Sushi in Doha

Environmental Specialists in the Desert - 1, Days in the Desert - 1, Beers consumed - 3.

Well, had a great drug-induced nights sleep, slept from 4.30am to 1.30pm (jet lag, jet lag, I know) and woke up refreshed, no strange dreams about turtles tonight... Spent the day lounging about the apartment, revelling in the heat (didn't switch the A/C on, why? This is warmer than central heating...)

Richard and Howell came back, we had a catch up and then went out to the Ramada for dinner where I had my very first plate of what I would call proper sushi, it was GORGEOUS!! The tuna, which was so pink the fish must only have passed on as the chef sank the knife in to remove my fillet, it was better than anything I have ever had in Barbados, high praise indeed! Anyway, we met these two TV company guys who are making a documentary for Qatari national day, Richard and I chatted over some ideas for coring etc. it was all pretty interesting.

Tomorrow, the real work starts in ernest, anyway, have to be up for 6.30am to head for the office at 7 to sort what kit I need out and meet a few more people. Looking forward to it, I must say.

I am supposed to be heading north tomorrow as well, although it looks as though Richard will be busy with Hugo the TV guy, so we'll see. Already suggested to Daniel that he may want to prepare the legendary juice bar for St. Patrick's Day, I'm sorry, I am partially Irish so I have to celebrate my roots!

I am happy, I have drunk beer and eaten choclate... :-D

Anyway, off to bed...

Well, I'm here... I have also had a lovely bit of news en-route, Kate and Jon have asked me to be little Charlotte Evelyn 'Lottie' Northall's Godmother, I am absolutely stoked and very proud :-D

Had a trouble free trip from Edinburgh to Glasgow, Emirate flight into Dubai was superb, apart from breaking my seatback entertainment system and having to move. Watched 'New Moon' and 'The Hurt Locker', the latter is an absolutely incredible film, I am in love with Will 'Blaster 1' James, what a man... As for 'New Moon', why does Bella insist on fancying the insipid Edward and thinking so much of the Cullens, is she bloody daft? Jacob and the Werewolves would be much better fun, dare I suggest that the Craic may be Feckin Mighty?



Glasgow flight was however, delayed which meant I had to run from one end of Dubai Terminal 3 to the other, had not had time to reattach my belt to my trousers and they started to part company with my waist... I felt this may lead to an international incident so stopped to remedy the situation and made my connection just in time. In fact, it was a virtually identical re-run to the events at Munich on the way back from Sarajevo in 2006, jeans parting company with waist, delayed flight etc.... There were 5 Europeans on the flight and I was the only female, I would suggest that if you want to cause a bit of a stir, this is the way to proceed. I was asked if I was a Chelsea fan to which I curtly replied no, it got worse in the Visa queue where the European men started it as well, none of them were British...

Anyway, now in my temporary abode in Doha with some organic-rich samples to look at (Toppings), don't know when I'm off up to Al Ruwais (sp) to catch up with Danny Boy and do some augering but I imagine it will be soon. Transpires another mate from the Severn Estuary, Gareth Rees is out here... Will be good to see him as well. On that note, it was good to see Cuttlefish and be back with the Birmingham Crew...

Anyway, I really should go to bed... More news from the Desert a demain...

5 minutes peace...

Well, the carnage just hasn't stopped now for three weeks, yes I know I am only having fun when I am so busy I don't know what day of the week it is but I do actually feel a little frazzled. Hence an afternoon with Nurse Jackie, The Bahrain GP and possibly Being Human or Skins is actually feeling quite good. I miss the 'Hereford Posse' loads, the office posse and the Cathedral Crew.

Had much fun with the Edinburgh Office posse on Friday evening, Ed and I then departed for Fish and Chips at the Tail End, been making sure I have had my favourite foods - Fry-Up, Roast Beef and Fish and Chips - aim to have a dirty burger at GLA tomorrow morning - or do I have a further fry up? Would it be innappropriate to have a pint or indeed, rude not to? Murrayfield was fun and it was great to catch up with Edward who buggered off home early. Likewise, it was nice to see Scott, Steve and Kirsty D last night.

So, this is my first blog, I will try and write every couple of days but I do have Season 1 and 2 of Rescue Me, The Lakes, Space: Above and Beyond, Warriors and Season 5 of The Wire to watch. Forwarned in this case really is potentially forearmed...

My bag is packed, I have checked in, just need a shower and then I'm off to Dr. Timpany's...