Friday 19th August - Abu Dhabi

We are sitting in the old green mushroom dome transit lounge in Abu Dhabi airport killing 3 hours between planes from London to Singapore - yes, we have started the journey back home to Australia.

Jane holding up the roof in Abu Dhabi!

After nearly 4 months away we are making tracks back east to the hopefully sunnier climes of Brisbane - we have seen lots of rain in Scotland over the last few weeks. Edinburgh had its entire average August rainfall in just 2 days. In the week since the last blog we have seen more friends and family and been to a few more shows in the Festivals.

Highlight of the main festival shows was to sit in the "organ gallery" seats in the Usher Hall for a performance by the Montreal Symphony Orchestra.  These are the seats "behind" the orchestra where the choir would sit for a choral performance, looking out over the orchestra into the auditorium.

View from the Organ Gallery seats.

We were just behind the percussion section and I felt that I should have had a drumstick in hand, so when the conductor looked up at us, we could have joined in.


We also went to see a show with some friends performing in about a fictitious meeting between J S Bach and Frederick Handel set in period costume, over a vast real meal, and performed in Rosslyn Chapel, which those of you who have read the Da Vinci Code will perhaps know of.   A most intriguing place; the private chapel of the St Clair family dating back to the 14th Century and full of amazing carvings. No photos were allowed inside - but Jane failed to see the signs - what a pity!

Sculptured column in Rossyln Chapel.

Two ET victims on an Edinburgh street corner.

Also had a last minute chinese banquet with our old friends, the Starks, and were amazed to discover that John has Essential Thrombocycemia, the same relatively rare blood disorder as Ian. This photo of the 2 of them looking alike is more to do with the workers caps and the cold weather gear, than the blood disorder!

Cheers Zarah!

The other surprise meeting was with Zarah, Robin's ex, and our dear friend. Having finished her degree she's come over to UK and is looking for work in Scotland.

Despite recent announcements of 20% youth unemployment we're sure she'll find something. And it was nice to spend a day with her in Edinburgh and take her to a show.

 And so we have now packed our bags and are on the way home, via a few days in Singapore - so not the end if the trip quite yet!