New job for Valerie

I think Valerie is beginning to fancy herself as a bit of the professional photographer. She has gone snap happy here. I am pleased to say that they are all enjoying the weather and the life here in Bahrain.

This is one of Valerie's more artistic efforts. It is simply entitled "Sunset". Not sure how she came up with that!
David

I don't believe it!!!

In the words of the great Victor Meldrew, I don't believe it. Yesterday we had RAIN ..... in OCTOBER!!! Mind you it was only a few spots and never even wet the ground other than a few drops but it was definitely raining.

For the last two years the first day of rain was 7th November. I don't suppose we could really count yesterday because if we hadn't been lazing by the pool we' might never have known that it rained. Anyway enough of that. How are the Griswald's getting on with their holiday. Well it's been all go. Lazing by and in the pool, reading the paper and sleeping. I think it might be the heat but they are like half shut knives by 8.30pm and in bed by 9! Maybe they understand now why they can't skype us after tea time.

We have visited the Souq where a mysterious picture was captured, had a barbeque at Clu and Steve's and visitied the Causeway tower. It's a tower half way across the Causeway to Saudi Arabia. Nicola, Ashley and Michael have all been there and thought it was ..... well .... yes really good dad! Glad you brought us here. Well children, you had it easy because you were up and down in only a few minutes. We went on the Eid holiday and it was heaving. We had to queue to get up, queue to get down ..... not a good day to go. Anyway, it's done. Here's the evidence that we were there.

 Down at the golf club with Farooq who just LOVES to be in anybody's pictures.

The step for Babs to climb into the Jeep is working a treat she gets up and down faster than a fiddler's elbow with that plastic step. I think every Jeep should have one as part of its standard equipment.

I am not sure what we have planned today. I suppose it will all become clear if they ever get out of bed. I have already cleaned out the inside of the Ssang Yong (it was leased and goes back today) and posted to the blog and only Dave has surfaced. The girls? Sleeping. What a waste of a good life.

TTFN
David

guess who this is?

Manama souq is the place to find almost anything!!!

Great news for Valerie

Hi y'all, its been some time since I posted last. Its been pretty hectic what with Ashley being here, and now tonight Nicola leaves us to head back to sunny Scotland. In another week Valerie Babs and Dave arrive. The good news for Valerie is that her bed has been delivered. This is the first time that we will have had a need for a third bed. It will be strange to have full house.

We have been frantically putting together an itinerary for their stay. I hope they like the golf course! The weather is about perfect now and it should be like this until April when it starts to get too hot again!

My horticultural skills are being tried again and my cucumbers are growing like crazy. They must be like bamboo, really fast growing. My lettuce has obviously been planted upside down though. It has failed to germinate. I was warned that buying seeds here was dodgy so I will have to ask Babs to bring a couple of packets with her. Just my luck the one thing I can't stand to eat grows like it was on steroids.

Last day of the week here again. Big golf tournament tomorrow, one of the biggest of the year so I am looking forward to that.

Cheers for now,
David

Dubai (Mis)adventure

Well we are back from Dubai having spent an enjoyable weekend seeing some of the sights and visiting Rachel and her family. Rachel was a part time teacher at the BSB last year and she was the first to welcome us to Bahrain and invite us round to hers for tea on our first weekend. Her husband's company relocated them during the unrest here because he can work from anywhere really. They seem to have settled well.

Dubai is a busy city but we enjoyed it. The only slight mar on the situation was the fact that we were in Dubai and our luggage was in Saudi Arabia. We got it back just in time for coming home really.

We used Dubai's new(ish) metro train system which is part under and part over ground. About GBP2.20 buys you an all day, all zone unlimited journey ticket. I am using GBP because I dont have a pound sign on this keyboard and I can't be bothered to find out how to put one in.

We had booked in to go up the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. You "only" get to go up to the 124th floor (of about 160) so you are actually still some way from the top but the view is amazing.

From this close its impossible to give a feeling of how tall this building is but looking at the other "skyscrapers" behind us gives you some impression. And we are not at the top. The lift goes up 124 floors in 60 seconds. That's two floors a second! The amazing thing is that there is no feeling of speed in the lift. You would hardly know you are moving. There are no windows and the only thing you see is the floor numbers rattling upwards on the lift sign. The only time I can recall seeing numbers change so fast is when watching the petrol prices in UK!

Anyway enough for now. Must get ready for work.
David

The most useful gift in the world

Hey girls if you want to wriggle your way to a man's heart then take a tip from Ashley. How about this for the most useful gift in the world. I love it!


Sorry, you'll have to turn your head on its side.

Busy. busy, busy

Well its been manic since we arrived back. New teachers to be settled in to school and the start of another school year. New classes and names to learn, new courses and resources to get my head around. All in all a very busy start. Sheila has been very busy too with many nights not finishing work until 7pm. Her job seems to get more complex and more important every week. I think she keeps the whole school running smoothly.

Ashley arrived last night and will be with us for the next two weeks. We are flying to Dubai next weekend to go up the tallest building in the world. The Burj Khalifa

It doesn't look that spectacular until you look at the "skyscrapers" beside it. Its almost 830m high, that's half a mile give or take! We will try to take some of our own pictures when we are there.

