The end of a long wait

Edwina is finally coming back to me.
For 45 very long days I missed her a lot.
Getting a bit stressed now.
Have I done everything ?
Apartment clean. checked
Work prepared for next week. checked
Showered. checked
Dinner ready. checked
Flowers. checked
Champagne. checked (Edwina is bringing a bottle)

Yes I think I'm ready.

By the way thank you so much for all your pictures
It looks great.
She's going to love it I know.
This way it's a little bit of all of you in Bahrain
If you have more, please send them on and we'll add them.

France-Ireland

It seems I am destined to have to choose what country I have to support.
Only last week I was shouting for Ireland against Italy in the 2-2 draw that saw Italy qualify directly. Now Ireland and France have been drawn together again in the play-off of the world cup qualifiers.
There will be disappointment whatever happens.
Will France qualify for the world cup for the 4th time in a row (a first in their history) or will Ireland beat the odds?
I have to admit: I will shout for France especially considering how many Irish there is here.
I don't feel very confident of them winning even though the Irish midfield is just crap. However I'm looking forward to see Ribery against Kilbane and Henry against O'Shea.

Allez les bleus.

Car shopping

I went shopping for a car tonight.
Spent 3 hours looking (and testing ;-) ) cars.

What am I looking for ?
Big engine, good looking, high fuel consumption
and something that can go fast around the track during the Formula 1 open day !
With low insurance and no stupid road tax based on engine size,
a big engine is a must, I may not be able to get that ever again.

as for the high fuel consumption, it goes with the big engine of course
and do I need to remind you of the price of petrol here?
I didn't think so.

Here are my 3 choices, picts are not from car (remember my broken camera)
but it gives you an idea. I need helpl to choose

So I have tried a 2004 Mazda RX8 4L V6 sequential gearbox, dark grey, mint condition, 100,000km, 1 year warranty engine and gearbox



I have seen a black 2007 Mustang GT 4.2L V6 14,000km. plus it's a manual so a bit more fun than the automatics they are all driving here.



There are also a few Nissan Z350 2204 or 2005 within my budget.



I know, all of them are 2 seaters but I'll rent a big 4*4 when you guys come over.

Help me choose please.

news

A few things I've done in the last 2 weeks:

Pool side party
Even though it was very warm, give us some meat on the BBQ, a few beers and a pool, and most guys will have fun. We did.
Admittedly, it was a bit of a sausage fest in the pool, but most girls had escaped after I threw Aisling in the pool. (Sorry Aisling)
High bit of the night: Aisling's face when she comes out of the pool.
Low of the night: my phone and my camera in the pool after I got pushed in by Ben !

In the jacuzzi on the rooftop pool at 4am

Pool side bikini brunch
A few models around the pool, great food, and champagne. Had to make for a good afternoon. It wasn't really cos there wasn't enough people there. Better luck next time.
Oh I don't have any picts. See pool side party.

Bahrain - New Zea land World Cup qualifier
What a poor game. 0-0 draw and not much to talk about. None of these team deserve to go to South Africa next June.
But what an atmosphere at the game. Bahrainis were singing from the first minute. Cant even imagine what it would have been if they had won.
We spent the second half with Kiwi collegues from the Polytechnic.
High point of the night: The face of our Kiwi collegues when we turned up wearing a Bahrain jersey
Low point of the night: Being afraid of being sacked for wearing a Bahrain jersey

Amazing atmosphere in that small stadium

Off to look for a car.
See you all soon.

Go Karting @ the international Formula 1 track

Went go-karting last night. but not just at any track, at the International Formula 1 Track. Unfortunately I've missed the open track day last weekend (Next one is in November) but the Go-Karting was brilliant. 13DB (26€) for 3 sessions of 10 min @ the track just beside the grand stand. Just amazing. Our times were not 2 bad, just 2 seconds of the track record and it was great fun.

The set: Grand Stands

A view on the sakir tower

What a setting for the first race of the season

Who is the real Stig ?

James is studying is lap time: is that in minutes or hours?

Paddy is laughing off his last place

Off we go

Paddy and Kealan were probably not too happy about the overtaking going on during yellow flag and James will probably keep long lasting traces of that crash. I have a few bruises too on my sides and on my back as the plastic seat was too small.

Friday Brunch @ the Diplomat

Last Friday, I had the best Friday of my life.
While some of you might have been looking at their watch all day, being happy to finish early, looking forward to that weekend, I was @ the Radisson/Diplomat hotel for their Friday Brunch.
I explain the idea.
We usually go out on Thursday night (the new Friday night in Bahrain) for a few scoops. The 4pm meeting as some call it here. In order to recuperate from that hangover, the Radisson hotel organises a lunch between 12 and 3pm with all you can eat buffet and all you can drink Champagne.
Yes I know it doesn't make any sense but it's great.

Last Friday, I had the best Friday of my life.
While some of you might have been looking at their watch all day, being happy to finish early, looking forward to that weekend, I was @ the Radisson/Diplomat hotel for their Friday Brunch.
I explain the idea.
We usually go out on Thursday night (the new Friday night in Bahrain) for a few scoops. The 4pm meeting as some call it here. In order to recuperate from that hangover, the Radisson hotel organises a lunch between 12 and 3pm with all you can eat buffet and all you can drink Champagne.
Yes I know it doesn't make any sense but it's great.
To be honest it looks like going to a new year's eve party. People were very dressed up or just dressed up like for Halloween. There was a band, great food, free drinks and something like 400 expats. Yes it's an expat thing, Bahrainis don't drink on Fridays (or any other day), it's prayer time.

The problem is that when comes 3pm, you're drunk and in party mode so you go to a night club for an hour or 2. Yes they have a night club open downstairs (great marketing trick). Very weird to get out of a night club when the sun is setting.

Then went back home for some food and out again. Though the life of an expat in Bahrain. The following morning and week was tough indeed. It's now Thursday and I'm only posting this now, ready to go again.