HAPPY BITHDAY DARREN

NEVER TOO OLD TO ROCK 'N ROLL

HAPPY 50th DAGS!

SWIMMING LESSONS

Lilli started swimming lessons a few weeks ago. It has taken us this long to find a class that isn 't full!

I think the instructor, Rajan, is just freshly qualified as he is very enthusiastic and has lots of nice crisp posters. Lilli needed to go into the 7-10 age group class as her age group was really just about water confidence. This class focusses more on developing strokes which was just the right level for her.

The class starts each time with a revision of the swimming safety rules, and finishes with stretching exercises. It also includes some lifesaving instruction, so is fairly comprehensive.

It is held at the Coutry Club, and the setting is just beautiful. Although it is getting seriously hot (44+) sitting in the shade surrounded by all this greenery is such a pleasure.

APPOLINE'S BIRTHDAY PARTY

Lilli's friend Appoline had her birthday party at Látelier Studio. Something a bit different. The children were all seated at a long table and given painting projects. Parents were supplied with tiny little tarts and coffee's in demitasse cups - all very civil. Instead of the usual lolly loot bag, the children got to take home their art work. The Hello Kitty birthday cake was simply sensational.

OUR HOME

Here are some photos of our 'home' swiped from the Umm Al Hassam Residence brochure. The residence is a collection of villas and an apartment block. We live on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the block with the living area downstairs and bedrooms upstairs.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AINSLEY

AINSLEY ANGEL

XXXXXX

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUBY

Happy 4th Birthday

BIRTHDAY WISHES FOR NICOLA

With much love and kisses from all of us xxxxxxxx

HAWAR ISLAND

Knowing that we may be leaving Bahrain soon,we are trying to fit in as much Bahraini travel and culture as we can.

Last weekend we took an overnight trip to Hawar Island accompanied by the Mason's; Xynia's; Ziad, Narthum & 8 month old Marcel; Marwan, Vera & 4 year old Alex.

The trip was booked and paid for in advance, and judging by the flyer, the Hawar Island Resort looked amazing!

After a one hour boat trip on a modern passenger boat (with Mr Bean dvd for entertainment) we arrived on the island. From a distance the resort looks fab, but up close - very tired and drab. Shabby would probably be the best description of the resort, the food far from great and I think the travel agent in Bahrain did a bit of a number on us - however, we had great company and for that reason had a fun time. The children were particularly well catered for as they weren't as concerned about aesthetics. They swam in the pool, had rides with their dads on jet skis and quad bikes, played for hours on the waterslide, kayaked and generally enjoyed the experience.

View from the bedroom window (left)

View from the bedroom window (right)

Riding the quad bikes (Lilli did have a helmet on during the ride)

Waterslide fun.

Mr. TIM'S 42nd BIRTHDAY

Tim celebrated his 42nd birthday last month. The birthday celebrations started the night before his birthday at La Fontaine restaurant with the Xynia's and the Mason's. We ate outside near the fountain with oversized lanterns and candles being the only source of light. It was lovely. The fabulous venue and atmosphere were not let down by the food. Tim and I both felt that it was the best meal we had had recently. The children had a lovely time running around and making cubby houses out of the empty tables - fortunately we had arrived early which meant that the diners coming for a romantic evening did not have to tolerate us all evening.

Tim was shouted breakfast and lunch by Dimitri & Moose, with cake in the office in the afternoon, and the evening was spent outside at the Gulf Hotel at a conveniently arranged staff function. The 3 Amigo's (Tim, Moose & Dimitri) arrived in matching shirts and were quite successful in the prize winning stakes (promotional material from BCC clients) Alex (Dimitri's son) won a trip to anywhere in the world with Gulf Air. Unfortunately the fine print conditions make using it quite difficult.

OUR SICK BABY

Lilli is sick today. We have been up since around 2am with vomiting first and then diarrhoea, now both. Probably a tummy bug or maybe the milkshake she had after her swimming lessson. The security guy (who I bumped into when getting juice this morning) informed me that it would be the milkshake as you can't drink milkshakes in this weather without getting sick - apparently it is too hot this time of year for milkshakes!

It is now 9am and despite being incredibly perky most of the evening, is now feeling really sorry for herself. Poor wee thing. The photo doesn't do justice to white face and black suitcases under her eyes.