Not long after Ashley leaves to go back home Babs, Dave and Valerie are coming to visit us. We are really looking forward to that. By that time the weather should be almost perfect (it's still too hot here really). It's still over 40 degrees in the daytime. We won't be climbing the Burj Khalifa with them but we might go up the observation tower half way across the Saudi Causeway. Those of our visitors who have done that (Michael, Ashley and Nicola) will testify that it is a rivetting experience! Not to be missed.

There is also a possibility that Nicola will be coming back again in the gap between Ashley and the others. If that happens we will be almost "fully booked" from now until early November. Not long after that we will be home again for Christmas. Its all go in a busy life. By the way, when would YOU like to visit?

The golf season starts today with the Captains's Drive In. Its a nine hole competition to get the season under way. 18 hole competitions start next week but I will miss that one due to us being in Dubai. I will start proper the following week. Believe me that will be early enough. 18 holes in this heat!

OK that's not bad for a quick post to bring you back up to speed.

David

Back in Bahrain

Hi anyone who is still reading my posts. We are back in Bahrain having enjoyed a five week summer holiday in Scotland. We were pretty lucky with the weather considering what you have all had to put up with this year. We had some lovely days and managed to enjoy many games of golf on a lot of courses. I even managed to win a couple of prizes.

The sun is still shining here as we face the start of another school year.  Michael's stay here in Bahrain is almost over with only a week to go. This is the Eid holiday here now to celebrate the end of the holy month of Ramadan so he has only two more days to complete. I don't think he will be sorry to get back to the rain!

A couple of weeks after he goes back we are expecting Ashley for her second visit. We are hoping to take in a weekend in Dubai when she is here. She wants to visit the Burj Al Khalifa which is the tallest building in the world so I am currently planning that.

A couple of weeks after that Babs, Dave and Valerie are due to arrive. We wont be visiting the tallest building with them but I will have to get a wee step so that Babs can get into my Jeep! We are really looking forward to all of our visitors arriving. If you want to be next then drop me a line.

Ah well onwards and upwards.
David

Moved again

Hi Folks, we have moved again. Today I was up at the crack of dawn and started moving a whole household on a wheelbarrow! Mind you it was a deluxe four wheeled version although it didn't manouevre too well. Anyway we got everything moved by lunchtime but as you might expect we are in a bit of a howk even though the plan was "wherever it is in the old house, it goes in exactly the same place in the new house". Since the houses are identical it seemed a foolproof plan but it didn't really work out that way. Tomorrow we will have to do a bit of organising just to get in shape.

Tomorrow is also a full day rehearsal for our the "Circle of Life" Lion King show. There are four performances next weekend with over 300 seats per show. I believe its almost a sell-out already with a week to go. It really does look like its going to be a great show. I am one of two adult tenors in the adult chorus. There are about 5 basses, some altos and a few sopranos. Some of the tenor parts are pretty high, right on my limit, so I guess that why most of the men are singing bass. It is a massive commitment and if I had realised how much time I would be spending in rehearsal I would not have done it. But now that I have, I would do it again. Some of the kids are amazing. If the DVD they produce is any good I will bring a copy home (if its ready in time).

Ashley is coming to visit us again in September and I hear on the grapevine that another relative (or maybe two) is/are also planning a visit. It will be great to see anyone who wants to make the trek.

Looking at the clock its about 9.30 and I am completely whacked. I think its an early night for me.
Cheers for now
David.

Two weeks in already

I can't believe that Michael has already been here for more than two weeks. He has settled in well in his placement and seems to be enjoying it, especially since he is now being given some more interesting work. It was a classic case of starting with the tasks that no-one else wanted to do!

He has taken quickly to the automatic and to driving on the other side of the road but Sheila and I still breathe a little sigh of relief when he parks in the driveway at the end of another day. The more days you drive here the more nutty driving you see. The more you see the easier it is to anticipate what others might do and thus avoid the dreaded sound of cruching metal. There's no substitute for experience here and the only way to get it is to get out there and drive.

Michael and I played nine holes of golf last weekend and we plan to play the other nine tomorrow morning, if the weather is OK! It's baking here now, the pool is up to 31 degrees and its in the forties every day.

The villa at the other side of the compound has had workmen in all week preparing for our move. I really can't decide how easy it will be. I look around and think we haven't got that much stuff but I am sure when we start to move it it will suddenly swell. We are hoping we might get some stuff moved over the weekend because we have to be in by the 20th but I am not sure if any of the rooms are ready. I'll find out later today.
David

On the move again!

We have confirmed this morning that we are once again to move house here in Bahrain. There is a slight difference this time because we are moving from the blue circled villa to the red circled villa right opposite us.

