Hot and humid week

Hi Folks

Another week gone by already - and the humidity finally arrived. The temp gauge has been reaching 45 degrees, but according to the weather forecast it actually felt like 59 degrees one day! It really is not pleasant, but we cannot complain as this is the first humidity we have had all year and normally is starts earlier than this. Should last another few weeks on and off, then it starts cooling down for winter - thank goodness! Phew!

As usual, I have been busy. I managed spin last week and then caught up with a friend for tea. Taught Tuesday at the gym and also found a car to buy finally - Mercury Sable. Everyone cannot believe how good it looks to say its 18 years old! So, finally I have wheels. I got the keys today and there is just some paperwork to do now - although, as normal in Saudi, no-one seems to be telling me exactly what paperwork needs to be done!

I taught Jason's abs on Weds, then me and Tracy braved town - my goodness - it was melting point down there. Plus poor Tracy's building's a/c had blown up from over use - it took all weekend to mend it too - awful. Thank goodness it wasn't my building! The weekend was really nice - went up to Ras Tanora on Thursday to see my friend Jo, who is leaving in a few weeks to work in Bermuda - RT is nice - its our camp by the beach - I did take some photos but the camera just kept steaming up with the humidity! Came back and went to spin - but the a/c wasnt working well in the room and I was melting with no air circulating, so left half way through!

Thursday night I ended up at the consulate - it was ok - too hot of course as it was outside, but good to catch up with a few folk I'd not seen for a while...

Friday was my brunch at Lee's house - he has a gorgeous house on camp and it does irritate me how the bidding system is here when we are stuck in our apartments.. anyway - had a good mix of mates over and served cocktails and ordered too much food - a lovely afternoon though...

Here is Lee serving mimosas...

And the pool and myself and Gay!!

This week Ramadan started also - I actually like Ramadan - its deadly quiet at work (as the locals are either never here even when they are supposed to be from 7am - 1pm) but at least we get proper breaks as we have to go and hide in a room to eat and drink. Our sin room is great - we have all the latest Heat and UK trash magazines in there from my travels to the UK and you actually get to meet people who you work with who you rarely see as they are stuck in their cubicles!!!!

Again, been teaching and spinning on and off all week. Sorting out my car is taking time and I also only keep thinking about revising for my personal training course, which now has an added sports conditioning course for 2 days stuck on the end of it - so I will be in Dubai for 6 days now at the end of October...

My birthday party is coming together at home, but I need to sort out one here too!!!

Flights are booked for the UK - flying home 18th Nov and coming back 14th Dec - so a nice long break this time!!!

And sorting stuff out for the PAWS quiz night next weekend - oh my goodness - you should see what they are making me wear - I will certainly post pics on here for you!!

I had to go to the vets too last night - Ozzy, my hamster, is going bald! The vet says he is allergic to his food - and I have changed his food recently - problem is that they don't sell hamster food on Aramco so I have to go into town and as its Ramadan all the flippin shops don't open til 9pm at night!!!! So, until I can get to the pet shop, he is on a diet of fresh veggies and sunflower seeds!!

Then my computer broke so a guy has taken that away to fix... one thing after another this week...

Anyway, thats all. Busy weekend - teaching tomorrow, then friend's house for a drink, then up to the airport to meet my friend Liss from Riyadh (who is staying with me this weekend), then either a happy hour or up to a bar on Azziz, Thurs - pampering at the beauty shop, lunch, then a meal out and a party on camp that night and Friday - haven't got that far yet! Its too hot to sit out at the pool or in the pool for that matter - so not sure what to do with Liss but I will figure out something! I cant take her to Bahrain either as she doesnt have a visa to get back into Saudi!!

Must dash - I need to leave early to go and see what else I need to sort out with my car....

See you soon....

JB

xxxxx

Back in the land of the Magic Kingdom and the humidity is upon us!

Hi folks

Here I am back in Saudi. Had a wonderful time at home, although it was short - only 8 days.

