Happy New Year

And a belated Merry Christmas to all our friends and family (who may have gathered by now that we stayed in Dubai for a relaxing Christmas again this year).

Sheikh Mohammed has put a last minute spanner in the works of all the planned New Year's events in the Emirate. As a token of support to the people in Gaza he has ordered that all celebrations be cancelled. I have some sympathy with the gesture, although I may not have been so happy if we'd forked out 3,000 Dhs each to see the fireworks at the Burj al Arab and Jumeirah Beach hotel. The Beckhams, Tom Cruise and Hugh Grant (all reportedly in town) will have to put up with a very expensive meal with no music or dancing.

Anyway, we've had a good Christmas and Santa was extremely generous to all.