Reason? Well in winter, and remember I use that term fairly loosely it can get rather chilly, again used loosley. We noticed that in our current villa with the pool and pation on the north side it was decidely chilly during the winter months whilst at our front door the sun was beating down and it was a VERY pleasant temparature. This meant we could happily have sat out on the front door step but not on the patio. The house on the other side has the pool and patio on the sunny side and so we should find winter alfresco dining etc a positive pleasure. The villa is exactly the same but the "opposite hand" so everything will feel a bit back to front at first. We plan to move everthing room by room across the compound and simply place them in the same position in the other house. Hopefully it shouldn't take too long. We will probably borrow a trolley affair from the school to help move lots of the small things in a single journey. Might even bung Mohammad, the watchman and car washer, a few extra dinars to get his hands dirty and move a few things. All being well it will all happen between the 15th and 20th of this month.

Took Michael to the golf this morning at ridiculous o'clock. You have to start early before its too hot. We played nine holes and will probably go back next weekend to play the other nine unless the new villa is ready for moving in. Michael seems to have settled in quickly to his placement and is confidently driving himself in and out of Manama. He is working in the Bahrain World Trade Centre, that cool buidling with the three wind turbines mounted between the two towers.

He is in an office pretty much on the same level as the lowest turbine, on the 11th floor of the east tower. I will post some cool pictures he took of the towers from ABOVE the turbines looking down from the 27th floor. He hasn't worked out how to get any higher than that yet because there must be another lift. His one only goes up to floor 27.

OK off out now for a wee while, mercury into the 40s today.
David

Announcing Michael's Safe Arrival

Michael arrived safe and well last night after his flight. We left the Golf Club Presentation just about the time you would want to really. I must be getting old. The band was just getting too loud to speak to the person immediately beside you never mind anyone else at the table, so we quickly got changed and drove up to the airport. We had a short wait while he cleared immigration and customs and there he was in the arrivals hall. Our wee boy having flown all by himself via Abu Dhabi.

As expected he thought it was hot but it was only 32 degrees because it was already gone midnight. He will get some real heat today! A quick driving lesson will be necessary because it looks like he might be starting pretty quickly with his work experience.

We will be able to catch up on all the news when he and his mum surface later this morning!
Cheers for now.
David

Happy Birthday to You

 Happy Birthday David Robertson

The look of surprise on Dave's face might well be explained by the fact that we had just walked into his eightieth birthday celebration on a surprise visit from Bahrain. Only one family member knew we were coming and we secretly flew home for the weekend. Well believe it or not today is one year on from that surprise visit. We are sorry to say that we won't be surprising you this time but it won't be long until we are home again for the summer. Have a great day, we send you our best wishes and all our love XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX X. (It's a lot of years when you look at it like that!)

Only three more sleeps before our wee boy flies all by himself a quarter of the way around the world to see us. Who would have believed it? I am all excited about taking him to the tower half way across the causeway. Nicola and Ashley will testify - it's a rivetting trip! I am planning to take Michael golfing at Awali but we will have to get up at first light and play 9 holes one time and 9 the next. there's no way you could play 18 holes in this heat. Having said that I am due to play 18 this weekend (if I am selected - can they afford to leave me out?) in a re-schduled match against Riffa. It may be too hot but any chance to play the grass course for free cannot be turned down. At least we have a buggy so we don't have to walk and the buggy has a cool box filled with ice, cold towels and bottled water. There are water taps regularly around the course and two wee shops so we will be fine.

Today is the last day before half term so I am on holiday Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Poor Sheila has to work as normal. That's the price of having the top admin job in the school. Having said that all the admin staff have the same holiday arrangement. Sheila chooses to save her holidays for the long break in the summer. I am planning to get a couple of minor things fixed on the new car before Michael arrives.

It's the Golf Club Presentation on Thursday night so we have that to look forward to. We'll have to leave early to get our boy at the airport so it will be a quick change in the BAPCO Club and then up to the airport. I am having one of those signs made to hold up to arriving passengers so that Michael knows who we are.

Breakfast awaits.
David

Seven days and counting

Hi all, only a week to go now until Michael completes the offspring visits to Bahrain. His visit will be a bit more unusual because he should be here for 3 months. All seems to be in place for his placement and hopefully he will find it a worthwhile experience. He will at least have the chance to make an impression with one of the biggest construction companies in the middle east if not the world! The only thing that is certain is that he will find it HOT!

I was out last night at a music session at the rugby club and on the way home at midnight it was 34 degrees. Phew! My Only a Man song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqThMi3QZPQ has gone viral here. I have to sing it every time I am out and I believe that a friend of one of my Bahrain pals, who plays at a jazz club in London, is now singing it.

The new car is going great. I think we have had it long enough to find out all of the things that were wrong with it and I am pleased to say there seems nothing major. A few wee bits and pieces need attention but I'll get to them in time. I love driving it. You lot should all get a 4.7 litre automatic. Its effortless driving. Very relaxing. I recommend it. I think Michael is excited about it, if a little apprehensive. He will love it but it will spoil the rest of his driving life having to drive a 1.0 litre supermini (unless he decides his life lies in a place such as this).

That's Sheila surfaced so the weekend starts here. Not sure what our plans are.
David

As promised a picture of the new wheels

Here is a picture of our new transport. Remember when I say new I mean 10 years old but new to us.

