Birthday Boy Len

Matt: Just wanted to wish my good buddy, Jonathan a very happy birthday!! We had a party on Friday night in the Springs, Morwenna was the perfect hostess and I know she spent a long time preparing not only the food (she was slaving in the kitchen most of the night) but also the venue!! They had their garden done especially in time for the occasion and it looked fabulous. Ok this is Dubai and they had a few issues getting it completed - and even after the party apparently there are a few things that need fixing - but to us it looked great!

Was a really nice party and lots of nice people were there. All the best Leny!!

Surfs brightest whites

Matt: Hit the surf again today, boy I've never seen waves like it here in Dubai. They must have been 6 feet or more which made paddling out a real struggle. It was all a bit too much for my meager surfing experience.

I was paddling out towards the back of the big rollers, where a crew of boarders sat bobbing like fishing floats in the waves, a rideable wave starts to build momentum coming towards me, not being in a place to attempt it, I continue to paddle, preparing to duck into the break, a few of the bobbers turn and franticly start to paddle to catch this bad boy. One of the surfers was too close to me and came straight for me, realising he had no where to go he bailed.. his board however didn't. Now bare in mind I was lying on my board feet hanging over the back end, his board hit, the fins cutting deep into my tail, missing my ankle my millimeters. Could have smarted a bit....

Paint, Gun, Fun, Party

Matt: Well it's currently 2:20 am. I've just got home and I'm about to head to bed at the end of a great day!!

Last night we hit Blush. a new club here in Dubai, with guest DJ's "The Soul Avengers" all the way from the UK. Good and funny night.. Dancing till 3.00am. I think we broke Ramie and Doina as they didn't even surface untll 14:20 today!!

My day was taken up with a little work in the mornig, a little lying by the pool in the afternoon and then the fun began!! Paintballing in Dubai is not like skulking through the woods of the UK.. It's a down and dirty gun fight, with sparse cover and harsh enemies. But we had a lot of Fun. Johnathon, Sami and I shot, got shot and ran around like idiots!! Sami " Trigger Happy" Sadok went through 500 Bullets - I being a more tactical and sneaky player managed to only shoot when I had a clear shot!! Hiding in bushes, running through open fire-zones.. we were like kids again!! Most Fun!

Then we celebrated with Cherine, it was her birthday and boy does she know how to through a party - when the caterers turn up carrying a metre wide cooking pan with a whole lamb inside - you know the food was not scrimped on!! Great!!

As we left Ramie decided that we were awfully close to a seedy joint called the York Bar - Oh My Gawd!!! Well lets just say it makes you appreciate that you don't have to go there.. Sami and Ramie have never be clung to so tightly by Doina and Vanda..

Look at those forced smiles from the Ladies.

Well this is me signing off.. Matt Wilson, Dubai - Goodnight world..Hold tight to the one you love!!

Cycle Confusion

Ok so it struck me the other day that some things just don't make any sense!! Bear with me...

The word 'Bike' is an informal shortening of the word 'Bicycle' breaking this down we have 'bi' from Latin, a combining form meaning 'twice' or 'two' and 'cycle' which is an evolution of the Latin 'cyclus' meaning wheel or disk. so in short two-wheels!! Ok - with me so far? Now throw into the mix 'Quad' a short form for 'quadrant' from the Latin 'quadrans' meaning four or fourth part.

So on reflection I went "four-two-wheeling" at the weekend - is that 4+2 so six wheeling? or 4x2 so eight wheeling?!!?!?$ See? Confused!!! We hit the Dunes of Hatta Quad Biking at the weekend - we had a great time and just about managed to stay on the whole time. Ok there were times when I took off over jumps that almost jettisoned me off, but only almost!! There is even movie proof (keep that to yourself thank you Sami)...

Our Ride: Lenny, Sami, Fiona - Team Desert Storm

Our Arena: Rolling Dunes in the desert of Hatta

Our Transport Home: Fiona's new Toy!!

Jessy Boy turns 34

Gotta wish my friend Scott a Happy Birthday, He is 34 on Sunday!! All the best mate.. Scott the Scott (Who has trouble snowboarding, boards like a backward girl) has been out here in Dubai about a year now and has just moved into his new appartment with Cath, his girlfriend. So congratulations on that front too. We went out to Bussola, a nice Italian restaurant at the Mina Seyahi last night, to celebrate - which was good fun. Scott can't really handle his drink and got a bit worse for wear, poor love... Muhahaha.

Anyhooo Happy Biffday ya greeet Jezzy <--- Scottish Accent

That was October

Matt: Can't believe another month has come and gone. The winter months are closing in now - it's down to 25 Degrees here at night now - still mid 30's during the day!! Seem very strange to think of folks back home scraping ice off the cars in the morning!

Naomi and I have had a couple of visitors over the last week. Kath and Lesley - we had a really great time with them and got up to all sorts of mischief. The event of the week was the Halloween party we held at 911. Such a fun night and people made such a great effort in dressing up!! As you can see from the pictures below.

A whole host of spooks and freaks

 Naomi: Sexy Pirate Lass Moi: Grim Reaping

 Kath: Cruela Devvil
 Lesley and Fiona: Angel and Devil