Doha Summer

Well we can all relax. Apparently the mutton crisis has passed. Ramadan is almost upon us and the newspapers were full of the worry that there might not be enough sheep to assuage the starving fasters for the sun down meal. More worrying is the sight of the long queues of four wheel drives snaking out to the booze souk. John and I amongst them, buying as though it might be our last chance ever to savour the sweet taste of the ‘water of life’. The shopping trip was manic but worth it, and now each night we can say, ‘cheers’ knowing there will be plenty to see us through this ‘dry’ month!

Talking about dry, we have had hot temperatures, though not as bad as Death Valley, though on Friday I honestly thought I would have to lie down and die of heat exhaustion and leave my bones beside the turtle shells.

The beach was beautiful, but the wind was unbearable, blowing hotter than the already 46C. I took refuge in the sea, and floated on the salty waves.  After a mouthful of hot water from the bottles, (John just said, imagine it’s tea) we decided to walk along the beach to see how the turtle egg incubation was doing…The area is still fenced, and netted to protect them from Arab speedy nutcases in beach buggies, and wicked cormorants who eye the area with a beady eyeballs. Poor little turtles. How can they survive? It is a miracle they are not cooked in their shells.

Walking back, I was horrified at my shadow, for my hair had spiked up and dried with all the salt. I looked just like the nightmarish depictions of Struwwelpeter by Henreich Hoffmann.

I remember as a child being scared half to death by the book of strange moral tales, and then later on I think I passed on the legacy to my children. See what happens if you suck your thumb…hmmmm. No gentle psychology there.

So Julia Gillard has gone, gracefully and with dignity, inspite of all the aggression and shouting. Here too we saw a passing of the baton, as the Emir abdicated in favour of his son, Tamim. We shall see how the new reign affects us, and how he and his very liberal mother get along. Sheika Mosa has so many forward thinking projects on the go, an Education City, a woman’s hospital, a new cancer hospital and so much more. Her son has already got rid of women teachers in boys’ schools and has segregated classes in Qatar academy. Still, early days.

The whole country was told on Monday night that Tuesday would be a public holiday, so chaos ruled, as the phone lines buzzed to inform everyone. The new Emir and his father would be receiving dignitaries so all the major roads were closed. I did love this picture… of the proud father taking a snap with his phone as his son is pronounced the ruling prince!

The days are whizzing by, and sewing has been top priority as usual. We have been meeting at Benita’s house (the former Australian champion of Latin dance!!..I am such a groupie! I told her I used to go to ballet lessons, but I don’t think she was that impressed.) We have been making mah jong cloths, to stop the tiles clacking about. And I have embarked on another major challenge…a crazy quilt that looks like stained glass. It is such a pain…horrible to quilt.

We did go to dinner with Kay and Colin, before they took off for their 5 wk holiday in Italy. The menu was out of this world. Everything made from scratch.

Mixed starters of pork terrine, oven baked tomatoes, pickled walnuts and roasted fig.

Home made pasta with lemon and parlsey

Seared salmon on a bed of wasabi mash with grilled vedg and some jus

Pomegranate and Campari sorbet

Raspberry ice, hazelnut meringue, and lemon icecream.

It was WONDERFUL. But sadly we were also farewelling Jenny and Steve who are leaving the desert for pastures new… in Singapore. I shall miss them.

John and I are looking forward to our trip back to Scotland in August and I can’t wait to see Gerry and Cathal in Edinburgh and I have already booked my flight to Cardiff to visit with Natasha and Leo. John will be heading to Worthing to see his kids there.

Today is the first year anniversary of our contract here in Doha, so to celebrate I got my hair cut and we are going out to dine at the Hilton. The time here has flown by, but for me I just can’t find enough hours in the day…Quilts to finish, books to write, friends to see, letters to write, meals to be made and books to be read. I love it all.