Dig the cool steering wheel cover. It's designed so that it doesn't get so hot as you cant touch it!
We are off in a few minutes to give Sheila her first drive of a really powerful car. I wonder what she'll make of it.
David

Car Update

I am sure that you are all sitting on the edge of your seats wondering how the car deal went. Well I am pleased to report that the whole thing went rather smoothly. Its complex and bewildering but the guy who was selling me the car knew which desks to visit and in which order (which was a jolly good job because bewildering is the word). First you visit the insurance company where you hand the lady a form. She mutters something in arabic and the guy mutters something back. She looks like she is not happy then gives him a form. He looks happy to get the form and we walk to another desk where I hand over BD5. We get a receipt and take it back to the first lady who is much happier looking now. She stamps the form and presses a few buttons on her keyboard and then gives us the form back again. We go back to the desk beside the paydesk and hand over our form. The nice young man behind the desk the produces a certificate of insurance in my name (transferred from previous owner). It looks like a credit card. We then drive to the vehicle licensing centre where, by the way, you don't get in if you are wearing shorts. I just thought I would let you know that. Luckily we were all appropriately dressed and in we went. Its another case of you first get the form checked by one chap who stamps it, then you go to accidents desk where they do something and stamp your form. Then you go to another desk in another room with no indication as to where or why and a chap there checks whether there are any outstanding traffic fines for the car, then a few desks and a few stamps later you find yourself at the pay desk. You then queue up because there are lots of people doing this (every car that changes hands on the island have to be done in this building) and when you get to the front of the queue the chap there gives you a ticket with a number on it. You then take a seat in front of a lot of different desks and wait for your number. It was then I handed over the lolly. When its your turn you go to the desk and pay your BD16 and a few minutes later you have in your grubby little hand a vehicle owner registration card. It again looks like a credit card. That's it. Job done. The previous owner says to me "Mabrook" which apparently means congratulations. I say "Shokran" and he replies "Afwan", thank you and you're welcome for the uninitiated (my arabic is coming on although I have no idea how to spell those words). That's me up to three words. I am the proud owner of a Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.7 litre flying machine.

I said it has all the boys toys? What about this. It has electric seats - no big deal there you say. It has two presets so we adjust the seat to our desired position and save the settings. If you open the door and press your button the seat goes to your position. OK so that's pretty good but what about this. There are two remote controls which are slightly different colours. If you open the door with remote control 1 the seat goes to the settings for 1 and if you use the other remote the seat goes to position 2. How cool is that? Oh and by the way the door mirrors adjust to the two settings too and the radio goes to the preset stations for that driver. I am still investigating. Pictures to follow. It was dark before I got the car home.

Cheers for now
David

New Car

Well the decision has finally been made and after much to-ing andf fro-ing we have finally plumped for the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Today we have to complete the paperwork for the transfer. It's not like in the UK. Yhe old owner and the new owner have to go together to the insurance company where the insurance is transferred to the new owner. It's the car that is insured here not the driver so anyone can drive anything. I think the insurance excesses are different for different ages driving the car and thats how the compensate for younger drivers. Then you go together to the equivalent of DVLA in Swansea to have the registration transferred from one to the other. It is there that the money changes hands and the new owner takes the old owner home. All very sweet really! A pain in the neck though as the place is only open during school hours. Luckily my students are on study leave so I will be able to squeeze it in. Hopefully they work quickly. Let's hope all goes smoothly with that.

The car is a 4.7 litre (yes I know I said I didn't want to get one that was too big) leather upholstery and all the boys toys. Electric everything, climate control some kind of navigation system (not sat nav) just something that tells you what direction you are going I think. Lots and lots of things to go wrong so fingers crossed it turns out to be reliable. With an engine that size it will probably be open wallet surgery to fill it with petrol - probably about £12 a time - extrotionate! Our lease on the other car doesnt run out until October but we really need transport for Michael when he arrives in a couple of weeks so we decided just to buy now. That way we wouldnt be tempted to spend any more. We just wanted something cheapish so we have gone very much middle of the road. After the summer holiday we'll have a month or so with two cars and then it will be back to one. It will give us a time to make sure the new one is OK and fix anything that might need done. Its a greyish blueish sort of colour, maybe greenish, you know the kind. I'll post a picture if the transfer transaction all goes smoothly.

We are very much looking forward now to Michael's arrival. He arrives the same day as the Golf Club Presentation Dance so we will have to leave that about 11ish to get up to the airport to collect our wee boy. It is getting very hot now with daytime temperatures in the low forties. The pool is up to 31 degrees which makes it very easy to get in. I am not sure how he'll cope but I suppose he'll soon get used to it like we have. We are starting to feel it chilly when it goes below 30.

Sheila and I enjoyed our golf weekend and we managed to come in 21st out of 26 so that was great. We had a good time and can aim for a top 20 finish next time. It was mighty hot though, mid forties. Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in that!

