Yesterday was our last day at Allambie. We went over for a lovely lunch during which we were presented with a special  keepsake of a cup adorned with lovely messages from Suzanne and all of the children. The attempts by Phil and I to "wrap and roll" Vietnamese style during our meal met with much amusement (Chuyen prepared Luca's one for him) - but while our rolls filled with pork, Thai sweet basil and veg may not have been aesthetically up to annamite standards they sure tasted good.

We all then retired upstairs to enjoy a cuppa up on the "new" roof garden which really is a truly special and peaceful space thanks to everyone who donated. It's turned out exactly as we'd hoped; a calm oasis both within the house and within the city. We are very sad to be saying Goodbye to all at Allambie but honestly feel as though we are leaving a great legacy behind. So thank you once again to all who donated and helped us to effect that truly wonderful bequest.



As we parted from them all the skies darkened over as if to reflect our mood. A monsoon downpour ensued. But I wasn't then and, for the rest of our time in Vietnam I won't be again, bothered by the rain. I'll simply think of how all of the plants up on that roof are getting great nourishment. As are all of the children who are housed by Suzanne at Allambie; emotionally as well as physically. Everyone in life needs and deserves at least one person to love them and look out for them and that's exactly what Thiet, Sa, Nhi, Chuyen, Truc and Mung have now in their "Mummy". We look forward to keeping in touch  to follow all of their adventures. As well as the progress of the garden of course.


We now have one month left on our Visa's so we are taking an overnight train tomorrow evening from Saigon to the coastal town of Nha Trang from where we will cycle, along the coast and Highway 1, to Hanoi. We are really excited about seeing more of, and learning more about, this beautiful country. And we are excited too about the future and what it'll bring in particular because of a precious little person who will be cycling along with us and continuing our journey with us through Vietnam and indeed the rest of our lives. We are delighted to share the news that Luca is expecting a baby brother or sister in January 2012. They say a picture speaks a thousand words so I'll leave it to Phil's camera to do just that and sign off for now. Have a great weekend everyone.


A very happy Mummy to be (who can now re-appear in full length photos now that the news is out!) x