"Beth and Ivan in London" Our two day stop over in Dubai highlighted the extraordinary growth in the "fastest growing city in the world" in fact 50% of the worlds cranes are deployed with projects in Dubai. I urge you to have a look again at the various slides showing some of the projects and as it was when Beth and I saw it in the 80's. We saw the ski run from the Emirates Mall, and marvel at the quality buildings, marble floors and overall high standards. Participants do not need to arrive with their own ski gear, they are fitted out with everything except gloves which must be owned. The next project is a "Disney World" and the final completion of the worlds largest shopping mall. Where will it end. Well it will continue. It is quite a statement. You must see Dubai. We have observed a marked increase in costs, but none the less families are being targeted, guaranteed sun, skiing, best shopping, boating, safe and clean with top quality accommodation. You will see leading sporting events, theatre, and spectaculars all being staged in Dubai. Our Emirates flight was good and we landed in Heathrow on schedule.
"Beth and Ivan in London"
Our two day stop over in Dubai highlighted the extraordinary growth in the "fastest growing city in the world" in fact 50% of the worlds cranes are deployed with projects in Dubai. I urge you to have a look again at the various slides showing some of the projects and as it was when Beth and I saw it in the 80's. We saw the ski run from the Emirates Mall, and marvel at the quality buildings, marble floors and overall high standards. Participants do not need to arrive with their own ski gear, they are fitted out with everything except gloves which must be owned. The next project is a "Disney World" and the final completion of the worlds largest shopping mall. Where will it end. Well it will continue. It is quite a statement. You must see Dubai. We have observed a marked increase in costs, but none the less families are being targeted, guaranteed sun, skiing, best shopping, boating, safe and clean with top quality accommodation. You will see leading sporting events, theatre, and spectaculars all being staged in Dubai.
Our Emirates flight was good and we landed in Heathrow on schedule.
Petite Maison our lovely flat in St Johns Wood is a pleasure to arrive at, small but oh so convenient. Do look at the web and Petite Maison to see what it is like. Mike and Sue Wright, friends had left flowers and made the arrival special. We shared drinks at their apartment in Hamstead nearby. They will do as we are...share time between London and Sydney. They have bought off the plan in Cremorne all exciting retirement planning.
In October 1961 Penguin Books were taken to court for publishing "Lady Chatterley's Lover", we bought a copy of the book at the time and sent it to the family in New Zealand. Last night on BBC television the case was replayed as a play with the supposed corruption likely to be caused by the book. The "F" word appeared 15 times etc. Well from our point of view we well remember the case as we were living in London, the street scenes with the "old " cars and dress made me think just a little.
We visited some formal gardens in Regents Park just beautiful probably the best gardens we have seen, at just their best in bright sunshine. We would drive through the park in our beetle in 60-62 but never realised these formal gardens existed. What we learnt they have only been there 15 years?
We will have lots more to write about, new experiences with photos so do look at www.hodgedoings from time to time
Love to all
Beth and Ivan