And so it begins…….

A long weekend of doing very little (cause mine starts today, although it has to be said that TGI Thursday doesn’t really have the same ring to it……. And before you all start bitching about how I never do anything, least of all work, try and remember that whilst you are all doing nothing on Sunday I shall be doing a full day !)

I did knock off early today when I realised that there were only two of us in an office with 20 desks in, and the client finishes at 3.30 (and like every other council in the world the car park empties like a drain at 3.31) so I came back and lay by the pool for a couple of hours.  I did swim 30 lengths – 750m, so I’ve done my exercise for tonight, hence having time to write a little for you guys.

The plans for tonight and the rest of the weekend are simple, myself and the only other colleague in the hotel (who, fortunately, I get on with splendidly) are going for a leisurely sea food buffet and BBQ this evening followed by a bottle of red on the terrace by the pool, with possibly the odd cigar thrown in.  Then an early night with maybe a film, but definitely no alarm in the morning (although breakfast finishes at 10.30 so I have to be a little careful).  Then a quick drive into town to pick up my laundry, back for an hour in the gym and then off south (about an hour in the car) to the “empty quarter”. 

Those that have followed my adventures avidly will remember some pictures outside the Liwa Hotel which overlooks the middle of absolutely nowhere.  This is where we are heading – to the largest sand dune in the world (allegedly…..). The Meedam Dune is supposed to be 300m high and the Emiraties, in their own inimitable fashion, race dune buggies up and down it.  So, one way or another, there should be some good photo opportunities (I know you’ve been starved lately but believe me, I haven’t seen anything interesting for days !).  I will also endeavour to cram a couple of hours of body beautification in by the pool in my sustained efforts to get skin cancer before liver failure or lung disease.  Another gentle dinner should then see me meet another early night followed but………….(drum roll) real camel racing !  We’ve seen the posters and the army of little men picking up every scrap of litter for miles around so we’re pretty sure it’s on.  Trouble is, we can’t seem to find out what time……The track isn’t floodlit like so many other sporting venues so we’re pretty sure it’s not a late afternoon start (like so many other sporting venues…) and we’re also pretty sure that it won’t be in the heat of the afternoon but we’re not much closer at the moment.  Either way we’re going to borrow some bikes from the hotel and go and watch.  There was a massive helicopter in the royal helicopter park yesterday so someone important has been down to look at his camels, so it must be on – watch this space !

Apart from all of that we’re looking forward to a very relaxed weekend, at least until Saturday night when some of the great unwashed will return to disrupt the peace I’ve no doubt !

So now I shall leave you hanging in anticipation, whilst you seethe quietly as the rain bounces off the grey patio outside your centrally heated homes, as you go about your chores in three layers of clothing and your children bounce loudly off the walls as they argue over whatever piece of trivia has caused international relations to break down once again……actually, hold on to that thought, I can hear the birds playing in the trees outside my room so I think I’ll just open the patio doors……there, that’s much better, now where was I, oh yes, just off for a shower before an army of hotel employees bring me my dinner and close my curtains for me. Enjoy !

(that last paragraph was dedicated to the person who sent me an e-mail earlier today, and I quote “think of me out wining and dining in the city tonight whilst you are confined to a bottle in a paper bag!” bless………..)