One daily Positive - Week 12 Perfect weather for outdoors

First full week back in Dubai and feeling bored and lonely again......grrrrrrr. I decided to join the local leisure centre where I can use the pool, which will help with my neck pain, there's a gym I'll pluck up the courage to use, coffee shop and a beauty salon. I have to cross the road only to get there, which means I can still go there in the middle of summer, although I'll be spending most of it in the UK.

We have new neighbours and it's not got off to a good start, with them parking on my drive then not happy when I asked them to move so I could go out, when I got back the wheelie bin had been moved onto the driveway and they've constructed a huge gazebo in the garden which blocks our view, but on a positive, it will provide additional shade for our garden in the summer.

The cat and dog haven't left my side since I got back, I'm constantly tripping over them both. The cat is moulting everywhere. I bought a glove to brush her with, she keeps attacking me, but purring at the same time, there's so much fur coming off her, I could knit a blanket.

The weather is absolutely perfect at the moment, still haven't put the air con on since we moved here December 5th, which is a winter record, although it will soon be too hot to be outside, so we're making the most of it while we can.

77 Sunday I met up with Rachel from @silvernlilac who was visiting Dubai and we went to the Miracle Gardens and had a drink and a walk on the beach. I spent the afternoon in bed, I'm still adjusting to the heat.

78 Monday after a late start to the day, I caught up with some gardening and put the solar panel lights up I bought in the UK. Took the car for a wash and collected Rachel before heading off to Dubai Garden Glow, visited the new Ice Park, which at -8c was freezing, despite being given a coat to wear I had 3/4 trousers on and sandals. We had dinner at Reem Al Bawadi and sat in the garden.

79 Tuesday I headed off to Ibn Battuta Mall for a coffee and a walk around. I lack motivation now I'm back in Dubai, I can find things to do, but I get bored and I'm lonely.

80 Wednesday Met up with Heidi at La Mer, the new beach area in Jumeriah, we paid 60 AED/£12 for a coffee and a tea, thankfully parking was free. Headed over to Mercato Mall for lunch and some shopping. Spent the evening at the pub quiz with Peter, we came 2nd, would've been first if I'd not gone to the loo as it started, I knew the answer to the first question, blast.

81 Thursday spent the day cleaning the house, top to bottom. Bob had been sick during the night. Popped out for coffee and joined the leisure centre over the road, looking forward to getting back swimming again. Peter and I went out for coffee in the evening and a long walk with Bob.

82 Friday We headed off to the beach with a breakfast picnic, a swim and took our books. In the afternoon i went for a swim at the pool over the road, almost as good as having one in our back yard like we did in South Africa. Had a horrendous migraine and went to bed early but neighbours were having work done till 9pm, then I got a call from a family member to say they were having an emergency operation, which went well.

83 Saturday A relaxing day, migraine still present. I went for an early morning swim and Peter and I went out for coffee which helped and we spent the evening with friends for a BBQ.

On the blog this week:

My Sunday Photo - The new metro station at Discovery Gardens
Best Boot Forward and PoCoLo - I have the confidence to fail
Animal Tales - Gifts for the cat and dog. Easter eggs for pets
TweensTeensBeyond and TriumphantTales - Life after parenting

The benefits of being an expat

So you all know I'm depressed



You all know I'm not a big fan of other expats



In fact if you've ever been THAT bored and read my entire blog as I know a few have, there's not much left to say about me really.




I've decided to take a positive approach to living as an expat in South Africa and give you my favourite things to do. Things I couldn't do prior to be an expat.



Combating the heat
Spend the day in my swim costume so inbetween cleaning, cooking etc I can just walk outside, jump in the pool and instantly cool down.




Lie ins
After hubby leaves for work at 7am, taking the children with him to school. I go back to bed with a mug of tea and catch up with all my programmes. I never did this in the UK, with 5 kids I was either tidying up after them all or dashing out the door to work. I can't work here.



Hobbies
I can't work so I have too much free time. I am now the owner of all things to make all things and I am doing so.



Keeping the house tidy
Well there's no maid here, but the house is huge and with many rooms, so I can start a hobby and walk off and leave it, not having to clear the table so we can all eat dinner.




Taxi service
Fingers crossed but as from February I will no longer be running 'mums taxi' as eldest is taking his test. The benefit of living in SOuth Africa is that anyone in the house can drive the car on the insurance with NO extra cost involved, something that was too expensive to do for the older two kids in the UK.