Thanks Sarah!!!

Today, Monday, 9 April 2007 is our 3rd last full day in the Emirates. I can't believe that I have only a couple more days of daydreaming by the gulf...it seems like just yesterday it was my 1st day! I had a beautiful time on my cliff today. I could hear many, many birds, hear the gulf, smell the sea water and the colours of the sea and the sky were so similar that you couldn't tell where one stopped and the other started. I've never heard the sound of so many birds before...are they saying goodbye to me...and, most days you cannot smell the salty sea. It was sad even though I know I have 2 more days of visiting my little spot. (at 11:30 a.m. it was 37 degrees in Abu Dhabi and it is always hotter out here in the desert!!)

Les and I want everyone to know how much we appreciate this Blog that Sarah created for us! I had never even heard of such a thing and when she told me what she was doing I was amazed. It was a fabulous idea and we thank her from the bottom of our hearts! I've had so much fun writing the posts and I think it was the very best way to share our adventure with you. You've been able to read that we are well, safe, happy and having fun. Hopefully you feel like you've experienced other worlds and cultures! (Many of you have let us know how much you've enjoyed reading the blog.) And, we have a lovely journal of our experiences to read over and over throughout the years. So...THANK YOU SARAH - this blog was a gift from...you...to us...to our family and friends!!!

But there are a couple of things I'd like to clear up in response to Sarah's "Why we are doing this...". Firstly - Sarah has not had to beg for bail money from any of you for us - Les and I have been model citizens everywhere we've been...well...almost...but no cops were involved! Secondly - and to me the MOST important - I have not needed ANY help what so ever! Sarah may have created the blog, written the first post and walked me through my first posting - but I have taken from there and written, added pictures, and posted everything since without a phone call or an SOS to her...Hello 21st Century Communication Tools!!!!

We do thank Sarah for so graciously remaining at home to watch the house and deal with the trials and tribulations of that. Les and I like to think of it as practice for when she and Jack have their own home and we were glad to give her that experience - gratis! And we would be remiss if we didn't also thank the world's greatest Cocker Spaniel. Thank you Jack for protecting your mommy and the house so well while grandma was away! (Lots of protection pay-off will come your way on Friday...)

Some of Sarah's comments are still true:

• Dad still hasn't learned to play well with others in his big sandbox. But...this is the reason his new bosses at Shell Scotford Upgrader want him there as soon as possible to play in their big dirt pile to make it the safest it could be and that his SNC Lavalin bosses here in the sandbox are very sad to see him go.
• I intend to stay footloose and fancy-free!!!
• Dad will continue to need help with his Christmas shopping.
• And please...please...keep helping me with that darn VCR.
  

Les and I will be leaving Abu Dhabi, UAE at 12:05 a.m. on Friday, 13 April 2007 (that's 2:05 p.m. Thursday the 12th - MDT) and arrive in Edmonton at 4:35 p.m. MDT Friday the 13th (that's 6:30 a.m. Saturday the 14th UAE time) A mere 26 1/2 hours of travelling - 20 hours in the air!!!

I will do one more post when we are home - just so you know we are back in Edmonton safely!!! And I would like to thank our family and friends for staying in touch during these last 2 months. I've felt close to home and close to YOU!!! Thank You!