A paid Monday off and weather is fine! Although it undoubtedly applies to all trades and professions, this is surely every teacher's prayer beneficently answered. Mark Twain said that it's good to be noble, and that to teach others how to be good is nobler (and less trouble), but even the best of us need a rest from doing so much good.
The Fire Lookout is a great vantage point for paid HK employees to observe the lovely views (and report any cheeky wisps of grey smoke appearing on thum thar hills). As far as I am aware, there have not been any keen government-sponsored eyes up there in the last 12 months. As a self-righteous, do-gooding citizen, I thought it proper I do my bit. Herewith is my volunteered panoramic report:
The Sai Kung East Country Park is typical example of the mixed up Hong Kong extinct volcano/flooded valley landscape. The global melt in the last period of glaciation lead to a rise in sea-levels. The result is the wonderful breathtaking scenery we observe throughout the region. Looking east, one sees Long Harbour (Tai Tan Hoi 大灘海), which ends at Wong Shek pier (黃石碼頭) and Chek Keng (赤徑). Not one flicker of flame.
North one sees the magnificent Mt Hallowes (Tam Chai Shan 柦柴山) brooding away over the bay at Hoi Ha (海下灣) and the old, sleepy, picturesque village of Pak Sha O (白沙澳). Not even a single puff of smoke in sight. Good -job well done!
I never walk alone in the Park. Most of the time I have a Squiddly with me. It used to be nice to have sweet Batty, but she passed away earlier this year. Big ole Buster used to enjoy scouting over the hills, down hidden paths and into the cool of the rivers, but he's now so old and grumpy he just about makes it to the end of the road to dip his paws in the sea. His idea of a good time is finding a three-day old fish, eyes bulging, decaying on the beach!
Squid is always up for a long walk -the longer the better. She's surely grateful to be out and about, but looks hopefully up at me if the path forks and there's a longer or less-trodden way: truly a girl after my own heart.
The Country Park is such a good place to walk -established and well-trodden paths that go to familiar places and many barely-discernible tracks that take you to who-knows-where. From time-to-time I've met many of the other inhabitants of the park: spiders and snakes, skinks and lizards, porcupines and boars and the ubiquitous bovines that have the place to themselves and have nothing to fear but inattentive drivers. There are incalculable varieties of birds, butterflies, dragonflies, moths, ants and all manner of other insects. The plant life is also incredibly varied at all times of the year, including some great looking mushrooms that emerge from the ground in the most amazing places. Brenda is sick of me restating that each time I go for a walk I see something new. But I can't help it -I'm in awe!
I'm amazed that people get lost in the park -head downhill and you find water, head uphill and you find a view (and a direction). Weather is not really a problem -if it's sunny and hot then get to some shade, if it's rainy or foggy then don't go out walking! Of course, some people never get home.
Unfortunately, in the neighbouring empty house (once the quiet abode of The Shannons) is stirring the sound of working men. They are fixing the parquet flooring and throwing out the washing machines. They've got the asphalt burner on and the place is full of smoke. I therefore amend my report: Send the Fire Brigade to 30, Ko Tong Ha Yeung.
Right -back to work!
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