Yah we've found a house

At last after days of trekking about I have finally found a house and the landlord has agreed to us renting it.  It is in a lovely tree lined street in Arabian Ranches.  It has lovely balconies to sit out on in the evenings (when it get cooler).  Also the fifth bedroom downstairs will make an excellent scrap room for me just a stroll away from the pool when scrapping gets too strenuous.  Kids are settling in well at school and seem to be making friends.

Can you ever have too much swimming?

Just a few shots with my new rufty tufty underwater, bounce proof, space proof camera.



Those of a nervous disposition please look away now - a lesser spotted walrus was spotted in our hotel pool.

Sorry did warn you - hope it didn't put you off your dinner.

What a Pillock

Well school run is OK until you get there then people just abandon their cars anywhere you drive up the pavements and park in the desert.  Well I did this on the second day come out from dropping them off and someone else is waiting to park.  I indicate I am about to go - blip the car once, twice, three times.  Start rattling the doors - only then do I realise I am trying to get into someone elses car feel such a pillock - the other mother is hysterically laughing at this point.  Luckily my car is 5 cars away - so I casually get in and drive off bright red.

Hooray for School Uniform

The kids were both excited and nervous to be going to their new school on Tuesday.  They love the uniform - they feel so proud of it.  First day don't have to be in until 8.30am but from then on in its a 7.30 start yup 7.30am start.

They love coming out the front door of the hotel to be collected by me.  The guy on the desk always wants to know how they are getting on and what they are going to do.

Sussing the School Run

Well I tried to do the school run last week - in theory should take 18mins (according to Google Maps) well first effort 3.5 hours yes three and a half hours - second effort you would think I would get better nope nearly 4 hours.  The last time I was determined found the school in 20mins hooray - but got lost coming back only took 1.5 hours to get back.  Boy these roads are so difficult you just think you have it sussed then you end up as I did half way to Oman.

Popped out the other night to get some bread when Stewart got in - 10 min trip - 2 hours the traffic was horrendous - everybody else had popped out for bread too.  Think I went thru India went down the most amazing road lined with Indian shops selling everything you could think of - men on bikes piled high - yummy looking Iranian cake shops too (note to sell to return to them).

Well the kids are finally back at school - it has been a long summer they broke up the day after the decision was made we were moving so they have been a constant presence whilst trying to pack, move, pack some more, move some more etc.

Oh Dear - Help

Well as anyone who knows me -  I always do as Stewart say's (yeah right) anyway on this occasion I did.  I loaded the dishwasher and said I could not put it on as we have no dishwasher tablets.  Well my dear husband picked up a bottle and said yes this is liquid for the dishwasher - I said I didn't think it was but being a good obedient wife (must be something to do with being in Dubai) I filled up the soap dispenser in the dishwasher with it.

Ooops - he was wrong it must be washing up liquid.

How are we going to get rid of all the bubbles just been to check and you now can't see the top shelf for bubbles.  So much for being obedient.

We Did It

After a very hectic few weeks we have now landed in Dubai - not without a bit of drama to go with it.
I sold my car last week to someone who was recommended to us - he came and gave me a cheque and took it away.  Yes you've guessed it - it was a bouncy cheque - despite many attempts at contacting him (everything was turned off or not obtainable) Dad's friend managed to contact him - the excuse the bank made a mistake and he would transfer it straight away - then another phone call from his bank (or so they said) the money was put in the system too late and would not be with me until Tuesday (so where does it go in the meantime - away for the bank holiday).  Anyway, fingers crossed he is not a conman although the friend has known him for 30 years - if he is I won't be getting my cool car I want to drive in the dessert - I will be asking how much is that camel in the window?  Do you think they let you drive camels down the motorway.

Anyway, we are here - yes it is very hot, yes there is lots of sand, yes we don't know quite what we are doing yet.

The kids seemed to enjoy our journey they loved the seats, tv and really loved having their pictures taken by the cabin crew - think Jonny makes a handsome pilot - think Rhea makes a pretty air stewardess (perhaps a bit too gobby though!!)  I sat next to Jonny who took great delight in putting the barrier up between us think he only got up once on the whole flight - Jonny heaven, flying whilst lying down, watching a film and eating all at the same time.



We picked up the hire car from the airport today it makes a Sherman tank look modest.  Anyway, I decided I would drive it straight away and not put off the 6 to 8 lane motorway.  Well I managed didn't ram anything.  Came back to the hotel via the supermarket to get some food the kids loved looking at all the new things and some of the old.  Trying to buy local versions of things good so far - butter comes in huge packs in a neat little box.

Now you don't see this at Tesco's everyday back home

Its a fresh coconut complete with straw and all under a £1 not sure how you get the straw in (no ring pull you see)  anyway once we know where A&E is we will attack it with something sharp - not going to risk it before we know where the hospital is.

Also got this at the supermarket a nice bottle of camel milk - of course Rhea has been brave enough to try it - I might try in my tea tomorrow that would be cool when we come back to the UK to say "I only take camel's milk in my tea."

Another thing I got in the supermarket today what more can I say than all biscuits should have this written on them - happiness is a good biscuit!!