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Saturday 29 August 2020

Week 35 - One Daily Positive. UK vs Dubai during Covid

Although I've spent large chunks of time in the UK over the past 4 years and am from the UK, I still consider Dubai my home at the moment. I've not really been settled here though as I find making friends here difficult and the heat means I spend large amounts of time in the home or when I do go out I'm in malls. I was grateful to have been in the UK for the first part of lockdown as I was able to go out and walk Bob for an hour a day and just sit in the garden. However I wish I was able to stay in Dubai now and am making plans for the winter to come back out here. I'm just struggling to find someone to look after the dog for more than a few weeks and I'd really like to reduce the amount of flying I do.

Covid is being managed much better here, I'm happy to attend medical appointments and even had my hair cut and nails done. Indoors here is much bigger, more space, temperature checks, social distancing and EVERYONE is wearing a mask, people respect requests from security guards to put a mask on, knowing it is punishable by law for failing to follow the rules. The only time I struggle with wearing a mask is when I'm outdoors in busy areas, such as the mall car parks and walking to the train as it's just so hot here.

Dubai's 'to do' list is for me to sell my car, close my bank account, tidy and sell the garden and sort through and organise packers to get some stuff shipped back to the UK. 

236 Sunday Off to Dragon Mart to purchase some outdoor lights, we had coffee out and spent the rest of the day in front of the TV.

Usually lifts are a free for all, as is any doorway in Dubai, typically as you try to get out, 20+ people are piling in. So much more civilised during covid, although facing the wall seems a bit weird.


237 Monday Up early and off to the dentist for a check up on my implants and a deep clean, scale and polish. I called in at Mall fo the Emirates for lunch, then had a manicure and pedicure and then took my car for a valuation after having it cleaned. We watched TV in the evening.

This is the view from the dentist, although my 90 min view was of the ceiling.

238 Tuesday Peter went into the office and I had a virtual phone consultation with a moving company. I did have a tidy up first. I sold my car for £800, it was purchased for £5,000 4 years ago. Cars are cheaper here than the UAE and the deprecation is the same as I would've had in the UK. I then walked and caught the train to Ibn Battuta for an opticians appointment. Peter met me for a coffee and a lift home. 

239 Wednesday Up at 6am to continue cutting back the plants and tidying the garden. Off to the bank to close my account. Stopped at The Souk Madinat but it was closed till midday, so visited Mall of the Emirates for a coffee and some shopping. Evening spent mowing the lawn and power washing the patio.

One of my favourite views of Dubai.

240 Thursday Up early to finish the garden, shame I won't get too much time to enjoy just sitting out there. Packers booked and arranged for Sunday, container will be shipped on Sept 10th. I spent the day applying for my tax relief in the UK, organising the shipping insurance and cancelling car insurance. We went out in the evening to visit a friend for dinner.

I have to itemise our belongings and list a replacement price for destination. There's no where to add things like throws or cushions so you have to be creative with where you write things down.


241 Friday Collected my new glasses from the Mall, bought a couple of cards, had a coffee and then off to visit colleagues of Peter's for the afternoon, didn't get home till after 10pm, straight to bed.

3 years ago when we moved here, this view was just sand. The building I took this photo from didn't exist either.

242 Saturday Met up with our friends for breakfast at Mall of the Emirates, did some shopping, went to the cinema to see Tenet and home to get ready for the packers tomorrow and to watch the football.

My to do list in the UK is to repaint the doors that Peter had to shorten and rehang after having new carpets fitted, finish painting the shed and restore my old dolls house.

After our belongings are packed tomorrow, I just have to clean, rearrange the remaining furniture, then I have a full week of doing nothing before I return to the UK, so I'll be doing some serious shopping now I don't have to take things I need back in my suitcase for winter as the container will arrive mid October.

