Meda'in Saleh weekend

Hi guys - here is my blog for the last week..

My week was spent being busy as usual - work was a little quieter than normal as I have now pretty much done all my personal training work so just waiting for feedback on it basically. Also with the current volcanco issue then my DVD practical exam is cancelled as my colleague is stuck in the UK.. that is causing nightmares world wide I know... I had more car hassle - this time one of the hoses had split with the radiator fluid in it - so more too-ing and fro-ing with the mechanic - first time I have seen a guy fix a car using his mobile phone as a torch!!! Anyway its fixed now I think but my faith in my car has gone down hill... Weds night I had a few friends round for drinks - it was nice to have space to entertain rather than trying to cram everyone into my apartment - I hope its not much longer that I have to wait for a house....

So, Thursday, off on the trip to Meda'in Saleh. We flew from Dammam to Medinah but were delayed almost 2 hours before we started! So, this set us back and then we were supposed to have a police escort all the way to Al Ula (where we were staying) and this hadn't bee arranged, so at every check point we were stopped while the police sorted out drivers to accompany us. We must have stopped around 10 times on the 4 hour journey which then ended up taking 6 hours! We were only 5 miles away at the last stop and they were making us wait so I got out and yelled at the police in what Arabic I know to hurry up as we were all tired and fed up of travelling. It worked it seems and we got there at 9.30pm...

The next day we were up early for breakfast and then went to Meda'in Saleh to see the tombs. There are around 160 of them - built by the Nebateans some 2000 years ago. Those of you who have visited Petra will see the link and that they are built by the same people. We also visited the railway that was destroyed by Lawrence of Arabia - this linked Meda'in Saleh withMekka and Petra in the early 1900s. After this we then went to the mud village - it was lived in until most r

ecently in the 1970's apparently - all the houses were joined together - segregation was practised so that the women ran around in the alleyways and the men would go around via the roofs!!!

After lunch, back at the hotel, we went back to see the largest tomb - Qasr Al Farid which was amazing - the guy who had this built was indeed very well off! Following this we went to see an archeological site - apparently not many folk are allowed in so we were lucky - and then the Lion's tombs - these were built by the Dadones - the Nebateans came down from the South and the Dodones from the South - so there are 2 different styles of tombs. We then went to watch the sun set over Elephant Rock. Dinner followed and then a relatively early night. Lawrence of Arabia was on DVD but as it was on for 4 hours I didn't stay up!

Up early Saturday - we went climbing up a mountain and saw some mosiac art work - I had trouble climbing due to my bad knee though and then we went to the museum and then back to pack and leave. The police did appear to have their act together and the journey back was relatively smooth, apart from a few short stops this time.

This week has been busy really - I had to go to the Dr to see about my knee and have tendinitis so am out of action for a while which is not good.. Also got called to an emergency meeting regarding the casino night this Thursday and due to a security issue we have had to cancel - its happened before but so annoying with only 3 days to go. Cannot risk folk possibly losing their jobs really just for a night out... so I am now going to Bahrain tomorrow to do some shopping!

Here is the link to the rest of my photos too:-

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

Anyway, hope to hear from you soon...

Jill

xxx

One of those weeks!!!!

Hi guys - I just seem to be having a very challenging week so far - sometimes my patience is tested over here - very simple things end up being major issues and taking forever to sort out. Ie my tooth - finally it is filled - but 6 trips later at 10 quid a trip to get there and back - it frustrates me that I just cannot just get in a car and drive myself to the dentist. And then there is the issue of my car - Anthony (from Syria!!??) came recommended - I told him to fix up the steering and let me know if there was anything else wrong but let me know how much it would be - so 5 days later, and despite me calling him 4 times to see when the car would be back, no mention until I was picking it up that he had done 500 quids worth of work on it!!!!!!!!! So, I went mental at him and he knocked a bit off the price - fair enough the stuff he had replaced was very worn - but its a camp car, driven a few miles a day - camp cars can survive with minimal work being done on them for ages, unless absolutely necessary! And then, I get back to Tina's (my house sit) last night - steam coming out from the engine and one of the hoses to the radiator has split and fluid gone all over - so he sends his mechanic up today at lunch (who spoke hardly any English) to sort that out, which is currently on-going as waiting for a part! Agggghhhh! And the a/c isn't blowing right either - it was fine when it went in! Damn car.

