Summer 2007

Finally here a web site near you . . . . . . this year's thrills, spills and boring (for you, but not me) text!

Part 1: February to June: Run Up

February

One idea forwarded is to drive across to Antalya. Details to fill in

March

More details: Leave Emirates before, but same day as Pen taking one overnight stop in Saudi (most likely option) or going on through to Dead Sea Resort for a further night: then onto Gazi in one hop (500 miles?) for another night before making Evren Seki, ABW.

More info on driving idea. Insurance needs closer look, particularly in relevance to 'Export' or 'Non Export' situation First leg to Amman will be closer to 24 h, since nearly 2000 km (1400 miles).

April

Rumbling onwards, three wheels on my wagon!

May

Total turn around. Job acceptance at QLA, Qatar, results in paradigm shift in most all suggestions and plans.

Immediate wall with 'Police Clearance'. UK now has 'CRB'. Application forms obtained by employer (UK based only) and notable rigmarole!

Coms flurry results in abortive trips to British Embassy and Khalidiya Police as well as Immigration. Full Circle and nothing to show for it all.

Medical undergoes three part run around at NMC, notwithstanding possible belief by doctor that I have long and short sighted problems, since he is looking for a double lens prescription!

Irene manages to steer a way through the police letter, but 40 day turnaround! It will not be available till mid July.

Hitchin time comes. Hope to alleviate Pen's to-ing and fro-ing are replaced by other confusions.

Preparations for Athens. Details left with Rina, Insight Travel, efficient and friendly.

Another flurry of communications with various parties at QLA. Notable confusion / possible misinterpretation with expeditor. Think it is clarified.

All paperwork bar police letter, now sent to QLA. No confirmation sent by them, but info arrived since another point queried in e.mail is responded to by principal.

Accept ADSA quote, but decline insurance on belongings, taking insurance for car though.

See Eddie for quotes. His father is very ill so he is heading off to see him.

Monday 4 June

Pen heads off to Bahrain.

Tuesday 5 June

Vivienne rang, no record of acceptance. Eddie in India, father dying. Their paperwork not my problem. I agreed date and accepted by e.mail.

Details for Athens finally sorted. Payment initiated. Bank checks, on security grounds, when items, plural, come through.

JJESn re-install goes well and machine back to former speed at long last.

Wednesday 6 June

The waiting game.

Thursday 7 June

Flushed by victory, John goes for Pen's machine and brought back to ground with a resounding thump after three failed install more than a day later.

Friday 8 June

Fourth attempt before status Quo returns. No notable improvement on operational statistics, but did note only 256 MB of RAM, which does seem light!

Pick up Pen returning from Bahrain after 10 pm.

Saturday 9 June

Flurry of communications with Rina. Sun Express cancel flight to Izmir. Although noted John mixes up on reroute and misses detail that now fly via Istanbul! How stupid can one get? However, not much choice in view of timings.

Not best pleased with budget airline, Sun Express.

Attempt to transfer audio Book file thwarted on every turn despite valiant and persevering efforts on Alison's part. This may well be something that has to be carried over to 'The Unknown Country'.

As dust settles, John mentally kicks himself for not considering coach options, but also notes that option makes little sense too!

Sunday 10 June

Nerves start to mount as time closes in. Events over the weekend did nothing to allay growing fears.

Still jobs to do and people to see with the rope tightening with each passing day!

Dr Who sorted and an episode that Richard liked as was found when he called with Messenger.

Mark having fun with the Parcel Post - misplaced BT router/modem!

Monday 11 June

International driving license day - getting sorted for Qatar.

Rina in touch. Not enough headroom on card! Paid electronically and, guess what . . . wait for tomorrow.

Tuesday 12 June

Contacted Ram at ADSA. Going in to sort some details. Copy of Acceptance Form taken also as safety measure since no sign of e.mail version. Eddie due back Thursday.

Wednesday 13 June

Majeed to process Car and a run around has me wondering if better to come back, but still think best to stay with status as is.

Majeed needs: power of attorney, pick up car from ADSA to do export inspection, insurance for export, number plates (no problem since he will have the car, return car to ADSA.

Flurry of calls to Mr Zuhair Rahmoun and Abu Shadi, also landlord (Saif Al Butti Al Qamzi). Things on move there too

A&L contacted and money moved. Also lack of flexibility in flex account sorted (Liz). Both A&L and credit card (Tom) people informed re Turkey/Greece and subsequently Qatar.

Storm blows up after further attempts to get balcony sorted. Will be a few weeks - but then I will not be here and then things go all over the place.

Ate at ‘Hemingways’, for a change; a pleasant change.

Thursday 14 June

Quiet start, but that was blown soon enough.

Majeed tied up in Military Intelligence, so to me to get the second power of attorney form, Dh 80 and go to Sharia Court. Once done returned a call from Majeed that I had missed.