OK that's about all for now.
David

Kingsbury Final

This weekend saw me playing in the final of the Kingsbury Matchplay. This has been a knockout throughout the season and the final was a 36 hole affair played in baking heat on Friday and today. Unfortunately I was beaten on the 36th and final hole by Diab Sager Al-Naiomi. I was almost always behind and was two down at the end of the first day and after much nip and tuck was again two holes down with two holes left to play. I managed to win the 35th and pressured my opponent all the way forcing him to hole an eight footer on the last to prevent us from going into extra time. It was very difficult to play in the 42 degree heat. Too hot for golf. The matchplay finals should really be organised to finish before now. Not complaining though I gave it my best shot and would not be a true Scot unless I was narrowly beaten and a gallant runner up. That's what we Scots do best.

Still looking for a car before Michael gets here. No closer to making a purchase though. What my eye wants and what the budget will extend to are still some way apart! I am trying to loosen the strings on Sheila's money bag but its hard work.

Next weekend Sheila and I are playing on the grass at Riffa. Its again a two day event - mixed greensomes. It will again be very hot but we will be in a buggy so wont be pushing trolleys and will get some shade and a breeze while I rally us between shots. Greensomes also means that you only play every other shot. We get two rounds of competition and two lunches for BD75 all in. It costs BD60 for one round normally so that's a good deal. We are looking forward to it. Watch out for the report.

The pool is up to 29 degrees now - sound inviting.
David

Mr and Mrs Outstanding

The school inspection is over and we have received the feedback from the 12 person inspection team. The school has been classed in the "Outstanding" category in ALL SIX of the inspected areas. The highest possible award. That means we are all outstanding. Sheila is outstanding, I have always known that but now I have joined her.

Its great news for the school because our main rivals in attracting the students (and so the students cash) is a school called St Christophers. They were also awarded the outstanding label but have been advertising themselves as "the only outstanding school in Bahrain". They will now have to change that. We are a much much younger school than them and it has always been viewed that we were a bit second rate. "If you can't get your children into St Chris then the British School is not too bad" would have been said amongst parents. Now we can officially challenge that view and continue to go from strength to strength.

I am hoping to play some outstanding golf this weekend but we have some grocery shopping outstanding so we better get that done or we'll be hungry all week. We are really looking forward to Michael coming out and I am on the hunt for a car for him when he gets here. The lease for our car is up in November when we would be buying one anyway so I'll just bring that purchase forward a bit so that he has wheels. Although we are close enough to walk to work it will be blisteringly hot by then. Its amazing here that when you look at a car you dont need to consider the size of the engine at all. If its "only 2.5 litre" then its a pretty small one. I think I'll try to limit myself to 3 litres but if I see something bigger than that and its outstanding enough a deal then I might just go for it. 6.4 litre is about the biggest so it probably wont be bigger than that! At 18p a litre you have to be careful you know.

The weather at the moment is absolutely perfect. 33 degrees yesterday. We went for a celebratory drink with the other teachers and sat outside Block 338 (a pub). If was absolutley outstanding. An outstanding way to finish an outstanding week.
Cheers
David and Sheila

Last but not least

Hi y'all. Its almost half way through another week already and the school inspectors are with us. The long wait is over and its something of a relief that they have finally arrived. It means we are no longer gathering stuff together to prove that we are a s good as we say we are. The first day of the inspection went smoothly thanks in no small part to the calm efficiency of Sheila. She never flaps when the pressure is on. Two more days to go and inshallah, it will all be finished.

Michael is the only member of our immediate family who has not yet visited Bahrain and I am pleased to say that he is coming at the start of June. We have managed to get him a summer job with a huge construction company here on the island. Its the same company that built the world trade centre here in Bahrain, the one with the three wind turbines in it. The experience will hopefully stand him in great stead for the challenge of securing a job at the end of his course.

He will have work for up to three months so will remain here in Bahrain while we return to sunny Kirkcaldy for a spell. He can look after the house and the car and our vegetable patch. We have sown a few seeds again and I see this morning that the first of them have popped up. It'll be a big responsibility for him ... not so mush the house and car but the vegetable patch in all that heat.

He has never driven on the right, never driven an automatic and NEVER driven amongst the wacky races here so it will be a great experience. Fortunately he'll be here for over a month before we leave so he should be well trained by then.

Golf news - I managed to come second in the Captains Prize competition at the weekend. I have been playing much better recently. I think I am starting to internalise the changes that I have made to my swing and I feel sure another improvement is possible. I plan to have another set of lessons to follow this set during the hotter weather ready for a blast at the opens when I am home. Let's hope for some great weather.

OK more later.
David

First week almost in

It's almost the weekend again. Its been a hectic first week back. The school is being inspected next week although they like to call it reviewed rather than inspected. We have been running around all week gathering all the evidence we have to show that we are as good as we think we are! I'll be glad when its past. We are fast approaching final exams so its all go on every front.

This is the Formula 1 weekend here with the race on Sunday. there's a mixture of excitement and protest on the island. There is threatened disruption for the entire week of F1. So far it has just amounted to some tyre burning and gathering of large groups of people (I think). As usual we dont see anything between school and our little But'n'Ben. We have our usual golf planned this weekend so hopefully it will all go smoothly. We might get a bit of traffic disruption because the F1 track is quite near the golf course. We will take a different route to try to avoid congestion but it might not be possible.