Anyway, last week was busy - work was busy - the dental ordeal finished, although only completes tomorrow with a free polish for all the times I have been down there! Went to Rashid II on Weds with Louise to sort out my next PAWS social which will be a karaoke night in July.

Thursday I did actually relax at the spa for a few hours - did a round at the gym and had a deep tissue massage - she started using her elbows which I couldn't bear so then went on to use her hands - which was painful at times, but good pain! Thursday night US consulate - it was mad hatters night - there is a photo floating around somewhere of me with Ayon's flying hat on - but taken on his phone - they don't allow us to take cameras in there.. it was a good night and I met up with some of the new marines, made some connections for future events, etc.. and Friday was a day of rest!

I started my house sit Saturday - Tina lives in a massive house which I think is about 5 times bigger than my flat - its nice to have space, although I have found I am currently living in 2 places at once and am frequently going back to the flat..

I am looking after Gizmo the cat - who is very sweet and a very good boy too - no trouble.

Had a very busy class on Saturday night (20 folk) and then a casino meeting which seemed to go on forever, then I had to pick up clothes and move house - I think I finally sat down at 9.30pm! Sunday was busy picking up garage sale stuff from people off Aramco at lunch time and then taking it all to the storage unit and then popping to see a friend. Last night I ran for the first time in forever - just over 3k - I did walk up the hill on and off but mostly I did better than I thought - glad I have got back into it again! Went to see a friend then and her Mum (who is visiting) for tea and then waiting for the car man to come over, who eventually didnt, so been sorting all that out today!

This weekend is another long one in Aramco so we have Saturday off. I am going to Medinah Salat on a cultural type trip so there will be photos of that next week - it was built at the same time as Petra and although isn't on the scale of Petra is similar...

I have almost finished the sports conditioning part of my personal training work - in fact I had a meeting with one of the Doctors at the hospital last week and she wants me to help set up a gym she is building in Khobar!! I am doing the practical via DVD (being filmed 25th) - the theory was supposed to be sat end of April, but Impact are now not coming to do a course in Bahrain so I am not sure what will happen. I am not due to go to Dubai til October now - I suppose it would give me even longer to keep revising!!!??

Anyway, will be in touch next week and as I always say, please write back soon....

Jill xxx

A quiet weekend

It does happen occasionally that I do have quiet weekends. I was absolutely shattered last weekend so didn't do much at all, apart from go to a BBQ for a few hours. Most unlike me, hence the lack of photos. So above is a photo of one of the many buses that transport us to the malls and into town - this is the view out my window at home - the green area is the old ball field and the buildings through the trees are the theatre, restaurant and coffee shop - so you can see I am pretty close to most things! The other view down the road is my walk (or drive) to work! And the first pic is my office - thought you would like to see where I spend most of my day!!!

I dont have a whole lot to report this week really. Work has been manic - until today - with the guys travelling all over the place so I have been busy sorting them out. Today both my bosses are out and I am sat here listening to Trent FM - a nice start to the weekend I say! I didnt do much Weds and Thursday I was supposed to go on a trip to Ugair and never went as I didnt feel too great. Just went to Cheryl's on Thurs night for a BBQ - she is doing a house sit - its so nice to have a garden to sit out in! I am house sitting from Saturday also - huge house - looking forward to having some space for a change and a huge garden! Friday I spent revising for my personal training qualification. That was it really!

My car went into the garage this week - its been there 3 days now and I am not sure when I am getting it back - problem is with 18 year old cars is finding parts so I guess thats why its taking a while... I taught circuits Sat and have been spinning, the gym and a bit of a walk last night. Didnt go far really as had my root canal tooth finished off so was feeling groggy again - I am not sure what they inject you with here, but it always makes me feel bad afterwards. Anyway, looks like the dental work is done for now!

