Oldies On Tour

Due to the cost of flights I decided to stay put, why would I want to go back to England anyway, it is 25 – 30 degrees here and very comfortable.

Most days we walked the dogs in the morning, Jane went to see Herbie, we did cycle rides, coffee mornings and lunches, what else is there to do!

One morning I decided to see if I could extend my visa, so got up early, and Jane dropped me at the immigration office, in the centre, well at 8am it was heaving, I got pushed from one office to another until I found the correct place, I duly waited my turn, then was told to go over there, well it took me another half an hour to find where over there was, I was then told I needed the typing pool, so took another number and sat down again.  Thought I was doing ok here, as I was next, but it was not that easy, after being grilled why I had no stamp in my passport, how could I get in without a stamp, I was sent back to the original guy!

Another queue, so I waited politely when a really nice guy asked me what the problem was, I explained, so he took me to see a top official, who studied the passport, went on the computer, congratulated me on getting married, and told me as I had come into Dubai I would have to get a stamp from there!!!!!!!

Jumped into a taxi, asked for emirates National school, first he took me just up the road! which I knew was wrong! then onto another school! I got out of the car! and did not recognise anywhere, so saw what I thought was the local Mosque and walked towards there, realised that was not the right one, so walked towards another, fortunately Jane was around, so she eventually found me.  Everywhere looks the same, very confusing.

Amanda and Mathew (Marian’s friends) came over and we put the world to rights over a lovely curry, Jane and Dave were having a bad week-end as to why they are out here, it is not the easiest place to live, and they are struggling at present.

On the 16/12 Joe arrived, Jane’s friend from school days, so the days changed around a bit I got up with Jane and Dave, and we took the dogs walking first thing, which was cooler, then Jo went of to help Jane with Herbie.

6/12 – 9/12.   Jane is very busy as Julie is here at present to give Jane riding lessons on Herbie to keep her up to speed whilst she is in Abu Dhabi, and to make it worth the trip, Jane has several other riders having lessons with her, so she is here there and everywhere.

We are chief cooks and bottle washers , with Geoff doing the odd DIY job, Dave is at a loose end, as it is the week- end, so he decided to go for a run, so I joined him on his bike, and the dogs ran behind. I was doing ok, until we went off road, then I surrender, still we had gone some way, but certain parts of my anatomy were getting sore, so time to quit!

In the evening we went to one of the posh Malls where we happened to find a “frozen yogurt” shop, where you picked your yogurt, and filled the pot up with whatever you wanted, there was every sort of sweets available, as well as chocolates, fresh fruit, and sauces, they then had to be weighed (glad I didn’t pay) think they worked out about £6 each!!!! Very yummy though.

Saturday night we dropped Geoff of at airport! his flight was about 2am so he had a long night.

Sunday dave was back at work, I was on cooking and cleaning duties.

Monday, much of the same, although Jane and I walked the dogs in the dessert, they love it, as they can run around, we have promised them a proper walk after Julie goes tomorrow.  Jane and Julie had their nails done, I decided to give mine a rest, and have them done just before xmas.

Tea in bed, then a lazy breakfast, lots of cards, and prezzies, then shower and dress, today we have another full day.

Jane had taken Dave to work, ridden Herbie, before we had got sorted, she then took the dogs for a quick run, no wonder she is exhausted all the time, makes me tired thinking of all the things she does.

We drive to Monte-Carlo Beach Club in Saadiyat, wow what a place, everywhere we go in Abu Dhabi, it amazes me at the money that has gone into making this Island palatial.

we choose our table! and have a lovely lunch! with a glass of wine so expensive! that Geoff was speechless! apparently it was dearer than the meal! needless to say we only had the one. We did have vouchers that Dave had given us, so not too bad, but still very expensive we walked all around, it was certainly a stunning place, with all the pampering a girl could want on her birthday.

Having left the Beach Club, we headed for the town to collect the Maid, or slave as we call her, a lovely lady, with a bubbly personality, but the trouble is her employer will not give her her passport, we tried to find the embassy for her! but in the end she went by taxi. We are not sure what is happening now, Jane will have to wait and see, but we all muck in so not really a problem.

Back home a quick shower and change, and we are going to ” The Meat co” another amazing place, in a souk this time! we wondered around the shops, whilst waiting for Dave, then went into the restaurant.  The ambience was brilliant, with views over the Arabian gulf! and the Grand Mosque.

