Blood and sand! My beloved netbook slipped off my desk last night and despite the (relatively) soft landing, the damn screen broke. It's, more or less, usable, but not very pretty.

I priced up a replacement screen:

* buy screen from supplier S$168 (plus GST)

* have someone fix it (at Sim Lim) S$230

* order an LCD from the internet (~S$95)

Decisions, decisions!

Of course a new netbook would be around S$350 .. hmmmm

I promised myself that I wouldn't buy another first generation product from Apple, but.... I blame S.O - she made various cooing sounds and persuaded me to buy a 32Gb non 3G model (if we need 3G we'll use MiFi).

Since putting OSX on the little netbook (around 18months ago) I've become a bit of a "fanboi" and very impressed with the operating system.

The iPad doesn't disappoint; however, not being able to get music or books via iTunes, a problem of licensing media in Singapore, is a bit of a drag. Attachment: (unnamed)

S.O got a lovely shiny aluminium MacBook in December 2008. I love it and was so impressed with OSX that I installed it on my netbook. S.O needed Windows, so I installed XP and she dual boots with Boot Camp.

If you look closely at the picture you might notice that the ports look a bit "wonky". This is the result of it colliding with the granite floor of our living room on Saturday night. There was a dongle in the USB slot and, of course, that's what made initial contact. Bum!

Needless to say, the blessed thing resolutely refuses to spark into life and I suspect that the dongle has mangled the motherboard. I can hear the "kerching" of cash registers ringing in my mind. Ho hum...
Attachment: (unnamed)

My poor feet after the walk.

All good things must come to an end. as you make you way around West Coast Park, you'll eventually reach the short path back out onto West Coast Highway. This marks the end of the walk. There's a bus stop here (and one across the road).

To get to my abode I need to cross the highway (again) and make my way to Pasir Panjang Rd.

The total distance covered using my (fairly serpentine) route is around 15km. I'm guessing that this could be reduced substantially may be to 12km) by taking a more direct route. I typically do this in 3 hours - on Tuesday it was about 3 and a half because of the phlog entries.

It's best to set out early (7am is a good time) and avoid the midday sun (again i was a bit late); there is more wildlife to see at this time. If you do do the walk, wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to perspire a bit; take lots of water and remember to stop and drink every so often.

It's a great trail and a photographer's dream.

The eastern lobe is a bit quieter. The paths run east-west and I like to run the route closest to the docks. It takes you past a pond/lake that has terrapins and a fair number of heron. If you sit and wait, you'll often see the electric blue of asia kingfishers hunting at the waters' edge.

The coastal promenade isnt very long and the path turns inland. Keeping the docks to your right, you are heading roughly east and eventually all paths converge on the tunnel that connects the two parts of the park.

The rainforest walk comes out at a Marsh Garden and the sea front promenade. I described West Coast Park many moons ago - we used to bring Scupper here. The promenade took ages to build, but it provides an interesting (if somewhat industrial) view.

I particularly like having the malay fishing boats in the foreground, the posh yachts in the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club and the car carriers and container ships int he background.

On the other side of the road, you find yourself on the edge of West Coast Park. West Coast Park is a bit unusually shaped - it consists of two "lobes" separated by an underground tunnel. The West-most lobe is the better developed with barbeque pits, camping ground, MacDonalds.., while the East lobe is quieter and a haven for joggers and dog owners. At this point of the Southern Ridge walk, you find yourself in the West lobe and it's time to make you way through to the East and the end of the journey.

There are lots of paths through the park and I prefer the coastal one so follow my nose twards the sea. En route I like to head through the covered walkway and experience a bit more of the rainforest vibe.

At the end of the link you're faced with West Coast Highway between you and the Park. There is a footbridge across the highway just up the road, but I chose to cross here, using the central reservation as protection. I speak from experience here - don't attempt this during morning or afternoon rush hours - the traffic is almost non-stop and there is a risk of being marooned in the centre.