The Bog is Black

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O.K. Now that we've got the lame excuse for toilet humour and a poor anagram out of the way it's time to update you all on what's been happening to the Toms.

We are now mostly settled into our new home for this year – a newish 2 bedroom apartment well situated in the heart of Abu Dhabi. We are on the 10^th floor and have a very pleasant and expansive view with a little bit of sea in the distance.

Abu Dhabi is so far really great – quite the opposite of Doha in many ways. It has a very settled and almost western city style feel to the place – in that it is quite established and conventional looking. There is some construction going on here and there but so far I haven't seen any rocks or dust or potholes. The streets are set out in an easy grid pattern, there are footpaths and pedestrian crossings, and the driving is pretty sensible and courteous. We are in the central area with shops of all descriptions, restaurants, cafes etc... We could walk to the closest shopping mall which has a big Lulu's supermarket and we would, if it wasn't quite so hot currently.

The Corniche is particularly pretty with a couple of good beaches and more being developed. Set across the road from and parallel to the Corniche is a long strip of established gardens with a few restaurants and cafes, kids play areas etc.... it is all very splendid , well thought out and leads to ( at one end ) the magnificent Emirates Palace and out to the impressive Marina Mall, which, if you can manage to not get lost, you might find the Ikea store where there are no end of useful household gadgets, furniture and more. Absolutely spectacular views from the mall are to be had back across to Abu Dhabi city.

So Lynne is now working for Cognition again here. In their infinite capacity to totally mess up a good thing, Qatar's Education Council has decided to try and go it alone in education – the general consensus being that they are in no way, shape or form ready to do this massive undertaking without expert help. So very probably next year they will be calling out for help again.

It is not just in Education but pretty much every infrastructural undertaking in progress that an inability to do a proper job seems to be their forte. It would seem that there is an inverse correlation between having the money ( and they have obscene amounts of the stuff ) to do the job and actually accomplishing it.

An example, all too commonly witnessed, in March they decided to dig up the road outside our apartment – there was nothing wrong with the road! It was a lovely road with virtually no potholes. It was then left as a dusty track with large piles of asphalt and rocks for over a month, then a ditch was dug to expose an old sewer pipe running the length of the street. Weeks later concrete trucks arrived and the pipe was neatly encased in concrete. Fantastic we all thought progress...mmmmm.. A couple of weeks later huge digging machines arrived and smashed up said concreted pipe and the ditch was filled in again. Large holes were dug...Nothing much happened for another month. Just as we were to vacate the building prior to the end of contract, a flurry of activity saw berm edgings being laid. We heard that while away on holiday in July that they had laid a new road. On our arrival back a month later yes there was some new asphalt down but soon after being laid massive big holes were dug right in the middle. No doubt somebody forgot something that should have been connected or put there in the first place...So nearly 5 months and still the end is not in sight. On leaving it seemed that the workforce on this road had been reduced to a couple of guys with shovels.

In the 2 years we were there I only saw a couple of things completed, but never fully and not without ongoing problems.

I for one am not going to miss that road one little bit. Another thing I wont miss is, while driving, some crazy, dangerous, mad f...wit in a big 4 wheel drive right up my rear end, flashing his lights and tooting so that he can get to the cafe and sit down with his mates ( who also probably don't have or need jobs ) and smoke in the well signed non smoking areas and generally do nothing useful.

Well time for a change it seems and I look forward to the next year in civilisation.

There's nothing quite like a holiday.

July came and excitement was in evidence as the holidays had arrived. After a long stint of work without a break, the weather already unbearably hot and Qatar was driving us crazy.

It was time to escape and meet up as planned with the Smith Family in the magnificent countryside of Tuscany. We stayed for a week in a pretty little village, La Romola, about 15km's out of Florence ( Firenze ). Day trips to explore Firenze, a stunningly beautiful and historic city, every time you turn a corner there is another amazing sight, then back to Romola for a shared home cooked dinner with the Smiths, a few vino's, then down to the “ Sportivo “ for a gelato or coffee or another vino with the locals, and we all got along fabulously despite not being able to speak each others language. We hired a little Fiat for two days to explore the countryside ( it is no wonder so many people rave about Tuscany it is very pretty ) including a visit to Pisa where not only is the Tower on a lean, many other buildings nearby are too. Apparently it started to lean whilst being built and they just carried on regardless.

