The Knowleseys land

Wednesday morning was the arrival time for Steve Carolyn Rachel Katie and George from UK. I had to work so Liz met them from the airport at around 0930 and taxied back ot the villa with them, for an immediate kip to get over not sleeping on the flight (apart from George). Our kids have been counting the days down so it was a s well they were at school! The morning they arrived there was an explosion in Al Quoz nearby, a warehouse went up in flames and put abig smoke cloud in the air- see pic! Industrial accident apparently but it made the ground shake nearby and put ablack cloud in the air for two days.

Easter lunch in style

Nothing very Eastery about it here but nice all the same. The Easter bunny at the Hilton (an Indian guy in a rabbit suit when everyone else was sweltering) had hidden eggs on the beach but unless they had been packed in dry ice first I can't imagine the chocolate lasting long. We had the biggest brunch ever at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel with Bruce and Lisa and family, it was more like Brunchinner, we got kicked out a t 4pm ready to burst. There was face painting and a juggler for the kids and unlimited champagne and wine for the non-driving on the deluxe buffet. The kids paddled on the beach and we sloped off home late afternoon and had a swim in the pool at the compound. Liz's sister Carolyn and hubbbie Steve are out here with the kids from Wednesday so we are looking forward to that.

Hilton Holly

Friday and Madeleine had a party at Fun City in Ibn Battuta mall, Liz's friend Lisa picked her up and the rest of us went to the Hilton next to the Marina to meet Mark and Sarah with Holly, staying at the hotel for a brief time before going to Saudi. We had a few coffees and a chat in the Axis cafe in the lobby, Jack and Mark checked out each others phones and Amelia gave Holly her dinner in the pushchair, all very civilised! JAck even picked up a bag of pressies for 02 April!

Prophets Birthday

I did my first drive to Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, 130km and just like motorway all the way. There was a tiny bit of fog but it wasn't too bad and the traffic was easy, not as bad as the M56 to be fair! Thursday was a religious holiday so I was off work, Jack had a party to go to all day at Wild Wadi so he was disconnected from the pump and on the insulin again, just for the day. Somehow he found himself with 5 girls from the school, the only lad! Liz got her hair done (pic) and even had a foot massage at the same time. Amelia went with her, me and Madeleine caught up with them for lunch at the Spinneys in Umm Suqiem, where Liz had just missed free teeth whitening in the mall (while you wait - lol) much to her dismay! The temperature is hotting up nicely, it was about 34 deg C around the middle of the day. Jack got a certificate this week for putting a lot of effort in on his science SATs revision which was pleasing.

Festival City

We seemed to spend a lot of time over here at the weekend- Wed- Thursday was our works Annual management conference, at hte Intercontinental hotel near the creek- great view of the city skyline in the sunset! We were all back here as a family on the Friday, at Ikea to kit out our maids room with a bed and table. We now have a live-in maid, a Filipina called Arlene. She does a great job at cleaning, washing and ironing, it's a weight off for Liz. Friday afternoon we took Amelia to a party at her friends, Sarah out at Arabian ranches, a freehold development of villas at the edge of the city. We took her friend Chloe to Meadows before she came for a sleepover, and on the way home we picked up an Indian takeaway for tea in Media City. Saturday I was at work but we went out for dinner in the evening at Go West, a wild west style restaurant in the Jumeirah Beach hotel. Jack is faring well on the pump, his averages are getting better and he can change the canula himself. It even seems to be helping with his school work as we think he can concentrate better when his levels are more in balance- great!

Good grub

Thursday 06 March was our works annual dinner event, partners invited. It was at the Jumeirah Beach hotel, on the lawned outdoor event area, a great setting just in front of the Burj al Arab. Kevin and Lorna volunteered to sit for us so we taxied it to the hotel and met the rest of the 1200 guests. It was just about warm enough without a jacket, the food was good as it was all laid on by the hotel, and there was a black market for drinks vouchers after each guest received two complimentary ones at the entrance. I managed to introduce Liz to some of the guys from Metro and their partners and we staggered back to the villa at about half past midnight.
Friday I cooked a lamb roast dinner at ours for Bruce and Lisa, who came around to the villa with their girls, Tarren and Jenna. Jack missed the roasties because i dropped him at the Ibn Battuta mall to hang out with three of his girlfriends from school, Chelsea, Katie and Rebecca. All "just friends" Jack says. Saturday morning Jack and i went to the American Hospital and we were prescribed his insulin pump, which is already improving his blood sugar control- great!!Saturday afternoon we met Billy who is passing through Dubai on business. He called at the villa and we all went to the Beazleys where Helen and Nick had laid on a great barbeque, the kids all played together and we sat out and chewed the fat, so to speak. Dave and Maria were there, one of Nick's work mates, who we have now met at Christmas dinner, the golf and two barbeques, so it's like we know them ourselves now. Liz didn't drink as she has been feeling a bit off, so she drove Billy to his hotel in Deira in the evening, which was very brave at rush hour and in the heavy traffic direction! All in all a very positive weekend!