Xmas day

Xmas day finally arrived - at last,

wot a nifghtmare getting gifts back and forth from Aussie,

Anxiety sets in , will they get there, should I send more.....Oh well, cant worry now.

Boys enjoyed their gift, just a few things and some travellign gear.

Thankyou for thinking of us over xmas, we are so far away and we miss everyone sooooo much.

It was great for the boys, they loved all the gifts, particularly the aussie flag boardies......

We had a lovely day with great friends, magicians, carols, lots of laughs and fun, and of course ate way too much, Josh and I sat at the end of the day - after 5 hours of eating, with a bowl of strawberries, marshmellows and a bowl of warm dark chocolate and enjoyed ourselves. Nath went back for more freshly baked pizza, and at 5 o'clock Darren found the lasangna and salad - after he had yorkshire pudding and roast.

Thanks to our great mates in Dubai, Muz and Wendy and boys, Silvia and George and co., Lachy, Puck, Jen and of course Ian and everyone who

came to make our day warm and wonderful.

Chucked out of Class

Yep Josh got chucked out of class last week for saying soccer, and the teacher said noooooo footy, and when Josh wouldnt change his mind , he sent him out of class. 5/10 mins later Josh tried to go back into class, but when asked again what do you call it, he said - Soccer - and wasnt let back in !!!!!!Im so proud.

Early Dec 2007

17-22/12/07

Oman - Muscat and Turtle Beach

Sorry been off the air for a while, sorry, so heres some catchup. info for those who havent got emails and photos for those I promised to post.

Our short holiday before xmas and before the big holi. Darren got 5 days off for Eid Break. So we packed the car full of bits and peices - tents and fold up beds, burners for cooking.

Gt thru the border at a good time - darren was worried wed have another 3 hr delay but no alot quiter. Went down along the Oman coast and the sea, to Swadi, then Muscat and finally Turtle beach camping, about 12hrs drive from Dubai to turtle beach, then the return trip. Beautiful coast line, islands and the ocean water.

Initially got to Muscat and had a look around, saw a black car go by, and I started yelling at it to stop, the kids thought id gone nuts. But I said look - its an explorer car - he might have some books - guide books for the area - then said dont be foolish - any way the guy stopped an d said sure no probs and handed us the explorer Oman book and a map of the region - fantastic - and thats when Darren said hey lets keep going to Turtle beach - OK. What a drive the cyclone had just been through so in some place no roads, then we got there and it was dark and the we had to plead in broken arabic to let us in. and then we went around the mountain and found ourselves in a little alcove haven and camping spot - only about ten other families there.

To see the turtles we had to wait until 9pm - hard one for Darren after driving. We had an information session with a local, told to be absolutly quiet and then followed on a hunt up the beach to find the turtles. Watched a large ocean turtle giving birth into its sand hole - orsome and followed another along the beach and watched it glide into teh sea. In the morning the beach was covered with large turtle tracks and filled in holes where turtles had come over the night to lay.

Off back to Muscat - what a beautiful, romantic place, chockers with forts all along the the front line - the guard port and still the forts - more like castle - are in active use by the military. Kids loved it. wandered around, climbing the fort walls and walking through the mountain tunnels to teh next part of the beach. Then left and headed back to Swadi for the night camping on ocean beaches and some snorkling off boats.

By this time, had enough of trying to cook on a tiny bunson burner, so hopped into the next door hotel, for RnR, xmas carols and fine food - yummy.

Then back to real life and xmas shopping . I feel very relaxed - five weeks break for me, then back to work on 15th Jan. and here I was thinking about moving into a corporate job....dont think so. lol.