It’s been a minute or two.. and now it’s almost 2023!

I always wanted to keep people regularly updated with how things are going, the ups and downs, new experiences and how we’re all adjusting. It’s been a busy few months with visitors and I always need to be in the right head space to get everything out. It’s like a form of therapy for me, a way of processing what’s going on and I always feel better once I’ve done it.

One of the biggest updates is that I can drive over again, I feel like the whole scenario of getting to this point needs its own post, but you actually couldn’t write it. It’s done now, and all I have to do is navigate these crazy roads. The kids are made up that they no longer have to get in a death taxi that stinks of arse and I finally have my independence back.

So let’s start where we left off…

We had a busy spell with visitors, first to arrive was James’s Mum and Dad fresh off there travels in Thailand. It was great to see them again and catch up. We were able to go on a little date night and headed over to Brass Monkey for some food (which was amazing), bowling and arcade games. It was such a fun night and just what we needed.

Before we left I had a great walking route up to Windy Arbour and back through Winstanley. Although its really pretty where we live, its very flat so I wanted to try something more challenging. So we met our friends Nathan and Chloe at Showka Damn and spent a few hours there. It was an early start after a few to many rum cocktails the night before but worth it. We got a bit lost at the start but soon found our way. I felt every step up to the top but so glad we did it as the view was breathtaking, or was that the steps we just climbed?

After this it was a quick change and off to Brunch at Dukes the Palm, this has become one of our favourite brunches as you get access to the pool and beach afterwards and the views are like something off a postcard, especially when the sun is setting. The kids also love this one as did James’s Mum and Dad.

The day after we had booked to go on a desert safari. We were picked up from home and taken up to the dunes. We have been into the desert before but this was something else! The dunes were a different colour, a golden orange, and looked perfect until we started to drive on them. Sienna was not happy though, she’s doesn’t like rollercoasters, so veering off the edge of a sand dune did not sit well with her. Grandpa Ron was also not loving the experience and was happy when Sienna asked the man to stop. We got out and had a go at surfing on the dunes with a snowboard. This was not one of my finest moments, face planting a sand dune is not fun! After this we headed to a camel farm whilst the guide pumped the tyres back up. It smelled so bad but the baby camels were so cute! Once the tyres were inflated we went to the camp to enjoy food and entertainment. It was a really good evening and a great family experience.

Next to arrive were Ben and Sam. We managed to fit a BBQ and Top Golf before the men headed off to the F1 in Abu Dhabi for the weekend. They also spent a few days at the DP World Tour. Meanwhile back at home, we got to spend some time with Lynn, we went to the Ripe Market, which is full of individual unique stalls and we had a lovely meal at Maison Mathis, another one of our firm favourites. Then it was time to say goodbye to Lynn and Ronnie, it had been great having them stay and it was so hard saying goodbye, they seem to be getting harder each time.

The day after we also said another goodbye, this time to Zach, he was off on a residential with School to another Emirate, Umm Al Quwain. Needless to say anxiety was off the charts at this point, he had never been away with anyone other than family before but I knew he needed this experience, another step towards him becoming a young man. School kept us regularly updated and it looked like they all had a blast. So much so that when we picked him up he said he’d rather still be there.

It was a period of goodbyes for us, unfortunately, one of Sienna’s friends who moved from the UK at the same time as we did was heading back home. I was also really sad to be saying goodbye, her Mum and I had been through the highs and lows of moving together and I will miss her and our daily rants about Carrefour and Spinneys.

I do worry how the goodbyes are affecting the kids. Is it making them more resilient to change, or is it taking its toll emotionally? Only time will tell. For now we will just continue to adjust and adapt to our new life.

Next up was December, I had to laugh, how one earth was it December already? How on earth was I about to turn 37! However, first up was a little staycation in Ras Al-Khaimah over the national day weekend. We stayed at the Double Tree Hilton on Marjan Island and it was incredible. We stayed for two days but could easily have done longer. Zach had two parties to attend and as easy as it would have been to say ‘sorry, we’re away’ and taken those extra few todays to ourselves we know how beneficial these early interactions with his friends are. He really has made some great friends and we were more than happy to come home early for him, via the alcohol warehouse to stock up for Christmas, of course.

Back to school after a great weekend and it was Zach’s first sports day at Safa. It was so lovely to be there and cheer him on, he did great, he definitely does not get his sporting ability from me. It was how a sports day should be. I also got to meet the other Mums and Dads from the class, who are all great. I love listening to peoples stories and how they came to be here.

Sienna also had her first school trip. Her year went to watch Magic Phil on the QEII. She was excited for days before and loved every moment especially telling her friends that her Nanna Lynn previously worked on the ship.

Zach played in the DESS Festive tournament just before school finished for Christmas and was made up that Safa won, especially after the last tournament they played narrowly missing out on victory in the final. He’s never won anything like this before and it really did make his day. Seeing his face when they got off the bus back at school made me realise that these little moments how ever big or small are all part of his story and I hope one day he will back and realise why we made the move.

The last week of school also brought the excitement of Aunty Em and Phoebe arriving. I don’t know how we managed to get Sienna to sleep the night that they arrived or to school the next morning, but we did. She had been excited for days, she couldn’t wait to see her again after four months apart.

