Tai Tam Reservoir Hike, Apr 2011

A great way to spend a sunny Saturday - we started the hike at the top of Victoria Peak, and followed the trail that wound its way around the hills on the southern part of Hong Kong Island, past Repulse Bay, Stanley, and then north towards the Tai Tam Reservoir. About 25 degrees and a light breeze, hardly any humidity - wonderful.


Most of the trail was through the trees and in shade, the trail a mix of well-trod pathways, but others at time, over rock and roots


Bob's artsy shot through the bushes to the water

Parts of the trail had us walking precariously close to the edge, but many railings were installed along the way


A funny little lizard on the trail, spiky head and spine and long tail.

A little Dad and Sarah hug

Getting higher in the hills overlooking Repulse Bay



Bob and Meg - she led the way today - we had to hurry to keep up!

The pathway along the top of the mountains now - great views!

Winding northwards now towards the Reservoir

Beautiful weather today, and clear. Great views from atop the hills - to the right, Stanley and Repulse Bay, to the left hills towards the northern part of the island - to Clearwater Bay and Shek-O.

Making our way down from the top of the hills now, towards the reservoir

A junction in the trails - Sarah and Bob took a different turn at this junction last year, and ended up hiking over "the Twins' - straight UP the trail, about 1500 steps, before going down towards Shek-O. We took a different route :)

Across little bridges along the way, over dry river beds that during a rainy season would be swollen with water and flash flood warnings along the way

The trail continues through mangrove trees, mostly dirt and rock trails now

Meg and Sarah in the mangroves..

Typical bridge, no railings, over a steep chasm, and we keep on goin'

Wouldn't want to be the poor sod in the picture...

Getting closer to Tai Tam Reservoir - about 1 1/2 hours in. Lots of butterflies in this area - very cool.

And here we are at the end of our hike. The water in the reservoir was very low - gorgeous green colour. The hike ended in a really great public park - lots of picnic tables, and barbecue area, along Tai Tam Road - across from HKIS school, where we spent last weekend watching Meg's softball tournament.

At the end of the trail, a quick mini bus (about 5 minutes) back to Stanley, and a cold one in the outdoor pub. Meg, as usual, uncomfortable getting her picture taken.... but all in all, a great day!

Bob's trip to Oxford, February 2011

So.... I had the opportunity to be the guest of Oxford University for 3 days in February- they invited guidance counsellors from 60 schools in over 50 countries to attend this workshop- you will be pleased to know that Shawnigan Lake was one of the schools represented! Over the 3 days we had the opportunity to meet the Dean of Admissions, sit in on admissions interviews, attend tutorials- I was with a Nobel Laureate engineering professor with 2 students during a 90 minute tutorial- absolutely amazing. Wined, dined and spoiled throughout- my kind of a conference!

first day in Oxford- pub in my hotel- my introduction to the "Real Ale" Movement
beautiful spring day- probably about 15 degrees and sunny the first day- for about 2 hours and then it rained!


Martyr's Memorial downtown- the inscription reads:
"To the Glory of God, and in grateful commemoration of His servants, Thomas Cranmer, Nicholas Ridley, Hugh Latimer, Prelates of the Church of England, who near this spot yielded their bodies to be burned, bearing witness to the sacred truths which they had affirmed and maintained against the errors of the Church of Rome, and rejoicing that to them it was given not only to believe in Christ, but also to suffer for His sake; this monument was erected by public subscription in the year of our Lord God, MDCCCXLI".

on our way to the Bodleian Library
alleyway leading to one of the 37 colleges in Oxford- to the right is Christ Church Cathedral

Prior to going to Oxford University, I spent a day at Oxford Brookes University- they have the UK's only race car engineering program- I have their business faculty doing a course at our school this summer

forumula one cars that are provided by Lewis Hamilton's team to the school

The Bodleian Library- dates back to the 14th century- absoluting amazing place- we were given a very thorough tour of the facility
St.John's College ( I think)- dates back to 1555
Back of the Radcliffe Camera- a reference/reading room as part of the Bodleian-amazing building
The Bridge of Sighs- named after the Venice original- built to join 2 buildings that make up Hertford College

church in downtown Oxford
The Eagle and Child- a great pub that I went to my first night in Oxford ( sampled 4 that night I think)- claim to fame here is the pub, dating back to the 17th century, was the regular haunt of the Inklings, a group of Oxford writers that would meet to discuss their works. CS Lewis brought forward the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe here and Tolkien was convinced to go ahead with his Hobbit novel here

typical grounds inside a college- all stone wall from the street and then beautifully landscaped inside

site of our workshops for the 3 days in Oxford
downtown Oxford- market street

bookstore in downtown Oxford

Interested to find out this is actually a residence for one of the colleges in Oxford
I think this is Christ Church College- probably the most prestigeous of the colleges

Awesome pub- roof is about 6 feet high- tucked away in an alleyway that makes it almost impossible to find- dates back to the 13th century- part of its claim to fame is this is where Clinton said he "didn't inhale marijuana" while attending Oxford

Rhodes House Oxford- residence for Rhodes Scholars
grounds of yet another college!Wadham College- Harry Potter was shot here
doors to the Bodleian
thought this was an interesting room in the Bodleian so I took a photo- found out afterwards it was the seat of parliament during the War of Roses


Oxford by night

Where I stayed while in Oxford- New College sits in Wellington SquareHigh table dinner on our final night at Wadham College- apparently they have the best wine collection in the United Kingdom- did my best to check it out

Beautiful Sunday morning downtown