It's my 7 day birthday

June 8-14

Having a birthday away from family and friends is very hard, but fortunately I have been blessed and am surrounded by some really kind people.

My birthday has been a lot of fun, mainly becasue the sun has been out (all day long) and that I have been spoilt, oh and that it last for a whole week....really it has.

It started with a visit to the souk....watch out for the colourful dyed animals (horrific, Catherine you would hate the way the pets are treated here), the little dogs are super cute though!

Then the food and nuts, Mum, Ba, Rash, you want nuts?

So first pre birthday dinner was at a Yemeni place, where they cook succulent lamb and chicken on biryiani, so delicious, plus fish etc.

Then we had a walk around the Pearl, its like the marina and you dont feel like you are in the Middle East.  This then turned in to a house party....it was a late night!

My actual birthday (12 June) was a write off, I was given a new mattress that was so hard sleeping on the floor would have been more comfortable, so I was sleep deprived and grumpy, so I celebrated the next day.  The guys at work surprised me with gifts, so many gifts, Mulberry galore, and then took me for lunch where they surprised me with a big birthday cake! Amazing.  and tonight (14th June) I am having my final birthday dinner courtesy of my boss.

So see for yourself how they celebrate birthdays in Doha:

So here's what you've missed

13 May to now: 

So, I moved in to my new apartment on the 13 May...and there was not point unpacking, it was more a case of throw things out and then chuck things back in for my trip to Cannes. 

I'm slowly settling in now that I'm back from Cannes, and I'm liking my new space. It's bright and airy. Anyway, first night in the new place means no food, but the good restaurants around meant a night out for dinner. I tried out the talked about Al Osra, a south Indian place. But I think my choice of food was perhaps not the best...the typos on the menu didn't help. 

Oh and the work time lunches here are not like how they are at home. No packed lunches or a quick visit to pret, but a full on two hour lunch. I'm not complaining! This was taken at the Egyptian place with work mates Zak and boss Maj. 

Day one in Cannes: 

Feeling pretty ropey I arrived in sunny Cannes with my team...that's us just at the airport in Nice. 

This is the great view from the apartment I was staying in.

And this was the second day in Cannes as we did recces and had media meetings, but it starts to go wrong. 

 This is before the red carpet is laid down.

I fell terribly sick with glandular fever and Quinsey. So the only thing I managed to see from my balcony was this...fireworks...before I was flown back home after some shots from the dr to recover. Can you believe I fell sick...in Cannes!!!! 

So having recovered and feeling about 90% better (though I had food poisoning and still feel a tad off, I started back at work and try to withstand the plus 40 degree heat. Though we did just go for an amazing lunch on Thursday at Sanjeev kapoors Indian restaurant. Food was really delicious, from fish to meat to great vegetarian. Take a look. And the new gang that are slowly becoming my new friends. 

So, back in London in less than two weeks....look forward to seeing you...if i can. Until the next installments.