George Bush National Day

As many will know ( if you care or not)

George W Bush is floating around the Middle East.

He was in Abu Dabi on Sunday, which is just one and half hours drive from here, he will not come by road he has airforce 1 and 2 for security, so will fly......
 His next move is to come to Dubai today( Monday)

So yesterday in their infinite wisdom the powers that be decided to start the security on the roads in preparation for today, so they closed off many of the service roads which lead off the main highways enabling you to get to the buildings albeit offices or shops that are parallel with the highway

...thus causing grid lock in the whole of Dubai for the whole day......

SOLUTION

( now only in this part of the world would this happen)

Today has been declared a public holiday, it is the only way they can control the traffic. They have also closed off all main highways in the city.

So we are the only country in the world that has a ........

George W Bush National Day

So it has given me time to update my blog....

Here is a picture of the Burg Al Arab hotel, few views of Dubai and also the tallest building in the world, taken on the move while driving my car so not such great picture

We did the "Dune Driving" in my Ford Escape 4x4 on Friday last with a group of 5 cars can you belive my little Ford was the only one not to get stuck, or have any trouble at all. There is also a view of a hotel and souk complex call Madinat, a must see in Dubai.

Friday night girls

On Friday evenings in Rotorua a group of "Us Girls" who are all stitching and quilting addicts get together and stitch, some times we do our own thing and at other times all work on a group project.
At Christmas we always have a "bit of a do" where we have a Pin cushion swap and exchange gifts.

we seem to be able to manage copious amounts of tea and chatter.  Of course as I was home for the holidays I managed to go along.


This years pin cushion swap

Another Grandson asleep

Tell me is there something in the blood of the Breadmore Grandkids.
A few weeks ago we had Harvey sleeping under a table now we have Alex asleep on the hall floor

A nice photo

Iain and Family took us to the airport for our return to Dubai and I managed these photo's

They all look like real "Kiwi's" shorts and no shoes on the kids.

Back to Dubai after Christmas in NZ

I realise that not a lot of "blogging" has been done over the Christmas period but with all the happenings and family stuff , life has been hectic to say the least.

We arrived back in Dubai this morning rather jet lagged so thought I would sit and update rather than empty suitcases.

We had a great Christmas period with the family, near and extended in NZ,

I think Iain and Claire found it "different" to have not only sunshine and warm weather but family all around them, they have had only themselves to think about for a few years over Christmas in UK.

All the kids in the family had time to get to know one another, now Ellis and Harvey have met all their cousins that they knew little or anything about. There are Aunts and Uncles coming from all sides, they must be a little confused but kids are very resilient at sorting out who's who. See Kathryns blog for photo's http://www.benalex.blogspot.com/

I got to go and see Ellis's school Christmas show put on by the younger section of the school...wonderful, they tried so hard and remembered at least 95% of what they were doing, and it is all so innocently done. If you ever have chance to go along to one of these performances you should take it, along with the smiles it can bring on a tear as well. Ellis is the blonde in the middle of front row ....
 

We had a great time house sitting our friend Prue's house, her house is, as ours was, before someone extended ours twice. She does not have a wood burner stove in her lounge and it therefore gave her a lot more scope on arranging furniture and the TV etc. We were very taken with this and it has made us decide to remove our woodburner and have Heat Pumps fitted next year.

Eric arrives soon

Eric will arrive next week for Christmas vacation.

We have been offered a house to stay in for the rest of our stay in NZ.

Our good friend Prue is going to UK to visit with her Daughter for Christmas, so we are going to house sit for her. There will be the garden to water and flowers to deadhead and generally keep the garden tidy.

It will be great to have something to do outside again.

Christmas is coming

Yes! it is suppose to be coming but as normal we are finding it difficult to get the same Christmas feeling as we use to have in UK....why!! you may ask...well it is Summer here and Christmas is supposed to be in the winter after all.

The decorations are up and the sun is streaming on to them through the windows, all the doors and windows are open and most folks are in teeshirts and shorts.

Christmas lights are up everywhere but you have to go out late at night to appreciate them.

Just to prove it is Christmas here as well, this our front door with it's welcome wreath.

Christmas shopping has gone well and I have actually enjoyed it this year, and it is almost complete.

The family will all come here to Rotorua so we will have a house full ....6 adults and 4 children...... a Christmas celebration like we have not seen in a long time.

Rotorua NZ

So, here I am in New Zealand.

The weather has been great until yesterday when the big black clouds rolled in dropping there contents and the winds decided to blow, but the gardens need it and the farmers as all ways.

The roses in the garden are a picture and this wind is doing them no good at all.

Lets hope it subsides a little as this weekend is the time I have promised Ben a trip to the beach in the camper van. Here is the van I am living in very comfortable and have been very happy wandering around in it. and so far I have not taken up offers of "inside" beds from friends and neighbours.

The house and garden have changed a little with a "new family" living in it, with all their "stuff" around the place it has taken on a new look, so it was quite easy for me to come back here as it did not look much like our house on the inside. The garden is much the same but on a spare plot of land, we have the making of a fort for the Grandsons to play in. I am given to understand there will also be a sand pit , so we look forward to pictures in the future of the finished items.