Problem clearing visa. On last entry stamped in as visitor. Back uptown to Immigration floor three. After twenty minute wait for no show captain referred to Ahmed Ali who took charge. Sorted too late to return to Military Intelligence. Hangs over weekend.

Abu Shamdi called, knock-on from yesterday spins the compass 180º.

He is not happy, nor are we, the landlord has spun a tale which we have heard before from less decent people. This leaves a bad remembrance to leave on-once again we are faced with the dark side-effects of civilisation.

Surprisingly, in view of the loss of the flat, he still wants the items agreed on.

Schwarmas and mixed fruit cocktail slightly assuage the incipient gloom.

Friday 15 June

Calm before the storm? Potter about waiting and wondering.

Pen and I agree to go to Airport hotel Thursday as early as possible, so we are not peas in a pod! Room booked - no longer have chalet rooms. Another sign of the times! Confirmation of the need to go.

Will need to reappoint Fast taxi.

Saturday 16 June

Lumina Return today. Sad to give it up.

Returned about one. Found to have a bad long scratch on underside driver side (have no idea at all when, by whom or how done).

Sent off to police station, but they want a letter from Fast. Not into bouncing back and forth so ring Fast and they can sort it.

Return car and they will get paperwork done. Cough up Dh 500 Insurance excess. Passed on contact details, told them about my departure again.

Off to Abu Dhabi Cooperative for some basic items.

Back to flat and continue pottering. Waiting on Dr Who.

'Nancy Drew' and 'Rise of Silver Surfer' on release.

Dr Who comes up about 10:30. Even though an early pickup lost ground to the high speed users!

Sunday 17 June

Call from Zuhair, tentative flat check Wednesday. Me to ring to remind.

Check with Lutvie. Military rep is Abu Shamdi.

Eddie rang. details run through. Not as clear as I would expect. Will pass on contact details when see him on Tuesday.

Abu Shamdi called if possible to get stuff today - fine. Comes with truck that needs two trips. Takes all but basics we still need.

Richard on line, but conversation is interrupted by Abu Shamdi's arrival.

Once deck is cleared time to get some pieces together!

Pick up on F4, rise of Silver Surfer. Saqib gets a copy when he calls with residual mail.

Some electronics packed since unlikely to be used.

Reappoint Fast Taxi to 1300 confirmed.

Monday 18 June

Bank and Etisalat today.

Etisalat first. What should have been quick and easy was jumped on by a number jump. However, despite minor hiccups, like queuing, it was sorted. Pick up clearance letter Tuesday.

Then to bank. Things not going well what with pillar to posting until intercession by manager. Even with his assistance still took over an hour and a half in an all but empty bank (350 outstanding on card plus 491 used to clear Etisalat; payment made).

Computers packed up.

Tuesday 19 June

ADSA to come. Expected about 0900. Expect two hours then drop by to pay, etc. Car on Thursday.

Would that it had been so simple.

ADSA were on time, but took longer than two hours. Landlord wanted flat ASAP and Abu Shadi looking to leave for Jordan on Thursday. Ended up having to leave flat and using Abu Shadi's new place as a base.

Clearance letter picked up from Etisalat. Found later that only covered mobiles.

Dropped by ADSA at 1630, they were not ready, but did give them the case of cutlery that had been left by removers.

Ate at Shatter's Restaurant!

Not much to do when back in temporary base.

Wednesday 20 June

Ring Zuhair - no need now.

Keys - sorted yesterday.

Water, electricity check disturbance.

Sort out Etisalat clearance then meet up with Julie to settle with her.

Used her phone to touch base with Majeed (all OK) and Lutvie (all OK) and, after going via Dubai, AXA Insurance Abu Dhabi. Talked to Mina. Went round to double check. No need for letter, Power of Attorney sufficient, also no additional charge for four day export cover. Refund, after all sorted, will be as cheque in my name.

1600 to Eddie with car.

Ate at 'Le Meridian, Pappagallo, Pizza House'. Quite nice, but, still, pales compared to the old 'Pizzaria Italiano' - the mark of civilisation again.

Back to the temporary flat and crash.

Thursday 21 June

Made a run for the bank, not having kept enough back!

1200 Ring Fast from the pharmacy.

Bump into Abu Shadi as we leave the flat.

1300 We make the break for Duba in heavy traffic. No pool at the ‘Millenium’. John goes for drowning his sorrows, not the only aspect of 'Civilisation'!

1730 Head for 'Biggles early to beat the noise.

Redistribution of the weight.

The feelings we experienced in Riyadh returns only this time we have alcohol as an anesthetic! Also agreed well overdue escape from Dodge.

Repair to the room for the last few hours, making sure we will be up for two thirty.

Friday 22 June

D Day

0200 Slow windup for airport. By 0230 heading to checkout. Minibus is people carrier, on which we leave the paddle! This was retrieved on second pass. Met with Majeed, who assisted with second pass. Passed on car details and stuff for Lutvie. He passed on info of 'State of Play' which sounded true to form.

