It's weird...I've read about Mandelbrot or heard this quote three times in the last few days...I always take things like that as a sign or a lesson in life and art...

Art Retreats in Oman

Here's me getting ready to plan my next solo grown-up trip...thinking arty, bohemian, coffee shops in which to ponder life and sketch, maybe with an art retreat or course....and there in the local free magazine here in Muscat a few weeks back, is an article on a creativity retreat called Fusionart, run by Ibrahim Gailani.

 

Here's the article online. Here is Muscat Daily covering it too.

 

This statement rang bells with me and when Mum's taxi service gets a break, I will look into it: 

To move beyond the immediate and channel the 'Leila' - “the process of creation and re-creation. To make something and then re-create on top of it”. To see 'Leila' put into action is a jarring experience. As the Fusionartists seemingly deface a morning's worth of work by painting over it, turning it on its head - even mangling it with a fork, creativity isn't the word that immediately comes to mind.

“The whole point of FusionArt is to get out of this idea that you possess your work. To let go of that fear of not ‘spoiling’ the work, of doing something ‘safe’, we destroy the aspect on the canvas that we are most possessive about. We paint over it,” said Gailani.

“Then, the fear of error, of not meeting some standards, goes away - which is very refreshing. I think it’s the lack of fear, getting acceptance, that this teaches you.”

My thought was that if I attended every retreat every month as some regulars have done, I'm going to end up with lots of work. Actually no bad thing. I NEED the time, space and peace to work on something. However, the above statement means that I may not even go home with anything. That does jar with me a little!

So, here on my doorstep is probably what I've been needing all along. If only I had looked a little harder rather than going through periods of low inspiration in my own four walls.

Watch this space.

I still be planning my next 'gap week'. (Never had a gap year so I'm making up for it in weekly stages!)
 

Half term here...

...and so far it's consisted of boat trips, snorkelling, football parties on the beach, dinner with friends, very late nights, too much wine, heated discussions, very late mornings, indulgent trips to the spa, drinking tea, painting, reading...and it's only Monday.

Don't worry, the kids are happy! Sometimes it's got to be about the grown-ups.

More of the expat life...

Lots of paintbrushy stuff recently, I hardly post about my expat life here in Oman. Admittedly art has become a new passion of mine, whether teaching it, viewing it or making it. So forgive me if it's art-heavy over here. It makes me smile.

But the 'pedicures' side of life here continues. Not so many of those really. No time. It's not all relaxing by the beach or the pool, kindle or costa in hand. It's all about the kids now. Clubs every day. Rugby, guitar, football, sailing, choir. I'll fit my Gaelic football, golf and yoga in, hubby'll get to play rugby and bike ride at some point. It's none stop. I'm shattered. But it's through our own choosing. I am not complaining. I could quite easily stop the kids' club or not go to mine. But why do that? The kids have told me what they want to do, we've discussed limits and tiredness and making sure we have one quiet early night a week. We have a balance. Life's good.

But I'm still shattered. Weird feelings and pressure in my head. The meteoropath in me??

So I've decided to do something about it rather that make an action list to do something about it. Today I went to see a cranialsacral therapist. I'd heard of it as a young mum, great for babies etc. it was recommended to me for my migraines. So I thought I'd try it for my general 'unwellness'.

Interesting practise!

 

She basically manipulates and feels for the membrane between my head and my sacrum in my lower back and feels the vibrations and tensions. I didn't feel anything astounding or health changing but the fact she was noticing certain things in my body that I hadn't told her about told me that she was hitting the spot.

 

I'm still on the Topamax and after the neurologist increasing my dosage because the migraines hadn't disappeared as expected and this increase in dosage in turn coincided with another day with 4 auras, I knew I had to action my action list!

 

I can but try.

Pin of the Moment

It's been a while since I've shared a Pin.

I've not been on Pinterest any less of course. You know me.

This one is perfect for living and driving here in the Middle East.

Except I wouldn't have the button at the end. I doubt the Omanis would either.  

The Infamous Staff Bubbly Brunch...

It's my first staff bubbly brunch this weekend at the Radisson. I've been ill all week so this is just what I need.

However, I have just found out that some of the families from school will also be there as they were winners of a radio competion and they won their Mums and Dads a bubbly brunch too!

So I'm on my best behaviour.