Busy weekend - BBQ tonight and going to see a guy about sorting out another PAWS social in June time, tomorrow spa then Consulate and Friday not sure yet - maybe go to Bahrain for late breakfast or something...

Only 7 weeks til I am on my cruise now - will be sending out an email to arrange to meet up soon when I am home if you can make it..

Jill

x

End of an Era - Spooks final call.....

Here is Bill the cat - he is one of the PAWS cats that myself and two other girls rescued and now look after. He lives outside the apartment blocks and gets fed about 20 times a day! He is lovely and another successful story involving PAWS. I have been very busy re-homing this week - I managed to help re-home 2 dogs and also several cats too - so its been a good week for PAWS!

Last week was another busy one - as ever!! I was out for food Tuesday night with some old friends from DMC who I worked with 15 years ago - so we had a catch up. Wednesday was Spooks closing night - he has been running his bar now for several years and its become a bit of an institution - in fact Spook is a bit of an institution and a larger than life character - I have known him since 1998 myself!!! It was a wild night I must say and ended (for me) at 4am - some of the others apparently kept going all of the next day and the following night I believe!!! (Spook is in the middle of Cheryl and Scott)

Thursday I had a bit of a lie in but then had to take some stuff down to the storage van for the PAWS garage sales and then onto a meeting with 2 new volunteers and picked up some more garage sale stuff, then ready and off to Lee's for a Happy Hour - beautiful evening sat outside next to the pool in the garden - oh to have a garden, let alone an outside area - dream on Jill!! Then onto Nada to the band night - again a great night which ended at 3am for me - ouch!! Friday - rest day...
Busy this week - taught circuits Saturday and Monday - Monday was my last Monday class as Val takes over now so I can now get back to the running club! Saturday had a dash to the
dentist again as I had a shooting pain up my face from my dodgy tooth - seems the root canal still isn't sorted. Its ok again now - I hope it lasts so I can have it filled at some point for good! Went to town with Tracy Sunday - bad move going into the pet shop - they had 2 gorgeous puppy dogs in there - I wanted to save them so much! Poor things - they aren't kept in the best condition..
Then last night was round 2 of Come Dine with me with Chef Toddy. She did carrot and corriander soup, corned beef hash with peas and cherry pie. Very nice too. I shouldn't really mention that she had left the stove on at lunch time and the fire brigade were about to bash down the door and had evacuated the building by the times she got home should I!!! Dinner was still served of course and Lou's apartment was still intact!

Anyway, this weekend there are a few socials on tomorrow and then we are off to Ugir and to find desert roses all day Thursday and Thursday night just a small do on camp so hopefully will be compus mentus to do some revision Friday!

I am now doing my personal training practical via DVD which will save me a trip to Dubai and also can sit the theory exam in Bahrain so I am happy about that, so have been pretty busy putting together all my papers and teaching Sheryl at the gym...

Anyway, over and out from me.

Jill

xxx

Paddy's ball weekend and Come Dine With Me Experience

Hi folks - here are some of the photos from the Paddy's Ball in Bahrain last weekend. It was ok I guess - there were quite a lot of "gaps" where nothing much was happening though - we were still eating at 10pm and the band didn't come on til gone 11pm - same last year - seemed to be lots of waiting around - but it was ok! It wasn't a late night out for us though!!

Last week was very busy at work - we had quite a lot of visitors over and there seemed to be lots of travel orders to do too...

I taught circuits on Saturday and Monday also - numbers are good so I am making a bit of extra cash now from that. I hope to start some personal training at the gym soon too. Looks like my personal training exam could be at the end of April now as Impact are coming back to Bahrain - it will save a trip to Dubai and save me money of course! So, am aiming for that right now...

I had more trips to the dentist for my root canal - I "think" it is on the mend finally now and hope next week she can finally fill it.