Started off with the causeway headache - took 3 hours from my door to the door of the restaurant - The Meat Company. Ayon's porche was within inches of some cars in the bottle neck on the bridge and I was worried it would get scratched, but it didnt. Was exhausted just from that journey though by the time we got to the Meat Co. Had some food and drink with Ayon, then went over to the airport. Flight and everything fine - in fact I was sat next to a really

nice couple from the UK who had been working at an orphanage in Qatar so spent quite a bit of time chatting to them - managed to get a kip in too! Picked the car up and then drove up to Mansfield - first place I went - Asda of course - how I wish we had an Asda in Saudi!! I just miss the choice you get and the freshness of everything... bought a few bits and then went home to see Dad... Met up with my sisters in the pub for a few drinks and then went to the chippy for fish and chips - as you do!! Friday I went shopping - couldnt find much really - very annoying - but managed to spend most of the day in town! Then later we went to this new bistro restaurant in Mansfield and ate there - it was nice but expensive!!

Saturday I went over to Nottingham to have my hair and nails done and then met up with Sue and Eileen for lunch and caught up with them which was nice - weather was glorious too as you can see and we sat outside in Saltwater. Popped in to see my sisters who were staying at the caravan near to Sue and then went back to Sue's later and had some tea and a few drinks and then I stayed there.

Up for Dimple and Navdeep's wedding on Sunday - again the weather was glorious - we sat outside for most of the morning in the garden!! Unfortunately Kat was sick, so Kelly came to the wedding with me for a bit - here I am in my Indian ghagra - it looks nice but wasn't very comfy to wear! Headed over to The Belfry in Nottingham - knew no-one at all but sat next to a couple who were Dimple's neighbours and were teachers in Notts. Kelly joined me later and we then waited 2 hours for the bride and groom to arrive. They did with a band leading them along and then they were dancing to this Indian band, surrounded by some of the 570 folk who were at the wedding. I managed to see Dimple briefly for a chat then she was whisked off again!

Left around 5.30pm as I knew George was at home - he had been in Jersey visiting his other Aunty - so I went over to see him. He has grown loads and school seems to be doing him good too!!

Monday was pretty manic - up early to go to Nottingham again. Went to visit my house and see the tennants - it was spotless really and the garden looks great - I was very pleased. Jakub did say he wants to stay another 2 years and then asked me if I would sell the house to him - which I dont want to do really! They will sign up for another 2 years though so I will see how things are after then - anything can happen in the next few years - who knows!? After I had been to see my house, I went to see my friend Emma and her little boy Adam for a catch up, then into town to meet Caroline, Debbie and Tracy - friends for work and pilates, for lunch and catch up, then I met my friend David for catch up and more coffee!! So, very busy. Went over to my friend's Caroline and Graham on the way home for tea and to see their new house...

Tuesday I went to aerobics - I really miss classes like that out here - we dont really have aerobics here - then I actually sat down for an hour and then went over to see my friend Jayne, who I used to go to Rock City with - I hadnt seen her for about 15 years!!!! It was great to catch up with her!!

Wednesday morning I took George out to Conkers for the day - its an adventure playground place - he enjoyed it - we went on the park, train and also did some fishing!! Had a great day together. In the evening I met up with some more old mates who I used to go to Rock City with - Pete, Mick and Cath - again lovely to see them and to reminise about the "good old days!!!".

Thursday Dad and I took George to Matlock to Gullivers Kingdom - it has loads of rides there - George loved it again - although there was an issue with wasps - they were everywhere and I managed to get stung on my backside - when I went to the loo - of all the places - its still flippin well itching now - no wonder I keep getting strange looks!!!

I didnt really see much of Kat whilst I was home - unfortunately she came down with swine flu, so we were keeping our distance. She is better now though and was back at work yesterday...

Anyway, Dad, Kel and George are all fine and it was great to see them and the rest of my friends....

The journey back was not nice - 3 hour drive to Heathrow, 3 hour wait at the airport, over one hour sitting on the tarmac waiting for take-off - the cabin must have been about 100 degrees too - then the flight, then stuck on that damn causeway for 3 hours on the way home. I am still tired today - next time I will drive to LHR the night before I fly and make sure I dont arrive home on a Friday night - the end of our weekend - when I should know better that the causeway will be rammed...

