Saudi 3

THE SAUDI CHRONICLES

 WEEK 20 of 104

Hello again ! I have at last ironed out my little problemettes with my computer/internet connection and hopefully it will stay active long enough for me to compile this edition of the Saudi Cronicles, or the disjointed rantings of an ex-pat, you decide....

So, whats been going on, well we spent Christmas and the New Year here, well Al and me did, Chris absconded back to the U.K.

It was O.K., but it's really strange knowing all the run up and celebrations are happening back in the U.K. and apart from the Christmas tree and some decorations in the canteen there was nothing to indicate it was Christmas at all here. To ensure I am in the thick of it next year though, I went into work on 30th December and booked Christmas 2009 off.

New Year was the same, it came and went, and we settled into 2009. By the way, Happy New Year to everone. Then we get to January 6th..make a note of this as it is a milestone date to remember. I, yes me, alone on my jack jones solo DROVE TO WORK, and I am still alive to record the fact. On the 23rd of Jan Al Chris and your fearless driver, went to Half Moon Bay. This is a small private beach about 45 minutes up the road from us. It was a nice change, we stopped for lunch there, and then sauntered back after.

On the evening of 28th Jan I boarded Saudi Air flight SV103 and flew home. It was fantastic to see Dawnie again, and you know what....she hadn't changed a bit, still as lovely as ever. We had a great time catching up, chilling (litterally) out and taking long walks with the delinquent one in the woods. Speaking of the four legged looney, did she enjoy the snow or what ! She goes crackers and was racing around like mad mut, she had me in stitches. All to soon I was back on the plane Saudi bound for my next stint away.

One thing that's been bugging me since I got here is the rubbish broadband, it's held up a lot of projects not least the website updates. Well Simon has a mate who works in IT and he recomended a package from a communications group called Mobily. This unit operates in a not too dissimilar way to our BT hub in the U.K. It's not cheap but we have a good signal and a fast connection. Last week I even managed to call Daz and Jen in Australia on Skype.

One of the things that we realised during our time here in Stalag Aziziyah is that filling the weekend was going to be key to staying on the straight and narrow (you get my drift!!!) and that a hobby of some sort was a must. I decided to resurrect an interest I had years ago in radio controlled model cars. My lovely wife bought me a Nissan Skyline for Christmas, its a beaut, 4 wheel drive, tuned motor, full ballrace set, and I have just finished it. I am waiting for the outside temperature to drop into the tolerable zone (currently at scorchio) and I will be off out to test run.

Well folks it's time to close this session. I do hope you've enjoyed the latest news. Hope you like the pictures. All the best. Be cool.

Saudi Steve