Gary & Katty meet us at airport – really good to see them, it seems like only yesterday that we have seen each other! They have a huge house in an Ex-pat compound with a Club house that has a great swimming pool and gym. Ailee and friend are staying. Ailee is 14 and looks 20, unbelievable change since we last saw her some 18 months ago. Met the lovely Aida – the domestic help from the Philippines. Over kebabs and some beers discussed Kattie’s conspiracy theory by USA on Iraq – absolute tosh of course – we each put in our own tuppence worth, just like old times, great! Chip a tooth!   more »

Picked up by Harry at the crack of 7.00 am – took 1 hour 50 mins to get to Heathrow – traffic horrendous! Check in relatively painless despite the terror alerts and increased security, lots of queues – travelling BA Club helps which fast tracks us through airport. Really hungry so we have a full English breakfast and then whiz off to the gate – no time for shopping (shame). Sods Law, given the advice of not eating food with strong colouring and not to drink red wines the best meal on offer on the flight is Prawn Curry; had the Hotpot – not great however washed down with some pretty good white wine Watched the new Meryl Streep film about Prada, she is brilliant, an Oscar I think, enjoyable yarn. Arrived in Bahrain for an hour stop over and then 30 mins to Doha.   more »