Dear Santa

                                                                                                                                    
Dear Santa,
I think I have been a reasonable citizen this year, but who am I to judge? All I want for Christmas is for the praying man to be a bit quieter at approximately 4.47am every morning. I am a tolerant person and respect the Muslim faith here but now it's winter (between 16 and 25 degrees, depending on the wind) and we have turned the air conditioning units off, I wake with the call to prayer resounding  in my ears and the necessary beauty sleep disrupted. This seems doubly unfair as we are on holiday now and the alarm doesn't go off at 5.30am, so we could in theory have a lie in. If a small voice or the loudspeaker system failing is too much to ask for then maybe some ear plugs will do. Thank you Santa.
I am also quite concerned about how your reindeer are going to land on the roof. Please take extra care as I don't want one of them to crack a hoof or even worse break their leg as they negotiate the fort like walls, with the central turret holding a vertical ladder down to the secret door, where I presume you will enter in and deliver the presents.
Lots of love,
Susie of Arabia (formerly of Shepley)

PS I wish all my family and friends a very peaceful and joyful Christmas time and Olympic measures of health, wealth and happiness for 2012. I love you and still miss you xx

PPS Just as groove is in the heart, Christmas is most definitely found there.

40th Birthday

I did not really want to go to sleep the night before the birthday. It seems in a blink of an eye that a decade has passed by, the thirties being my child bearing years. (I really didn't want a surprise 30th party with three weeks to go before giving birth to our lovely first born daughter in 2001). I don't want to let go of that decade of nurturing and enter the next unchartered chapter. What will it bring? An Arabian Adventure yes, but what else? Despite the fat burning, cardio kick boxing, swimming and cycling the jelly belly is still relectant to release me from it's greed induced grasp. It's my buoyancy aid, keeping me afloat here.
Sleep eventually enveloped me and then next thing I know it was sunrise in the desert dawn of my new decade. I received lovely surprise parcels and cards, fab facebook messages via Nigel, texts, e-mails and mobile phone calls. I treated myself to skyping my brother in "chucking it down" Clayton West, West Yorkshire and my best friend in blustery Bray, Ireland. A thoroughly modern, technological birthday best wishing event. It was great! The only shadows were cast by the clouds building up in the now greying sky.
I was thrilled with my new blender bought by my family. Perhaps I can whizz up some organic fruit face packs to combat the hairline facial fractures we call wrinkles.
Another desert dwelling friend hosted a coffee morning for me which was supposed to be a surprise, but being the detective I am, I sussed out the situation a few days in advance. So were the tears when the cake baked with love bearing one solitary candle arrived real or crocodile ones? Real of course. It's surreal to be specially treated by lovely new friends only just met. We are all in the same boat here no matter where we come from. We all need each other in our cosmopolitan community.
When we have coffee mornings here at the not unusual time of 9am it's like having lunch because we've been up since 5.30am and our kids have been at school for two hours. So as well as coffee and tea you get sandwiches, crackers, biscuits, fruit, spring rolls, noodles and of course buns and cakes. It is a fantastic feast and probably why the belly remains.
After school and keeping one eye on the weather we wrapped up in jumpers and went down to the beach club for a buffet. Now I have to mention the gorgeous green, hand knitted cardigan that my mum so lovingly made for me. We laughed and joked about me wearing it in 40+ degrees but I actually do need it because this afternoon it's chilly. I carefully put it on  in a private symbolic ceremony, feeling instantly warmed and cherised, my mum cuddling me through the soft green wool from the other side of the world.
The wind picked up and the waves were crashing onto the beach sending spray like the many water sprinklers do when dousing the grass. Someone suggested a shamal was brewing ( a sand/wind storm). As the wrapping paper clouds ripped I thankfully received my present from the heavens in the form of rain. I couldn't help running through in my mind the set list Jamiroquai would be playing to their frenzied french audience tonight. "Rock Dust Light Star, coming at you baby!" ........ now look and see those stars for you and me". Jay Kay is in his early forties, perhaps we could go out for dinner and then to a disco together sometime. What do you say Jay?
I slept smiling, thinking of the love I have for my friends and family and which was shown to me in so many kind ways today.
We decided to host our first party here on the 25th November, making it yet another 40th do, not to be rivalled in any way by the revelling in St. Paul's hall in July. I was surprisingly nervous but rose to the occasion with make-up and a smile. It was a great opportunity to declare our bar open and as Nigel ripped the make-shift banner of toilet paper from the back a huge cheer arose and the celebrations began. One of the perks of being a Westerner is that we can apply for a liquor licence and then visit a warehouse full of booze, bringing comfort and thirst quenching relief in this dry and barren dust bowl. It is however a little unsettling when Joshua tells people, "We've got a pub in our living room."
I don't want the lad to think this is normal behaviour do I?
We had some food, more cake of course and a sing song with Nigel and a music teacher on their guitars. It did feel like home having the flat full of  kids, adults, noise and music.

