Would you want to deal with Gulf Islands Trading?
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Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Back in Abu Dhabi
Landed at 8.10pm and it was 32C. Apparently it's been like 50/51C this week. The first half of the week at home was a lovely 25/26C and sunny but the last few days have been cooler and a bit rainy. Oh well... here's to a scorching few months!
We have both agreed we really need to lose some weight! So we have bought a Wii Active workout disc to try and help! I set up the Wii, which hasn't been used since new year when the kids were over. I did the Wii body test and it told me I had a Wii Fit age of 50! Bloody 50! (for those who don't know, I am 42). Caz was a bit smug as it said she was 39, a year less than she actually is.
Anyway, I'll keep you up to date with how the programme is going - target: lose 14 pounds in 12 weeks........
We have both agreed we really need to lose some weight! So we have bought a Wii Active workout disc to try and help! I set up the Wii, which hasn't been used since new year when the kids were over. I did the Wii body test and it told me I had a Wii Fit age of 50! Bloody 50! (for those who don't know, I am 42). Caz was a bit smug as it said she was 39, a year less than she actually is.
Anyway, I'll keep you up to date with how the programme is going - target: lose 14 pounds in 12 weeks........
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
UK Work visit
I took a train today to do a work visit to one of our UK based suppliers, much to Caz's annoyance at me taking a day out of our weeks holiday to do it! The appointment will however hopefully sort some things out that will make my life easier in one of my accounts when I get back, so for me it is worth it. And anyway, I'll get the day back on my return.
Being on a train again was a good experience. What a difference it could make if the UAE (and GCC beyond) had a good train service. I was on South West Trains which went on time, was clean and comfortable. The only thing that was a pain was my phone cutting in and out as I was trying to catch up with the office in Dubai.
It was lovely to see the green countryside of England as I travelled through to the New Forest, where the company was based. I do miss the greenness when I am in the UAE.
Costa here isn't the same though without the "Hello sirrrrrr", or "Make it hot for you sirrrrrr?" (a favourite service offer of mine). You do notice the lower service levels here, although often it's not that you don't get it, it's just the attitude with which it is given. A smile wouldn't go amiss.
The British love to be moaning about something, so as it has been about 26C and sunny here loads of people are complaining about the heat. Some people just can't be pleased, the ones now moaning about the heat are probably the same ones moaning about the cold earlier in the year! I can honestly say that after Abu Dhabi I will never again say I am hot in England! There has been a lovely cool breeze with the sun which you just don't get in the UAE in the summer. Any wind in the summer in Abu Dhabi is like turning a hairdryer on straight into your face.
Off to meet an old work mate for a drink in the City (of London) this afternoon, so will be good to catch up and have a natter. Caz says we gossip more than girls do, but I don't actually think that is possible. We do moan a lot about people and work etc., but men could never bitch like women, well not straight ones anyway.
Laters.......
Being on a train again was a good experience. What a difference it could make if the UAE (and GCC beyond) had a good train service. I was on South West Trains which went on time, was clean and comfortable. The only thing that was a pain was my phone cutting in and out as I was trying to catch up with the office in Dubai.
It was lovely to see the green countryside of England as I travelled through to the New Forest, where the company was based. I do miss the greenness when I am in the UAE.
Costa here isn't the same though without the "Hello sirrrrrr", or "Make it hot for you sirrrrrr?" (a favourite service offer of mine). You do notice the lower service levels here, although often it's not that you don't get it, it's just the attitude with which it is given. A smile wouldn't go amiss.
The British love to be moaning about something, so as it has been about 26C and sunny here loads of people are complaining about the heat. Some people just can't be pleased, the ones now moaning about the heat are probably the same ones moaning about the cold earlier in the year! I can honestly say that after Abu Dhabi I will never again say I am hot in England! There has been a lovely cool breeze with the sun which you just don't get in the UAE in the summer. Any wind in the summer in Abu Dhabi is like turning a hairdryer on straight into your face.
Off to meet an old work mate for a drink in the City (of London) this afternoon, so will be good to catch up and have a natter. Caz says we gossip more than girls do, but I don't actually think that is possible. We do moan a lot about people and work etc., but men could never bitch like women, well not straight ones anyway.
Laters.......
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Nearly caught up with Jesus.....
I've been saying to Caz for a long time that I'd like to have at least 12 followers, 'coz then I will have as many as Jesus' disciples! Well, I now have 11 .... come on bloggers, one more!
I thought I'd do a blog from the UK while we are here and then I can justify to Caz why I bought a netbook for our travels! Actually it has come in handy for looking up lots of things while we've been here, so I feel suitably vindicated.
I thought I'd do a blog from the UK while we are here and then I can justify to Caz why I bought a netbook for our travels! Actually it has come in handy for looking up lots of things while we've been here, so I feel suitably vindicated.
The weather here has been fantastic. Lovely English summer days, it's lovely to have the sunshine with a cool breeze, and about 22C - perfect. We had a great day in the West End of London on Saturday with Jessica, Alice and Darryl. J&A are my daughters and D is Caz's youngest son. We did some of the touristy things, because Jessica (my eldest daughter) said she had never been to Buckingham Palace (although I'm pretty sure she has when she was younger). So we started at Trafalgar Square and walked up Pall Mall to the Palace. We walked past Horse Guards Parade, which is a sandy covered square where they do the Trouping of the Colours etc, and will host the 2012 Olympic Beach Volley Ball tournament, which, assuming we are back in the UK by then, has to be a "must see"! (errr... ladies of course).
The kids wanted to go to Oxford Street, so reluctantly we went. I hate Oxford Street. You can't move it's so packed and you are lucky to come away without being robbed! I definitely couldn't face Primark. For those not from the UK, Primark is now a revered shopping institution, particularly among the young shopping masses. They sell cheap (child labour/exploited labour produced - allegedly(!) ) fashion clothes. The clothes are so cheap that they are pretty much considered disposable. Buy-an-outfit-for-your-night-out-then-chuck-it-away-and-buy-another kind of thing. Anyway, for females, this is a very, very exciting shop. In Oxford Street, it is almost orgasmic! To me, it just looks like a glorified jumble sale and I hate it. So I sat outside with Darryl.
Saturday evening we went to see "We Will Rock You", the Ben Elton musical featuring the music of Queen. Rochelle (Caz's daughter) joined us for the show after she finished work. They all loved the show. I thought it was just "ok". The story was a bit contrived to fit the song titles and some of the characters wore a bit thin, but on the whole it was an enjoyable night.
Sunday we went to see the rest of my family in Hemel Hempstead which was nice. Then Jessica & Alice went home for school/college. It was lovely to spend some time with them. Although we speak to our kids on the phone every week, it's not the same as being with them.
Caroline's sister, who emigrated with her family to Brisbane last year, has been also in the UK for the last week and goes back to Oz on Wednesday. So it's been really nice for Caz to see her. We met up with her and her son Adam tonight for dinner with Darryl and Lee (Caz's eldest son).
The rest of the week is going to be pretty dossy, although I am taking a day out on Wednesday to see one of my suppliers based in Hampshire, but otherwise we don't have much else planned.
We fly back to Abu Dhabi on Saturday and at least I have Sunday off before it's back to the grind on Monday!
Here's a link to some pics from London.....
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| Day trip to London |
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