Charlotte's holiday blog of Abu Dhabi

WE went to the beach club some people were building and it spoilt all the view . but we had fun any way. Me and billy liked splashing around in the pool. We had great fun. Me and Freddie held onto Mum. Freddie was very good at swimming and we all enjoyed having our milk shakes at the swim up bar. Before we went in the pool we went on a bouncy castle and afterwards we had another go but there were lots of children on it already.

Today (Saturday) we went to the Grand Mosque and we had fun dressing up in veils and long black dresses which we had to wear to go inside. Hannah came with us. The Mosque was a very pretty building although it still isn't finished.

After the Mosque we went to the Shangrila hotel for an icecream and a ride on a boat . Then we went home for lunch.

I have had a great fantastic time- I wish I lived here! Miss you lots Daddy, thankyou for painting my walls, they look fantastic, and so do my blinds.

Message for Auntie Tracey - miss you aswell, hope you like all our pictures.

Message for Daddy - I miss you and I love you xxxxxxx!

Dubai

I'm glad I've been but not sure I would go again. Things that are finished are bigger than anything else in the world, but there is no history or soul, I think I would describe it as Disney without Mickey. Went to Atlantis hotel today and to the aquarium. Then onto the Dubai Mall for lunch, Saw the tallest buildingh in the world, consequently pics may seem a little dull.

I think the way to see the fronds would be by helicopter and while Dawn's driving has greatly improved she hasn't learnt to levitate (thank God!).

I was reminded today of my sister's passionate side when she accosted some poor unsuspecting guide in the Atlantis aquarium demanding to know when the baby whale shark was going to be set free..........exit stage left Lisa ! The poor guy didn't know what to do.

This was a long day for all of us, and I think all the kids were running on empty on the way back. Charlotte and Billy in the boot giggly & silly, Archie flaked and Freddie, well he just talked some more and more and louder and more and louder and more. Drugs and alcohol were consumed on our return home to combat the headache !

Picnic in the desert

Just as we might go to Brimham rocks for a picnic, the destination for a picnic in AbDabs is the desert. Once Freddie had adjusted to the threat of sand getting into his crocs he loved the dunes. We were lucky to see a camel train and Charlotte is excited about taking the pics to school. It was lovely to escape the construction noise and smells to peace and a 'real' environment.

Abu Dhabi is a real place of contrast and culture clash. In parts it is 'soul less' and in some ways fascinating. It is a wonderful place to 'crane spot' though, but nothing is finished. The Emirates have not escaped the'credit crunch' and the threat of redundancy is tangible in this ex-pat community. Being so far away from family makes friendships all the more important and watching my little sis say farewell to some of her 'significant others' has been very emotional. Her obsessions with facebook, internet scrabble and blogging appear to be necessary to keep the chin up ! I know its difficult for the Addis's at the minute but the Falkies are thoroughly enjoying their time in the greenest of the Emirates.

A-maze-ing parks

One of the greatest things in AbDabs are the parks which are incredible, loads of equipment, lots of irrigation, flowers and fountains. They really must have the most efficient irrigation system in the world. Sis reckons that whenever her garden is being watered she cant use the dishwasher or the internet, (so if I disappear the water is on....or Sis has started to do the washing up - it was the maids last day today. I did offer to pay for an extra week, but was declined, looks like I will have to do my own ironing now.........Paul !)

The four cousins are still getting on famously and I am sure there will be a few tears shed on Tuesday when we leave. However there have been the odd disagreements, currently between Freddie and Archie and generally connected to a weapon of mass distruction, namely a wooden sword. I had to walk Freddie to the shops to calm him down tonight ! All the children are loving their freedom, the older two playing out until 8pm, I am assured the guards on the gates will keep out undesirables......the kids at 6.30 in the morning might be helpful..........will have a quiet word.

Oh what a night ! The Emirate's Palace

Well you are probably wondering where I have been for the last few days, and the honest truth is........recovering !

The beach was fanastic and as it was a public beach,there were only a handful of people on it. The posh people were at their beach club. We had a picnic ,built sandcastles ,paddled in the sea and the kids found a star fish all very exciting. All the while John and I were frying alive ! (Trace you will be relieved to know that it wasn't me who needed the oranges.) It is fair to say that if we were in the UK we would have been able to turn off the central heating.

As always little sis had to outdo me and she decided to have her hair cut for our evening out. She came back from the hairdessers looking very funky and 'less mumsy'. She then offered to strighten my hair....I shoud have known sabotage immediately. Anyway when I had rectified my sisters interference we set off for the Oryx bar. I was quite frankly terrified and a little concerned about Dawn's new found hobby of 'underpass spotting'. There were no lights and I can assure you that in the UK there would have been no way I would have gone down there

. She has since pointed out several underpasses that are 'quite lovely'. (I think this must be another activity that the ladies who lunch participate in to fill in the warm humid hours)

Having spent 5 didums on the taxi ride (£1 approx) we arrived at the hotel with the roof top Oryx bar. Sis was obviously very familiar with the place as the staff (very easy on the eye young man) were with her. It was a beautiful view...........across the city. Not wanting to miss an opportunity Sis persuaded me to partake in the hubbly bubbly pipe. Having downed several long island iced teas and a top up of the pipe we headed to the Emirate's Palace.

