

I am so glad that we were not classified as ragamuffins or phsychotics

Inside the Government built church

Chinese police can be really friendly. This was taken a week before the church opened in Suzhou

Pagoda dumplings

'Outer sell' is the same as 'Drive through' or 'Take away'. You queue endlessly unless you can get in to the sit down area. We were VIP's from the UK and so got a seat.

Delicious chinese dumplings. Go to the Pagoda if you are ever in Shanghai

Dramatic pose

People are still getting married.

Canals everywhere

Notices are great

Some of the notices are wonderful. I was left somewhat confused about 'no spitting and public toilets are available'

Church in Suzhou built by Goverment!!

Candy art

Suzhou is sometimes called the venice of China with lots of canals and old bridges. We saw a lot of tourists but all of them Chinese from different parts of China.

Elsie in China in April. It was her first visit and a fascinating eye opener on this amazing country.

Grandfather Dave imparting counsel

Granny Elsie with 3 grandchildren

Big cousin Zara

Zara was immensely proud at being the big cousin.

Zara was really worried one day and approached Granny Elsie. "I am so worried Granny Elsie."
"Why whatever is the matter Zara?"
"What happens if I get big and I have triplets? I will only have two boobs and I won't know what to do."

The things that go through a five year old's mind!!

2 arms 2 babies

Skin to skin

Dad Hicks

The Proud Mum

Tired but triumphant. What a miracle new life is.

The midwife was great and so delighted at the safe delivery. The care that the NHS has given pre and post delivery makes us immensely thankful for this amazing service where so many serve with real delight in what they do.

Nishta Alya Hicks

20 minutes later another cry and Nishta Alya Hicks entered the world. The second twin often has some complications and suffers a level of shock. Nishta did somewhat but within half an hour was back with us from the special care room.

The first cry

It was a real family gathering in the hospital waiting room. Only Susannah and Dave were missing of our kids. Mike, Elsie, Ewout, Ali, Esther, (Chris looking after the kids) Dave Hicks (Pete's father and long term friend of ours) Cathy in the delivery room. The nurse came into "My goodness!! A cast of thousands!!"

We were all agog waiting for the first sound of a newborn's wail. Suddenly it was there. "It's a girl!!" Tears flowed and a little while later proud father Pete walked through the door holding Alana Joy Hicks.