Rear Gunner, Helmand

Wow, this all seems such a long time ago...  Flying fast and low level out of LKG over the Green Zone, then popping up to high level at the edge of the desert.  Interesting times.  Fun times.  Worthwhile times, mainly.  Aviation in Helmand

Mountains and Sea

This could be mountains in the mist - but is not:  Muscat to Dubai revisited

Beauty and the Beast

At home for a while.  My neighbors are a really talented bunch.  This is a customer car they have more or less re-built from scratch.  It is Beauty and the Beast; AC Cobra

Desert Dunes

This is the view North East from the Al Ain to Dubai motorway.  Much of the desert between the two towns is flat and unremarkable, but in the last 20 miles there are some big dunes, favoured by off roaders.  At the right time of day and the right time of year there are dozens of 4 x 4s charging around the dunes, and families camping out.

Muscat to Dubai Revisited

I took a car last week from Dubai down to Muscat, via Al Ain, Nizwa, Ibri, Al Hamra, Jebel Shams and Somail, retracing the route of my 400 mile solo walk for Stu Kyffin back in March.  At the time it seemed like a long plod, which it was, but driving it reminded me of the distance.  I remembered most of the landmarks along the way, but much of it also was completely new.  I guess I spent a long time, particularly in the last week, just with my head down and making slow but steady progress.  Not sure I will be doing anything similar again in a rush, although.....

Dubai

Back in Dubai for a few days catching up with old friends.  Dubai, like life, will offer you what you are looking for, but perhaps to a greater degree than other places.  It is expensive, and can be hi-octane, but beyond the glitz and the glamour of the newest developments there are other lives, good and bad.  I would not choose to be a migrant worker here.  Although perhaps the stories of their abuse may be overdone I am sure there is some substance too them, and it is only by a chance of birth that it is they who are out in the heat building the glitz and me on the other side of the glass enjoying air conditioning.  There is a third life, one that some of my friends enjoy, which is a relatively normal family life. For me for now it is another week in my favourite hotel, being well looked after, finishing a short period of consultancy, and hopefully making some further useful connections along the way.

Gallery:     Dubai Marina +  Oman and Dubai Revisited

Migrant Workers

If ever you feel life is not too great, spare a thought for the guy who escaped to Tripoli and stands on the side of the road with a bucket and a roller hoping to be hired.

There are more snaps from Libya at this link:  Tripoli