Hello everyone,

I would put a smiley in there. But all my smiley icons have disappeared today. Now, isn't that sad?? What's life without some smileys?

Well; still in the land of Arabia and Sand and Camels. And it seems ants do very well here. And what awesomely tough little critters they are. No air-conditioning for them! Here they are in the 40 degree heat, working away at finding a crumb to take down into their nest. I've tried to use vinegar as a deterrent. They're not that deterred really. It keeps them at bay until they mount another assault. And you know, each time they mount a different campaign: from the east to the west, then back again. What an army they are!! And what they ate before we came to live in this house, I just don't know, since the garden was pretty much sand and more sand?

All our cargo arrived safe and sound. So we have a house full of things - wondering why we brought them? As you do! Many boxes are lurking in the spare room, making us look clutter-free for now.

The sparrows here are noticeably thinner than your average fat English sparrow. Do they eat less pie and chips, I hear you ask? No, it's probably just the heat and body fat. I wonder if that works for people as well? I guess heat is a fat deterrent. They pant a lot with their beaks wide open too (that's the birds, not the people)  Hey, look at that! I've found a smiley.........................................

Lots of very nice malls here with lots of GOLD!! It's easy to get sore feet here, from wandering around the malls. And they're just big enough for you to lose shops. And go round and round trying to find them again. We have a 'Boots' pharmacy and a 'Marks and Spencers'. Here's a little photo I took of a jewellers window-display. Hmmmmmm, feel free to have a little drool........

Ooooh, ahhhhhhhh! Very glamourous. And no, not a gold-plating in sight!! Perhaps they are more wedding gifts for Emirate ladies? Lucky lady!

It's a little easy to be swept away by such glamourous retail therapy. Luckily painting seduces me more  Close call though! I bought three of these by the way!  

Just don't get me started on the glamourous gown shops!! Where Indian fabric meets Arabian sparkle and everything in between!

So; we have a little turf in our garden once full of sand. And it saves those tiny sand dunes from building up by the front-door - like true reminders of where you really are. And I can assure you sand really does get everywhere. I even found some in my cooker extractor when I removed the grill?

Anyway; all the birds (mostly anorexic sparrows) have started to come down into the garden, seemingly pleasantly surprised about the coarse new grass. They kind of look around, as if to say 'this is new'!! It must feel nice on their feet compared to hot sand.

Then, two gorgeous Myner Birds came down squawking!! They have yellow beaks and some coloured feathers. And are really quite big for birds. About the size of a crow but more a light brown. Same cockey attitude as the crow though.

 It says in our paper here that 40% of wildlife extinctions are due to invasions by species not native.  And yep, the Myner Bird is also on the 'Most Wanted ' naughty bird list, i.e. it is not a native. Sure is pretty though!!!

White Plumeria Tree

Plumeria, or what used to be callled Frangipani, can be found in many garden areas in Abu Dhabi. Here the Myner Birds like to hang out in gangs! Chewing gum etc and just being rebellious  Not really, but they do seem to make an awful lot of sqawking. I think, I've finally spelt sqawking correctly, maybe........

But these Plumeria seem to love this climate. It's much more steamy/humid than I'd imagined, too. I guess because the close proximity to the sea. But they just continue blossoming for a very long season. As each flower finishes, so another forms. I have a few orange Plumeria seeds pending. I'm sure you'll be on the edge of your seats to know they grow !! Don't worry, I'll keep you informed!!

Just want to thank all those nice Sands Hotel staff who looked after us so well. And look what room-service did to Sikh Mr. Brown with my head wrap......Doesn't he look smart!

Hello everyone  Nice to see you again and long time no see.

So, did you guess where I was?? Well, aren't you the smarty pants?

So, here we are: lock, stock and barrel. Well, actually so far we have two chairs, one tv, one fridge, one washing-machine, one bed as big as a house, one art table and one huge echo. I agree, phew at least I've got an art table  The fridge was touch and go for a while there. Lots of phone-calls and wandering delivery men looking for a house in the desert sand! The bed is a joy: since now everytime my husband turns over I don't get catapulted off the bed  Just kidding! 

We've been told that it's a particularly hot spring for Abu Dhabi, capital of UAE (see, I've just snuck that in there, just in case geography is your worst subject. By now, you'll know of course that mine is maths, numbers are just not pretty enough, though I guess they are to some) But, since it's already hit the 40's, that's 107 in old money, we don't know whether to be relieved, or panic-struck!! Coming from snow in Switzerland to desert, is a uniquely bizarre experience! And I've probably sweated your body-weight  by now, (pleasant image for you there )

But, the strangest thing, being a creature of habit I guess, is the realization that in one month, I haven't picked up a sweater, jacket, cardigan, anything heavier than a shirt. So, half my suitcase proved to be obsolete; that left the other half needing fragrance like mouth-to-mouth! I've never been someone who ever sweats much. And quite frankly I'm a little shocked to discover that girlies sweat at all  

There's been so much to sort out along the lines of visas etc, so there's been many occasion to look like a total tourist in the humid, bustling streets of Abu Dhabi: tottering around in sandals and a sunhat. Finding an internet cafe was an adventure in itself. Abu Dhabi shops have an extraordinary nack of disappearing. I mean, you find a shop once, follow your landmarks, only to find it's disappeared. I'm sure that must just be me............

When we arrived at Abu Dhabi airport we stepped out into the sparkly darkness outside, and it felt like someone had left the heating full on  a room! Once in the ubiquitous taxi, the newly finished 'Sheik Zayed Mosque', otherwise known as 'The Great Mosque' was a dazzling site. And yes, as sure as night follows day and this blog is slow because of all my photos, I've got some photos........

Isn't that something against that blue sky? One taxi driver told me that was made of marble. Another that there are over a thousand mosques in Abu Dhabi. And yes, I do get a lot of taxis! But having so many mosques saves you having to play musical chairs, since one must always be fairly close-by when it's time to pray.

What? You want to see inside? You think they let me inside? Of course they did silly!! Just as long as I removed my shoes and wore a veil. This is a little photo of my up against a wall inlaid with vines and flowers. It was a beautiful effect. I'm not sure my photo did justice to it really.

Yep, that's me! The flowers and vines were in quite high relief, so it was a very tactile experience as well as a visual one. That was nothing, you should've seen the washroom!!

Gotta go, my internet connection is having a nervous breakdown. Don't forget, if you get a little chilly: put a jacket on for me      www.moorethanart.com