It Has Happened Again,

I took way too many photographs, 

so I will only be making one post today, the scaffolders started work, 

and continued hard at work as we left,

we were going to Steve and Kai's for a double celebration,

it was Kai's birthday today,

and Diana's in 2 weeks time,

Steve and Kai had made all of the preparations,

all we had to do was stay dry,

so out with the bubbly,

I took a few photographs of the crops they are growing,

the strawberries really coming on a pace,

so many ripening with lots more to come,

the rhubarb looking good for its second crop,

the bees collecting the local nectar,

a few bags of tomatoes,

and the corn making a start, 

Diana helped Kai,

bring the food outdoors,

hello Diana!

meanwhile,

I did the honours,

'Cheers!'

and one from Steve,

Kai and Diana, 

started to make the papaya pok-pok,

everything needed ready to start,

Jeap arrived, 

so it was photograph time,

I took this one as the girls were looking at Steve taking their photograph,

the girls brought more food outside,

as Jeab starting the cooking,

chicken wings, 

with lots more to go,

yummy!

we were all hungry, 

next the soup,

a big helping of chickens feet,

more is better!

a good stir and mix,

next a real treat, Steve and Kai had bought 2 durians, 

it is a prickly fruit,

with I have to say it, a not very pleasant aroma, 

so unpleasant in fact it is banned in hotels, buses, trains, aircraft and indeed some public places, 

but the fruit has a huge following worldwide,

I have tried it three times, 

each as disagreeable as the last, 

so I stopped after that, 

on the other hand Steve loves it, as it happens durian is very high in nutrients compared to most other fruits, one cup (243 grams) of pulp provides (1Trusted Source):

Calories: 357

Fat: 13 grams

Carbs: 66 grams

Fiber: 9 grams

Protein: 4 grams

Vitamin C: 80% of the Daily Value (DV)

Thiamine: 61% of the DV

Manganese: 39% of the DV

Vitamin B6: 38% of the DV

Potassium: 30% of the DV

Riboflavin: 29% of the DV

Copper: 25% of the DV

Folate: 22% of the DV

Magnesium: 18% of the DV

Niacin: 13% of the DV

this nutrient profile makes durian one of the most nutritious fruits worldwide, it is also rich in healthy plant compounds, including anthocyanins, carotenoids, polyphenols, and flavonoids, many of these function as antioxidants (1 Trusted Source),

we were now joined by Yvonne,

and it was now time for the second bubbly,

all set to go,

next a surprise,

a birthday cake,

light the candles,

but no counting them!

it was a tad windy, 

time for a few photographs,

it was not just a ordinary cake, it was a double birthday one, 

Kia's birthday on the 16th. Diana's on the 28th. note to self, do not forget it like last year!

the girls all smiles,

first one telephone,

then two, 

and one of Steve,

some birthday cake for Yvonne,

it was time for a few more photographs,

Kai,

and Yvonne

Jeab,

another of Yvonne,

and here is Jeep, the bad news was that we were all now inside, 

the promised rain had arrived,

then a real treat, fresh strawberries from Steve and Kai's garden,

lots of them,

then a dish I do not have a clue about,

but was very popular, 

Jeep enjoying the treats as well,

back to the strawberries, 

there were so many of them, we were also joined by Phanee,

the feast continued inside,

the durian was wrapped, 

to keep us from its distinctive aroma,

the strawberries seemed never ending, it is amazing how many the plants the Steve and Kai have can produce so many, but this is the second year for the plants, the first year not nearly so many were produced,

by now it was getting late, 

so group photographs,

well I just had to get in one of them! after thanking Steve and Kai for their kindness in inviting us over, and for the surprise cake amongst other things we made a move for home,

where the scaffolders hand not been hanging about,

scaffolding across the front of the building getting higher, 

at the side the top walkway finished and safty rails installed,

if only there was a swimming pool below, you could walk the plank! we settled down for one from Columbo followed by a Midsomer Murder, before we were off to bed.