Looking back at September 2009

Thank you so much for all your e-mails of concern and good wishes for Graham and Dobby after his fall and we are both very happy to be able to let you know that he is 99% back to his old self. Dobby wasn't directly involved with Graham's fall as he was sound asleep at the time. Graham went to clean up some Dobby poo and didn't see the Dobby penny but found both as he hit the ground. Dobby slept on!

We finally found the time to alter our picture pages so that you can click through them, rather like reading a book, and end up back here. It is something we have wanted to do for some time as it allows us more space so that we can slip in a few extra pictures every now and then. We hope that you find it more enjoyable.

September Pictures Click on any picture below to see a larger image or CLICK HERE to take the tour.

September started with builders working 24 hours a day on the construction of our second floor. The cement gang had been booked for Monday the 7th and that was a date that couldn't be changed as many, many tonnes of stone and sand had been delivered along with several hundred sacks of cement and a very large cement mixer not to mention literally thousands of bricks that will be needed later. This all contributed to our home looking like the aftermath of the big battle scene in Lawrence of Arabia.

The panic to meet the deadline meant that the already very long days were extended and for 3 days in a row there wasn't a minute without workmen. At 3.30 in the morning of the 7th we took tea out to the electrician and his assistant who were still putting in the conduit for ceiling lights which they had started at 5p.m. the night before and also to the man who was frantically wiring together the metal reinforcing rods. It turned out that they had less than an hour before the cement gang arrived but by 2 in the afternoon it was completed and we all enjoyed a few hours of peace.

Ramadan started on the 23rd August and as usual Sindbad's didn't sell any alcohol so the place was deserted, as it is every year throughout Ramadan. We always find it amazing that without alcohol places are empty even though the food is good and there are plenty of other drinks to choose from. We really enjoyed "eftar" with Dr Mohammed and his family and also with our very good friends Nasser and his wife Heba. Ramadan finished on the 20th September and everybody enjoyed the three days of the Eid feast.

Marcy celebrated his third birthday on the 23rd September and like last year he was happy with his birthday tea but was unhappy that he not only had to share with Tufty, Dusty, Harry and Charlie like last year but also this year with Dobby and the little kitten who has adopted us that we have named Lucy.

We have focused on our second floor this month as we have wanted to build it for so long and now we have finally been allowed to build we need to finish it as quickly as possible because once we start building the AWOL centre that is where we will have to be. Presently Graham is at home making head collars etc so he can make sure that everything is being done as we want it to be, like the door to the bathroom that they forgot to put in but fortunately it was able to be rectified very quickly.

If you would like to meet up when you come over then do Click Here and print off the page which has our phone numbers and also details of where we can meet. If you have a corner spare in your suitcase please Click Here to see a few items that we would love you to bring over.

We do reply to all e-mails but it can take a few days.

Anyway that's it for another great month.

Pauline and Graham XX

Click Here to start our September photos tour.