Friday morning in Doha

Friday mornings for our four being household starts very quietly,  Firstly, Raisin joins us following her night-time banishment, then we all take a long wake-up with breakfast included.  There is no rush to hit the floor as everything is shut, and all the major jobs have been done thanks to the wonderful household wife - I have heard she is very very good!

So here are a couple of photos of the morning's activities - relaxed and quiet....just a bit of a mess to clean-up at night.

Oh - and by the way - Alice M. was the first with the competition AND as no other interest was rendered I officially CLOSE the competition (well, the final shop and post date to reach NZ before Christmas will be this Sunday - as decided by me)...Alice, your prize will be winging its way to you directly.

Finally, after many years, I finally have success....

Success at what? You ask?  Yes?

No not another patter of feet (that is a major medical expense and huge challenge in this household), the success relates to something far sweeter and far more rewarding with a cup of coffee....have you guessed yet?  No?  What do you mean, you haven't guessed yet?

LOKUM...or....Turkish Delight, of the real delightful variety, not the cheap Cadbury Variety, or that made with gelatin by those who don't quite get the sugar syrup and maize starch relationships....yes, the same things that I didn't get right for many many years.  Now I have and here is the result.....

Of course, I didn't get there on my own and all credit is due to the chefs' I located via a web search at this site.....Bites of Delight....The AGE

The day before the next half-term

Today is quiet.  Thankfully, Teagan informed me that she wanted to stay indoors all day, anyone that knows me, will know that this suited just fine.  That said, we did venture out to the slide swimming pool but that only lasted 30 minutes before Teagan got herself all purple with the cold!!  Okay, so it is the desert, but really the temperature has fallen down to the mid-20's and this is Teagan's trigger point for the cold.  To to warm up we swept out the backyard in preparation for our pleasant afternoons (that have already reached us).


I am rather pleased as I have successfully developed a lovely new muesli slice recipe that has turned out rather well - hmmm maybe I should post some of my recipes at some point.  The key to the success of this recipe is the cooking temperature and quantities of sugar, butter and vegetable oil (Tony if you are reading this, you did not read the word sugar....and to make matters worse it is inverted into glucose and fructose from sucrose...but the good news is, we have overdosed on Vitamin D, and the slice serves are very small, and at least I know exactly what went into it.....justified yet?).


You also may note that I have been playing with the blog designer.  My experience base with blogs is limited and to make matters worse, I am also struggling with my Apple Mac; these controlling systems are a little too hard to manage, user friendly yes, but not control friendly.


Anyway, I will sign off now with a photo from the archives and a competition for my nieces....


Please name, with first and last names all human beings present in this photo.  There may be more than one winner and any successful email directly to my home account will receive some kind of prize by mail (albeit nominal and postage friendly).  But the email must have a little bit of chat in it.

Home again, home again, jiggety jog

To Paris, to Paris to buy a fine swig,
Home again, home again, jiggety jig.
To Paris, to Paris, to buy a fine clog,
Home again, home again, jiggety jog.


A totally successful trip to Paris!  Would we change anything? Yes, we would extend as 6 "sleeps" is just far too short.  All in all, the favourites stack up to be the walking taking in the street sights (for me) and for Teagan the museums.  And, I do take the liberty to suggest, that for Ross, a key favourite was the evenings spent with his little family enjoying a fine beer in a refined environment - even though it did involve some degree of felt pen and coloured pencil artistry with his mate (Teagan).  We will be off again as Paris stacks for us as a favourite - must be repeated - destination.


In the meantime, I have booked our discount tickets for our trip to Munich and Oberammergau (in the Bavarian Alps).  Why there?  Munich = more beer (as refined as Paris - hmmm?) and of course up into the mountains for Christmas!

Teagan spent a lot of the day with her Dad enjoying some fine things....

Well, fine things? Yes, like father, like daughter! Mother left the two at the museum and went off to do "better things". Once located the pair were enjoying time in a cafe. Following which, Teagan appeared to have slipped into the swing of letting her father have some quality beer time (yes, he has had plenty of that, and yes, Teagan has enjoyed it too!).

The Museum of Natural History

What could the highlight be of a visit to the famous Museum National D'Histoire Naturalle? Was it the Grande Galerie De L'Evolution? Or possibly, The Galerie L'Enfante? Of course not. It was the light projections on the floor!











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We walked from the morning till well after dark...

On Tuesday the weather was gorgeous, perfect for the Arc Du Triomphe, so we set off in the opposite direction in the morning. Miss Teagan took us on a 30 minute tour of a - what appeared to be - A museum spanning the history of Paris. We followed after her and the mission was complete once she had found a sought after painting (featured in the museum's brochure). Ross managed a look around the Roman history section while we perused the bookshop.

Following the museum we headed back and made very slow window shopping progress towards the Arc du Triomphe. After several hours (mum we even went past our last hotel), Ross and Teagan climbed the Arc while I sat underground nursing feet and buggy....also finished off the last of the thermos of hot chocolate.

I am not sure who was treated but we did have a great meal in a bar featuring over 20 Trappiste Beers on Tap and many many more available in bottle We made it back just before 9 pm.

Me thinks today will be the science museum - not too far to walk!

The best plans are no plans...