Paddle wrapped and in time to do so queue built up. Passport control was minimal, mainly because airport was quiet. However, Pen had shampoo and water removed - security. Duty Free has EU bar on booze. See what gives there.

Overdue for boarding.

Sometime during travelling the Psion goes South for the duration. However, other matters to concern us before we can bother with it.

Pen picked up by Dubai control carrying water, they kindly put her perfume in a plastic bag! Also lost 'Head and Shoulders'.

Third degree in Istanbul where the young lady seemed to give up on us and all but told us to get lost!

Then in Antalya only the paddle got waylaid, but once sorted we had to have the lot screened. DVD did not raise notice, but MP3s did as did the projector. Once again, they were easy going, coming and going. Comment made about the amount of electronics.

Finally get out of the airport to find we then wait for the Car Hire people, however that is not for long.

Dropped at T'Heap where Mustafa's father is at it with the pool guy. Mete also arrives with a cleaning lady, Hajida

Unpack and try to recover.

Car is not 1.4, turns out to be 1.2

Ate at Saray

Saturday 23 June

Orientation. Look see what gives, what gets.

Cleaning lady returns with reinforcement and they set to even washing the mesh, which made John jump. He took the opportunity to 'fix' long standing loop break on one mesh.

John also involved in redoing the pool slats which ended up giving him serious shoulder exposure to the Sun that took a few days to recover from!

Sludge in pump room. Puzzled as to how it got there. Will need work cleaning it up.

Ate at Cihan with left-overs for breakfast. Very nice Cihan coffee to polish off a substantial meal.

Sunday 24 June

Slow start with pool guy at it. Pen wants a 'Rest Day'. So not much done.

John took sludge out of pump room. Still needs work cleaning it up.

Ate at Sutanay

Watched F4: Rise of Silver Surfer.

Monday 25 June

Raised by the pool guy again. This time John heads off te do some jobs.

First to Mecitoglu. Saw Maria, but need after sales guys. Military clearance hold up, so final payment will be on hold. Even so monthly dues started in May!

Then to Motif to drop of flyer, DVD and see about car. Saw Heather, Adnan, who sorted phone, Mete as well as accountant and secretary.

Then off to look round Citrus.

Then Internet Cafe and finally Bread shop before heading back to join Pen by the pool for the rest of the day.

Local fires kept the airborne fire fighters busy.

Shoufkat, Mustafa's brother.

Power off most of afternoon as consequence of fire, even traffic lights affected.

Ate at Sarey. Very nice meal finished off with Bailey's and coffee, or is it the other way around.

Listen to more 'Sharpe' before bed.

Tuesday 26 June

John up about nine. But no power.

It was, however, brief, and pool pump is put soon put to work. Note that water is not seeping through from overflow tank. Some of the 'stuff has been used in the overflow  tank - good idea

Mustafa's Mum doing the grass! This is a real family affair.

1.4 car dropped off - notably more life in this one although switching off the CD player took a few minutes to work out.

Adnan rang, see what gives and gets. Rang him back to check on Insight package.

What to do. John all for getting keys to Citrus. Wants to establish VoIP communications.

Get the package and then head for Citrus and meet with Dennis. Ground Zero - no broadband! Tied up with same military problem? Could be a few months. John is deflated.

Need three lights in bedrooms and living area, plus wall light for steps. Looks well finished although hard to beat T'Heap for space, but then Citrus is not for that ballcourt.

Pool has its attractions, but John got clobbered by Pen For admiring them!

Drink at nearby cafe then pay for car. Problem here in that John Thought it was $1138, but Adnan came with info to show it was $1632. John shown up since only $1350, however Euro 200 closes the gap.

Head back to Motif to see if can connect - see but not allowed a connection.

Head for T'Heap and labour to get pool level up. John potters about the garden.

Asim's youngest son shows up on mission to old house. Pass on the picture.

Late dinner at 'Bistro 2000'. Meat was generally good with the usual, friendly service. Fresh orange juice to start and a bottle of Euro 35 wine with coffee and Baileys for John and Remy for Pen.

Crash and burn after some 'Sharpe' making room for Pratchett's 'Wintergreen'.

GPS Coordinate Check

T'Heap

36° 50.547' N g - 36° 50' 32.82“ N g

31° 21.336' E g - 31° 21'  20.16“ E g

Citrus

36° 46.300' N g - 36° 46' 30.00“ N g - 36° 46' 14.87"

31° 24.176' E g - 31° 24' 10.56“ E g - 31° 24' 13.57"

Apollon

36° ' N g - 36° ' “ N g - 36° 46' 22.38" N

31° ' E g - 31° '  “ E g - 31° 24' 27.98" E

Wednesday 27 June

'Live Free or Die Hard' on release.

Thursday 28 June

Diary details missed.

Friday 29 June

'Ratatouille' on release.

Saturday 30 June

Diary details missed

ON ON