Farewell Dubai...

After 3 very warm days (yesterday went up to 42 and today is definitely warmer!), Jake & I will be flying out of Dubai to London early tomorrow morning. The weather has been incredible, just what my body needed. It's been fantastic swimming and wearing summer clothing again...

Our trip into the desert yesterday was fabulous and I'm sure it's going to go down as one of the highlights of our trip. We left home at about 4:30 yesterday afternoon and met up with Mark along the way. Jake & I hopped out and drove quite literally into the middle of no where with Mark. Sue and David drove ahead of us and it was a very entertaining journey. It included Sue and David getting stuck in the sand and us having to get out of the car in the 42 degree sunshine to help push them out. Needless to say, by the time we got to our final destination, a glass of wine was much enjoyed. It was such an incredible experience (dune bashing is a serious adventure, even though I'm told our trip was tame) and one I'm so thrilled we got to experience. We stopped off at a little restaurant for a light dinner and eventually got home again around 9:30pm. Jake was a little terror and wouldn't go to sleep - when I eventually went up, at 12am, he was still awake. He chatted to himself until about 12:30 and is pretty exhausted today.

This morning, Sue took Jake & I down to the Mall of Emirates, which is huge, but quite similar to Canal Walk crossed with Cavandish. Lots of designer stores and it's really not any cheaper then shopping at home is. Didn't buy too much, but had to buy one or two momentos of our trip here. The mall's connected to the indoor ski slope they have here - it's unbelievable. Jake was really fascinated by it all and was quite disppointed that he couldn't go in to touch the snow (actually, he wouldn't shut up about the fact).

Tonight Mark and I are going out to dinner, but won't be having a late night - he has work tomorrow and I have to be up just before 5 to leave for the airport. I plan to put Jake to bed quite early, so that I can get out the door without any drama later. I've got to pack up before I go too, so busy afternoon at home for us. Right now, we're on our way for a swim, back in a sec...

Phew. Considering the outside temperature must be 40+ , the pool was about 35 degrees - hardly refreshing. We also walked to the pool that's slightly further away in the hope that it'd be cooler, but it wasn't. Definitely cooler indoors.

Besides that, Sue and David have been so hospitable. I haven't been allowed to do a thing. Every time I've gone near the sink, I've been bustled out of the kitchen. They've spoilt us to lunches and dinners and have been so wonderful, we've had such a super time.

Anyway, here are the much awaited photos, I'll keep them down to just a few...

Our trip to the beach at the Tower of Arabia... Proof that I did actually get in the water... The boy who loved the water... In the warm swimming pool in Sue and David's complex... The Souk... Hubbly Bubbly... Jake & David feeding a wild camel in the desert... We went down this slope...

The upload thing's so slow at the moment, I've got tons of pictures, but it's taking too long to upload.

Off to London tomorrow, where we'll be met at Gatwick airport by Jason & Sandi. Looking forward to catching up with everyone there too. Monday we're off to Disney 'till Thursday. Thursday night we go back into London, then head out to Scotland on Friday morning. I'll probably not get a chance to do any blogging before then, but should catch up with more news and photos soon after.

Jake's already missing home, he keeps asking to go back to our own home and he's really missing the dogs - keeps asking to see the photos of them. Shame, very sweet. Must phone home this evening.

Hope everyone's doing well!

Lots of Love,

Sue & Jake XXX