Wish me luck.

Post edit: well, that didn't go quite to plan.....I just have to keep telling myself we are one big happy family, in this here li'l expat bubble...

Artist of the Month - October

Ola Rek

 

A polish artist living in Edinburgh.

Here's her blog and her website. Another website that exhibited her work: http://www.kinblethmontgallery.co.uk/Exhibition3.html.

An interesting and eclectic collection of works in a variety of media.

 

I think the point of this post is not so much the artist as the theme of her art.
 

So my last lesson of the week prompted me to write about Ola Rek and meteropathy. She isn't specifically an artist whose only theme is meteropathy but she leans strongly that way. And it's through her I became more aware of that term. And actually since then it's become a feature in my life.

I was well aware that weather affects us in many ways, especially mood. I am becoming more aware of it recently as I think I am a walking barometer. My health seems to deteriorate (migraines increase especially) around March/April and September/October when 'the weather changes'. That's another stock phrase here I'm getting tired of hearing especially in relation to all the bugs going around. 

Let Me In from http://www.kinblethmontgallery.co.uk/Exhibition3.html

Meteoropathy: Meteoropathy (from Greek meteora, celestial phenomena, and pathos, feeling, pain, suffering) is a disorder, or physical condition, or symptom due to climate or conditions of weather such as humidity, temperature or pressure. Someone said to suffer from meteoropathy is called meteoropathic.{Citation...

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteoropathy

The first who studied the link between health and climate was Hippocrates in the fifth century BC. However, until recently it was believed that a meteoropathic is the true representative of a hypochondriac, but today more and more scientists associate sudden weather changes with the general state of health. Wind, humidity, rain and climate change can actually cause various symptoms of migraine or asthma to anxiety and insomnia. The latest research has proven impressive data: 30 percent of the population is sensitive to weather changes. In other words, every third person feels broken when the sky suddenly becomes cloudy or starts to rain.

From http://wechoosehealthy.com/meteoropathy/

And just a bit more info if you're interested on what season you are(!). I've figured out I'm autumn.

Summer type of person, for example, indicates a person full of enthusiasm, extrovert, hyperactive person who has optimism and huge ambitions. The adrenal glands are working with these people more active than normal. The consequence of this is that the summer type is resistant to physical and climatic stress. This type of a person only does not like the excessive heat.

Then, there is a winter type, that is somewhat opposite of the previous. These people are lazy, phlegmatic, introverted and lonely. (Don't take it personally!) They look calm, but badly bear pain. They do not like contingency, they are very rigid with their schedule, they prefer to obey the orders. They are full of confidence but may be prone to depression. They do not like sports and their aversion to physical exertion may be associated with low activity of the thyroid and other glands. This type of person is sensitive to humidity and cold. Rains and low temperatures, for example, cause joint pain, fluid retention and weight gain. For them, therefore, is better to go on holiday to dry and warm areas, which will act on them therapeutically. However, it is enough a sudden rain, and they will immediately become terribly sad.

Spring type of person is uncompromising and extrovert. Their life is stressful as they are very aggressive in relation to themselves and others. They are difficult to comfort, do not accept reality and go to the doctor only when they have to. Their hormonal glands are overactive, which is why they always lead an unbridled pace of life. They usually do not get tired, but they also have their weak point, and that is they are never able to sit in peace. This type of person has extremely hot nature, to feel better, they should choose the mountain as a place where to spend  holiday. They get more nervous if they spend they time on the seaside, and they should care about wind, which affects the nervous system.

There is also the autumn’s temperament. These people are sentimental, hypersensitive individuals, pessimistic and proud. They hard bear the stress of climatic factors (extreme cold or very hot) so often get sick when the seasons change. What would be the ideal climatological therapy? To find an environment that will awake their bodies. Ideal would be a holiday by the sea, which will stimulate all their hormonal glands.

In fact, the change in weather causes physical problems due to poor functioning of our thermoregulation system, which is a sort of physical thermostats, biological system that helps us to maintain a constant body temperature. Meteorophatics practically react adequately to external influences (cold, rain, wind), fail to adapt and feel bad. Hormones secreted by the brain gland are responsible for that. The consequences vary from person to person, but usually restlessness, anxiety and insomnia prior to the change of weather conditions. Depression and fatigue usually occur when the humidity is high.(OK!!!!) But what climatic conditions are the most dangerous? Not cold or rain, but wind. For example, when really blows, the level of serotonin in the body increases, which affects our mood. Change in air electricity, which is sometimes sudden,  causes anxiety. But, with gusts of wind come headache, nausea or muscle tension.

