Christmas at Legoland

I am little bit behind with my diary of events as we have been so busy. One event rolled into another and we have had a lot of laughs. One I did want to write about was our little trip to Legoland. I saw an advert for Christmas at Legoland on Facebook and ummed and ahhed about booking, but I am so glad we did. It was really well done and an absolute bargain. We an overnight stay in a fantastic hotel (including breakfast), access to the park (which was mostly closed, but there was plenty to do), visit to see Santa with a set of lego as a gift and free mulled wine, all for £140 for the four of us. A serious bargain and nothing like we would have been experiencing in Qatar. The boys just loved every second and the adults had a great time, till the we got the bar bill in the hotel, which made up for the cheap deal. You can take the expats out of Qatar, but you can't take the expats away from the bar - just yet. After all we are still on holiday at the moment...

Despite the bar bill, it was a fantastic day and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

The backroom

We went to see some live music at the weekend and it was great! These are the little things you miss living in Doha. Living is so free here, free to express yourself, free not to be judged, free to drink, free to enjoy.

The lead singer of Gomez, Ben Ottowell, was playing at a pub called the Greystones in the back room, called well, 'the backroom' (Sheffield simpleness). The highlight for me though was Michelle Stodart, from the magic numbers, she was amazing. What is amazing though is she was not front, a platinum selling artist supporting someone who in reflection is not as good as his first song or sound of his first voice.  

Mission shred

About 13 years ago Pete and I joined Virgin active gym in Sheffield. We signed up in a little porter cabin and little did we know that 13 years later we would be here again. This time joining as a family of 4, a little older and a little fatter, we're here to get healthy again. 

So far I have managed four visits to the cafe, three coffees and one class - it's a start! This week is mostly about routine and organisation. The logistics of getting everyone dressed, out the house, into crèche and then myself into a class is a workout in itself, so I am calling this week mission impossible and next week mission shred will start. That said, I did make it to a class yesterday. I was impressed with myself and despite the fact I was seeing stars and feeling sick, I made it through the class without passing out - yay. Today I attempted 2 classes, missed the first and enjoyed the second and tonight we're out eating and drinking - like I said, it's a start! 

Touch down in the UK

Hello Manchester it's been a while and certainly a lot cooler than when we last visited. As we got of the plane, collected our luggage and made our way to arrivals, I felt that huge sense of being home and almost a little teary. It's not that I have had such an awful time in Doha, just that it feels different this time. This time we are home, on a one way ticket and not going back.

As that cold air caught the back of my throat, the smell of the damp and the fresh air that makes your eyes water hit me, I saw the smiling faces of my family waiting eagerly to pick us up and that's when it felt like home. Home will always be the UK no matter wherever we might live in the future. 

I am still not sure how long we will be staying in the UK for, but I intend to breath as much of this fresh air as possible and enjoy the freedom, greenery and Christmas with family - now pass me my coat it's blooming freezing! 

Smell you later Doha

There are a whole load of emotions going on right now....

Smell you later Doha!

Enjoying the last few moments

Since finishing my job, I have had a few weeks in Doha to tidy up the last bits and bobs and to say goodbye to the country we made home for 7 years. When you live somewhere, you get so wrapped up in the here and now that you actually forget to look around you and look at your surroundings and where you live. And to be honest it's a pretty special place! When you lift you head up out of the sand (excuse the pun), you realise there has been a whole city out there that you haven't had the time or inclination to re-explore.

I guess that's why when I finished work, I suddenly felt that time was running out in order to fit everything in before we left. For the first time since we arrived I felt that there was so much to do in Doha and so much to see and explore. So, with that in mind I made a list and set out to accomplish 'the lasts tasks'. That's when I realised it still could all be done in a day, but anyway here is a short photo diary of my 15 lasts. 

1. The corniche

Walking hand in hand is forbidden 

Skyline view from the corniche

Dhow

The big Oryx

Doha bus

Bus stop 

2. Souk waqif

Camels in the car park 

Colourful streets

The main street

Architecture of the souk

Qatar flag

Having coffee

3. MIA park and cafe

Tristan and Oliver

Oliver

MIA park Cafe

Snack time at MIA cafe

Dhow at MIA

4. West bay November 2014

West Bay

West Bay

West Bay

5. Katara

6. Last play date

7. Landmark park

8. Lounging by the pool

9. Last suppers (eating and drinking in Doha)

Onion soup

Steak at Prime

Haloumi

10. The final brunch(es)

11. Barzan Park

Oliver and Izak

Fountain fun

12. Aspire Park

Friends

13.The Ramada

Our favourite restaurant

Yaki niku - best dish

Locals drinking?

First bar we visited in Doha

14. Breakfast at Jones the Grocer 

Granola and coffee

Flat White

15. Mall shopping

Villaggio 

Landmark

Ezdan

City centre