Nick does not travel well with our children. When they were babies and we lived in Botswana he:
a. cried on a flight
b. paid my parents to fly in his place
c. took valium before flying
Now the children are older and the flight from Bahrain isn't overly long and I always fly at least one direction without him - but I still do expect him to fly with us sometimes
This morning he phoned from Bahrain to say:
"I'm in the travel agent. I'm booking my trip to Ireland. Unfortunatley we won't be able to fly back together. There are no seats left on your Saturday flight. I'm going to have to fly back on Sunday..."
Was he taking the mick? (as we say here in Ireland)
I said: "I have a better idea. Let's swap the names on our tickets. You fly on Saturday with the children and I'll take the Sunday flight..."
Suddenly it wasn't a problem to change all of our flights to Sunday.
One big happy family. Flying back to Bahrain together...
Can't wait!

The Strand

Northern Ireland is not really known as a holiday destination - unless you are interested in tribal conflict (or big ships that sink).
A pity for Northern Ireland HAS SO MUCH TO OFFER!
First blink of sun - we went to the sea side. The Strand at Portstewart is National Trust but don't forget to pack a windbreak, and a hammer to knock the poles into the sand.

If sunbathing isn't your thing, may I suggest sandhill jumping - performed here quite magnificently by Maud...

And of course no trip would be complete without a dip in the north Atlantic. Be warned though - it's icy cold. If you're brave enough to go in you'll have it all to yourself...

Music Lessons

Rex is keen to take up an instrument - so we went to see Mr H, who teaches brass at the school.
"Brass chooses the boy!" he told me.
I looked at cases for tuba and French Horn, and crossed my fingers that they wouldn't choose Rex or I was going to have to buy a bigger car to carry the instrument round...
My prayers were answered. He came home from his try-out at brass and announced: "The trumpet picked me!"

Anna Sui

I've been shopping again at the big discount sale - where have you been all my life, Anna Sui? Finally I've found a designer who understands flat chested women who do not have curves but good legs...
So I bought three Anna Sui dresses - the one in the photo above and two others - and the sale does not end till tonight - perhaps I'll go back for a fourth...

odd molly

That's not me in the photo - that's a model modelling the dress I bought today in a secret sale...
We were driving past the Exhibition Centre en route to the supermarket to buy bread -the large billboard outside was in Arabic - the only thing we could read was '90%'
"It looks like a sale!" I said, excited.
"But why is the the writing in Arabic?" asked Maud.
We decided that probably it was sale of designer abayas - or jewelled cufflinks for thobes - something that wouldn't appeal to the average Western shopper...
I said: "Even so....90% off is not to be sniffed at..."
We turned the car at the lights and drove back to the Exhibition Centre - to discover the sale was a clearout of the most expensive, most exclusive boutique in Bahrain - Seventh Heaven which stocks just about every fabulous brand in the world...
I'm sure I don't have to tell you I spent all my money and time at the sale and there will not be toast for breakfast tomorrow.

A Cautionary Tale

I was in Cosmetic Surgery this morning buying a tube of face cream - (mesoestetic hydra-vital factor K) - and having the usual fun chat with the surgeon -
He says: "Botox would fix those frown lines on your forehead"
I say: "No thanks"
He says: "I would recommend filler in your top lip."
"No thanks"
"Non-surgical lifting and tightening?"
"No thank you, I'm here only for the face cream"
Then the telephone rings. The nurse answers. I try not to eavesdrop but the woman's voice is hysterical and after a few terse questions and answers:
Nurse: "Of course its not permanent, Madam."
Woman: "How do you know it's not permanent?"
Nurse: " It cost only BD150. It will not be permanent at that price."
The hysterical woman had been for some filler in her lips but had decided it wasn't enough - it was too natural looking - and had gone somewhere else for a 'top up' and now had lips like....

Somewhere

Somewhere there waiteth in this world of ours
for one lone soul, another lonely soul -
Each chasing each through all the weary hours,
And meeting strangely at one sudden goal;
Then blend they - like green leaves with golden flowers,
Into one beautiful and perfect whole -
And life's long night is ended, and the way
Lies open onward to eternal day
Sir Edwin Arnold (1832-1904)