I love how this website considered the word as a relative of the word hypochondriac. Funny. No one's going to take this seriously!

Maybe I'm just in a bad mood. 

“(...) the sky is low, the clouds are mean”

        Beclouded, Emily Dickinson

“(...) Winter dawn is the color of metal

        The trees stiffen into place like burnt nerves”

        Waking in winter, Sylvia Plath

“(...) we understand that melancholy is nothing but the internal equivalent of air

        pressure, that is to say the internal barometer of the organism.”

        American medicine vol.33, 1927

(Quotes sources from http://www.artscomplex.org/events/exhibition-ola-rek-meteoropathy)

Lesson of the Week...Weather in Art

I love this one. Weather. Art. Together. Awesome. 

The tangents you (well, ok, I) can take this off are deep and endless but with my little year 3s it's just a small step for now. I'd like to eventually set up plans for weather in art up to year 6 and bring in 'meteoropathy. This fascinates me, ever since I saw Ola Rek exhibiting at the National Gallery in Glasgow a couple of years ago. She's October's artist of the month.

Artist of the Month - September

I seem to have had a run of interesting and intriguing female artists and this month was going to be another one that I discovered whilst back in the UK. But then since I showed my dad my last painting weve had a back and forth text conversation about the artist that my latest work reminded him of.

 

So why not...this month's artist is Roger Dean. And he's from my home county of Kent!

On first glance, he really isn't an artist that would appeal to me. I asked my Dad if he would have his work on his wall...maybe back in the day but not now. As I've looked at his work more I am drawn more to it and notice more detail each time and I'm realising that is a basis for having a piece of art on display. He's definitely going to be an inspiration but his technique I can only dream of!

Dean was born in Ashford in Kent but travelled well as a child being the son of an British Army engineer father. He came back to England in the late '50s and went to the Canterbury College of Art. He is actually a silversmith and furniture designer by trade with architecture being part of his CV as well. However, he became a much respected and reknowned rock artist in the 1960s. He has designed many album covers for the likes of Yes and Asia and has published books of his work. He became known for the distinctive bubble style that he designed for Yes' album Close to the Edge...

...it's this album that my painting reminded my Dad of:

 

He is otherwise known for the fantasy scenes he paints, the almost sci-fi scenes but he sees himself as more of a landscape painter than a fantasy artist. Arches, floating islands, sweeping and swirling paths are all features of these organic dreamy landscapes. He mostly works in watercolour, but many of his paintings have mixed media including gouache, ink, enamel, crayon and collage.

His website is rogerdean.com (althought they are currently having server probs) and his Facebook page is 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Roger-Dean-Official-Page/267978434150?fref=ts

 

Enjoy x

My latest painting

It’s another school year, another term and the summer months have flown by. I’m back to it with my old classes now in their next year and my brand new year 3s. So cute. I'm finding I need to refresh my planning all the time I think otherwise I feel I will get a bit bored and lose my way with my lesson plans. A few more years in the job and I might get it right!

I spent the remainder of the summer holiday here in Oman, painting my next commission and it was finished within a month this time because I had the time for it and could absorb myself in it. I had great fun doing this one. My last one was full of love, this one was full of enjoyment and fun.

So writing here has had a hiatus, but I’ve been taking in the art world as well as some new (to me) artists. The next post will be about an artist who my Dad has introduced me too…simply because the painting below that I have recently completed, reminded him of Dean’s work. It’s also a throwback to his youth as well maybe ;-)

Enjoy.

Newbie Artist Musings

Well, I'm learning something...

I'm in the middle of my second commission. As you read this, bear in mind I'm a newbie 'artist', I'm going to learn things as I go along. For instance, I now know that shape with colour and texture are my thing with a dabble into sketching.

 

As far as commissions go, when the friend/neighbour/customer/client requests something specific as far as colour goes, I've got to check as I go along if it's definitely what they want. This must get annoying!

 

It's happening just now. Two specific colours have been requested with freedom for design. I'm now at the stage where I'm about to paint in the second colour and personally, I think its looks really lovely as it is...as my neighbour says, it's more soothing. But he knows what he wants. He likes his colour and vibrancy.

