November in the Gulf

Hi Bloggers,
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November really is the most fantastic month imaginable here in the Gulf region. Temperatures have dropped to a comfortable mid 20's Celsius. Sunny days with cloudless skies and that terrible humidity now replaced by a lovely fresh breeze. You couldn't think up better weather even if you tried. It's in strong contrast to the crushing heat of the summer. I arrived here in April and haven't really known anything else but 40+ day-time temperatures. Let's hope this continues through the "winter"!

I've taken a few shots of Manama from Muharraq (above). I've tried to get the traditional fishing boats into the same picture as the skyscrapers and, of course, the bridge itself. Funnily enough, I always think the Financial Harbour Towers (middle right) look like a giant V-sign on the skyline. But that probably says more about me than actual reality! Interestingly, there are all these old fishing boats or dows, as they're called, dotted in stategic places around the sea front parts of Manama. At first, I thought they'd got stranded, but it is in fact a genuine and successful effort to be artistic.
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Meanwhile, busy planning my trip to Africa at Christmas!

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Cheers,

Rob

Bahrain Marathon Relay

Hi Bloggers,
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Just ran in the Relay Marathon for the British Council team. We came placed a wretched 150 out of 157 teams, but it was great fun, nevertheless. Surprisingly, it took place from 10.00 am to 3.00 pm, which meant that a lot of us were running in the midday heat, which is still quite strong at this time of the year. Luckily, though, it had cooled down considerably from the really hot summer months, when temperatures reach as high as 45 C. I think people would have collapsed if they'd tried it then!

Anyway, I was quite pleased with my own times, 17.34 for an uphill 3.3 km stretch and then 15.34 for the home straight of exactly 3 km. Yes, I felt honoured to be selected for that role! Mind you, I was the only person in the team to run two stretches, so maybe I earned that privilege. Anyway, enjoy looking at the video (below) and pics. Hope it inspires you to take up running!

Cheers,

Robert