Next we spent 3 days in the Cinque Terre, a rocky Mediteranean coastal area of 5 small villages with walking tracks between. We stayed in Riomaggiore and the Smiths a couple of villages away in Vernazza. Historically fishing villages and wine growing country ( and still is ) there is now a train that goes to each village but the general tourist thing is to walk to all 5 villages (4 tracks). Brian managed all 4, Linus 3, Lynne 2, Julie 1 and Ruby and Curtis zip. Some crazy types do all 4 in one day, but it was far too hot for that and two of the walks involve some quite serious uphill stuff. Much better to slow it down, have a swim, visit a cafe or have a gelato. Although the Cinque Terre is very touristed it is such a stunningly beautiful area that we can't recommend it highly enough if you ever go to wonderful Italia - Molte Benne. Bellissimo.

Holidaying in Italy with The Smiths

A couple of fast trains had us in Lausanne, Switzerland on lake Le Mon ( lake Geneva ) visiting old friends Dave and Carol. Being the middle of summer there was very little snow to be seen, but judging on the beauty of the place it must be awesome in the winter months. Dave and Carol live on the side of a vineyard covered hill overlooking the lake and to the mountains across the water. A lot of time was spent sitting around outside relaxing, soaking up the view and having a few good laughs over local wine and English ale and eating a fair bit also. Visited the historic little town of Gruyere nearby, very pretty and of course bought some cheese.

3 Days were spent in Roma doing all the sights – Colosseum, Spanish Steps and of course the Vatican – the Pope was on holiday, maybe he'd gone to the beach. Pity we didn't get to have a chat but his place is pretty impressive with all those Michaelangelo's and Raphaels and much more. Rome is such an interesting place to just walk around and we did a fair bit on the hoof.

From Rome we flew to Morocco. Stayed the first night in Casablanca which despite having a romantic sounding name is really a bit of a dive. Everything is pretty run down and shabby and it doesn't appear to have any renovation since the movie.

On to Fez. Fez is the oldest settlement in Morocco and has the world's first ever university.

We stayed in this most majestic Riad ( converted house ) which was like a mini palace. The central courtyard being surrounded by magnificently tiled and carved walls and doors – absolute craftmanship of the highest order. A pool to cool off in after a hot day exploring the place was only let down by a too hard bed. The old part ( Medina or Market ) of Fez is like a sloping rabbit warren of narrow streets winding in any which way up and downhill. So easy to get lost in but good fun exploring and trying not to be tempted by all the fabulous goods on sale. Fez is the craft centre for leather goods and ceramics and it was very difficult to not buy anything.

From Fez we travelled ( 7 hours ) by train ( 1^st class and insanely cheap ) to Marrakech. In contrast to Fez, Marrakech is quite modern in parts, has lovely gardens and the Medina is all flat – still easy to get lost but at least there is no uphill struggle. In the middle of the Medina is a large square where you are amazed by all manner of activity and amusement in the way of snake charmers, performing monkeys, magicians, transvestite dancers and food and drink stalls of all kinds. It is rather exiting and exotic and it is quite nice to sit in a cafe on the periphery and just watch the crazy world go by.

They say there are not many visitors to Morocco who escape without buying a carpet and in our case we indeed left with not only a carpet but also a teapot, a brass plate, several pairs of shoes, slippers, ceramic bowls and a dress for Brian!!! No he hasn't become a Moroccan transvestite dancer it is actually a Jalaba which is kind of like a lightweight kaftan thing for men that is very comfortable and cool in the hot weather.

That was our holiday and it was as they say over here - Too Much Good.

