Hello - hope you are doing ok. Above are just a few photos from our dive trip - my fellow diver, teacher and photographer, Sheryl, a couple of photos of the reefs and a fish in the corals. There are more photos to follow - I am just waiting for Sheryl to download them...

Had another busy week last week.. I taught my last Sunday class last week too which was ok but I was glad to be finishing the late shift. Went to dinner at a friends and I think it was 9pm by the time I sat down then! Monday did my first circuits class - had around 15 folk so better doing the early shift! Then I had to go to the gym to run through stuff for my personal training qual with Sheryl as she is my "body" - its weird - I am teaching her gym stuff and she teaches me diving!

I had a facial and reflexology on Tuesday - can't say I enjoyed the reflex stuff - she really hurt my feet kneeding into them!!! The facial was weird too but my skin felt nice and soft afterwards but I don't think I looked 10 years younger!!! I did a run too - forgot about that - running has taken a bit of a back burner really as I have been so busy...

Weds afternoon we went off to the dive trip - we managed - last minute - to get on the Aramco flight - so that saved us a bit of money - flew up to Jeddah and got the boat there. Sailed up the Rabigh the early hours of Thursday - it was pretty rough so I think I got about 1 hours worth of sleep!! First dive there were bad currents - I pulled myself down on the anchor line and then started being swept away from the others, paniced so came back up. Not a good start! The second dive I was fine - apart from my mask flying off as I went in the water - fortunately Sheryl managed to retrieve it before it sank! I didn't do any more dives that day - Friday did another dive late morning - then did the night dive later. It took me around 10 mins to get in the water - it was pitch black, no moon and choppy - Nancy coaxed me into the water eventually - pulled along the tag line to the reef and went down - we had torches - saw a few large Parrot Fish and some anenomies that wake up in the dark - managed 12 mins - started to get a bit freeked then so came up and got swept off a bit by the wind - I can't say I enjoyed it really and am not in a rush to do another night dive - unless its millpond conditions with a full moon maybe!

The following morning we did a wreck and cave dive - very interesting - the caves were ok as you could still see the surface at times - managed to get myself burnt by fire coral though and also my ear was playing up - I seem to have real problems clearing my left ear for some reason.

Anyway, I really enjoyed that dive. Didn't pass my advanced diver yet - Sheryl passed me on the night dive but I can do the other bits to it on my next trip. Got back around 2pm then waited around on the boat til 6 chatting to Captain Eric and watching movies as our flight wasn't til later...

This week has been busy at work - we have had lots of bank visitors - time of year when they all come over here and we ask them for cash for our various projects. I ran Sunday and then Monday had to go to the dentist - she did a root canal - they are so horrendous - half my face was numb as I needed so much anaesthetic! Managed to teach later tho - had a massive class of around 20 odd folk and then had a casino night meeting!!! Sat down around 9pm again!!

Went to the mall last night too but didnt buy anything - it is the Paddy's Day Ball next Thursday in Bahrain - I was dress hunting but have a back up I can use so I wasn't bothered I didnt find anything! Going for a walk tonight - was going to run, but as I still currently have a sore gum and big hole in my tooth - don't think its wise - have to go back to the dentist on Sunday now for more pain - she is a lovely dentist and I had to laugh when she said - look here is the root I just pulled out - nice!!! Tomorrow I am up early for Qatif - being a tour escort again, then its the PAWS band and disco night - 250 folk + are expected!!!!!! Don't ask me how I manage to find all these folk to attend PAWS do's - everyone thinks Aramco should create a special job for me as social organiser!!!

Anyway, over and out from me - hope to hear from you soon - keep in touch - its important...

Jill

xxxx