Keep the blogs coming Rod; we read every one. Always great to hear your news. Lots of love from Sam and Henri

Dear Rod,

Incase my email did not quite work out (I have not been receiving some from various people recently, and am not sure why!) just to say that I am enjoying yhour blogs, and glad that you are getting about and seeing the locals a bit! Incase the email arrives, I won't repeat myself!
lots of love, Katharine

Enjoying your "blog" - quite intrigued the Chinese restaurant sat you in the "bachelor section" sitting on your lonesome looking at the fish tank. It sure sounds a "fishy" evening. Regards Ann D.

Hello Rod!

I struggled a bit with this "solve this sum: 4+2=" security check at the top, but now we've crossed that hurdle we can move on :)

Hows it going? Pip was telling me how incredibly organised the hostpital and there is absolutely no wasting of expensive resources goining ofn whatsoever. Hmmmm.

We've had some delicious breakfast with young Pippa, and she helped me lose my Tilly's virginity, cos would you believe I've been here 5 years and never been there. Upon reflection however, I do remember hearing about this "lesbian bar" in lyneham once or twice.

Well I'll try to keep in touch a bit more, Hope to catch up better with Pip soon, been a few scheduling conflicts so far.

Hope all is well amigo :)

Rod, good to catch up on more news. Looks like you are settling in to your new life quite well. love to you, Rani

Hello darling! It's thursday morning, the day after National Iqama Day and I have just been speaking to you on the phone. I am SOOO glad you got your Iqama and unbelievably chuffed at being able to see you in Dubai! Oooo! I am getting ridiculously excited already! You're blog today was great and I really think its best idea for you to orgainse a welcome pack.

So anyway, I have to go to work now but hopefully I will speak to you again if not tonight, then definitely tomorrow night!

Anouk is doing her usual thing of monitoring passers by from the study window, and the fog here is great (can't see Black Mountain Tower!).

Love you TONS! And counting the days to November... ooooo! its 100!!

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G'day,

Down at my computer reading through your blog again (and other things of course) We really do enjoy all your tales - also reading what everyone else is writing about.

I suppose now that you are working an a regular routine, you won't have as much time for shopping centres, photographs etc., but we will still be looking out for your news. I'm sure you are getting used to all the new ways of doing things.

We are getting through winter, although it seems to have been a bit colder and rainier this year - or maybe it is because we are getting a bit older.

Love Mum & Dad

Hi Rod!

I made it! I found the post a message secton of your site, hurrah! Glad to be readig some of your posts and also glad that you recognised a b-day and were not tricked into a more carnivorous lifestyle. Have you seen any camels or donkeys yet? Greg just laughed at me, but I'm serious, you can't go to Saudi and come back without having seen a ligimate saudi camel, or donkey. Oh, apparently there have been many photos taken of goats in trees, so keep an eye out for that natural wonder too. So mass shopping huh? That sounds like it could SEEM boring at first, but after some time you'll discover the random games shop. We are over at your place having just watched the strangest Aztec doco, hosted by a crack addict and alcoholic who sacificed a chook to Monteczuma in order to cleanse his badness. I started watching it at 10am on ABC, hit record as soon as it got wierd because i didn't think Pippa or Greg would believe me. i'll send Pippa home with a copy so you can also share in the insanity, why do I think Pippa will refuse?? The two lady-dogs we went to see the other weekend that Greg told you about gave birth this week, with 5 huge puppies from one mum that needed a C section, and 3 from the other. So yay for us getting to pick from 8 :). We decided that Greg is officially going to pick and name the lucky pup, as I chose the breed - so far it's a contest between Battle Cat (He-man reference), Luna (Harry Potter reference), Rubi and Pippi (Because we like her, and shellfood). Well I have babbled enough, I'm now going to see if I can help some more (I cut up the veges) with the "Spicy-ish stew" or curry Pippa is making. Take care Rod and keep smiling, smile at a camel and see what happens! :)

Hey Rod, just finished reading all your blog entries, and as a non-coffee drinker, that coffee made from Cardomon and milk sounds........ PERRRFECT !!! Please please send the recipe home, and then I can tell people I actually really do drink coffee. The photos are amazing, you are certainly having some fantastic experiences and getting paid for it along the way. Well done. I'm jealous as hell. So when you get a little down, just remember the money and the experiences. Hey on a different note, AJ played soccer today and got 3 goals, he's making up for me. Anyway will chat soon. Tina xxx ps I really do want the recipe.

Hey Rod, great to hear from you. The latest round of photos and stories really give a fantastic insight into your new life. I imagine it would be hard getting used to some aspects, but it sounds like you have a number of people around you who can help. I certainly like the sounds of the bar, and would love to try the SIDs. It sounds like something we conjured up at Uni and also tried in northern villages of Thailand. We've just spent a week down at Albury which at this time of year included the inaugral 1-day visit to Mount Buffalo. It was a beautiful day and although there was snow (ice) on the ground, there was nothing falling. As we drove there we passed signs to Stanley, Beechworth, etc which brought back a flood of memories. At the moment I bet you are missing the snow, but in not too long you will be enjoying the cold again with true snow, not just the ice which we saw. We spent the day tobogganing and I still need to have a proper try at skiing. Anyway apart from that, things here are just bumbling along. We still have not won a single soccer game, so Pip I desperately need your help !!!! Back to work next week and desperately waiting for our next short trip at end of August to Harvey Bay. Anyway, keep the stories coming, its fantastic to hear how different life is in other areas and what amazing new things you are experiencing. "chat" soon, Tina, Andrew and AJ. ps. do you know anyone who wants guppies, we've just had 17 babies !!

Hey Rod, i finally found your blog after i successfully broke into your computer whilst Pip was at work!

It was so good to talk to you the other night and i am sorry i have been unable to catch up further. Pip has led me on a social whirlwind since i arrived and it has been great to get to know some of your dearer friends that i have heard so much about in the past.

Anouk has been very well behaved at Soccer and now after soaking up some sun, she is curled up on the bed next to me whilst i'm on the comp.

I am sorry to have to be going home tomorrow- i have loved the canberra jordan life yet again and had some serious relaxation time also which has been needed - bit wierd without you here tho but it seems you are not far away at all because you come up in converstation all the time!!

Pip seems good and is planning some more Ranee time which is nice.

Lots of love to you Rod - xxxxx

Hello my love I've had Ranee with me all weekend which has been wonderful (catching up on my hug deficit!), and she's here till tomorrow (Tues). It was so lovely to chat to you on the phone on Friday, and I'm glad you got to talk to everyone.

We played football in Cooma yesterday on the biggest field! They smashed us once again 4-0, but Ranee got some good pictures which we will email to you when we get them developed.

So glad you're having fun over there, can't wait to see you on my way over to UK.

All my love as always

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