Mangrove swamps visit

Today Brendon had the day off so we took a drive out to Al Khor mangroves to have a look around. It was lovely to see so much green in one place. It smelled like the sea, had little crabs running around and fish swimming in the transparent cold water. We looked at the crabs, walked a bit, crossed the streams (with buggy in tow). Unfortunately someone had emptied cases of shot gun cartridges into the water that spoiled the scenery. The bird life was great! So quiet and peaceful. Owen enjoys a spot of fishing but Brendon needs to brush up on his skills as he keeps having to untangle line from rocks or sticks. Erin loved throwing stones into the water and I loved capturing all the moments!

A trip to the hairdresser

Always nice to be pampered.........

National Day celebrations start

Owen had a play date with Michael, from his class, this afternoon so we decided to go to an event that has been set up for National Day. It had camels, horses, goats, oryx, ostrich (aka camel bird), falcon, old cars, a dhow and huge play area. We arrived early and after a while it got really busy.
We first looked at the animals and Erin was even brave enough to sit on a camel by herself. Owen declined after he saw Michael have a near fall. Owen enjoyed feeding the goats and stroking the falcon. Erin was happy to jump on the bouncy castle and play on the round-a-bout. Michaels nanny came too and she enjoyed pushing the kids on the play horses. Brendon joined us and took Owen to see the old cars and dhow. I took Erin home for bath and bed as it was getting late and she had decided not to sleep the whole day!

Getting in the Christmas spirit

This morning Erin and I went with some mums from school to buy a few plants from the Omani plant souq to brighten our moods as we have had weeks of illness and sadness at being alone for Christmas as everywhere seems too cold, expensive or far away to go. 
It is a drive through souq so I chose what I wanted and then drove through picking up and paying for the items from each vendor. I got a few plants including a Poinsettia plant and this afternoon the cherubs and I will set to work outside potting them. I envisage mess and dirt everywhere but they need to do that and I am more than happy to give them that joy.
On the way home Erin fell asleep (9.00am only!) and I thought that I had stepped back into Africa time as there were sheep and inconsiderate drivers all over the roads!

The last day of the Lynese and Douglas's visit

It is the last day of Lynese and Douglas's visit! Brendon had the day off so took them both to the Hyatt Plaza where Douglas got to enjoy a cup of coffee with Brendon and Lynese could browse the QR7 shop (equivalent to Poundland/Dollar store). In the afternoon after Erin's sleep we headed off to Katara for dinner at a Lebanese restaurant and a walk on the promenade. With full tummies and an early start to the next morning we headed home to bed. We are going to miss having them wandering around our home!

While the cherubs were at school the adults took the opportunity to have breakfast at Jones The Grocer and then went to Katara to wander around. We came across a bunch of people going for an outride in Lamborghinis. Onto the Pearl, Zig Zag towers and Lagoona Mall. A busy sight-seeing morning.

A night out at the ballet

For my birthday Brendon and I went out to the "Russian Seasons of the XXI Century" Russian Ballet. It was spectacular! Pieces from Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake and Giselle, Nutcracker and Don Quixote to name a few were performed. We took binoculars with so that we could get a close up look of facial expressions and physical abilities. The ballet was held in the newly built National Conference Centre which was an amazing space in itself. I hope we get to go to more events like this one.

Museum of Islamic Art

 Today we went to the MIA to escape the four walls. Owen and Erin loved the space, water features, climbing stairs and looking through the glass barriers and riding in the lift. There was a new glass exhibition but we decided it probably wasn't a good idea unless we cuffed the cherubs hands and even then something is bound to shatter. So we enjoyed a watermelon juice and the lovely angles of the architecture from the lounge area.