November 29th - December 14th, Qatar, Berlin, UK

November 29th, 30th, December 1st
Departure from Jordan and arrival in Doha, Qatar. We transited in Bahrain amid much Christmas cheer in the airport - dancing, singing, trumpet playing santas almost outnumbered passengers! And so we were back in Qatar - the place we had lived 3 years previously. It was a decent time of year weather wise - warm enough without being stifling, and, of course, dry.

We stayed the 2 days and 2 nights with Jen and Gareth and their 2 young children. Fantastic hosts - all of them! We spent the days catching up with them and other friends whom we had worked with. Down at the beach, BBQ at home, at the renovated souq and in malls. It was relaxing and very enjoyable and lovely to see and spend time with old friends. As we left late on the night of the 1st, we vowed to be back again to see people before too long - and meant it.

December 2nd, 3rd
Berlin, Germany. We had left late on the 1st and arrived early on the 2nd into Berlin airport. Qatar Airways had not provided their very best plane for the flight and so as we followed the directions to Malane's apartment in the city we were both feeling a little tired. And, after chatting with Malane (friend from Indonesia) for a couple of hours before she left for work, we sat down and watched a couple of films - something we hadn't done in months - and it felt normal and great!

We ventured out to the Christmas markets in the evening. We had been to Berlin exactly 2 years before and had remembered the fantastic markets, food, mulled wine (Gluhwein) and the cold! We each ate a massive sausage in a tiny roll - as is the German way, and, having warmed ourselves with a few mulled wines we headed back home.

Christmas Market in Berlin

The next day, as Malane worked, Marsha and I took in a tour of the city with the New Europe company. It lasted over 4 hours and took in all the big sites you'd expect - the Brandenberg Gate, Reichstag, Hitler's bunker, the wall, Checkpoint Charlie, the book burning square, the Jewish Cemetary and various other attractions. The girl leading the tour, whilst being slightly irritating, was very informative and energetic. It brought the city alive for us - and, apart from the cold, it was a very interesting, enjoyable and worthwhile afternoon.

The Berlin Wall

The Brandenberg Gates

Again, several mulled wines and big sausages in tiny rolls whilst strolling the Xmas markets was a very pleasant way to spend another evening in Berlin.

December 4th - 14th
I left for London and Marsha stayed in Berlin. Marsha enjoyed more time in Berlin and more days and evenings out with Malane and also with Carole - a friend who flew over from England to see them. Apparently the weather got worse, but otherwise, a relaxing and highly enjoyable week was spent by all. Berlin is a superb city and as I left I felt very envious in many ways of Malane's city life there.

I, however, was bound for London and spent the next week visiting friends and family in and around London. It was lovely to catch up with people and share a few drinks and the odd curry. Marsha and I then met up in London on the 10th and stayed with Bernie before heading down south the next day. My Uncle very generously put on an excellent 60th birthday party to which many friends and all the family gathered on the night of the 12th.

And, then back to London for the day on the 14th. We split up. Marsha went shopping and I wandered along the Thames. After several hours of that I have found myself in an internet cafe awaiting Marsha - we are off to see a show tonight.

The last week has been very enjoyable. Catching up with friends has been lovely and all the family managed to gather for a great party on the Saturday. Having now spent 5 months on the road it was quite nice to do some normal things - sit on a couch, watch tv, go to an Xmas party, have a pint with friends, buy a paper etc... One of the stock questions we were asked was, 'what has been the favourite place you've visited?' A hard one. So many iconic places, so many quiet out of the way locations that have captured our imaginations. But, you know, today, walking past the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, past St. Paul's, past Shakespeare's Globe, over Tower Bridge and past the Tower of London - to mention just a few of the famous world reknown sites - you'd be hard pushed to beat London.