We started our day with a variety of intentions. However we ended up having seen Notre Dame, negotiated new security measures and in the process made some new friends (where we had coffee together and had two happy little girls), recharged our literary needs and wandered the Latin Quarter. As we returned to our apartment laden with our Christmas shopping (destination New Zealand) the rain came down and the thunder cracked!









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The Louvre where Teagan found Jesus (again)......

So it rained rather a lot today! We did not go walking rather, we went to the Louvre and did one hall only - a child friendly tour. The Louvre was a major hit for two reasons:

First, Teagan found Jesus - everywhere. Anyone who knows Teagan well will understand the excitement that Ross and I enjoyed for the next 30 minutes or so - yes, she is Grandad Ian's Granddaughter! The second reason was the history especially the stories behind some key paintings. The Hit was "The Wedding Feast at Cana" (Paolo Veronese 1562-1563). It was the biggest painting in the Louvre and featured Jesus in the centre and this was clearly pointed out to us many many many times. As for the most famous painting.....I must admit that I was surprised at the lack of size with The Mona Lisa (not sure if I truly appreciate Leonardo's efforts). That said, I did love "Old Man and a Child" by Ghirlandaio and "The Sainte Famille" by Schedone (I have attached a photo in this blog Teagan's favorite was The Death of Cleopatra", primarily as she was fascinated by the detailed story that Ross provided. She is definitely a fan of history. Of course, in true fashion, she did fall asleep before we left the Louvre so Ross and I finished with a leisurely coffee and crepe.



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Location:Paris

It rains.....

We knew it would be cold and wet,however, we have been surprised that it is not quite as expected. Due to the cold and wet, Ross MUST drink plenty of beer so Teagan and I have joined him but we consume crepes instead: Leffe, Picon (a fruit beer), an Abbey beer... He is happy!

We have successfully fitted into our small double bed and right now are contemplating the plans for today - it will be a walking day with the Arc de Triomphe and the surrounding areas.

Teagan introduces her Dad to Paris

In real Teagan style, the little lady took her Dad on an introductory tour of Paris. First it was how to survive economy class in Qatar airways; how to sleep effectively in a rabbit hutch, next it was how to delight in an old but lovely apartment 99 stairs up, all about shopping in La Bon Marche with EUR5.00 and to be excited about the carefully chosen item. following a view of the underside of the Eiffel tower it was all just too much so sleep ensued for the next two hours....those on Facebook will be able to see our photos, if not, I will load them to the blog when not restricted


by my iPad

We are off to Paris....again

One finally agreed to come to Qatar once the Darling Husband (of model 5.5) stated; "but it is the gateway to Europe!" Naturally, that sold it to me (One can be rather shallow).

On Friday we board our flight (NOT an A380) to arrive in Paris some 6 hours later and battle with a Striken Paris to get to our rented apartment and avoid the big sights (where there is a current imminent terrorism threat), and then pound the streets with our "not for winter" footwear avoiding the current bitter rain and gales.  Yep, it is set to be a heck of a great holiday and Teagan has the whole trip planned; "I am taking my Dad to the Eiffel Tower, it is very big you know, and then we are going to the big church.  Oh, Mum, you don't need to come this time as you have already had a turn."

We planned this trip sometime ago and I have been getting a little nervy about all of the bad news coming at us.  I do so love being safe and secure here in Doha driving around on the roads (ha ha ha).

As to what we have been doing recently.  Well, no real changes.  Life has just continued on in its own merry way being an absolute joy everyday (apart from the normal little bits that make you appreciate the great stuff).  Our biggest bit of news is that it rained yesterday and I do mean rain.  Not like Asia rain but this was enough to fill the drainless streets and prevent One from leaving the house.  Even this morning was a mud bath driving the back road to school and the current condition of the car is true testament to the mud.

I shall leave now with my few photos and all good intentions to load up the blog as we survive Paris (subject to photos which are subject to an attachment for the iPad to allow the camera to connect).

A small musing....

On Halloween... it was with interest that I noted the article in the NZ Herald covering the trick or treat episode in South Auckland on October 31st;  "darling" children (older) threatening homeowners who did not produce treats with damage both bodily and to property. I thought it worthwhile to note our first real experience with the same here in Doha.

Families tend to live in compounds.  Many compounds are heavily weighted towards the oil companies and as a result are rather American.  Teagan and I were invited to a compound to experience the real American trick or treat event with some American friends, the offer we took up with alacrity (well Teagan much more so than me).  The event was extremely well organised.  It constituted households phoning the organiser with an agreement to participate, following which a flag was tied to the outside of the house and the front door light was on and, in most cases, well decorated with scary themes.  Children assembled outside the clubhouse and participated in a competition for the scariest outfit (by age-group) and thankfully only one won per group (none of this "we are all winners" rubbish).  Then the children took off - I really mean took off.  It was wonderful to see most of the children being polite and saying the traditional rhyme "trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat" but generally garnishing it with a please and thank-you.  Clearly the tradition is well embraced and in this instance, well managed, so was a pleasure to participate in.

Within New Zealand the tradition is not yet embraced by the community - therefore the news reports that I have heard display a one-way greed with no consideration towards the generosity of the "giver".

Now as a side note, I did hear on Radio NZ that the spend on Halloween in the US comes only second to Christmas - my assumption is that this statistic probably applies to the decorations and the vast quantity of treats that are handed out - VAST!