EBME Forums Forums Free discussion Out of Hours Magic Kingdom Biomed Expats

No I will not spend the rest of my life here, just the next few years. One thing that is certain though, and that is I will not return to the UK. Hope you enjoy the weather that is heading your way this weekend. Me I will spend part of it around the pool, I still have homework to do from Cbahi busy as ever.

I knew a British guy (but not a biomed, I hasten to add) who had been out there for 35 years. If he's still there, and I should imagine he is, that would be 50 plus years now.

I shall call him Graham (why not? that was his name, after all). He had made all the right moves, such as "embracing the faith" (of course) and pretty much ingratiating himself with various princes. The last time I saw Graham he was acting very much as the man's man to the Governor of Najran. But alas, try as he might, he never gained the Saudi citizenship that he so dearly desired (unless, by this time, there has been a happy ending to this story).

On the other hand, Hassan (a Canadian citizen, but of Lebanese origin) was offered citizenship by no less a being than the Interior Minister himself, just as long as he married a Saudi woman. Unfortunately (or should that be the converse?), Hassan's first wife objected, so he was unable to take up the offer, to his eternal regret (or so it seemed to me)!

I myself (and to my own eternal regret) was never offered anything more than an Exit Only visa. Go figure!

But us English enjoy the weather, Neil. After all, it has two great aspects:-

1) It gives us something to talk (or, in some cases, moan) about.
2) It helps to ensure that we stay so darned miserable.

It's howling a gale outside right now by the way. Blustery showers, I think it's called.

Personally, I love the weather. The more rough, and violent, the better (exhilarating, I think they call it) - just as long as I'm prepared, with the right kit on, etc.

You know, during my "Desert years" I sometimes found it hard to recall what it was like not being surrounded by (what would you call it ... ) beige. I had forgotten what it was like to have green all around. England does have some redeeming features, after all. In March 2004 (at Knaresborough, of all places) I felt snowflakes on my head for the first time in something like eleven years. And at Gloucester in the summer of 2007 we were under flood!

Had a few downpours early in October to tend with, was in Thailand at the time. I do enjoy a good thunderstorm.

Enjoy the Thunder Storm Neil by all means, Pray for rain....But Make sure after your rain dance your internal resistance high enough when the Lightening strikes you......

I doubt there will be much praying for rain going on up in Cumbria.

Umish, you seem a tad upset, I wonder why?

Surely, what we all really want to know is just where it is Umish actually is (as in, which continent, time zone, etc.)!

Maybe Huw, could answer that if Umish is unwilling

Everyone on this forum knows their secrets are safe with me