Our pool is now at 25 degrees and is fantastic to swim in. I am swimming for half an hour every morning before work. I have fitted a clock outside so that I can time myself because counting the lengths is impossible. I am not improving my swimming much but you should see my turning, its awesome!

OK end of quick update. Better get showered for work.
David

Back from our Jolly Hols

Hi Folks, we arrived back last night safe and well from our wee trip to Oman. We had a very relaxing and enjoyable stay. It was a bit hotter there than when we kleft Bahrauin but I must say that it is hotting up here now too. The pool was beautiful this morning. The slightest chill when you first get in and then perfect.

Oman is a very mountainous and rugged country. The mountains are very jagged but due to the heat have no vegetation on them at all.

This was the view looking back towards part of Muscat. Muscat is a pretty sprawled out series of smaller towns that basically join together to form a big city. I really recommend Oman. I would love to go back with a rental car and do a big tour. The scenery is pretty spectacular in places abd the weather simply magic. There were a few big cruise ships in as Muscat is part of the Middle East Cruise route.

This was dfown by Muscat Harbour. We watched the fishermen catching fish with no fishing rods. They simply lobbed a bit of nylon line with a hook and a half loaf on the end and voila ... a fish. They weren't very big though. It did however prompt Sheila to enquire why I spent all that money on a rod and reel and all of the other paraphernalia that I have. No need for a "Lofty's Cobra" or a "Canadian Wiggler" here. I dare say I might have managed to catch some bigger ones had I had my gear with me. I might just start a bit of fishing here in Bahrain.

OK speak to some of you soon.
David and Sheila.

A man and a woman in Oman

Hi y'all, long time no post. I am on holiday this week and next but since Sheila needs to keep most of her holiday allocation to make sure we get a long summer break she is still working. She does however have a couple of public holidays so we have decided to have four days in Oman. Apparently its a really beautiful country so we thought we would give it a bash.

We fly from Bahrain on Saturday morning and return on Tuesday. Sheila found a four star hotel offering half price deals so fingers crossed on the accommodation front. It looks really nice on the website but of course the pictures could be well out of date. We are going to stay most of the time in the Muscat area. You can get organised tours to show you round so we'll probably do that. If we think the country merits a return visit we can always go back. Its only a one and a half hour flight. It will be nice to feel like we are on holiday. Return visits to Scotland don't really "feel" like a holiday because we are in our own house. Its about time someone else was booking a flight to sunny Bahrain. There's two empty bedrooms and the pool is beginning to warm a little. I am swimming every morning again. Its still a little cool when you first get in but apart from that its great. Still too cold for her ladyship though. "Is it like the bath yet?" is what she asks. "Not quite" is my reply!

I'll try to remember to charge up my camera and then take it with us and then actually get it out of its little packet. I am a liability of the picture front I'm afraid. I promise to try though.

The weather here is beginning to hot up. Its been a MUCH cooler and longer "winter" than normal. We have had showers of rain almost every night this week. Pretty unusual I think. Some lightning last weekend saw the abandonment of the golf competition but not until after I had finished my round. I wasn't going to win any prizes anyway so for me it was an advantage that it was scrubbed. Its rescheduled for 14th April I think.

OK have to start thinking about case packing! Thats one advantage of last minute booking. It will be Saturday before we know it.
Cheers for now
Happy Easter
David and Sheila

Special day

29th March, 29th March  ..... hmm ..... let me see now, I am sure there was something about that date but I can't quite remember what.

Oh yes I've got it, 25 years ago today we welcomed Ashley to this world and I can say our life has never been the same since! Then 21 years ago today lightning struck again in exactly the same spot when Michael joined us.

Congratulations and best wishes to you both on this happy day. We are very sorry not to be there to enjoy it with you but we will certainly celebrate it when we return in the summer. I just might be allowed to open a bottle tonight.

Happy Birthday Ashley

 And Happy Birthday Michael

Love from Mum and Dad in Bahrain
Miss you loads - Skype you later
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx x

Blown off course

Well I said I would report good news or bad. Well is was not good. I shot an 88 eighteen over par. Although it sounds a very big number it was actually pretty respectable in the grand scheme of things. I think I reported after the last open that the weather was the worst wind I had played in ... at that time. I can now add yesterday. It was so bad that balls were blowing around on the greens. At one hole my playing partner placed his ball on the green to get ready for his putt. Stepped back to line it upo and watched as the wind blew the ball ... yes you've guessed it ... INTO THE HOLE. Now using the rules of golf from last year that would have to be replaced but now, it counts as though he had holed out with his previous shot. Apart for the wind and the course taking back some of the luck it gave me on Friday my day was marred by the other of my playing partners. I had to remind him that he was cheating on the first green and then he wouldnt speak to me or acknowledge anything I said. At the end of each hole it is customary to confirm with the person whose card you are marking the score made on the hole. He just ignored me then started shouting at me when I found HIS ball in a bush. I don't think he would have found it but then he started shouting at me because it was stuck off the ground in the twiglets. He refused to shake my hand at the end so all in all a pretty rum do. I think I finished in about 24th position. The early starters definitely got away with much lighter winds.
Another golf related bulletin comes to an end. Its all we do here, work and golf!
David