I also went to a happy hour last Weds which was really nice - the garden was all decked out Zen like! Really good evening and I caught up with a few folk I hadn't seen for ages... Over to Bahrain Thursday morning with the girls - got nails and hair done and also ended up in Sherlocks for pre-ball drinks although I stuck to soft drinks and coffee - I am becoming sensible in my old age!!

Friday we had breakfast and Ricks and then came back and I spent all afternoon preparing for my Come Dine with Me meal - here are the results:

Starter was chicken skewers with sweet chilli dip, main was vegetable thai curry - it was supposed to be red, but couldn't find any red paste, so used green and it turned out yellow/orange, dessert was sticky toffee pudding... yummy! All plates were cleaned and then the results put in an envelope and sealed. The winner gets around 100 quid at the end of it - it will take time for us all to do the meals though as there are vacations, etc in between!!! It was good fun though!!!

This weekend is the end of an era. Spook's on Azziz is closing down - its been a constitution for years and many a good night has been had there.... so tonight we are going to Spook's closing down party. Four of the BAe compounds are closing down and everyone is moving to a "super compound" so hence the reason for the last call at Spooks.. Tomorrow I have 3 new people coming to see me regarding helping out with PAWS and then I have a happy hour from 6-9 and then the final band night at Nada (before that closes too!).

So, another busy one....

Anyway, write soon...

Jill

xxx

Qatif and PAWS band night weekend

Hello folks - not sure if you have all seen this photo of me diving but i think its a pretty good action photo of me!! Had another busy week again (whats new!!?) - started treatment at the dentist for a root canal - I had said last year after one of these I never wanted another - and although my dentist out here is very good, it is still a not very nice procedure... I felt ok on Monday after treatment though and managed to teach a class somehow and then had a casino night meeting. Tuesday we went into town to look for dresses for the ball this week but I came home empty handed and have decided to wear an old one I have to save on money! Didn't do much on Weds and then up early for the Qatif trip on Thursday at 6am - I was helping Louise again as a tour escort! Enjoyed the trip - I had done it before, many years ago. We visited the markets - bought lots of bread - this bread is so lovely - they have some made with cheese and some with sugar on it - I bought some back to freeze and we ate loads! Missed out on the animal market as I knew I would want to let them all go free! I did spot a man walking round with a cage of chickens on his head tho and saw this cow in a truck and I loved the Anne Summers style store - don't really get it when all the women cover up in head to toe black - I wonder if they do wear this stuff under their abayas!!???

After the market we went to see the fish market and vegetable market - I didn't like the fish market at all - I saw many of the fish lying there that had been swimming around me the week before! I think I have gone off fish! It really smelt bad too! The veg market was great - all fresh stuff and cheap but you had to buy in bulk!!

We then went on to a fort and to look at some old buildings made out of mud..

Then it was on to the corniche for our last port of call - myself and Michael - one of the consultants - decided to do star jumps and yoga head stands for some strange reason!! Such lovely beaches and a shame they are all empty!!

We got back around 1.30pm - I ran a few errands, had a quick kip (knew it would be a big night) and then went off to the band night! Spent most of the evening on the door really - had some great helpers, of course, helping me sell the door tickets and the raffle tickets. There must have been around 250 folk there I reckon - had a few gate issues - people who couldnt find their name on the list so my mobile phone never stopped all night! Great success though - did the drawer - gave a speech about cats and managed to re-home a few then too - and we made a really good amount for PAWS too! The bands and DJ were great - everyone had a wonderful time and I have many emails saying what a good night it was! It went on til around 6am I believe!!

So, Friday I didn't really do much - had a chill out day!!

This week has been really busy at work - haven't stopped til today really to be honest!! Taught Saturday - circuits - full class - Sunday more root canal treatment - it was really horrific this time and I felt awful afterwards - came back to work but soon went home and just stayed in bed most the evening. I am back there today and hope it isn't as bad today! Be glad when its all over... Been out for dinner too with friends I haven't seen in months too! Its such a small world on Aramco but sometimes you don't see friends for ages!

Anyway, thats all folks. Keep in touch as I always say!!

Jill

xxxxx

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