 

So on we go with the final stages! So excited and I'm loving painting. Trouble is if no one else asks me to paint for them I'm be churning out loads just for my benefit! Still, at least I have school to keep me occupied soon...

 

A little taster for you...

A snapshot that may be seen as rather obscure and possibly not quite true to the final piece...

A look at other Art Bloggers

I've just taken a look through my blogs in my reading list...I usually head straight to Cassie Stephens...she makes me giggle...and she has this awesome guitar apron that I WANT!! However, today Olive at Olive ART caught my eye again as she hit on a subject that's at the back of my mind for the year coming up.

I think I focus on it already but I really want the children to start to automatically offer an opinion on a piece of famous art or even an artist's style. I know I encourage discussion and opinion in a structured format that leads into the lesson but would like to find another way that tells them it's OK to ask a question or offer a thought at any time. So I liked this idea from Olive and also this one too that makes up more of a lesson.

Olive ART! Do You???: Looking at Art: She has a bulldog clip with her chosen painting and her bubble whiteboard next to it with some magnetic words. And this allows the children to choose their word that they associate with the picture, whether it is something they see or something that they feel or even the mood of the painting. Whichever it may be, as she says, it encourages the children to learn to 'see' more in art.

Her other recent development I like would to see how she gets on with, has the pupil discussing the quote and the piece of art, do they like or connect with the painting, do they agree or disagree with the artist's quote, and the children concluding from this what it is to make art...it's not just about paint and pencils and making marks. I'd like to do this with my year 6s.

I would have activities like this in an area every week and for every year in which they could discuss, describe, think about a piece of art, a type of art movement or an artist. I used to do things like this with Maths or Literacy and especially Science, around the classroom, for early finishers, say.

(Having said that, I am a peripatetic...well, between the classrooms, not schools...art teacher...I have yet to have my own art room. We are having a new school built and plans were for it to be completed for the school year 2014/15 with me having a room. However...seeing as we're in the Middle East, it ain't working like that. And I will continue to lug that huge not-quite kid-proof Ace Hardware toolbox around, with it's handle and clips held on with bits of string. I'm going to see how much longer it'll last!)

Thanks Olive, you've inspired me to start collecting and creating activities like this for my fantasy classroom! In the meantime, for a plenary at least.

Architecture in Primary Art

I've been having a look at the draft curriculum plans that are due to be bought in in September 2014 in England.

I'll be honest, I'm only coming up to my second year teaching art and so haven't really absorbed myself in any great number of art curriculum documents. Technique and skill have been my focus much like Patty over at Deep Space Sparkle. She feels that, like me, her job is to bring the art world to children, get them being creative and developing their skills at the same time. She doesn’t grade or follow standards and she is not reviewed. She uses the word ‘organic’. I feel I have been allowed that capacity by my school as well. As was always the case when I started teaching, developing self-esteem and confidence, this time in art (mine as well as the kids!) has also been my drive.

The point I'm getting to is that I am not familiar with any previous art curriculum besides that which was incorporated within the various cross curricular frameworks (yay...) as it's not been forced to be my main focus, for which I am thankful.

Was architecture a big feature in previous curriculum incarnations?

I jigged the year 5's Victorian art programme up a bit last year and we all loved it so I want to stick with it. We became architects for the day and studied and designed a Victorian house or building. I want to incorporate a Victorian architect's work and give some personality to the theme.

This summer, I took a purely-educational-and-for-research-purposes-only trip to Alton Towers. From the heights of the Runaway Train, at varying angles on Nemesis and Air and using an interior study of the ride 'Hex' I was able to study the beautiful yet striking Alton Towers house itself (for no other reason, I remind you! Killing Zombies in Duel, going 100kph in 2.5 seconds at 4.7g on Rita and having my stomach removed from me on Thirteen whilst my daughter laughs hysterically next to me was all in my break ;-) ).

Alton Towers itself is an imposing yet beautiful Victorian Gothic building designed by Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin, a rather busy and productive man of his time who actually died of exhaustion at 40 years old.

 

 

He was the architect behind the new Palace of Westminster/Houses of Parliament in London, completed in 1847. Pugin is said to have made over two thousand drawings for furniture, wallpaper, soft furnishings, tiles, woodwork, and metal work for the House of Lords.