First Rain Poem

First Rain

Pitter patter footsteps,
running in my room.
Pitter patter on block paving,
my beloved came.

Almost three months have passed
since I saw you last.
I instantly feel at home.

We cry quietly together, our tears falling down.
You gently caress my hands and face,
feeling new and exciting
like the first time.

We connect.

I smell your damp freshness.
Inhaling deeply this intoxicating scent,
heaven sent.
Not forgotten, yet longed for.

We sit awhile, more relaxed now,
I'm momentarily mesmerised.

Too soon you quench my thirst and leave
me wanting more.
Juliet like I wait by my window,
for your return.

I know you will.



Suzanne Hoyle 2011

First rain

So the rainy day did come and with it a poem. It also meant that I could begin reading Gig by Simon Armitage (signed copy remember?) I have nearly finished it because it's BRILLIANT of course. He can write no wrong in my book. I did send him a poem earlier this year ( For Simon Armitage - this is not a love poem) after I went to hear him read at Huddersfield University, where I got the book signed. I wonder if he read it?
Prior to watching England v Spain a single tear ran down my cheek as I listened to the National Anthem. Then a minute of silence held for Remembrance Sunday, which I honoured. Despite missing the homeland and in spite of my faith I am not missing the barrage of Christmas hype on TV and in the shops, it doesn't exist here.
But my faith remains, as does my hope and love.

Half Term Adventures part 2

Dolphins

Another boat trip this time out to the dolphin reef.
As a group disembarks the boat we are to climb aboard I enquire whether they have seen the dolphins, "not today," they reply. We set off with three friendly families we have met here. It's always exciting for me leaving the dry land and venturing off into water. I have great memories of my time as a volunteer onboard 'Cockney Spirit' a 40 foot, two mast ketch used to take young, disadvantaged people on sailing holidays. It was a Christian project working as a Charitable Trust and made my love for the sea and sailing as concrete as the hull the boat was made from. I had a fantastic nine months with the charity in 1994.
We power about two miles out to sea, then sleek, grey black fins appear in the near distance. One, then two, then three and four. Much excitement from us adults and the children alike. We chase after them and they frolic and arch, creating bubbles and froth near the boat. Up and then down almost copying the boat as it bobs on the surface. They swim so close, so fast, enjoying the engine as it churns up a wake. Our driver knows exactly what they like and when he has enticed them he cuts the engine off so it's silent apart from our shrieks of delight as they play hide and seek with us, now you see us, now you don't. Smiling and happy are the dolphins, as are we. Under water they illuminate and become silvery green. It's so magical and beautiful I don't want it to end. When you look carefully you see the jagged edges on their fins, small scrapes and scars on their bodies. Just like us they are imperfect, yet still very special and unique. The next thing I know we share the same sea and swim in their space. This time I dived into the deeper, darker water, not as nervous now. They don't come near and even though I know they are only dolphins three things immediately come to mind:
1. Dead Calm-film
2.'Dead in the water,' song by David Gray
3. Jaws-film


I think I stay alive in the water for 10 minutes, before climbing back onboard.


All too soon we return to shore, all of us so happy having seen these lovely creatures enjoying their natural habitat, between Qatar and Saudi Arabia. I can't help but feel blessed because we have been out three times on this boat and every time we have seen the dolphins. Some people have been here four years and still not seen them.


