Back on the last rung of the rental property ladder

Well, here we are, the worst has happened... After months of toying with the idea of leaving our super flat for a more baby friendly one, we decided to stay and live with the difficulties in exchange for the extra space. And then, just two months away from baby number two's arrival, we have to move anyway.

The hows and whys are too long of a story, but in short I have spent the last five days lugging bambinos one and two around in 40 degree heat to flats in Tung Chung, Taikoo Shing and Tai Hang, each boasting a more appalling layout and condition than the last. It is shocking what hovels people are prepared to pay top buck for.

The best one I saw didn't even have any floors, either inside or outside the flat. Going for 50% more than our top budget, the estate agent assured me that the renovation work would only last "five to six months, after which the floor tiles will go down" - but the rent might then go up too. Luxury.

Anyway, we have no choice but to find something soon, as I don't really want to be moving within days of going into labour... Which brings me to my next hilarious anecdote of the week (I am "laughing yellow" as they say in French, which is to say that my grin is only hiding the most tortuous Ernst-style scream of despair) - today, at my 30-week antenatal checkup, my doctor regaled me with this exchange:

Me: "I have a really sore throat, what can I do?"
Dr: "Go and see a Dr."
Me: "Erm... Arent' you a Dr?"
Dr: "This is a healthy clinic, for healthy patients."

It made me feel all warm inside, almost like when I read my file from the first pregnancy and found out I was an "obese alcoholic". Oh Hong Kong, how welcome you are making me feel at the moment...