What an amazing place. Apparently, according to the oracle little Sis all the decor is 22 carrat gold. It really is jaw dropping. We managed to navigate ourselves into a restricted area and were asked to leave, but not before we had taken some very fuzzy pictures. Dawn was then overcome with excitement as we made our way into etoile the palace night club. The booths had their own waiters so we sat on a table without so that we could keep our momento spoons..don't ask !

By this time I was feeling a little tired as you can imagine so we had a little wonder through the gardens enjoying the warm evening air. A taxi ride home in which Dawn was overwhelmed by the classy audi was followed by a viewing of Mama Mia. I have to say that I think Sis skipped a few scenes, a little bit like most of the next day !!!!!!! Ouch, the water has made us feel a little gurgly if you know what I mean ?!

Al Ain Zoo

Well my nails look beautiful today, unlike Dawn's who are absolutely stunted and short,( but she has lost weight and looks fab so can wear them shorter,-these are obviously her words that she was screaming when the men in the white coats came to take her away !)

We have had a fantastic day at the zoo - the kids are really enjoying themselves. I haven't heard Charlotte chuckle like this for months ! It has been great to have the time just to be mum and have the odd glass of vino collapso !!!

The culture here is just unbelievable, a real contrast between rich and poor. The driving is barmy and even Dawn looks good. To be fair I have actually been quite impressed at how she is driving.....she indicates now!

We had a lebanese take away for tea tonight which was delicious and I am now hot on the trail of a recipe for 'kaloosh' - I suspect my difficulty will be that I haven't a clue how to spell it.

We are going to the beach in the morning, before an early tea and Sis and I are going to the Emirates palace for drinks/cocktails. Well we may have iced water depending?£! Should be good fun whatever. It's just great to be together and we are all feeling chilled.

addisabdabs-the first 24 hours !

Well we arrived safely after a night flight in which Freddie threw up, Charlotte's Tv screen didn't work, so My headphones were wrapped around my neck for most of the journey. Freddie wanted a wee when his food arrived and having dealt with that my reward was missing the food cart. Having managed to acost a friendly looking trolley dolly, Charlotte wanted to sleep on my shoulder! At that point, I downed my bottle of wine in one and gave up on the food. We then slept for about 2 hours. The captain, thinking we had had quite enough sleep, whacked on the (ambient!) lights and brought a chocolate muffin for breakfast. Yum.

Having not seen my sister and family for 6 months, I figured she would be as excited as we were to see each other. Alas, this was not the case and we arrived to be met by a hoarde of taxi drivers. My darling sister finally arrived, using the traffic as an excuse. Freddie got his own back and the chocolate muffin re-appeared all over the inside of my sisters newly cleaned car. I have to say that I am impressed at the way she handles her 'tank' on the roads here. She has finally reached her potential, driving on the wrong side of the road and is quietly assertive, and only a little disgruntled at not being able to use hand gestures.

The pool, it has to be said, is a little colder than the snow we left behind in horsforth, although I can recommend this as an antedote to jet lag. I decided I really should go in when Freddie was spluttering in the middle of the pool. And I looked generally pleased to see everybody. The children were very happy to go to bed, and sis and I used the time to catch up on 6 months photos washed down by a small glass of wine and a very large packet of Lays!

The boys have grown so much, and Freddie and Archie are getting on famously - each snitching on the other at regular intervals and Charlotte and Billy pretend to be shy but actually seem very glad to see each other. Watching the children play having so much freedom is fantastic!

Today, we have been to the Heritage village and out for lunch, well you have to do something whilst the maid is cleaning at home. I would have been embarrassed to stay in. Dawn, on the otherhand, seems very comfortable leaving a list. Apparantly, however, I have just been reprimanded and informed that she has spent most of her time ironing my childrens clothes. Okaaaaaay!

The highlights of the day have been the ducks the little ones were chasing, the rather sad looking camel and it would have been the beach that I am assured was there, but was obscured by the enduring sand storm that started last night. Dawn assures me this is very rare but I am beginning to believe she has got me here under false pretences. Now, as you can appreciate, looking after the children and shopping full time for a living is pretty hard going and for our efforts we are being rewarded with a pamper session this evening which will include a manicure, pedicure and possibly threading of the brows, so I could look very surprised in the morning.

Picked Billy up from school today and promise I will never complain about the 4x4's outside school at home again! I have not seen anything smaller than a 4x4 and they just stop where ever they want to, I have to say, crazy sister has adjusted remarkably well.