Our week in Paphos

Hi folks - here is my latest blog - I was away in Paphos with the girls, hence it being a week or so late...

Anyway, lets cast my mind back to 2 weeks ago - OK we went bowling to Zamil on Weds 16th Sept - Zamil is like the Mayfair of Dammam. Its a gorgeous compound - the pool resembles something out a 5 star hotel - Aramco have a lot to learn from these newer compounds. Its like a 70's throw back here now! Anyway, had a buffet dinner, snook some sid into our diet cokes, and Lewis bought his homemade wine - he makes it with marmalade and jam - it was very nice - he kept saying "try this one Jill, now try this one" - no wonder I felt worse for wear soon and my bowling wasn't all it is usually cracked up to be - I kept wobbling and sending the ball down the side bit!!!

Thursday we had a PAWS meeting - Louise - our leader - is leaving - she is an Aussie, married to an Aussie but doesn't have citizinship (originally from UK) and cos she has lived in Saudi for 4 years now they are being difficult about making her an Aussie - so her visa for being here runs out and she has to return to Aus. This is not good news for PAWS as she does so much. So, hence the fact I have now taken on several extra roles. I am cat person still, secretary, social organiser (along with 5 others which isnt too bad), Friskies rep and international rep. So, this brings along a story about a bear. Bears are classed as exotic animals in Saudi and are banned. However, a Saudi guy is currently looking after a bear in a dog cage (in his house) which was smuggled in basically it doesnt exist as they are banned. So now, we have to try and get it out the country and getting papers for something that doesnt exist ain't easy as you can imagine!

Didnt do much Thursday night - Tracy cooked tea and we drank wine then had an early night ready for Cyprus.

Next day was fine - flights and connections all good, although I did forget my UK driving licence but still drove in Cyprus - it was fine really - Helen's apartment is lovely. Great view and huge balcony - we changed and then met Andy and Karen in Flambe - both Karen and Andy have houses in Paphos. Flambe was great - they cook the food fresh in front of you and add flames too for a bit of excitement! We met a group in there on a non wedding day - she had been stood up poor thing then hit the gay bar and after that Flaires - I felt very old in there so just drank lots! We had a good laugh though.

Next day me and Breige explored in the car - Tracy was a little worse for wear so stayed in! We went out for meze in the evening but all of us were half asleep! The food was lovely though. Had an early night then!!!

Sunday, Tracy said "lets walk to Coral Bay Beach - its not far". Two hours later we got there - we had walked around 6 miles it seems. Stopped off in a bar for a drink as we were parched - met some nice English folk who worked in Cyprus, then shopped, found the beach, had a look round, found a good bar and sat and watched the Manu match which was quite good really, being as I don't really do football! And of course drank!

Didnt go out Sunday night after an afternoon drinking - so just stayed in and watched a film! It was a good job really as there was a mad storm and it rained very hard! We would have been soaked!

Monday we decided to go to the Baths of Adonis! Sounded like a good idea but the road we (I) drove on was mental - very thin and steep and just rock! The car didnt want to go up one hill at one point so I had to roll back to the bottom and then floor it to get up it! There was a waterfall and pond thing at the end - was it worth the freeky drive - not really!!! Went into town and did a bit of shopping and had a coffee and look round. Discovered the harbour area and decided to eat there that night. Booked a table in Poseidonas which overlooked the harbour - very nice - and had a few drinks at the harbour afterwards... the waiters were very nice in the restaurant - it was my turn to have a birthday - all of us had one - not real ones - but pretend ones so we got free drinks/cake!!!

Tuesday I didnt feel so good - the girls went shopping again and I just chilled at the apartment for the morning and met for lunch later. We met up with Karen again and by now her hubby Frosty had joined her so we saw them and then went on a boat trip to see a wreck - although visibility isn't good in the Med - I guess I have been spoilt with the Red Sea!! Later we decided to have a wild night out with Karen and Frosty - it was very silly and funny - spent all night in the Robin Hood - can't even get away from Nottingham in Cyprus! You will see the photos when I can download them - I am having trouble with Picasa at the moment so you will have to wait to see them all til tomorrow! I managed to last til 12.30 then I went home. The others managed to stay the course til 4am!!! I am just a light weight!

Wednesday was our last day - very sad really - we went to Viklaris - a restaurant built on an old castle - you get BBQ pork and chicken - it was

gorgeous and lovely views of the sea too.

Anyway, back to reality - work has been pretty busy since I returned - my team have been driving me mad - they seem to think I am a mind reader - but then again aren't all secretaries!? No news on moving jobs yet - Im chasing.. I had a lovely massage Sunday night and almost fell asleep!! I might have talked myself into running a marathon next year too with the lady who did the massage - how did that happen!!!?? Probably something to do with me saying I am joining the running club this week - Sats and Mons for 8 weeks - beginners! Starting pilates again next week but not for long as I am off to Dubai 24th Oct for my personal training course and then 2 weeks after that will be in the UK!