Raymond Jennings

Our favourite artist Raymond Jennings is having an exhibition of his latest work at the Satellite Gallery

Cnr Benedicts St and Newton Rd
Auckland

Go along and see Raymonds work at the gallery
Open 5.30 - 7.00
July 6th - July 24th

Raymond's Art

Below are some of our good buddy Raymond's paintings. This is a graphic of him working on one of his creations...He is a colourful chap as you can see and this comes out in his work. There are two paintings here of our famous cat Woolly - isn't he gorgeous.

Raymond will send us some more of his work and we will load it here for you to view.






If you are interested in obtaining some of Raymond's work ( or getting your pet painted ) then leave a message or send us an email and we will pass on your details/ requirements.

WOMAD - Abu Dhabi

For the second year Abu Dhabi has hosted Womad on the beach at the beautiful Corniche.



































The quality of the artists from all parts of the world, the location, the many and varied costumes, the friendliness of the crowd and



the usual infectious happiness that is typical of Womad made this an especially wonderful event. Cant wait til next year. I recommend that you go too. See you there!!!!!




Artists from left to right - There are always Flags at Womad, Amparo Sanchez - Spain, Sierra Maestra - Cuba, Tinariwen - Touaregs from Sahara Desert Mali, Amazingly costumed Bird Man from Rango - Egypt/ Sudan, Wiggly Bottoms from Kemi Kutis band - Nigeria, Rango - Egypt/ Sudan, Le Trio Joubran - Palestine, Femi Kuti and The Positive Force - Nigeria, Qawwali singer Faiz Ali Faiz - Pakistan, The Zawose Family - Tanzania, Habib Koite - Mali, Tinariwen - Desert Blues from Mali, Debashish Bhattacharya - India

Abu Dhabi

We have just had a fantastic weekend in Abu Dhabi which is a very well planned and very beautiful city. The main purpose was to attend Womad which was fantastic. So much good and varied music from all over the world. Staged right on the beautiful Corniche waterfront. Also it was free and you don't get much better than that. Too much good.



















We also did a fair bit of sightseeing during the day, visiting the spectacular Grand Mosque and the equally spectacular Emirates Hotel and generally driving around. Both these buildings are architectural delights and the quality of finish is impressive,
where finish quality often leaves a lot to be desired. Beautiful marble floors and columns inlaid with Mother of Pearl, Lapis Lazuli and other semi precious stone.
















We had afternoon tea at the Yas Hotel which sits right on the Formula 1 track. Unfortunately the hotel which again is architecturally amazing is let down by a level of finish I would call extremely rough. The architects I imagine must feel somewhat insulted when their work is ruined ( in my opinion ) by such a poor finish level. It is something that really gets up my nose too often over here.

They unquestionably have the money to do things properly, there is a vast history of exquisite workmanship in art and craft and it can be done as evidenced by the Emirates hotel and Grand Mosque.



The Islamic Museum here in Doha is another example of both interesting design and quality finish, but, alas many of the so called 5 star hotels have such a shoddy finish when you care to look more than cursorily. Being such a finicky chap I just can't understand it and my only thinking is that people just do not care which is a pity. If your'e going to do something do it properly. Anything less is shameful.
Enough of my grumbling....please enjoy the photos and also the next few photo blogs of Womad which was an absolutely wonderful event and experience. Will definitely have to go again next year.

Vintage Car Collection

Recently a number of us went to Sheik Faisal's Museum. He has a fantastic collection of vintage cars, trucks etc. I loved all these vehicles but I particularly like the " Job Rated " pickup truck - I want one!!!!!

Only In Qatar

Here are some crazy photos of what the driving can be like and some results of the crazy driving here in Qatar. Quite how some of the crashes have occurred leaving the vehicles where they end up is beyond imagination. The only real explanation is it is due to the speed and included find a picture of one of Qatar's Police Vehicles provided just for high speed chases. The tipped over truck we came across not long after it had flipped onto its side. It is on a very major roundabout on the Corniche right outside the new and very impressive Islamic Art Centre and across the road from the Parliament Buildings. We have seen a car flipped in a car park and a 4WD that had rolled several times in a narrow one way street but sadly missed the photo opportunties. They are presently digging up our street and today some wally reversed at speed into a trench. His mates had to lift the car out and off they drove!!!