Swimming pool heaters and chillers

Our new house has a swimming pool in the garden. Thankfully it comes with a chiller as during summer it would be like swimming in soup. We never really considered that it would also heat the water in winter. Winter weather has been glorious. Lovely sunny days and cool nights.

Paul had been suggesting he might like to jump off the balcony into the pool below. I ranted a bit about how crazy that would be because the pool isn't that deep or large and one small slip and his life could be changed forever.

Today this photo appeared on his sisters facebook account. I suspect its the result of a leap off the fence or balcony!

The solar eclipse according to Susan

A Sole r eclipse in her usual position beside the pool at the

Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi

Partial solar eclipse

Hassan Ahmad Al Hariri, CEO of the Dubai Astronomy Group, calibrates the telescope set up to watch the solar eclipse from in front of the Burj Khalifa. Image Credit: Megan Hirons Mahon/Gulf News

We had a partial solar eclipse yesterday. It was already quite overcast so blocking out some of the sun made it even more bleak.

Dubai's Celebration 1-1-2011

We were home in bed by the time this all started. But it really is a spectacular setting for fireworks. We were at the fountains a few days before and got wet every time they shot up in the air thanks to a nice chilly breeze.

Parking woes

We got this photo in an email but its worth sharing.

Translation? "I Swear to Allah that I do not have Coins, and am just here for 10 minutes, so PLLLLEEEEAAAAASSSSSEEEE Mr. RTA, I am sure you can understand and not fine me"

More Camel festival

Bert was offered six camels in exchange for Laura at the camel festival, and a potential son in law named Mohammed. After we got back in the car we were laughing about it all and Laura said you didn't even haggle for me Bert, I think I am worth at least 8 camels.

Christmas day

Its Christmas morning in that nice quiet time of the day before the rest of the household gets up and you have time to ponder Christmases past.

This year Laura and Paul, my son and daughter are here in Abu Dhabi to spend Christmas with us. Im thrilled they were able to come. Last year we had Christmas with American friends. In the past I have had Christmas with so many, much loved and interesting folk. Marianne Steen from Denmark and Anne Margarate Matre from Norway spent Christmas with us in the late 80's as exchange students. One year we spent Christmas in Denmark with Mariannes family. It snowed all day and they made a huge effort to give us a wonderful Danish christmas. I spent a few Christmases in Malaysia with The Plenert family, Ceinwen and Michael Schneider and Tina and Zack Bartol.
Of course my extended family have always featured large in Christmas plans. My mum and stepfather, I wish very much that they could be here with us to spend the day together. My sister Jan and brother in law Alan and their family, I miss you all. Trevor and Barbara Williamson, whom for many years we had a fabulous Christmas eve when all our kids were little. We would go to Mt Macedon Carols by Candlelight together. Our friends in Berwick, Bendigo and Macedon. Where ever you are and who ever you are with, I hope you are having a wonderful day.

Today we will spend the day quietly at home together, and later Christmas dinner is at the Rotana on Yas Island with a Muslim family and their three year old triplets! I am so incredibly blessed to have so many good friends who come from all corners of the world. I love you all so much.