Bahrain Open Update

Well the first day is over and today sees the second and final round. Some players hopes are already over having shot high numbers in the very strong wind. Others managed to struggle round somehow with a reasonable score. The leader, last years winner and European Tour Professional Andrew Marshall only managed a two over par 72 so that shows how difficult things were. So what group am I in? Well I drove the ball terribly all day. You are supposed to be on a par three in one and there are five on the course. How many did you hit Dave, how many? Eh.... one. OK but that leaves 13 drives to the fairway, how many of those did you hit? Eh .... four. OK thats not too good so come on, out with it, what did you score? Well amazingly enough there was a bit of the old Seve about me yesterday and the course gave me back a little more than usual in terms of GOOD bounces. One in particular saw me drive out of bounds on the left of the third hole only to see the ball hit a rock and rebound back. It didnt go back to the fairway but at least it was in play. I managed to scramle round in 80 blows which puts me in 10th equal place. There were seven professional in the field and of those only the leader is ahead of me. There is a professional in my group today with the same score and all of the others were worse.

On day two you play in reverse order best scores last so I am in the fourth last group teeing off at 10.10. Wish me luck. I'll let you know how it goes good or bad. Let's hope for a better driving day. You can't expect to get away with it two days in a row!

Away from the golf the first interview for the new Head of Seniors post took place yesterday. Our Head of school is retiring at the end of this year so the process has begun to find a replacement. I think it will be an emotional day for her and its not really that far off now. Sheila was in school yesterday but she is going to "caddie for her man" today. I will push the trolley up the steep slopes though!

Cheers for now.
David

Bahrain Open looms large

The 49th Bahrain Open Golf tournament has arrived again this weekend. It comes hard on the heels of the John Gunby 3 club challenge last Saturday. You were allowed any two clubs and a putter. I chose my 21 degree rescue club and a 9 iron. I scored a scratch 41 for the nine holes which was the best score of the day. The next best being a 45. It was worse wind than last years open and it would definitely have been abandoned had it not been a charity event. "So with the best score by far you must have won", I hear you ask. Well ... no. It doesnt work that way. The competition used a modified callaway system of scoring where the worse your score the more gets subtracted!!!! I was beaten by one othe person who actually said he had his wrost 9 hole score EVER on the course. He scored 54 but because it was so bad he got his worst TWO holes deducted. they wewre a 10 and a 9 so he won! Criminal. "You wis robbed big man!". Indeed.

Anyway, I would swap the John Gunby win for a decent performance in the Open. I have been for a lesson last weekend and changed my swing a bit. Not a good time so close to a major competition like this but if you don't make changes you wont get any better.

We were invited to a music session at MacGuires Irish pub in Adliya last Thursday. As per normal Sheila didnt fancy it so I went along with my guitar. There were three other guitarists a couple of box players, a concertina, two fiddles and a bass. Lots of tunes and lots of singing. I consider myself to be a pretty competent guitarist without being outstanding but of the four guitarists there I was most definitely fourth in the talent department. I modestly placed myself a bit higher in the singing department but not at the top! I really enjoyed it and was quite surprised on the Satuday evening to get invited to one of the fiddler's houses. He was having a private session "for the better musicians". I was quite pleased to get an invite and it was a great night. Its great to have found a few people who have very similar tastes in music and who are keen to get together and play. I just wish that Sheila liked it a bit more. I feel a bit guilty leaving her in on her own while I am out enjoying myself. She seems quite happy with the TV and the iron!

Well that's all for now folks. Watch this space for an open update. You can keep tabs on the draw and the results here http://www.masterscoreboard.co.uk/ClubIndex.php?CWID=15022

OK nighty night.
David

Cards and a parcel - and it isn't March yet!

I suggested that my cards would arrive in March but I was wrong .... unless there are more to come. Yesterday I received three birthday cards from Valerie, Colin Judith and the gang and Auntie Jean in Markinch and a parcel containing, a golf glove, a golf cap and two DVDs. Now I dont know who that is from! The label was typed and there are no clues on the packaging. Anyway I thank you all most sincerely for thinking of me. I am going to wear the glove and the cap at the Bahrain Open in less than two weeks time and hope they will bring me luck. At least I will LOOK like a golfer.

I have started a series of lessons to try to improve my game but as usual you take a little step backwards at first as you try to change long standing habits.

School is marching along and we are almost on the home run of another year. It's amazing how quickly time flies in.

Anyway, thanks again for the cards and pressies.
David

Happy Birthday to me

Hi all, thanks for the meny texts and emails wishing me a happy birthday. I know that some cards are on their way but none has arrived yet. It'll be a fine surprise when they finally get to my mail box in March!!!!

As you may have guessed I spent most of my birthday on the golf course or rather golf courses! Today was the Green/Brown Challenge where our club play against Riffa Golf Club playing 9 holes on our desert course and 9 holes on their grassy green course. I played pretty well but we were beaten on the last hole. Sheila spent most of the day in the school at the Board of Trustees meeting. We then popped up to the shops and I got myself a new haircut for my birthday. We bought a nice steak for my birthday tea and Sheila is having some kind of kebab with salad mmmm. I have opened a bottle of red which is something of a rarity these days.

