A visit to Peng Chau

Hello. I’m back again. I’m serenaded today by blustery August weather. The wind in the trees sounds almost like the sea. I’m picking up on the theme from a previous post below.

‘More than a shadow – a view‘

And how memories and past experiences have kept me going during long periods of bed rest, and in general, during the confines of this condition. And still do. But now I can share them on my blog.

I have been thinking about this blog on and off for a while, conscious that I need to carry on. Today, as I was nudged to read a little more of ‘The Message’, this scripture seems so relevant for the subject. Jesus and another fig tree, about trust, belief and perseverance.

Matthew 21:21 THE MESSAGE © .. Jesus was matter-of-fact “…don’t doubt God, …you’ll also triumph over huge obstacles.”

I can be an overcomer.

This post has also taken an unexpected route which is something I’m finding great about writing. Always the unexpected.

A few years ago, I was interviewed by a regional TV company. We were trying desperately to raise support (& leverage) for some treatment for me. Our prolonged efforts failed. But during the short time the journalist was at our home, I was asked to sit in the garden & look out to the distance. ‘Oh great‘, was my immediate thought. It was winter at the time.

It was a cold day and I wasn’t very keen at all, as I was so tired and very unwell. And really wasn’t enjoying being interviewed. Nothing to do with the journalist, he was very friendly and considerate. I agreed, and donned my bobble hat. As I sat wrapped up in a thick coat, gloves on, I soon lost awareness of them filming me. I just wandered off in my mind to far away places. Places I often revist to keep myself occupied and sane!

are there any favourites?

Ooh yes. One of my favourites is a boat ride I used to take, many years ago with my family in Hong Kong. To a small island called Peng Chau I was reminded of it after a message I received today. I’ll set the scene.

A hot day, very hot. A concrete jetty, of sorts, by a lapping sea. No where to sit and wait, no shade from the searing heat and 90% humidity. So perch on the red hot kerb. Ah and I had thankfully remembered the frozen water bottles. Good, they’ll last a couple of hours. But will make my canvas back pack a bit soggy along with all the sand in the crevices. But never mind, it won’t stay soggy for long in this heat.

Behind us, the modern high-rise and lowrise of Discovery Bay, Lantau. Looking across there is a more natural landscape, mountains rolling gently up, covered in dense vegetation, with low dwellings at the bottom. A small bay area, private, not for tourists or expats. With daily life dotted along it. A dog trotting and barking. At times of the year one might see fires in the mountains looming up behind. Thankfully they were home to the local reservoir.

Look to your left, there’s a gentle chugging and ripple of water. Here comes the kaido. A two storey wooden boat, about 30 feet long (I could well be corrected on that), not fast, chugging towards the jetty. Rocking too & fro on the waves. It’s a bun fight to get off and on. The steps crowded, hang on to your kids. Buggies being passed over the gap and over heads. Move swiftly. No one will wait for pleasantries as the boat floats precariously by the steps. The top deck is best for a beautiful breeze and view. And air!! Open lower front deck if you fancy some sea spray and don’t mind literally sitting on the deck. We lost a treasures yellow hat sitting there!

The journey will take us to a place called Peng Chau. A small island off Lantau. Quite aromatic and very local. En route we experience flying fish, leaping in the wake of the boat, famillies chatting, children being held tight as they eagerly peer over the side. We’re alleager for our little trip out. There’s one stop at another longer jetty, reclining right down to the sea. It’s path leads up to a monastery, camouflaged in the dense natural growth.

You can walk there from the first bay if you’re feeling up to a hike. Some people disembark at the jetty. What do they plan for their day? A walk to the monastery or further perhaps. With boots donned and backpacks on. Water bottles at the ready. No weather for thick boots and socks, but you’d need them incase of the snakes. They are quite abundant!

And off we go again. Gently pulling away to continue our short-ish journey to our island visit. There we’ll disembark and walk through the keyside fish market and narrow streets packed with an array of clothes, vegetables, treats and furniture and on for a sunny afternoon relaxed at a table. Getting away from high rise and hubub for a few hours.

And there you go

My experiences save me for a few precious minutes. I escape. By letting my mind wander another view opens up, if only for a short time. I may well share other ‘windows’ as I blog along. I know it’s not easy to overcome the limits conditions can cause, but I hope this little journey shared will top up your resources for a while… whether you’ve read this or it’s been read to you.

Be blessed, overcomer.

Penny @hopefoundinme

Romans 8:37 (NIV) ~ .. in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

2 thoughts on “A visit to Peng Chau”

Mardee Ewles says:

August 21, 2016 at 8:01 pm

Awe, Penny! That brought back memories! I can feel it, I can smell it, I can hear it, and I can see it all again! Funny how we just don’t know at the time that the simplest of things can end up being the most profound memories!

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1. Hope found in M.E. says:
  
  August 21, 2016 at 10:29 pm
  
  Thanks so much Mardee. I agree, I’m so grateful for them and it seems like only yesterday!
  
  LikeLike