Mobile Blogging

I'm writing this in a cafe in Abu Dhabi. I am struck by how I seem to be the only one not smoking and realise how much more pleasant the Dubai malls and hotels are now that the smoking ban is in effect. Anyway, I don't have my laptop with me and I'm using my latest gadget, a Nokia N95 8GB mobile phone and a portable Stowaway keyboard.

It is fair to say that I, like many men, have a predilection for gadgets. This is not reciprocated at home and I'm not allowed to talk about it (Rule number one, 'Do not bore her').

This phone is amazing. I've had it a while but am only now starting to delve a little deeper into what it can do. It's so good that Reuters have been running trials issuing them to journalists to replace all the kit that they cart around.

Apart from the obvious things like email, Skype, internet browsing, mp3 and superb video player (good as a PSP) it also has a very good satnav system (although the map is struggling to keep up with the changes in the Dubai road system). My new favourite application, Sports Tracker, logs your running/cycling route, tells you your speed as you go along and then uploads the details and route (which can be laid over Google Earth) to a diary on the web.

The camera, 5MP, and video camera are also excellent. One other thing I like to do to feel like I'm keeping in touch with the UK is downloading podcasts, mostly from the BBC, to listen to in the car on the way to work. Now I no longer have to miss my weekly dose of the Jonathan Ross show, and it's much better than the dire radio stations here.

Life has been hectic recently, but should calm down a bit when school finishes next week. Last weekend was the school end of term party for the teachers. I was sat next to a very likeable Iranian banker, Hamid, who had lived in the UK for the majority of his life. He told me he had lived in Iran for a few years but preferred Dubai. I noticed he had a beer so asked him if there was any alcohol in Iran. He replied that when his container arrived at the docks in Iran the customs officer asked him if there was any alcohol in it. Of course he said no. 'What are you going to do for alcohol then?', asked the man, and gave him the phone number of someone who delivered! Apparently it's easier for a Muslim to buy booze in Tehran than Dubai!

Who ate all the pies?

When I was a young man I used to tease my father no end about his ever increasing girth. 'It'll come to you one day, and then you won't be laughing' was his usual response. 'Nonsense', I would always say, 'I'll never be fat like that'. Several sessions of judo a week, weights and circuit training meant I could pretty well eat and drink what I wanted and still comfortably compete in judo competitions at under 65kg (about 10 stone). Well, that was then. On Thursday evening, getting ready to go to a party I realised that not only were my trousers uncomfortably tight, but that my shirt wouldn't button up properly. The scales indicated that my weight has gone up to over 80kgs and my father's prophecy has come to pass.

At least I am not alone. There is a phenomenon here known as the 'Dubai Stone'. Basically it arises from eating out a lot at 'all you can eat buffets', drinking too much and becoming lazy because of the heat. I'm obviously going to have to do something about it. But, it's not easy. I've just come back from a short two mile run at 8.30 at night. The temperature is still in the mid-thirties and I'm a sweaty wreck. Anyway, at least my legs aren't the same pasty white that they have been for the past 40 years - small mercies indeed.

It really is starting to get hot now, and you can sense the gradual slowdown that greets the start of the seriously hot summer weather yet to come. It's still not too hot that you can't go out though. Last week was half term and we went over to Fujairah again for a short break. This time we stayed at the Rotana hotel, and very pleasant it was too - no shortage of 'all you can eat buffets'...