Saturday, September 11th …..

We were getting a bit stir-crazy yesterday after our two days at home so convinced Rhoda to drive us to Alabang for a wander through the Mall. She had been to an all-night party so she went back to bed and told us she would be ready at 3.30. We finally left at 4.30. We also took Rex and his Yaya which filled the little Honda Jazz up quite well. I had mentioned that I wanted to buy a couple more shirts at Robinsons but Rhoda suggested we go through Santa Rosa where there was a Marks and Spencers outlet.

It wasn’t a particularly big shop but next door to it was a Debenhams, and it was strange to see two such British shops in the Philippines. Their clothing was very good quality, but I was looking for much lighter material for the climate. Marks and Spencers had a sale – of long-sleeve flannel shirts! Who would buy them?

Off to Robinsons and, in quick time, I had found any number of shirts in my size. I ended up with 3 polos, 2 loose tees, and 3 short-sleeve cotton shirts. I also found a hat and 2 pairs of sunglasses. I know it seems over the top but I had not brought enough casual gear, knowing that I could buy good stuff cheaply here.

Malls in the Philippines look after kids very well. The bottom floor had a train, there were merry-go-rounds and mobile animals to ride, and lots of shops specializing in what kids like. Rex ‘needed’ to go to the bookshop because he ‘needed’; some packing tape and pencils. Who are we to argue? It could have been much worse.

After a ride on the train we found a restaurant and had pizza and pasta for dinner. My pizza was interesting ; it was as thick as a cheesecake and had layers of ham and pineapple in a white sauce, with extra melted cheese on top.

When we got back to Calamba we found that one of Kit’s ‘helpers’ had gone out to get something from the shop and hadn’t got back. Everyone was worried and one of the other girls went out to look for her. She eventually turned up quite surprised that we were worried. She had expected no one to be home until late so took he chance to see her friends and sing karaoke. You can bet she won’t do that again.