We are fast approaching the anniversary of the day start of the troubles last year and there are plans for more protests. Inshallah, the next few days will pass without major incident.

Cheers for now
David and Sheila.

Long time no post

Hi y'all, its been some time since I posted to the blog so I thought I would give you an update. There hasnt been much to say and I dont really want to tell you what we bought at the local supermarket! The weather has warmed up a little but the last few days has been a Shamal which is a wind that brings us terrible sand storms. It has been the worst since we arrived here. It appears to have blown out now. It has taken its toll on roadside signs and more importantly it has blown away the oiled sand from the greens at the golf course resulting in the cancellation of todays competition. We still await news about our games tomorrow and Sunday. Sunday is the prophet's brithday so we are on holiday. Its the Ladies Excuse Me at the golf club where lady members invite three men to be their partners. Luckily Sheila asked me to be one of her partners. We also have Gerry McDermott, an Irishman and Clive Bailey from South Africa. It should be fun.

It's about a year since the unrest started and there is significant rumour about an upsurge in the unrest again around the 14th February, the anniversary of one of the important days in the commotion the last time. Lets hope for the sake of everyone that it passes of quietly. We never hear a thing where we live now although there are still incidents every night in the villages.

It wont be long until our half term holiday but Sheila will be working to allow us maximum holiday time in the summer. We should be home for about 5 weeks approx 13 July to 17 Aug.

Getting ready for Sheila's golf lesson today. Although the course is closed the driving range will be open so I'll probably bash a few balls too.

Have a great weekend when it comes for you.
David

Severe weather warning!

Yesterday was without doubt the coldest day we have experienced in Bahrain. After nine holes of the Crown Prince Cup I had to put my wind-cheater jersey on! It's the first time I have felt the need to wear anything other than a T-shirt since we arrived here. It was definitely cold as opposed to cool. I think the temperature was about 11 degrees but there was a strong wind and the wind-chill was strong.

Anyway I was playing in the Crown Prince Cup at Riffa, the expensive grass course. Mind you for the first nine holes I was really happy that I hadn't PAID to play because I was hardly ON THE GRASS. I was in bunkers, waste areas, the cart path, you name it, I was there. My partner was little better and we were 5 down after 7 holes. Mind you we were playing against Hamed Mubarak and another player from the Bahrain National Team.

We did however improve on the back nine and finished the match all square after 18 holes. A remakable comeback against their top players.

We lost the Crown Prince Cup though overall 4.5 to 1.5.

I managed to get fourth place in the Friday competition and my handicap is now 4.7 the lowest I have ever been. One more good round could see me playing off 4.

OK time for work.
David

Still here!

It was with some amazement I realise that I havent posted since New Year. We have been very busy at school what with the inspectors due to arrive in a couple of months. Sheila was unwell for a few days afetr we got back and so I was playing nursemaid. the outfit was pretty cool!! I am pleased to say that she is very much back to normal so the outfit will have to go back in the cupboard.

We played golf as usual this weekend and I tried to send a picture from the course of my almost hole one at the sixth. It may yet come through. Not sure why the phone isnt connecting and sending as it should. We have a few competitions coming up including a two day doubles event, not next weekend but the one after. We had a few drops of rain again this morning but it is definitely beginning to warm up again (not that its ever been that cold!). Hopefully the pool will follow suit quickly. We have been in touch with the compound owners to enquire about the possibility of moving to a villa on the other side of the compound. In the winter the sun disappears from our pool area quite early and a villa on the other side would still be basking in the sun. they have siad that we can move if we want to when one becomes available. We have no idea when that might be or even if we will in fact move but at least we have the opportunity.

Sheila should be moving into her new office this week although we have heard that one before. It looks really nice.

Ok off to check this phone to see why it hasny sent the mails. (Of course by the time I went back to look the mails are there! Typical.
Bye for now.
David

The old ones are the best!

What do you think of this idea? Do you think anyone has thought of it before? You might have seen it on "Oor Wullie" but I bet you never thought it happened for real. This hand was spotted by invigilators in our recent prelims.
David

So near and yet so far

How was this for nearly a hole in one at the sixth a few minutes ago?

YeAABA

It is with constant amazement I think of the hardy souls of Ye Amphibious Ancients Bathing Association http://www.yeaaba.org.uk/the-dook who on New Year's Day bathe in Broughty Ferry harbour no matter the weather. I decide in honour of those who have gone before that I would swim in our pool on New Year's Day. Now I know its not quite as cold but I can assure you it was a tad chilly. I managed two lengths only before deciding enough was enough and I had paid sufficient tribute.

We played front 9 holes of golf, had lunch outside in the sunshine, and then played the back nine before we returned home to enjoy our New Year dinner. A great start to the year.

Cheers for now
David and Sheila

A guid New Year tae ane and a'

Happy New Year to all our family and friends who are spread widely across the world. We hope that you have a great 2012 and that your own personal dreams and wishes come true whatever they may be.

David and Sheila