Holidays + 2 weeks

Week 3 of the semester starts tomorrow and I haven't written anything since we got back from holiday (apart ftom the 'tell you what happened on the holiday post').

You'll be glad to know that Pushkin is running around again although he still has a bit of a limp. The vet found what looked like some bite marks on his leg and he had a bit of an infection. Some anti-biotics soon sorted that out though.

The first two weeks of semester have been a bit chaotic with new students arriving every few days but it seems to have settled down now and I have a nice class of 14. Some of last semester's class didn't make it back for various reasons but the newbies are settling in just fine.

Last week each class had a day out on a Natural Navigation project where they learnt how to make a fire without matches and then to brew a pot of tea. They then learnt how to make a sun compass and then to find their way around a short course. It was organised by one of the Foundations teachers and the class teacher went along to help out. I learnt lots and the guys had a great day! They also got to practice a lot of their English.



Last Thursday night, or rather early Friday morning, Jan & I headed to Dubai Airport to meet Jan's sister, Pam who's been travelling around the last eight weeks on a teaching tour. She's an expert quilter and has won many prizes as many of you would already know. She has to teach in Dubai next weekend but was able to fit in a few days R& R with us here in RAK. Last night we had a BBQ at our place with a few friends from the college and this morning we took her to the local camel races. We were up at 6:30 and on the track by 7:30. Some of you might remember that I went last year (and I'm sure you remember the photos) but it was the first time that Jan had been. This time it was adult camels and they have to race 6 Km. It really was a lot of fun and the camels are fascinating.

Jan & Pam had lots of fun looking at the photos when they returned but have now hit the shops while I write up the blog and tidy up a bit after last night. I'm sure that they will be exhausted when they get back! OK, so I need some lunch so I'll call it quits for now but will try and write again soon. Hope all is well in your part of the world wherever that might be.