Busy preparing for the big 4-0 - invites are out now - I am having a lunch over in Bahrain on the 12th Nov this end then a party at the Welfare in Blidworth for the UK end! So, busy busy!

This weekend is mad. I have 2 PAWS meetings, 2 parties and some wine brewing to do and brunch somewhere along the way!

See you soon,

Jill

x

A very productive week!

Stone fish - can you see him!?

Hi folks - here is my new set of wheels - ok its nothing flash, but I only drive 2 mins to work and the other side of the camp is only 10 mins - its in good nick for 18 years old don't you think!!?

Anyway, its been a pretty eventful week really I must say. I was teaching again most nights, covering for Jason - who, in fact is now leaving to go and work in India so I am not sure if there will be more classes available really - just waiting to hear if they want me to help out - thats if I can fit it in! I start the running club 2 nights a week in October!!

I have been giving my opinion quite a lot to recreation - they want to buy Stott pilates reformers - these are machines which I know people like Madonna use for pilates (they are like a contraption with pullys and stuff on!) and cost between 2500 - 6000 USD each! I told the guy in recreation that they are mad wanting to spend that sort of money on equipment when there is equipment down where I teach that is old and needs replacing - anyway, following that comment, they are now looking at replacing all the old weights, etc which I use!!!

Went diving on Weds. Managed to get on the Aramco flight to Yanbu - Red Sea - (complimentary flight of course - we do get some perks working here - our own airline!!) and got to Yanbu around 3pm - it was REALLY windy though and a choppy ride out to the first reef. Managed one dive though and I was fine - usual problems with my ears though - they do get so blocked! Had dinner and chatted with the other folk on board - there were 17 of us and a crew of around 8 - Philipino guys - so nice and really looked after us again! I didnt sleep well as it was so rocky, but it had calmed down again the next day, so managed 3 dives during the day. Saw loads of fish too - see photos. My diving has improved loads too - I am much more confident now and even managed to roll back off the zodiac boat!! So, getting there slowly. Still not happy about doing night dives yet - will do one next time!

Had dinner again and watched a movie - not so rocky Thursday night so slept better! Up early but the boat took us out to a reef called the Twin Towers - funny that it was September 11th! The current and waves were really high tho and I just didnt fancy it, so missed out the first 2 dives and then did a snorkel later and then a dive.

This is me with a school of barracuda in the background!

Ive left the other photos at the top of the blog cos it is too much hassle to move them - I havent got the hang of it yet! Sheryl took all the photos - she has a really good camera I am sure you will agree...

Saturday was our last dive - it was like a millpond - I was in the water at 7am! It was lovely down there - saw loads of sea cucumbers and Scorpion fish too!!

Flew back around 3pm - care of Aramco again and got back around 8pm Saturday night so not too bad. Managed to get all my washing done as stuff does get really smelly when you are diving in it!!!

Back at work on Sunday and received an email from the Manager in housing asking to see me! I have still been ranting off to them about the lack of housing for us and the fact that I am still stuck in a one bed apartment after 2 years. Anyway, there is a new Manager - Mohammed - very nice and approachable. To cut a long story short, he reckons I will have a house by the year end - I laughed at this - he also said that my emails were very insistent and I didnt give up easily and liked to get things done and then said he was looking for housing assistants like me! So, at the moment, I could be moving to housing! He has my CV and I am just waiting to see if I can get released from finance! So, bit of a turn up for the books there. Anyway, he hopes the list will improve towards the end of the year. We also spoke about fitness as he overseas recreation and he is very interested in my fitness knowledge and it was him apparently who wanted the Stott pilates reformers - which again I told him again were a waste of money - I explained to buy 10 it would cost nearly 50kUSD and he would need a dedicated Stott teacher. He said well you are qualified - I am like not in Stott pilates or using reformers - I would need to go on more courses! He hasn't a clue basically! Anyway, not sure if that will bring some more fitness courses my way or what....

Taught pilates Sunday and did spin last night - walking tonight with a friend and then tomorrow we are going bowling. Thursday I have a big PAWS meeting - Louise - the main organiser for PAWS - is having to go back to Australia for we don't know how long, so my PAWS job could get even busier once she goes. I am inundated with cats again - I have around 35 to re-home and another lady on camp wants me to help her catch a female and some kittens when I get back from Cyprus... it is never ending...

Friday, I am off to Cyprus with the girls! I can't wait - really ready for this holiday.... So will be in Paphos til 24th September then spending the way back in Bahrain for a few bevvies...

Anyway, thats about all from me.

Hope you enjoy the photos and the update.

Jill

xxxx

Its good to have a car....