The morning after they landed was my 37th birthday. Just a number but also a reminder that another year has passed, I found myself thinking about 36 year old me and apart from age what has changed in the last year. I definitely have a few more wrinkles, or laughter lines as I call them, and a few extra ‘Dubai pounds’. I think this year I’ve had to call on every strength I have to get me to where we are today. I remember the day James told me he had got the job, I froze with fear and needed to go on a walk to put it all into perspective. I remember James flying to Dubai without us and spending the next 6 weeks on my own dismantling furniture, tip runs and drinking wine on a garden chair in the living room whilst our home got emptier by the day. Definetley a year of learning, clarity and acceptance.

We had a lovely week with Emily and Phoebe, we fitted so much in. We had breakfast at Jones the Grocer on The Palm for my birthday, minus the kids as they were in school. I’ve always wanted to celebrate my birthday on the beach. After breakfast we headed over to the Frame and then onto the Miracle Garden before school pick up. Seeing the kids reunited after months apart was so lovely and heartwarming.

Emily and I then had a few hours watching the sunset round the pool before it was time to get ready for my birthday night out. James had booked the most incredible restaurant, INTI. The view was spectacular, you could see the Burj Khalifa in all its glory and the surrounding buildings. The food was also incredible, everything was so tasty and the service was second to none.

We had a fun filled week together, we went into the desert and to JBR. We also visited EXPO City, Global Village and made gingerbread houses at the golf club, which was carnage but the kids enjoyed it. Not forgetting a trip to the water park too. The week went so fast and Sienna was so upset after we dropped Emily and Phoebe back at the airport, another tough goodbye for us all.

It wasn’t long before our next visitor arrived, my mum flew in two days later fully laden with goodies from back home, and clothes that I had left behind. It was so lovely to see her and I was glad that she would be able to see us a bit more settled and sorted. We didn’t have much planned for the week, it was just nice to have her here. She gave us a night off and we went to brunch at Trader Vics at the Hilton JBR, which was nice but not one I’d rush back to, and also stayed overnight at the Intercontinental on the Marina.

During the week we went to the Malls a few times so the kids could get sorted for Christmas and birthdays. We even managed to get down to Kite beach for a few hours which was a bit traumatic for me as pigeon bit my toe and I have a massive phobia of birds. Needless to say I made a complete show of myself on the beach. Thankfully, Zach and his friend were out of sight at this point and I didn’t embarrass him. Again, the week went so fast, I was dreading taking my Mum back to the airport and I know she was too. It was the hardest of goodbyes.

Worryingly, I’d noticed that one of my moles had changed and me being me had instantly gone to the worst case scenario. The colour and texture had changed so I knew I needed to have it checked. This was the first time we needed to use the insurance we have through James’s work. The first attempt to see someone wasn’t great as I’d gone to the wrong clinic. In the end I booked to see a consultant at the Saudi German hospital. This was another surreal experience, valet parking, a robot handing out drinks. I was in and out in under 30 mins and booked in a few days later to have it removed and checked. It was a pretty much pain free experience and I’m relieved to say the biopsy came back clear. Always check your moles!

Before we knew it, it was Christmas Eve. It’s been strange being over here for Christmas everything is really festive and decorated beautifully but it just didn’t feel the same, maybe that was the absence of loved ones and minus degree weather. We spent Christmas Eve with Nathan and Chloe. We used our friend Dylan’s jeep and headed into the desert to catch the sunset and have marshmallows by the fire. It was a lovely evening and a perfect way to head into Christmas Day.

Christmas Day morning was lovely and the kids loved everything Santa got them. It was a quick turn around though as we were spending two nights at the Atlantis and having our Christmas Lunch at Seafire Steakhouse. The hotel was beautiful and the room we had first was on the top floor overlooking the Arabian Gulf. The food at Seafire was so good and the wine even better. After this we went to the Aquarium and watched Home Alone on the Beach. The perfect way to end an very different but amazing Christmas Day. The next day we tried to go round the pool but it was raining so we spent most of the day in the Wavehouse. We had to change rooms as they are building a bar on the roof and we heard every noise from this and the service stairs from very early on. We also received a free complimentary dinner for the inconvenience.

Our last morning at the Atlantis was Sienna’s birthday, she was so excited to be turning 8. We had originally planned to to spend the day in the water park but the weather had other ideas so we went to the Cinema instead. We watched Puss in Boots, a great film and she had a lovely day.

I can’t believe we’re at the end of 2022 already, a year in which all we wanted to do was get on that Disney Vacation that had been planned and booked for nearly 3 years. This year has been a mixed bag, we’ve experienced so many amazing things but we’ve also experienced a huge loss when James’s Grandad passed away. I know he is looking over us and I know he’s with us through every step of this journey. Everytime there’s a jet flying over the house I always think that’s him saying hello and keeping us safe. I know he would be so proud of James.

OK, I think I’ve babbled on for a while now, so all that’s left to say is that we wish everyone the very best for 2023. Thank you for taking the time to read our updates and for all your support.

James, Rach, Zach & Sienna x