Eating out in Dubai - Sponsored Post

Keeping the romance alive during covid - Sponsored Post

The Road to nowhere - My Sunday Photo



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28 comments:

  1. It must feel good to have got through most of your chores. Hope you get a relaxing week.

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    1. yep, almost done just the cleaning and rearranging to be done when the packers finish today

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  2. It does sound like things regarding Coronavirus are handled much better in Dubai. Wearing a mask in the heat must be hard though.
    That is so interesting about the lifts. I hadn't thought about social distancing in them. I love the photos of Dubai. The views really are amazing. x

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    1. I hadn't thought about the lifts either until I had to get in one

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  3. Sounds like a lot got organised this week!

    Definitely sounds like they have a better hand on this whole social distancing and mask wearing over there.

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    1. oh for sure. I'm making the most of being able to go out and about more freely, I won't be doing that back in the UK

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  4. It does sound like Covid is being better managed in Dubai. Hope you can manage to find someone to look after your dog so you can spent the winter there. Sounds like you’ve had a busy week sorting things out. #project366

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  5. How funny about the lifts, but it does make sense. It's hot wearing a mask here, so must be horrible over there. I hate wearing a scarf in winter because it's the hot breath back over me I don't like (plus getting too hot), so summer-ish in a hot country. Urgh

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    1. The mask wearing hasn't bothered me, it does get a little hot in Dubai anyway so all clothes feel uncomfortable

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  6. Sounds like a busy week but you've got loads done so you'll be able to chill out soon ! It's interesting to see how they deal with COVID in other countries - they certainly seem to have it all under control and if everyone follows the rules, it makes things a lot easier. Good luck with finding someone to look after your dog :)

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    1. Dog sitter al sorted now, fingers crossed with covid. Dubai have rising cases but are handling the situation much better

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  7. Wow sounds like quite a contrast with the COVID rules. Really do think we are behind the times! I wear a mask for most of the day I couldnt think of wearing one in the heat your in, even just between the air conditioned places!

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    1. You do get used to wearing the mask in the heat, doesn't feel right not wearing one now I'm back in the UK when outside

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  8. I love seeing your pictures in Dubai, my eldest son really wants to visit one day. I like the sound of how they are dealing with COVID with the temperature checks, that would make me feel much happier eating out and visiting attractions.

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    1. I hope your son manages to visit Dubai, it is a lovely, friendly place to visit. Peter and I had dinner out and we were the only customers

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  9. It definitely looks like the government and people of Dubai and being more proactive in fighting the virus! Enjoy you peaceful week before heading back (good luck on the plane) #project366

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    1. I did manage to get some relaxation time in, bt the visit was too short to switch off altogether

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  10. It's great that your time in Dubai is comfortable so far. Yeah, that's a weird placement of the foot mats in the elevator. That's a nice view from the dentist's clinic. Souk Madinat is a lovely place. OoOoOoOO I want to see Tenet!!!

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    1. My trip to Dubai was lovely even though I had a lot of things to pack in to such a short space of time

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  11. Does sound like all things covid related are being handled much better in Dubai. And that you have managed to get everything sorted for your return. I hope you had fun filling up your suitcase in the mall!

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    1. The filing of the suit case was easily achieved lol

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  12. I've travelled up and down that road a few times! It looks so impressive, wish we could have larger highways! Glad yo hear they are more on it over in Dubai, but totally agree they have the space to deal with Covid better than the UK, we are totally crammed in!
    Dubai is ace, but being home is ace! As much as I love wwrmer weather, I'd get fed up of the heat, but would totally love you as a mate out there! :) Hope you and Peter are having a lovely week! Sim x

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    1. Thank you, we had a a great few weeks together, usually Dubai is extremely busy, I'm both enjoying the calm that covid brings as well as fearing it, but Dubai are dealing with it much better

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  13. It must feel good to have got through most of your chores. Well done. Hope you had a relaxing week x

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    1. Yep all chores finished and now back in the UK starting the chores over again

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  14. Dubai looks beautiful, despite the heat. Love that people are just getting on with it. Some of my aquaintances attitudes to COVID is driving me insane.....why can't people just follow the rules???

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    1. The rules are enforced with fines and possible arrest for ignoring the rules over there

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