Souq wakif

The number 1 thing to do in Doha according to the Lonely Planet Guide. Does this mean I can come home now? Of course not. Not until I have had a ride on a grumpy, spitting, hump backed camel and got the photo to prove it!
The Souq was once a weekend trading area for the Bedouin, I discover from the Marhaba, Qatar's premier information guide book 2011. It certainly is an amazing place to visit and I already want to go back at night when it is all light up and more hustling and bustling. We arrive in need of toilets, I always need the toilet even after a relatively smooth car journey. I ended up in the male public conveniences for some reason and at least two other men came in while I was relieving myself. I flushed and peeked through the door, Nigel told me to wait. Gulp. I tried again to escape, again he ushered me back. Yikes, I was starting to panic! A day stuck in the toilets would not be very pleasant or my number 1 thing to do in Doha. Third time lucky, I held my breath and waltzed out doubly relieved.
We found ourselves in the animal section which was a most bizarre and disturbing experience given that the day before we had seen the dolphins swimming freely. All the animals were in small cages apart from some out on display stands. There were brightly plumed macaws, orange and yellow canaries, rabbits upon rabbits, puppies, quail, terrapins, toads, mice and wait for it, fluffy dyed pink, yellow, orange and green chicks up to 30 or so in cages! This seemed doubly unfair especially as there were plenty of pigeons flying free above, perching on the wooden beams and ledges of their choice. They were lucky to be born free I suppose.
As we walked through the labyrinths of narrow passages, each turn brought new sights and smells, bright coloured cloth, incense and spices, pots, pans, pictures, sunglasses, hats, pashminas.
There were older men with identity tags on carting wheel barrows full of purchases. We didn't employ one but I wanted to scoop up one tired, frail man put him in the wheel barrow and give him a rest and ride, like my dad did to me when I was a child. 
There was a very cosmopolitan feel to the restaurant area, and there were many Qatari men in full white robes with red and white checked tea towels on their heads. How do they stay so immaculate all day long? With our varying shades of gingerness and freckled faces we stand out like pigs in blankets in a pork free society. But we are accepted and respected here.
We sit outside a Lebanese restaurant. I order coffee, Nigel has tea. Joshua has fresh orange and Eleanor has hot chocolate in the daytime heat of 30 degrees or so? The tea comes in a handle-less glass and is black. When we ask for milk we get a quirky look from the waiter and I explain with open arms and a shrug that we are in fact English. He returns with a white, porcelain gravy boat, full of hot milk as if to make a drama out of a near crisis.
We also decide to try a Shisha pipe as everyone else seemed to be doing it and when in Rome and all that. The gravy boat milkman suggests the grape and mint flavour of nicotine free tobacco is very good. Nigel seems to take to the pipe very well! I feel like Sandra Dee from Grease coughing and choking after one inhalation of the pipe. Young and old men and women all seem to enjoy puffing away on these snake charm like pipes. I'll just stick to drinking in the atmosphere and coffee, thanks.

I'm posting this on the significant last day of my 30's!

Half Term Adventures

Ok, long time no blog because I have been very busy on my Arabian adventures! Choose carefully whether or not to continue reading. I don't want to make you hate me. I'm sure 'This Morning' is featuring some interesting ways to cook a turkey again or perhaps you are busy with your Christmas shopping or even working?

Wow Dhow Day
The first adventure was on a dhow trip in Doha (a dhow is a traditional wooden boat).
We got on board our vessel and set off for a sand bank through aquamarine waters with the impressive Doha City skyline to our port side. I almost wistfully watched the planes leaving Qatar on our starboard side, but then pinched myself to enter into this adventure. There were plenty of families aboard so we were all happy. We had travelled together from Dukhan on a coach as someone had organised it for us. We reached the sand bank after about 30 minutes or so and anchored within swimming distance of the sandy bank. Everyone stripped down to reveal bronzed, toned bodies in bikinis, multi-coloured swim suits and sarongs, sporty racer back swim suits, long flowery swim shorts, varicose veins plus bruise on my right upper arm (a nice distraction from the leg, but not entirely desirable considering youngest child had bitten me in a temper a few days ago!) After a bit of Arab courage some of the men and kids started jumping into the sea from the boat. It had two levels, so in effect two heights of diving platform. I desperately wanted to swim, but I also wanted to dive in to challenge myself. I dive very rarely but thought I would regret not doing so. I can do it, no I can't, yes I can, stood on ledge now, no I can't, back on deck, yes I can, back on ledge, lots of encouragement from the rest of the water babies and my family. Eventually with a deep breath I took the plunge, dived off the wooden ledge (lower level) into the cool, turquoise sea below. I did it! This is what being on the brink of 40 does to you!
From the sea the boat looks like a wooden titanic looming up in front of me,with the amazing city as  the backdrop, then the huge blue sky as the canvas, a surreal 4D experience. In the boat non swimmers sat and chattered under the sun canopy whilst barnacles below the water line clung on tight and kids and other grown ups shrieked with delight. Some swan to the sand bank and back. I could see the reflection of the pale sand, other dhows and brilliant sea in the windows of the cabin.The vertical, rusty runged ladder made a scary retreat back on board for the bar-b-q!! Meat, chicken, rice, salad, bread and fruit. As a pendulum swings we swung around our anchor, feeling dizzy, drunk on the high life or were we slightly dehydrated with the onset of sunstroke? Coming back down to earth and into the dock, we passed what I thought was a fishing vessel. A fellow adventurer pointed out it had sheep on board probably going to be slaughtered for the forthcoming Eid celebrations.