There isn’t really anything on him for kids yet he designed many British landmarks. I suppose this is where I remember my kids are primary...maybe there is more to study at secondary level…

But then I remember that we teach them about the great artists so why not the great architects? Of which there are just as many. (Incidentally apparently I'm related to Sir Christopher Wren...I do still need to research this...but it was my Nan's claim to fame I think!). I was taught to be a science specialist with the belief that the children I am educating are future citizens, constructors, designers and engineers of our world and therefore need to start questioning and querying and prodding and understanding the world around them NOW. Why not do this in Art too? A fun look at architecture in Primary school could just spark something in one of those gorgeous minds.

Incidentally, in my research so far for the new curriculum for the UK, if that's what floats your boat:

“…the department published proposals to reform the national curriculum so that it is slimmer, focused on essential subject knowledge and which, especially in the core subjects of English, mathematics and science, compares favourably with the curriculums taught in the most successful education jurisdictions in the world."

“... the current system of ‘levels’ used to report children’s attainment and progress will be removed.  It will not be replaced. We believe this system is complicated and difficult to understand, especially for parents. It also encourages teachers to focus on a pupil’s current level, rather than consider more broadly what the pupil can actually do. Prescribing a single detailed approach to assessment does not fit with the curriculum freedoms we are giving schools.”

“The new programmes of study set out what should be taught by the end of each key stage.  We will give schools the freedom to develop a curriculum which is relevant to their pupils and enables them to meet these expectations.”

"Schools will be able to introduce their own approaches to formative assessment, to support pupil attainment and progression. The assessment framework should be built into the school curriculum, so that that schools can check what pupils have learned and whether they are on track to meet expectations at the end of the key stage, and so that they can report regularly to parents." 

Some useful links outlining the timescale and pathway of the UK curriculum, with particular focus on Art and design of course!

The main link:
http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/teachingandlearning/curriculum/nationalcurriculum2014/a00220600/draft-national-curriculum-programmes-of-study

Art and Design’s Programme of study:
http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/teachingandlearning/curriculum/primary/b00198792/art/ks2
No mention of architecture…only in KS1.

The old Assessment system:
http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/teachingandlearning/curriculum/primary/b00198792/art/attainment

It looks like they’ll be removing that as it is too confusing for parents. Well, I got the hang of it after 4 years, why can’t they? J

Art and Design before the new Curriculum comes in:
http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/teachingandlearning/curriculum/primary/b00198792/art

“…no longer statutory…” “…free to develop…” in preparation for the new curriculum. Sounds great. Ooh, I’m allowed to do that already!

Draft Art and Design curriculum from September 2014…
Can’t find anything on the gov.uk website, I just get sent to the ICT development committee. Dull. ;-) 

I continue my search. In the meantime, I’ll stick to my freedom to develop the art programme for my KS2ers. Even the government says it ok. Happy days. 

I've been on me summer hols. So the artist for August has been delayed, maybe cancelled, or call it deferred, to September anyway. As well as much other communication. I've got some great artists lined up. I saw an exhibition in Glasgow's Museum of Modern Art of another artist who's name I had heard in passing but I might save them until September ;-) It's another fascinating character whose influences and inspirations are particularly intriguing and haunting. A few others lined up maybe before this one maybe!

So, no soundtrack this year. Instead, the road trip in bullet form: 

* Borrowed campervan due to the tragic loss of Betty. (I haven’t posted about this. Those of you who know me will know the story and the ongoing saga and we’ve just put it behind us). However, plans are afoot for the new mobile home!

* Heading to Wellington Country Park, driving 70mph in the borrowed van. Blimey. Never thought it was possible.

* Pops drawing a fire scene in his notebook; Me: “do you want to be a fireman?” –

Pops: “Don’t know, but I have back-up plans.” 

* Collected new van. Fingers crossed.

Next few weeks will be testing it out and planning its refurb.

* Drinking tea in the back garden with my auntie P and cousin S.

I’ve not seen my cousin since I was a teenager :-)

 

* Pops gets his iPod back after leaving it in the UK at Christmas. Father Christmas delivered it back to Grampa who returned it to us. A rather stunned but happy little boy.

