On 22 April 2007, I left for an Aerospace Trade Mission to the UK as part of Singapore's delegation. Our company is the technological partner of the Association of Aerospace Industries, Singapore (AAIS).
This trade mission is an excellent opportunity for me to visit Iggi in UK. Though Southampton wasn't anywhere near any of the destinations of this trade mission's itinerary, I made the extra effort just to visit Iggi.
I broke away from the mission upon arriving Heathrow Airport and clearing customs (2:35pm). While the mission delegates made their way to the hotel, I made my way to Southampton. I arrived at Southampton at about 4:15pm. There, I met Iggi at his home. I brought along 31kg of stuffs in a SingPost Jumbo Box; an Ali-Baba Bag; and a hand-carried plastic bag... Of course, some of the stuffs were for Charon from her mom... but the bulk stuffs I bought for Iggi...
erm... how I managed to get them on the plane without paying for excess baggage?? Well, we checked in as a whole delegation at the airport...
Though I only had 4 hours (or so) with Iggi, we did quite a bit with it. You see, I had to catch the last "best-route" train back to London that leaves Southampton at 8:30pm. The rest of the later trains will mean that I would only arrive in London the next morning. Our delegation would have to leave London for Cardiff, Wales at 7:00am that morning. So, that was my best option.
Nonetheless, Iggi and I had a great time despite only having 4 hours or so. We took nice a walk around his town and then to the train station to secure my train ticket back to London. Along the way, we chatted, had some drinks and took some photos. Then we went to the park near his place where we played football with some other local kids there. Our father and son team wasn't too bad even though we lost 4-2 to the local blokes. After that, Iggi brought me to a restaurant called Cowherds for dinner. I had roast beef and Iggi had a cod-fish fillet with chips. The meal was good value for money. The portion was so big that we didn't have room for dessert.
And that was all we have time for. After dinner, I walked Iggi back home before catching a cab to the train station. When I gave Iggi some pocket money, he refused to accept it initially. He wanted me to keep the money for myself to have a little extra to spend in the UK. He only reluctantly accepted it after I begged and put on a pathetic look on my face that he can't bear to see. He is so sensible and I'm so proud of him.
We parted with big hugs, kisses and tears. I apologized to Iggi for not being able to spend more time with him but he consoled me by saying, "Its ok dad, this 4 hours may not be much but its enough.. I'm just happy to see you again"... My heart bled..
I left Southampton on a train with a bitter sweet memory of this visit there. Bitter because I didn't spend enough time with Iggi... Sweet because Iggi had grown to be such a fine lad...
On the other side of the world, Carol had a hard time with Isaiah... Isaiah had never been separate from me for such a lengthy period since birth. He missed me so much that he refused to eat nor sleep. He kept going to my side of the bed and yearn for my return. And when I came back yesterday, he was all over me as if he will never let me go again.
I went to bed last night feeling very contented. I have two wonderful kids that loves me so much... and erm... no, I did not forget Carol... she's a wonderful mother and wife... not perfect, but like what Iggi said, it's "wonderful enough"... there isn't anything else that I can ask for...
Tomorrow is dad's birthday... after being so blessed with the 2 kids I have, it motivated me further to render the same joy to my dad... he'll be 78 tomorrow and I hope to give him a lovely moment with his "once-prodigal" son...
Wait a minute... am I not suppose to talk about my Trade Mission in this post? Well, that can wait... besides, the photos here will be enough to give you the details of this mission... *wink*...
To view all the photos of this trip, CLICK HERE... enjoy the photos... (advance using the arrows on the top right of page recommended)...
Cheers.
The Phantom.