Geoff and I had ” chateaubriand” ,Dave had fillet steak, with Jane having lamb cutlets, the food was excellent, afterwards we chose our puddings, which never came, instead I was given this lovely ice cream cake, by the staff who sang an African birthday song, whilst playing bongo’s, it was so funny, the cake was lovely, thank you Jane for organising it, and Geoff  for just being Geoff, I love you xxx

Up early Tuesday and off to the city with Dave, Jane was going to drop me off at the British embassy to sort out my passport, damaged by Christine who put it into the washing machine. In her efficient way she picked up my shorts along with the rest of the washing but never thought to ensure the pockets were empty. Anyway, parking the debate as to who is to blame, I had a problem that needed solving, that is a very water damaged passport.

The British Embassy web site said it opened at 0730 hrs so we arrived just after to be told it opens a 0800 hrs, so I loitered outside, probably looking very suspicious in the process. Security gates open and I was told I needed an appointment. After a few words the security man made a phone call, he handed the phone to me and after a few more words I was let in. I met a most helpful lady who, after looking at my sad looking passport and saying “oh dear”, explained the various options, but the main snag was they do not issue passports from This British Embassy; I am not sure if it is the across all British Embassies, but it was a disappointment and scuppered our plans and caused a major re-think.

The options at that moment in time were: apply to the UK for a new passport but allow up to Six weeks . This gave us an issue as we only have 30 day visas, we were planning a trip to The Oman on day 29!!!!! After explaining this it was suggested I return to UK and get a new passport, (this one is only 9 month old) But she was unsure if I would get out of Abu Dhabi being so damaged so suggested I went to the Immigration office for advice, so off by taxi, then I spent much time going from one section this enormous building to another, queuing a number of times, being told what a clean passport I had and eventually I was sitting in front of an Abu Dhabi official. Like the British embassy, he was also unable to test the biometric strip, so he tapped my number into the computer, confirmed I had to leave the country before 30 days, said my passport would let me out but it would not let me back in; well that told me!

Taxi back to Jane’s via the local mall where I eventually obtained my Abu Dhabi SIM card. To get this I had to produce my passport, again rude comments were made! The debate then started as to the best way to approach this sorry state of affairs.

After considering the various options and bearing in mind the short amount of time available and the fact we want to visit Sri Lanka whilst here etc., etc., it seemed the only viable, but expensive, option was for me to return to UK. I thought I would fly back day 1 pay for the 1 day service (day 2) and fly back day 3, simple and straight forward but no. The Passport office will not exchange a damaged passport on the same day, they will post it out to you within 7 days, so my 3 day trip is now a 10 day trip, ugh!!!!

Anyway I have made an appointment with Passport office for Monday, 9th so should get it back for the 16th and fly back on the 18th. I am keeping everything crossed that it happens to plan.

For the men who read this, beware not all ladies check trouser pockets before throwing things into the wash, this is an expensive mistake!!!!!!!

Monday wash day!  Geoff had emptied his suitcase and deposited all the washing on the floor, so I gathered it up, put in washing machine, then placed it for drying, it was not until I went to iron everything, I noticed Geoff had left some lip balm in his pocket! I shouted to him ” have you lost anything” to which he replied “yes my passport!”  well I looked in his other pockets, and yes there was his passport, a bit worse for wear!!!

Oh dear, what a shame, I did think it would dry out, which it has, but not good enough To get him out and back into the country.  So many a debate took place then, whose fault is it, should I have emptied his pockets before washing or is this down to Geoff , most woman said it was up to Geoff, all I know is Jane and I had a good laugh about it!!!!!

Jane and Dave were out quite early to ride Herbie, Jane left Dave at stables came back to collect us, whilst Herbie enjoyed being out in the grass paddocks.

We collected Dave, then off to Spar to buy our picnic, theN onto the beach, everything was perfect, the weather is ideal at present, not too hot, and not too cold, perfect for the beach.

This time we had our bathers, towels, and a lovely picnic, which we enjoyed, half a chicken each, salad, lots and lots of chocolate biscuits, and of course water.  We munched through the food, then meandered into the sea, it was so lovely, the dogs were swimming around as well, couldn’t have been better.

Back on the beach for an afternoon siesta, I am so tired at present, not sure why, but it was very relaxing. Finished of the cakes and biscuits, then back home for showers.

Dave and Jane have gone to the pictures, whilst we are content to be the “fossiles” and stay at home.