* In the Beehive, Shifnal, watching the Lions’ final and deciding test against Australia. Lovely landlady who opened up early especially for us, bought us our first drink and gave the kids sweets!

* Daniel Craig, the British Lions and champagne all in one changing room…

* Camper Jam.

* Thecurrystall.co.uk. Proper Indian cooking.

We were talking about Oman and the Middle East.

He told us of a restaurant called Ibrahim's in Abu Dhabi, recommended by his Uncle. 

* Negotiating long grass in Havaianas is much like walking in sand. :-/

* I have a pink fringe!

* Andy Murray wins Wimbledon. Facts nicked from my friend DH: It is 77 years since a British male won the singles title at Wimbledon. The last British singles winner - Virginia Wade - won in '77 and Andy Murray played the final on 7/7.

* Alton Towers. Constantly thinking about possible art lessons…Alton Towers itself is a beautiful Victorian Gothic building designed by Augustus Pugin. He will be the subject of one of the Victorian architecture lessons in Year 5 :-)

* Bear goes on Sonic Spinball twice in a row, as soon as it opens at 10am without having to queue. She’s a daredevil that one. Next year she’s got her sights on all the rides.

* Scotland. Loch Drunkie. I want to camp next to this loch and get tipsy.

* Brig O’Turk tea rooms. My first cream tea. Whipped cream though. Tut, Scots, huh…

* Our Anniversary – a civilised meal in a beautiful restaurant, very nice. Then we walked back at 10.30pm and it is still light. We try to find a decent pub to have a night cap but most of them have three old men propping up the bar. So we end up at Hubby’s old local. No window to look through to suss the situation so we go for it. Instead there are three younger men propping up the bar and a tipsy barmaid whose lifestory we get by the end of the night…followed by a jagermeister.

* Braco graveyard with Pops to satisfy his curiosity. It turns out it is not a morbid fascination but he is looking for Alexander the Great’s and Charles Darwin’s grave. A ball of 7 year-old cuteness...

* Grampa’s 70th Birthday garden party.

* We start the van refurbishment ball rolling and meet up with the guy who did our last van interior as well as drop the van off as the interior specialists. A nice bunch of guys.

* Meet up with the Duchess who is England with the kids. So good to see the family and to see the children playing.

* Head to Dorset to camp for 10 days with some dear friends. Super as last year.

Despite one afternoon sacrificed to the Goddess of Pimms.

* Drop the van off after a lovely lunch at the local pub. Pimms, just in case it’s my last one, and a crab salad. Bear has a quarter of a steak and ale pie and finished most of it.

* We stayed in the Queen's Hotel in Southsea.

Hubby and I stayed in here one night after one of out first dates in our first year.

* HMS Victory

* Afternoon tea at Mum and Dad’s. They have the children for the weekend as we head to Brighton to surprise a friend for her 40th.

* It’s Gay Pride weekend and it’s fabulous! We see some great sights, too many hen parties though. A lovely hotel and I see the one I nearly booked at! Lots of rainbow flags and leather on the front patio! 

* Surprise for my lovely Banou in Hotel du Vin. She thought we weren't going to be in the country. We had left messages on each other’s phones and never actually managed to speak to each other. Apparently she was quite upset that I wasn’t going to be around. She is a calm and collected character and she showed no emotion when she saw us, she was genuinely stunned and surprised. A great evening at Jamie Oliver’s restaurant and then to Lucky Voice (karaoke) when I realised I don’t mind it, if there are no strangers.

* Lunch in Kemptown. I miss Brighton.

* Off to my sister’s in London. She’s asked me and Bear to be bridesmaids… :’-)

* Star Wars shop in Northolt, the Science Museum, Westminster Abbey (Darwin, Newton and Shakespeare’s graves and memorials and the grave of the Unknown Warrior were the highlight for the kids…I loved the whole place), Cafe Chutney at Covent Garden with opera singers, cupcakes and lollipops, Lego shop, the Fire of London monument.

 

* Harrod’s for Banou’s birthday. What a giggle :-) We made a pact that we would try and do tea at Harrods every year.

* Hummingbird bakery for more cupcakes.

* Final couple of hours with sis at the park. 

* This year – a wonderful, packed, fun holiday filled with lots of smiles, laughter and love. It’s made it harder again to come  back to Oman. I miss Britain and all those family and friends in it even more this year.