Doing his bit for the environment...

Question: How many cars does it take to transport one British Prime Minister around Abu Dhabi?

Answer: More than you'd think.

Tony Blair was in town yesterday (we were busy so couldn't hook up - think he was OK about it though).

But wasn't there some government/global policy being mooted recently to do with bringing down carbon emissions?!!

It's Christmas!!! (apparently)

5 "days" until Christmas apparently (notice that the phrase "shopping days" has not really entered common usage in the UAE).

Not feeling at all festive though. Probably due to the fact that today we have had bright blue cloudless sky and sunshine all day. It's not fair (but sympathy will be unforthcoming I know). We get sunshine all through the rest of the year. The recent rain was admittedly getting me more "in the spirit" but that has all dried up (both rain and spirit) in the last few days, so we're back to pretending that it's Christmas when the only thing to confirm it is the many over the top commercial Christmas "displays" that have appeared on shop fronts and in shopping malls.

Admittedly, the Christmas trees in the shopping malls are far and away better than any I've ever seen in the UK, but with so many people breezing past them in shorts and T-shirts, with not a "woolly" in sight, nor the sense of panic and urgency that is usually evident in UK shops by now, something is just missing.

To say nothing of the fact that the Arabic kids must be wondering what all that artificial white stuff is that has been sprayed everywhere (ingeniously made of shredded carrier bags by the way!).

Very much looking forward to a bit of traditional Christmas cold/rain/fog/turkey/more turkey/beer/cheer/more beer and cheer/carols/sausage rolls/mince pies/decent TV/ no taxes..... oh... no, that's here isn't it. Maybe it's not so bad....

News (Part 2)

Michele is pregnant!! Very exciting. Had a scan on Saturday, and all is well. Baby (gender as yet unknown, and hopefully it will stay that way) is 4cm long and surprisingly wriggly for something so small. Estimated due date is early July (hopefully not 1 July as that would mean 3 generations of the same family with the same birthday!).

I guess most people who didn't already know will have guessed this news anyway, but you know the rules re the 3 month limitation on public disclosure!

Anyway, with that and a change of jobs and a move to Dubai, 2007 is shaping up to be quite a busy and eventful year.

We are now welcoming any and all offers of babysitting during 2007. We can provide sunshine and shopping facilities on a mammoth scale in one of the most upcoming cities on the planet. And plenty of dirty nappies, if that isn't enough to persuade you...

Get booking now!

Christmas Trees (and Winter Weather)

We put our Christmas tree up this morning. We were going to do it last night, in the full spirit of Christmas, with curtains closed, a bit of Slade and 'Shakey' on the stereo, mince pies, etc, before Jack's bedtime. We even had traditional Christmas weather here yesterday (rain). Again. Unbelievable weather here lately. In Qatar they had 48 years of rainfall in one day last week!.

But for one reason or another the tree stayed in the box.

So we ended up putting the tree up this morning. With the curtains open, no music on, the sun shining outside and Barney on the TV. Not at all festive. Had forgotten also that our tree is... well... a bit naff really. Too small and lacking the wow factor.

Still, at least Jack got to hang some balls on the tree for the first time. Admittedly not in the traditional style of hooking them over the branches in ornate fashion. More lobbing them at the base, grenade style.

It's Christmas time. And there's no need to be afraid...

(I guess we can be thankful that we haven't reached the "Look what I made at playgroup to hang on the tree" stage yet.)

Goodbye-ing, Buying and Dubai-ing

This week's life changing news: I have resigned from Trowers & Hamlins.

Again.

This time for good.

Again.

After much mulling over with Michele, and way too much thinking (to the point where I was beginning to lose sight of everything) we have decided to cash in our Trowers chips for something better. But not yet a return to the UK. Instead, we're doing the UK equivalent of moving to London - moving to Dubai.

I have accepted a new job with UK law firm Richards Butler (soon to become Reed Smith Richards Butler, following a merger with a big US law firm whereupon it will become one of the top 15 (actually, 15th) law firms in the world; which is a bit cool I think) and will start some point in the Spring. All quite exciting.

It has obviously meant that we have started looking for a place to live. And we are thinking of buying. Property in Dubai has skyrocketed in value recently since they passed a law allowing foreigners to own property. For example, most of the villas we have so far looked at have more than doubled (and in some cases nearly trebled) in value in the last 2 years. Not sure we will benefit from similar inflation, but one can but hope.

And hopefully, given that our friends in the UK should be more familiar with the name Dubai than with Abu Dhabi, we can expect more of them to come and visit. Maybe.

The lengths you have to go to!

Next week's life changing news: wait and see.....;)

Bitbits, bubblef... and Lon

My parents are out visiting us at the moment, for what may be the final time to Abu Dhabi (but more on that in a forthcoming post). They have been doing lots of babysitting for us, and clearly enjoying the advancements that Jack has made since the summer. Most notably in his speech.

The two main passions in Jack's life at the moment are biscuits ("bitbits") and bubbles ("bubblef"). The former being an occasional (perhaps too frequent) treat, and the latter being a favourite pastime involving... well... lots of washing up liquid. The thing is, he gets very excited when the two words are mentioned in close proximity. Yesterday, for example, we were treated to the full-length version of his oft-repeated reply to the semi-question "Jack - Biscuits and bubbles??".

Which goes something along the lines of: "No, no bitbits, no bubblef, no bubblef, no bitbits, no bubblef. An bitbits 'n' bubblef... No bitbits... No bubblef."

None of which is actually an indication of him declining either. Who knows what goes on in that pretty little head of his....

On a separate note, the word "Grandad" is proving a bit difficult at the moment. Not being helped by Jack's occasional laziness in attempting new words. Take, for example, this recent roundtable discussion that involved us all:

Mummy: "Jack, can you say Hello Mummy?"
His Lordship: "'ello Mummy."
Mummy: "...and Hello Daddy?"
HL: "'ello Daddy."
M: "...and Hello Nanny?"
HL: "'ello Nanny."
M: "...and Hello Grandad?"
HL: "Mmm."
M: "No, Hello Grandad."
HL: "Er...um... 'ello mate."

Bless. Of course, matters have not been helped by my Mum calling up the stairs to my Dad earlier in the week, for some reason or another: "Ron?".

Jack has now picked up on that one single instant, and now "Grandad" is affectionately known as "Lon". As the week goes on, Lon is looking a little weary as he is forced to juggle similar sounding cries from wife and grandson.

Nanny: "Ron?"
HL: "Lon! Lon!!! Hahaha.... LON!!!"

Fun for all the family.