Just desert and a film set
Of course following a convoy of four wheel drivers into the desert for a bar-b-q (lots of them here) and to see a film set would be just up our sand dune. However, not so much fun in our still hired, Nissan Sunny. We set off being assured that the terrain was suitable for our method of transport (remember the journey to the aquapark). I really think camels would have been a much more sane choice.
Only 15 minutes or so into the journey, second in the convoy and wanting to stay close to the leader, we mounted a kerb and actually got stuck. We all got out and 'the men' lifted the car up and pushed it back onto the lunar terrain! I hasten to add the husband was driving. Back on some semi-smooth tarmac we ventured along until the road stopped and the desert started. We traversed cautiously witnessing a graveyard of tyres, rubbish and not so fortunate car parts enhancing the feeling of adventure/terror. Stopping at a sign saying Bourq Nature Reserve, boasting gazelles and ostrich, some of the group took photos. We learned later that on every trip taken through here, they have yet to see a single gazelle or ostrich. Along the bumpy desert we went. I was clinging onto my pyrex casserole dish with homemade coleslaw in it for dear life! Broken glass mixed in with the cabbage and carrots would be awfully dangerous and possibly lethal in large quantities. The ground became a bed of rocks and ridges , like driving over a bed of nails but with little faith in succeeding. Then we came to wet sand from the rain the previous day, (look out for a poem coming to your screen soon)
which made us skid and swerve as if we were in snowy Station Road, Shepley. The Sunny was just about coping but its passengers were not, "This is insane," "What are we doing?" "I'm scared!" "How is a tow truck going to find us out here?" we chorused in our quartet. Caked in sand and sludge we were shaken to our very core, jolted and jiggled, bewildered and confused. Finally we arrived at Smugglers or was it Robbers Den? We were in what felt like a giant crater and we were to have a bar-b-q on the equivalent of the moon. We should have borrowed a golf buggy to get here. Around the perimeter of the crater were manmade, stone shelters, seemingly used for litter dumping and public toilets. Apparently this crater space was used as part of the film set we were to visit on the return journey! No-one seems to know what film or films were made here. Extra research required. The food was great and calmed our nerves. Kids were scrambling up the steep, white, sandy rocks behind the shelters and making dens in the ones not too full of crap (litter and literally). It has to be said that the coleslaw was well and truly mixed together.
In some ways it was hard to relax knowing the hellish return journey was our only way out of there. After a couple of hours in the crater with the sun beating down we deceided to visit the rest of the film set. Back in the cars for a short, easier, 10 minute journey to what looked like a small, village in the middle of nowhere. There were palm trees planted within its walls and we could wander in through wooden doors to empty rooms, up spiral and straight stairs to balconies. It was very strange but gave us some great photo opportunites. Susie, Nigel, Eleanor and Joshua of Arabia paparrazzied in their desert set on their Arabian adventure. Back into cars, gulp here we go, pedal to the metal. In truth the return journey was scary but not as harrowing as we were steered on a different, slightly less coarse, course. The main cause for concern being that if you hadn't plucked up courage to use the crater toilet, your bladder was beginning to feel like a water bomb about to expode whilst being constantly rolled over and over sharp pebbles and stones. This feeling continued for 30-40 minutes. Who said life was boring? Much later on, safely still and not jiggling, with a burst water bomb and the desecrated remains of the coleslaw back in the fridge, I found a rhyming couplet Eleanor had added to my scribblings,
"not suitable for our Nissan Sunny
but we can't afford a four wheel drive yet, cos they're a lot of money"

