I know I am lucky in that I have someone to do the cleaning and ironing here. I find it a really big help particularly with ironing which I hate! However, there is one downside which you have to get used to and that is that someone else starts to organise your life. We bought a water cooler (not too sure whether the water here is safe to drink)and tried several places before we settled, although not ideal, on a position in the kitchen. When I got home the water cooler had been repositioned in the laundry room. It fit snugly next to the washing machine and was obviously the best place for it. Then there was the shower rose that kept banging me on the head every time I showered so I tied it up with string until Phil could get round to fixing it. Yes, you've guessed it the job was done properly that very same day. Then there were the pots reorganised on the patio, the cupboards in the kitchen, the towels in the linen cupboard...I could go on. I began to wonder if Martha Stewart hadn't moved in! However, I think I might have to address the issue quite soon as my 'undies' drawer has had a total make-over! Everything is folded, colour co-ordinated and work 'undies' are separated from the fancy stuff. So tell me how do I tell a forty something Indian gentleman that there are some things a girl likes to do for herself?

Our weekend in Dubai was really lovely. The city is so cosmopolitan and helicopters drop out of the sky onto rooftop helipads. We stayed at the Marriot and it was superb.



When I first arrived in Saudi I taught in a school in Dahran and became very friendly with the Head and his wife. We were almost inseparable and had a fabulous few years. Unfortunately, we were moved to Tabuk and just prior to leaving we had a disagreement that seemed insurmountable. We tried a few emails and phone calls but it seemed like we were rearranging those deckchairs on the Titanic yet again. We heard that they had moved to Dubai so Phil rang just to see how they were. Lo and behold they wanted to see us and so we went to the Hilton for lunch. The meal was truly excellent and the bubbly just kept coming! However, the most amazing thing was that we just didn't stop laughing, crying, talking as if we had never argued. We have promised to keep in touch, I hope we do.

I am amazed at how long it has been since I last posted to this page. So much has happened and not much of it has been good. The best part so far has been a weekend jolly to Dubai where Tiffany and I became reacquainted. Maybe the best thing to do is draw a line underneath it all and start afresh from here. Anyway I'm sure that you don't want to hear all about my woes! But if you've got a few hours...