Back from trip to Europe

Got back a couple of days ago... to this ...

...urgh

We had a great time back in the UK seeing all our family.

We saw a couple of signs that made us smile - ones you wouldn't see in Abu Dhabi....

In the window of the butchers next to our house...

On the A20 slip road, Swanley

It was my mum and dad's diamond wedding anniversary, so all my family were there, which was nice. We were able to spend some time with my kids and my grandson, Alfie.

Mum and Dad

Their congratulatory card from The Queen

From the UK, we went with two of my brothers and their wives to Barcelona. We spent a nice relaxing week there, visiting some of the tourist sites. Me and my bros went to the Camp Nou stadium which was awesome and also we went to the Barcelona F1 GP.

We seemed to be in the Muslim quarter  - home form home :-)

The Sagrada Familia

Gaudi's Casa Batllo

Camp Nou

Bumped into these folks filming on La Rambla

 The Circuit de Catalunya 

Montserrat

I have lots more pictures, which I may post to a Picasa album and share another time....

St. George's Ball

Last thursday we attended the Abu Dhabi St. George's Ball, organised by the Royal Society of St. George (of which we are now members!)

The night involves a slap up meal (was very nice!) , downed with copious amounts of alcohol. This followed by the Loyal Toasts and then renditions of some very patriotic numbers such as "They'll always be an England", "Land of hope and glory" etc .... then more copious amounts of alcohol and dancing (of the bad variety generally). 

Basically, a good time was had by all and we will be back for the next one!