Aquapark fun

A couple of weeks ago we went on a day trip to a fantastic aquapark in Doha. This was certainly exciting for all of us, especially as I offered to drive. I was tense following the convoy of fast moving traffic, on the scary pot holed road, in our hired Nissan sunny covered in dust! There was a particular moment I recall, we were being over taken and the overtaker was being overtaken as an oncoming truck was approaching on the opposite side of the road. Nigel was shouting at me to not veer off to the right into the sand and the kids in the back were expressing negative feelings of being scared! I'm sure we left the road as I could not possibly avoid this gigantic crater when I thought, perhaps I chose the wrong day to make my first drive to Doha? We did get there in one piece and marvelled at the scene before our very eyes. As we entered the park the loudspeakers were playing kum by yah and I thought it was by yah we had safely arrived at this oasis of fun! It was amazing there were pools and gigantic, coloured slides and a huge pirate themed area for the younger kids. Those of you who know me well will understand how the thought of spending the day out in my swimming cossi fills me with horror. It's not that I am so vain, but the varicose vein I have to live with!!! I fashioned some kind of sarong out of  my green and pink scarf and took Josh to play in the pirate area. Meanwhile the true adrelin junkies, Nigel and Eleanor went off to the super slide area. The staff were amazing and so friendly. It was like being at Barnsley Metrodome, but on a much larger scale and outside in the brilliant sunshine with the rest of the world except Yorkshire folk. Get the picture?
Somehow Eleanor managed to convince me to go on this huge, red,swirly slide. We got to the top of about 100 steps ( I felt like I was stood on the top of Emley Moor mast!) and I checked with the attendant that I wasn't too 'big' to embark. Of course I wasn't! No way out now! We sat on a double rubber ring, Ellie in front, and got shoved off into oblivion. My stomach lurched towards my throat and I screamed all the way down the first set of spirals. I confess I shut my eyes too until Ellie shouted 'mum, open your eyes!' WOW! I thought I was on Willy Wonka's crazy boat trip or I had been transported back to a 1970's boogie wonderland! The neon lights provided a kaleidoscope of colours, it was AWESOME! Then we shot out into an enormous circular area just like Veruca Salt going down the nut hatch in the more recent film of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. We circled a while before plunging down a vertical drop into the pool and the end of the ride. Phew! At which point I got my leg stuck in the rubber ring and couldn't get out for a few minutes much to my daughters embarrassment! I needed refreshment! There was a coffee/tea bar in one of the pools with stools in the water you could sit on. Brilliant! A Tequila Sunrise moment if ever there was one! We had a cup of tea.

I continue to enjoy my bike rides and after my cold left me last week, I went on a 50 minute ride. I went down to the beach and was just watching the beautiful, shimmering sea, when I heard the sound of tyres approaching in the sand. There was no-one around and nowhere to hide. It was a police van with two officers inside! We exchanged Arabic greetings and then in English they asked me if I was lost! They were just checking I was ok. I found this really amusing but also very reassuring. I don't know if I will ever cycle outside the compound alone, but I do feel very safe and protected here.
I'm really excited to have some followers of my blog! Thanks!
xx

I've got a cold

Sorry to moan to you but I have a cold! Who would think it possible in this ever sunny and hot climate? I think my body is so conditioned to having a cold in England usually at this time of year, (in the half term holidays). Oh well nothing that rest and paracetomol can't handle. I indulged in watching some TV to cheer me up and thankfully have an excellent novel to read, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. I'm still saving my signed copy of Gig by Simon Armitage for a rainy day! Ha Ha Ha!
Not much Arabian adventuring going on apart from swimming in the super, rough, salty sea at the weekend. It was awesome, very windy and the waves were the surfing kind. Maybe I am not ill after all but recovering from a super, salty, detoxifying massage by mother nature?
Susie x

Clouds!

Irony. I was listening to The Blue Sky  (a song by a-ha for your information) whilst preparing lunch, when suddenly something seemed very wrong. It seemed much darker than usual and I thought a UFO may be flying over head or something! I looked out of the small, kitchen window to see white, fluffy clouds in the blue sky! Huge marshmallow clouds, obscuring the otherwise brilliant sunshine. I've been walking around the apartment saying "clouds" to myself as if I have never seen them ever before. Is this the beginning of Autumn?

spelling mistake

Just noticed I did not spell actually correctly!!! This really annoys the ex english teacher in me! x

Stranded in the desert!

Hi friends,
Well here I am in the hot, dusty desert, getting on with it! Imagine your lovely cosy life, get it all packed up in one large suitcase, turn it upside down and shake it around a few times, throw it into a foreign land and let it all spill out and that's how it has felt for me in the last 7 weeks! I really appreciate all the encouragemnent and support I received before flying out here. Thanks so much! I am starting to settle now, apologies book club for the miserable poem I sent, I am not withering any more! Partly due to the fact I am spending a lot of the time in the air-conditioned gym. Although, the weather is cooling now and I actaully went out on my new second hand bike yesterday! Yahoo! It was great. I only cycled 10 mins (to the gym!!!!) but I loved it and smiled all the way. Look out Madonna I'm 10 years younger than you!
It's just taken me about 40 minutes to login to my blog I'm such a pen and paper sort of a girl! Lots of love, Susie xx
ps ask me some questions and I'll do my best to inform you x