Merry Christmas

We are enjoying our Christmas break in Australia at our new Normanville house...



Including the stunning sunsets...



And possibly the worlds best swing...

It has been a busy start to the holiday getting the house set up and catching up with family and friends (as well as getting over the inevitable jet lag). But we are now settling into the beachside lifestyle. We had a fantasitic Christmas starting on Christmas eve with the kids getting the stockings ready...

On the day, it was opening presents in the morning before heading up to Cypress Avenue for more presents with Nanny Helen, Poppy Paul and the Kirchner family. After that, off to Woodcroft for Christmas lunch with Nanna and Pop and the Brink family. Johnathan and Susannah are having a great time with their cousins and enjoying the Australian summer.

Merry Christmas to all!!!

Evening Stroll on the Corniche

As our flight to Australia was delayed by a few days due to the situation in Bangkok, we all of a sudden had some spare time on our hands. Yesterday evening we went for a walk along the corniche, the seaside promenade here in Doha. It's a nice place to be at this time of year with many people out walking or having picnics. Only two sleeps until we are on the plane to Australia - we are looking forward to seeing all our Australian friends and family soon...

The just opened Museum of Islamic Art, a spectacular building designed by I.M. Pei, the same guy who did the pyramid at the Louvre. This photo doesn't really do it justice!

International Day for Johnathan's Soccer

Today they had an international day for Johnathan's soccer where all the kids were encouraged to dress up in the national colours and play five-a-side matches. They all had a brilliant time running around after the ball and even scoring a few goals.

Action on the pitch...

Johnathan win's a medal!

and gets a congratulations hug from his mum...

then talks through the highlights of the match with her and Susannah.

Supercars at "The Pearl"

Today Johnathan and David went to The Pearl to see a supercar show. The Pearl is a massive real estate development currently underway, being built on man made islands just off the coast near Doha (www.thepearlqatar.com). The first stage is now just opening up and the supercar show is one of the events to lure people down to check out the place. There were many fantastic cars inluding Lamborghini, Ferrari, Maserati, and the Bugatti Veyron with 1000hp and 0 - 200kph in 7.2 seconds!!

Johnathan with his favourite car of the day, a Jaguar XKR.

Johnathan's with Dad's favourite car, Mercedes SLR Mclaren.

Johnathan enjoying the afternoon.

Under construction, Porto Arabia in The Pearl - the first stage of the development!

Johnathan's School Photo

Handsome lad!

Johnathan's school swimming carnival

Back in the desert

Another day out in the desert...

Driving over the dunes


Storm clouds gathering overhead, we even had rain!


Some locals checking out the sights


A big group out this time!

Halloween Party

Halloween again. This year Johnathan dressed up as an arab prince and Susannah was a giraffe! Together with various ghosts, witches, and monsters the kids had a great party and went trick or treating. Now they can enjoy the spoils of the night for the next few weeks at least.

Susannah's Birthday Party

Today, Susannah had her birthday party with 12 of her closest friends (and their mums and dads). We celebrated in the back garden where the kids had fun on the trampoline, throwing water balloons, and competing in egg and spoon races. It was then time for a traditional aussie sausage sizzle on the bbq followed by the main event, the birthday cake. She had a great time and is now having an aftenoon nap to recover...

Susannah turns two!

Today, Susannah turned two. A few pictures from the family celebration we had this evening, the big party is on Friday so more pictures then...

Blowing out the candles, she knows the drill.



Happy with the results!



Sizing up the cake



The new playhouse, complete with doorbell, telephone, bbq, stove, mirror, flower pot, sky light, and pink door and window shutters, everything a noughties girl needs...

Another great trip to the Inland Sea

We did another drive through the desert to the Inland Sea today - always a fun day out and good to get away from the city.


Fun in the water with mum (that's Saudi Arabia across the water!)




Our desert kids!

The locals out to play in the afternoon...