Wow time has flown!
Almost 4 months down now and we continue to settle in. The last few weeks have been fairly quiet as the weather has really hit its stride now and most days top 40! Although the last few have been a cool change - around 35 or so.
It's funny the things you miss from home - the greens and the ability to roam around outside without really having to worry about the heat. I am at a total loss to understand how the frantic building and outdoor work continues in this constant heat. I really miss the ability to cycle to and from work - apart from the heat there's no such thing as a bike path and while I'm willing to drive on the roads I can't say the same for a bike.
That relaxed Australian attitude to life would be nice. Not that people here aren't relaxed, it's just a different type of relaxed. I still don't feel right walking around in shorts for example, although Katrina now goes most places without a head scarf.
Work has been reasonably intense, so quiet weekends at home have been a good thing. Couple intense work with my innate ability to question myself and my worth and David has had a self inflicted interesting time. Hopefully that's all behind me now!
One of the little joys is being able to wander around in sandals rather than shoes. Shoes are just too hot, apart from at work and even then sometimes its touch n go. But sandals, of yeah rather comfy!
We had Katrina's birthday last week and that was fun, a dinner party followed by a late lie in the following morning. In Katrina's case it was a well deserved birthday lie in. In my case, well in my defence the morning after a dinner party - I ask you? And I did give Katrina the keys to a perfume shop to select a perfume as her birthday present. She chose well, rose and musk oil, made her happy, so me happy and the shop keeper was well satisfied with the purchase too.
And then last weekend I took off to the Sultan's Armed Forces Museum. It's located in a functional army base and the museum itself is housed in a rather old fort, which was used by the Sultan at the beginning of his reign. Naturally enough the museum focusses on the history of the Sultanate with much of it given over to the last 40 odd years.
Quite the weapons collection, gun nuts would love display. Not least because many of the larger weapons are left out and can be touched and photographed from all angles. Outside there are static displays of retired aircraft, patrol boats and a field command centre and hospital. On arrival you are met by a serving officer and guided through the outside displays. My guide was called Bader and through a misunderstanding introduced me to a Dutchman whose guide had decided the Dutchman was Australian too. Turned out said Dutchman will shortly be touring through Australia.
Last Wednesday night we went to the club for dinned and ran into a recently arrived English bandmaster who has been employed to work with the Police bands. Goody we thought let's find out when and where the camel pipers are going to play next. Not so, apparently they only do a few gigs a year and there is no formal schedule as such and their primary concert is National day for which the location is a closely guarded secret until the last minute.... Sigh! We will find in concert one day........................
And now Katrina has kidnapped the sole remaining kitten from the litter our local feral had just after we got Button the Kitten. So now we have a not so little girl cat and a little boy (visit to the vet soon).
Almost 4 months down now and we continue to settle in. The last few weeks have been fairly quiet as the weather has really hit its stride now and most days top 40! Although the last few have been a cool change - around 35 or so.
It's funny the things you miss from home - the greens and the ability to roam around outside without really having to worry about the heat. I am at a total loss to understand how the frantic building and outdoor work continues in this constant heat. I really miss the ability to cycle to and from work - apart from the heat there's no such thing as a bike path and while I'm willing to drive on the roads I can't say the same for a bike.
That relaxed Australian attitude to life would be nice. Not that people here aren't relaxed, it's just a different type of relaxed. I still don't feel right walking around in shorts for example, although Katrina now goes most places without a head scarf.
 |
| Traditional Islamic helmet - check the decorative work! |
Work has been reasonably intense, so quiet weekends at home have been a good thing. Couple intense work with my innate ability to question myself and my worth and David has had a self inflicted interesting time. Hopefully that's all behind me now!
One of the little joys is being able to wander around in sandals rather than shoes. Shoes are just too hot, apart from at work and even then sometimes its touch n go. But sandals, of yeah rather comfy!
 |
| Traditional Omani shield (Buckler) made of HEAVY, HEAVY leather. |
We had Katrina's birthday last week and that was fun, a dinner party followed by a late lie in the following morning. In Katrina's case it was a well deserved birthday lie in. In my case, well in my defence the morning after a dinner party - I ask you? And I did give Katrina the keys to a perfume shop to select a perfume as her birthday present. She chose well, rose and musk oil, made her happy, so me happy and the shop keeper was well satisfied with the purchase too.
And then last weekend I took off to the Sultan's Armed Forces Museum. It's located in a functional army base and the museum itself is housed in a rather old fort, which was used by the Sultan at the beginning of his reign. Naturally enough the museum focusses on the history of the Sultanate with much of it given over to the last 40 odd years.
 |
| Walking into the outdoor display area with my serving military guide. |
Quite the weapons collection, gun nuts would love display. Not least because many of the larger weapons are left out and can be touched and photographed from all angles. Outside there are static displays of retired aircraft, patrol boats and a field command centre and hospital. On arrival you are met by a serving officer and guided through the outside displays. My guide was called Bader and through a misunderstanding introduced me to a Dutchman whose guide had decided the Dutchman was Australian too. Turned out said Dutchman will shortly be touring through Australia.
 |
| One for the gun nuts! |
Last Wednesday night we went to the club for dinned and ran into a recently arrived English bandmaster who has been employed to work with the Police bands. Goody we thought let's find out when and where the camel pipers are going to play next. Not so, apparently they only do a few gigs a year and there is no formal schedule as such and their primary concert is National day for which the location is a closely guarded secret until the last minute.... Sigh! We will find in concert one day........................
And now Katrina has kidnapped the sole remaining kitten from the litter our local feral had just after we got Button the Kitten. So now we have a not so little girl cat and a little boy (visit to the vet soon).
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