Thursday, March 18, 2010

Glenn-Gareth's visit to Belgium

Ronaye's boyfriend Glenn-Gareth is a pilot with Air NZ and had a long layover in London, so he visited with us when we got back from Oman.  It's been quite a few busy days entertaining - but lots of fun.  Unfortunately Mik had to work, but Glenn and I got to zoom around in the Mini and had a blast.  We even drove with the top off and attracted way too much attention from the cops and ended up getting pulled over - just for a random controlle for papers etc - phew alles in order.

We visited mainly around Wallonia,  starting with La Roche en Ardennes where there was a big fort on the top of a hill and a lot of WWII history as it was where the Battle of the Bulge was...





Frodo and Forrest loved all the walks...




Day 2 we went to Dinant...



And Villers La Ville, where there was an abbey that had been built around 900-1100 CE – pretty amazing place, but unfortunately closed on Tuesdays – bad luck but we managed to get some pics from outside the wall...








And then we happened upon this castle being renovated in the countryside between Dinant and Villers La Ville.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Left Mukhaizna Today

I left the field today.   This was the longest time I spent there - 16days!  Gosh it seems pathetic really when most of the oeprations guys do 28 on and 28 off and the constuction guys do 35 on and 35 off. Good job i'm not an Operator or in construction  phew!

Having said that, I turn up at the Raddison for dinner - simply because I could no be bothered cooking and .... they tend to have this awesome good deal on all the wine you can drink for one small price.  Seeing as the field is dry it as my first drink for a long while and and in the end it it went like this....

'Any dessert Ms Vennik" (they know me by name you see - only becuase I used to live there mind!)
"No thank you " I say in my most polite tone to be summoned, "I have had enough to eat (pats tummy affectionately), and I have had enough to drink - I think I will stick with this (pats the second glass of wine most affectionaely) and if you could bring me the bill Amoud that would be most appreciated."

My reply produces a shocked look from Amoud - raises one eyebrow as if to say - are you sick tonight Ms Vennik?  To which I reply....

"Driving tonight, I'll  make up for it on Saturday". - sigh of relief from Amoud.

Ronaye and I frequent this restaraunt when we are in Muscat.  They have great grilled prawns - shelled please - we do not even need to complete our order- creatures of habit...no potatoes extra vegtables - thanks awefully so much.    Ronaye is coming back in from the field on Saturday - hence we'll  make up for it on Saturday.  Mik comes tomorrow and we spend a few days laxing out on the beach then we come back into Muscat Satuday to meet up with Ronaye to visit the Al Tajin Grill.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

The two headed camel

I was just whinging the other day that I hadn't seen any camels in the field and then on a trip to the Waste Treatment Facility today we spotted some.  They were just hanging around outside the camp chomping on some rubbish - so I just had to get a few pics.  Even though there was two this pic looks like a two headed camel  LOL.

Friday, March 5, 2010

This Doctor, he my friend!



Q: Doctor, I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true?

A: Your heart only good for so many beats, and that it...don't waste on exercise. Everything wear out eventually. Speeding up heart not make you live longer; it like saying you extend life of car by driving faster. Want to live longer? Take nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?

A: You must grasp logistical efficiency. What does cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So steak is nothing more than efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef also good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And pork chop can give you 100% of recommended daily allowance of vegetable product.

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?

A: No, not at all. Wine made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that mean they take water out of fruity bit so you get even more of goodness that way. Beer also made of grain. Bottom up!

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?

A: Well, if you have body and you have fat, your ratio one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?

A: Can't think of single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No pain...good!



Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?

A: YOU NOT LISTENING! Food are fried these day in vegetable oil. In fact, they permeated by it. How could getting more vegetable be bad for you?!?

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?

A: Definitely not! When you exercise muscle, it get bigger. You should only be doing sit-up if you want bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?

A: Are you crazy?!? HEL-LO-O!! Cocoa bean! Another vegetable! It best feel-good food around!

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?

A: If swimming good for your figure, explain whale to me..

Q: Is getting in shape important for my lifestyle?

A: Hey! 'Round' a shape!

Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.

And remember:

Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO-HOO, what a ride!!"

AND.....

For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.

1. The Japanese eat very little fat

and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.

2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat

and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.

3. The Chinese drink very little red wine

and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.

4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine

and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.

5. The Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of sausages and fats

and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.

CONCLUSION:

Eat and drink what you like.

Speaking English is apparently what kills you.

Some better quality pics care of Jean-Marc's IPhone

Thursday, March 4, 2010

My new groovemobile.

Mik picked up the new car today now I can't wait to get home.  I got a bit of a look on skype seeing as I am still stuck in the desert :(  Here is a pic  - not great quality as I took it with skype but it still looks very totally groovy.