Goats and dhows

After wondering last week if I was really making the most of Abu Dhabi we seem to be making up for it at the moment. Some things just make you smile because they are so different to anything you'd ever see in Manchester. Last week I was coming back from a meeting and found myself following a pick up truck with several little black and white goats in the back. They didn't look nearly as comfortable about being in the truck as the camels do but then the destination might not have been a good one for goats!
Over the weekend there was dhow racing off the Corniche and I looked out of the window to see one sailing by which was really beautiful.
On Friday we mainly mooched about at home with a trip to Marina Mall to get John a haircut - the mad professor looks is very charming but not very businesslike, and buy some furniture. In the end we went to IKEA, despite our aversion to the place and were rewarded with a fabulously helpful sales assistant, a delivery this week and a full set of bedroom furniture for a great price so we have absolutely no reason to complain! Mum's friend Jo should be comfortable and I won't have an empty room glaring at me every time I walk past.
On Saturday we went to a brunch to say goodbye to Julian and Bettina, who are heading for a new life in Berlin where their children live and met some other friends of theirs who live near by. It was a very convivial affair and sad that they are going just as we are settling in. However, we've never been to Berlin so now we have an excuse.
Later on we were invited out on our neighbour's boat so we headed off to the Marina. I had no idea what to expect and we were bowled over by this elegant and powerful craft - all cream leather and powerful engines. Levant and his wife, Ursula made us so welcome and there is really nothing to beat motoring around Abu Dhabi island on a sunny afternoon with a small drink in hand. It felt like being on holiday though it did seem a shame to have to go to work the next day. We had dinner on the boat back in the Marina. Our other neighbours, Pat and Jude, also came along so it was a very jolly affair indeed. We also got a chance to see some of the Dhow's close up which was really exciting and to get a new perspective on Abu Dhabi.
Since we went to dinner at our other neighbour's, John and Helen, last Saturday, we're now in the fortunate position of owing hospitality to several people and an excuse to plan a couple of dinner parties. I have never lived in such a friendly and sociable place and what with goats in trucks and Dhows out of the window it definitely has some pluses you don't get in Manchester!