The Courtyard Circular: March 2013

The two principal events this month were our trip to Dubai from the 7th to the 17th

and the arrival of Pat's new horse, Daisy on the 21st.





We first saw Daisy on the 5th January at the Centro Ippico Balduccia, Sant'Arcangelo di Romagna near Rimini. Various events, including Pat breaking her arm, and our trip to Dubai precluded her arriving earlier.
  Warren stayed with us for a few days. He arrived on the 22nd having driven over from the UK to work on his house. He brought with him a huge box of much appreciated English goodies that his partner, Rachel, had put together for us. He left in the small hours of the 26th. We miss him.
  Jane Fineren arrived in Italy while we were in Dubai and stayed until the 27th. She came up to the house a few times and went down to Centro Ippico San Lorenzo to see Daisy. Unfortunately, having fallen off a ladder whilst attempting to trim a creeper on her house she was unable to ride.
  Lastly, Peppe and Angiola came to Montefalcone last Thursday and we had lunch together at Lupo's.

Legless in Dubai

Last Sunday we got back from ten days with Sophy and Adam in Dubai. I went still suffering from the sciatica which had arrived on the 17th February. After a fortnight I'd realised it wasn't going to disappear of its own accord so I went to my GP who confirmed my self-diagnosis and gave me some pills. Unfortunately, they didn't effect a magical cure and although the pain abated my left leg is still flapping about like some semi-autonomous accessory rather than an integral part of my body.

Friday 8th. Went to Desert Palm in the afternoon.

Saturday 9th. Went to the fourth birthday party of a the child of some friends of Sophy and Adam.

Sunday 10th. In the morning Pat went riding with Sophy at the Desert Palm. In the afternoon Sophy and Adam took their mothers for a Mothering Sunday tea.

Monday 11th. In the morning I went to the Creek and bought spices.

In the afternoon to the Mall of the Emirates to meet Sophy and Pat who'd been there to have their nails done.

Tuesday 12th. In the morning I went to the Creek with Adam for lunch whilst Pat went to see Sophy's dressage horse.

In the evening we went to the terrace of the Palace Hotel for Thai meal with Adam, Sophy and Judi from whence we watched the spectacular fountains of the Burj Khalifa.

Wednesday 13th. To Al Ain zoo with Sophy and Adam.

Thursday 14th. To Judi's to help her scan documents for a family history.

Friday 15th. To Desert Palm for Spinney's Cup. Despite disastrous dressage and indifferent show jumping Sophy came third overall owing to sterling cross-country performance.

Saturday16th. Pat went riding with Sophy in the morning. In the afternoon we walked to the Madinat. In the evening to see Lisa's horse and then to Bab al Sharm for dinner.

Sunday 17th. The plane was late leaving which meant we had very little time to find the coach to Pedaso. Unfortunately its stop had changed location - it's now at posto 35 - so we missed it and had to wait three hours to get the next one at 5 pm. Got home at 10.30 to rain. Fortunately unlike our return home in 2008 the freezer's contents hadn't melted owing to a power cut!

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