Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The 25th of December has crept up on us here in Dubai. It is not just because Christmas celebrations tend to be a little subdued in Islamic countries, such as the UAE. We spent a cold Christmas day in London in 2006, so a swim at the beach in Dubai this year will be a welcome change.

We precede our Xmas day with a 5 day road and camping trip to the neighbouring Sultanate of Oman and Tory is very excited at the prospect of loading up the car with local pottery, jewellery and other craft-wares. We a excited to have Tory’s mum staying with us over this period, so if I run out of the local currency at least I will still have some goods to trade. (Just joking Tors....)

At this stage, we have no set plans for celebrating the New Year, but with both the 1st of January and the 9th of January (for Islamic New Year) public holidays in the UAE, we will endeavour to celebrate it in style……twice.

If there is such a thing as a year of transition, 2007 has been it. A new surname, new job and a new home in the Middle East is more than most people can handle in any 12 month period. However, I am very fortunate that my wife has such a resilient attitude and adventurous spirit.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank her for her support during 2007. If the MBA in Oxford during 2005 and 2006 was a challenge, it was a piece of cake compared with a winter in London spent looking for work. Thankfully perseverance still gets rewarded and an employment offer from the ICC was forthcoming.

2008 promises to be a year of consolidation for us here in Dubai. We hope to grow more familiar and comfortable in our sandy surrounds, make new friends and play host and hostess to as many of our family and old friends as possible.

Seasons Greetings to you all,

D&T.