It takes a few tourists...

... to get out and take some decent photos of Doha. Here is a hefty slideshow of my cousins' time in Doha. Great photos that I can take zero credit for. To slow down the pace or see the caption, just rollover the photo with your mouse. Enjoy! We did.

Fear for my PC at home

I am already lining up to use my PC at home when Isabelle gets started on her Mathletics online, and now I can see Matilda developing her mouse skills. Oh boy. We're going to have to start a PC roster...

Camping on the Dunes

All ten of us plus dog went camping in the desert. It is difficult to tell who enjoyed the sanddune adventure more; the kids, adults or canine? Good sandy fun!

It's a family tradition

Pancakes on the weekend!!

Pearl

A visit to the Pearl for coffee & cinnamon rolls.

Whoa, what a car!

A car full of Swedes!

I really do love to ride.

My Swedish cousins Annika and Anneli are visiting with husband, kids, and friend. So, with six extra people, it's a full house! Just so lovely having them all here.

Today, Annika, who has two of her own horses, and I went riding out at Sheik Faisal's farm on some Arabic horses. I really do love to ride... and will try to make more time for it this year.

Here is my horse...

Annika in (favourite colour - NOT) purple helmet, on TJ.

DESS International Day 2

We started off the morning with learning the lines to a Rolf Harris tune.

Multicultural show for kids and helpers. The lone piper got the tear ducts warmed up, oh boy, must bring tissues next time!

Every child was given a helium balloon to attach their national flag and 'hope for the next 30 years' to.

Waiting for the Grand Parade of Nations. The year 6 kids lead warcries of "Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi".

I love international schools! 61 countries were represented. This is the G-spot.

Smile!

Waiting to release their balloons.

... 4, 3, 2, 1... let them go!

700+ balloons fly taking HOPE with them.

"That's all folks, wink wink."

Matilda's classmates: on the left, Isla (Scot) and on the right, Mimi (English punk).

Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi!!!

The girls' school DESS is celebrating their 30th anniversary today and tomorrow with an international theme. All 715 students came to school in national/cultural costumes and it was fantastic. I was able to get fully involved and it was so much fun, yet exhausting. The girls had a blast!

It is 6.30am (gotta get up early to beat the Doha traffic!) and the Beales & White kids are raring to go!

Once at school, the sights are amazing! Families have put a lot of effort into costumes and decorations. How great for the kids. I had green shorts made for all the Aussies who wanted it. Gotta look impressive for the Grand National Parade tomorrow!

Each national group was given one classroom to decorate and organise activities in. Here are samples of the Australian foods Zena and I brought in... fairy bread, pavlova, vegemite sandwiches, damper with golden syrup, milo, pumpkin scones, anzaq biscuits.

Li'l Aussies... our group of Key Stage 1 kids (reception to year 2) in our homemade cave.

Say VEGEMITE!

Our version of Uluru and animal tracking.

Principal, Mr Liptrot, doing the rounds and trying out a vegemite sandwich.

Nippers on our very own beach in the 2D courtyard.

Matilda and her friends came to visit, they were very excited.

Miss Pinson with her helpers (may I add, at the end of the day... we're tired.)

My First School Excursion

Matilda's Nursery/Kindy class went to the Golf Course today to feed the ducks. We were all very excited.

Getting off the bus.

Matilda's partner, Giselle.
Other classmates, Salma, Sydney & Mellina.

This is so fun!
After 60 kids, the ducks are full and just not interested, but the opportunistic koi are having a field day!

Snack time.

Catching the bubbles.

Thanks to the teachers who organised such a lovely morning for kids and mums!

Daddy bought me a new bike!!