Hello folks

Well two blogs in one week - I had a pretty busy week last week as usual. Saturday I ended up teaching circuits - Jason, the regular fitness teacher has been sent on another assignment, so I covered his class Saturday and Wednesday. And, I also taught pilates on Sunday and then the same again this week - so tiring, but also a change to do something other than pilates and the classes have been popular...

Last weekend was really good - we held the PAWS quiz night - around 120 folk turned up - so many more than we anticipated and we had to send out for more chairs! Myself and Val were Ditsy and Bitsy - the quiz mistresses! It was a really good night and a right laugh too. We managed to raise 1500 quid towards getting cats and dogs sterilized which was a really good amount....

Thursday I was pretty busy - its so great having wheels now as I can go and visit friends on camp when I want! My car is all squared away and is mine now!! I must take a photo of it to show you! I went to see my friend Sharon for a coffee and catch up then got ready to go out early for tea for Neil's birthday at the Blue Strawberry. Had a nice time down there and then went to Ra'ood's birthday party on camp. Took a couple of the new girls too and introduced them to my friends... We have had quite a few new arrivals lately and its good to get them out and about and show them the ropes!

Friday I did nothing - just chillaxed at home and suffered from drinking too much wine the night before....

This week has been a funny old week and I have been all over the place. I did end up seeing Darron on Sunday who was on camp saying his farewells. So, we did chat and he has actually gone to Milan to work, followed by Mumbai for a couple of months. I think we managed to iron out a few issues we had too so at least things have been left amicable now - I dont like falling out with folk....

So, done nothing else this week except teach every night! I ventured to the supermarket last night - Ramadan hours mean the shops dont open til 8.30pm - I had to go and get my hamster some new food as the stuff he is on is making him go bald! I hope his hair grows back now....

I am looking forward to tomorrow - flying to Yanbu (care of Aramco) to go diving in the Red Sea. Really looking forward to being stuck on a boat for a few days with no contact with the outside world. Should be fun....

So, I am away on Saturday too, arrive back Sunday then only have 4 days and am off to Cyprus with Tracy and Breige....

No news on me ever getting a house on Aramco. More changes in policies mean that the female bid list has got even bigger and in desperation I went to see my GM to see if he could pull any strings. The thought of staying in a one-bed apartment for another 2 years at least is not appealling at all..... but thats how it looks like it now is here... I am not sure what to do. I love it here and am happy, but am condemned to living as a student, sharing laundry facilities and not able to invite friends over as there is no room for them.... its not good really...

Anyway, here are the rest of the photos from last week:

http://picasaweb.google.com/Jillbarrows69/PAWSQuizNightAndNeilSBirthday2009?feat=directlink

PLEASE WRITE SOON....

See you in 10 weeks and counting...

JB

xxxx

Its cooling down already thank goodness!

Well, the heat is already subsiding - I am really surprised as I thought we would be in for more humidity but actually it is getting cooler now which is good!

I have had a bit of an emotional rollercoaster of a week really after my ex (Darron) decided to announce on Facebook and to the world that he was already in a new relationship - anyway - time to move on me thinks and what a thoughtless and horrid thing to do. Good riddance to bad rubbish it seems.... however, that is the reason that the blog is so late this week and it will be time to do another one tomorrow already!!!!

Anyway, last weekend was pretty mad. I taught an abs class on Weds, then dashed home to retrieve my computer from a guy who had fixed it and got rid of a nasty virus, then I got changed and dashed to another friend's house for a drink and then up to the airport to meet my friend, Liss, from Riyadh! We went straight out to a party on Azziz - I thought I might as well drop her in at the party deep end here - it was a good night in fact - saw loads of folk I had not seen for a while so great to catch up...

Was semi sensible and came home at 1am. I took Liss to the beauty shop the next day for a bit of pampering then Gay came over for a chat and then we went off to the Blue Strawberry for food.

It was ok really - food mediocre, but in Ramadan times being able to eat and drink home brew is as good as it gets. We did have an outlet in Bahrain still serving booze - the Country Club - illegally during Ramadan - but that got busted this week, so now Bahrain is completely dry for another 2 weeks!

Went to a party after the meal on Nada - well, it was in fact a memorial service for someone who had died recently! Didnt realise that - but it was quite good really and he certainly had a good send off... then we went to this weird party on Aramco where everyone was sat round playing bongo drums - honestly - I am not making that up!

Friday we did brunch and then sat and didnt do much else to be honest - watched a few DVDs and chilled out mainly and then Liss went to catch her flight. Life down here in Dhahran is a bit better than Riyadh I gather and I think I will be seeing more of Liss over the next few months which will be good!

Anyway, thats all from 2 weeks ago - Ill update you tomorrow on the past week!!!

Jill

xxxxxxx