With his wife Alice Lai Siu Po-chun back in Hong Kong to help with his packing, former Secretary for Security Peter Lai Hing-ling is learning the skills of the laid-back life, before he sets off for Australia on October 12, so the family can be together for his student son's 18th birthday.
He now has the time to read the papers thoroughly every morning, and listen to radio phone-in programmes, but he has no intention of leading an idle life when he goes Down Under.
After 25 years as a civil servant, Mr Lai, 47, may take up his old interests when he settles in Perth. He was a postgraduate student in Chinese history at Hong Kong University when he was recruited as an administrative officer, so his career simply crept up on him. Now he plans to take up academic research again. The subject hasn't been decided, but could be history or public administration.
It may be an innovative idea to recruit 14 of the world's top executives to an international committee, to advise Hong Kong on how to enhance its role as a world class financial centre, but it doesn't say much for the Government's confidence in the enterprise and know-how of the Hong Kong people, does it? The city reached its international status without the help of committees. How come it needs them now? Maybe there were more raspberries than roses for Tung Chee-hwa's policy address, from the press and public, but he would be cheered by the loud cry of 'Congratulations' with which one aide greeted him as he arrived at the press conference on Wednesday.
And who was the stalwart supporter? None other than former Governor Chris Patten's trusty one-time spin doctor, Kerry McGlynn, newly returned from holiday and sporting a vibrant orange and yellow tie to give emphasis to his exuberant greeting. Now Deputy Director of Information in Mr Tung's team, Mr McGlynn is an old hand at offering comfort and solace to the chief when life is less than rosy.
Among the more diverting sights in Legco during the policy speech was the legislator for health services, Michael Ho Mun-ka, looking serious and attentive, with his 'Hello Kitty' diary on the desk in front of him.