All Lit up for Eid

This is the Aspire Tower which is 300m tall and was built for the Asian Games that were held in Doha in 2006. Here it is all lit up for Eid. This is just around the corner from our house and can be seen from our kitchen window.

Langkawi Holiday

At the end of our month long holiday we stayed in Langkawi for 10 nights - it was a return visit for us to the island - it is just magical...

Our room

Our room

The resort where we stayed - we loved it so much the first time we had to come back.

During low tide you could walk out to the lime stone rocks along this sand bar

Looking back at the resort from out at the rock

Sand crabs

Set up for our private beach BBQ

On the beach for our romantic private Beach BBQ

Our room

Looking towards the lobby

Beautiful sunsets every night - they were quite amazing

The adults only pool - looking out towards the sea

Nick getting some sunshine

Sunset looking out towards the limestone rocks from the resort

Nick

The family pool

This monkey was outside the restaurant where we had breakfast every morning

Jack the resident monitor lizard

Jack

Visit with Matt and Kirsty

On our month long holiday we also went to Sydney to visit my brother and his partner Kirsty and to meet our little neice Gracie...

Gracie

Kirsty with Jack, Matt, Dad, Me and Nick

Nick and I

Kirsty, Matt and Gracie - taken at Hardy Bay - Cental Coast Sydney

Matt and I with Dad

Gracie, Nick with Jack, me, dad and Matt

This cheeky Lorikeet came and landed on our table and starting eating the sugar from the side of the coffee cup

Here he is eating the sugar

My Dad and my neice Gracie

My neice Gracie - blowing a raspberry

Jack the mad one eyed dog....

Pork for dinner

Our first dinner at home was a beautiful roast pork

I really didn't eat the whole thing...

Does that look good or what!!!!

Birthday Dinner at Sanctuary Cove with Family

We went out to celebrate my birthday with my family to a restaurant at Sanctuary Cove on the the Gold Coast.

My beautiful mum and I

Happy to be home

There really is not all that many candles on the cake

Nick and I

With the family - it was a great night out...

Our Apartment in Qatar

This is our apartment in Qatar - it has two bedrooms. At the end of August we are moving into a three bedroom villa - so I will post pictures when we move in. I will also take pictures of the outside and the swimming pool.

(click picture to see it larger)

The lounge (pic is a bit dark)

The kitchen - breakfast bar on the left

The spare room

Our room

The lounge (love my saudi door and my camel)

The lounge

Temperatures Rising

We received this email the other day about temperatures that are to be expected here in Riyadh.

Quite unbelievable.....

Subject: FW: ANNOUNCEMENT - TEMPERATURE RISING

Following is a copy of circular form Bupa Middle East (Medical Insurance Company), indicating that the temperature in the major cities of the Kingdom will be rising in coming weeks, i.e. Jeddah may reach 52 C, Alkhobar / Dammam may reach 55 C & Riyadh unbelievable 59 C.

Dear Colleagues,

HEAT

As you may be aware, the official weather reports for the past, current and next week indicate an extreme rise in temperatures throughout the Kingdom – Riyadh reaching 59 degrees Celsius, Khobar reaching 55 degrees Celsius and Jeddah over 52 degrees Celsius .

While your efforts and work outside the office are essential to the performance and operation of the company, your wellbeing is equally vital, hence, we would highly recommend taking the necessary precautions such as

· Drinking plenty of water

· not to remain under direct sun exposure, try to remain in the shade

· keep your cars well ventilated and aired

· take extra percussions with elders and children

· Do not leave your cell phone or other electronic items in the car exposed to the heat as it is easily flammable

· Please be sure to protect yourself with sunscreen.

· Dress in loose light clothing and avoid tight, air restricting garments.

· wear your sunglasses outside the office in day light to protect your eyes tissue which can be easily damaged by such a heat and sun.

· Try to leave an open bottle of water in your car if you leave it in an un-shaded car park as the evaporated water will counter act the heat impact.

· Do not leave perfumes or lighters in the car as they are flammable.

· Do no leave children or pets in locked unventilated areas such as cars (heat will kill them).

· Do not walk for long times directly under the sun (i.e. wear hat or umbrella).

when conducting business outside the office.

Thank you for your continuous hard work and keep safe & cool!