So, this week has been pretty manic - Saturday was a none eventful day really - I just bumbled around in somewhat of a daze!! Sunday I managed to teach pilates and yesterday I did and I went to spin too last night - we have a new spin hut - Spin City - its great!! Tonight Im teaching at the gym! Got some cat stuff to sort out too... Also, Jason has asked me to cover his abs classes for the next few Weds too - it never stops!!

I walked out my apartment this morning and the humidity has finally kicked in - its horrid - I needed a shower by the time I had got to work - I hope it doesnt last too long....

Here is the link to my other photos from my trip too: - http://picasaweb.google.com/Jillbarrows69/MansfieldAugust2009?feat=directlink

Busy the next few weekends too - my friend from Riyadh is visiting next weekend, then its the PAWS quiz night, then I am off diving 9th September, Cyprus 18th Sept, Dubai 22nd Oct and home again 18th Nov!!!

And the lovely month of Ramadan is upon us - it starts either Friday or Saturday - so I have to go and set up the sin room tomorrow so those of us who don't fast can eat and drink!!! There is one consolation - at least the causeway will be empty, but thats only cos there is no booze for sale over in Bahrain for a month now!!!

Anyway, over and out from me,

PLEASE WRITE SOON,

Jill

xxxx

Wednesday is nearly here!

Hey guys - well here I am on the countdown to coming home. Two more sleeps left - I am very excited to be seeing my family and friends again, although it was only April I was last home, so not that long ago..

The photos above are of myself and Jose - he is a dive club member - and myself, Adel and Sheryl. Sheryl was my dive master and Adel my dive guru - without him, I would not have passed my PADI diving qualification.. unfortunately, he is leaving - going to Reading of all places on a 2 year assignment! So, I am sad to see him leave...

I had an ok week last week. Exercise has taken a back burner as there has been that much going on in the evenings and I must say I havent been my motivated self. I went to a DDA meeting on Monday - there was a presentation about diving in Bulgaria and Yanbu - it spurred me on to sign up for the next dive trip in September to Yanbu - so I am off again then for a long weekend!

Tuesday night was a bit of a disaster as I went to pick up my ghagra for my friend's wedding (Indian outfit) and they had done the skirt all wrong, so now having to go back into town again tonight. I hope it is ok now, although I have ran out of time if it isnt...

Two happy hours on Weds night - me flitting between one and the other!! Didnt stay out too late due to early Bahrain start on Thursday.

It was a good week for cats - up to now I have re-homed about 6 - which is pretty amazing really and I think I have found a lost one someone was looking for... so busy organising the PAWS quiz night now 2nd Sept - myself and Val are quiz master hosts and she has talked me into dressing up in the this leopard skin dress so we look the part!!!!

Thursday in Bahrain was good - the causeway was a nightmare, 1. cos it was pay weekend and is always busier on a pay weekend. 2. Ramadan is approaching so all the good Muslims are getting their fill of booze and ladies of the night... It took just under 2 hours to get there and we set off at 7.30am! I hate that causeway...

Had coffee and toast at the Ritz and pretended I was posh, then went for my hair do - as you can see I had quite a drastic change of style (its cut short at the back) and colour - as my friend Kylie put it a "break up hair-do"!!! Everyone likes it and I have got used to it now. All I need now is a new body...

Had me nails done and then met the girls for a quick glass of wine in the Gulf Hotel and then to the apartment. Nice place and cheap too so that was good. Onto the Novotel for drinks and food - really nice and

then to JJs which has recently re-opened after the powers that be closed all the one and two star bars over in Bahrain - it was rammed - my "I am going home after one" ended at 3am in the morning!!!???

Didnt do much Friday - bit of a wipe out day and all plans to go and see Harry Potter at the flics went to pot. Oh well - will get it on black market DVD now I guess

This week has been busy - only managed 2 pilates classes and a walk around the golf course

- its all I have had time for. Now tonight I have

to go into town again which I could do without, then tea at Gay's and tomorrow I am getting my spray tan done and I guess I should pack!!!

Right, thats about it I think.

Looking forward to seeing some of you next week. Those who I don't my phone number is 07903 497122 - please call me as I will be running around like a mad woman so might forget to call you.

Back 6th August and fly back to Saudi 14th August.

Write soon,

Love

Jill

xxxx