Doha 18 - 19 July 2018

My Stetson Hat ! at Villagio Shopping Mall

At the bottom of the 'Torch' - an iconic hotel at Aspire grounds

Luxurious villas near the airport highway

VIP shopping section at Villagio Mall 

Doha Qatar 16 July 2018

Dinner at Arab Restaurant with my Hosts 

            This is my  3rd trip to Doha in about one and a half years, and it is one which I am looking forward to. My partner there has been in the Middle East for almost 20 years and he has had his hands full with projects in the construction sector which has seen them grow exponentially in the last 5 years. This trip in July was just to renew relationship ties and see for myself what other possibilities there are in the furture in the region. I am pleased to report that even though there is some political problems with their neighbours, life goes on as normal and the resilience of the people and expatriates is impressive.

At traffic intersection ; buildings are brown or beige in colour

Doha is in the upswing in the years leading to the 2022 World Cup. The first ever in the Middle East region, there is construction in full swing. My customer is a sports hospital in the Aspire Zone catering to the rehabilitation of athletes and people with orthopaedic injuries.
This trip, the weather was treacherous, sometimes reaching 48 C in the day and 40 at night. It feels like a furnace and only the mentally impaired would do any exercise ! Fortunately the invention of airconditioning and mega shopping malls such as the Villagio shopping mall along Al Waab Street next to the Torch hotel gives many locals and foreigners some respite.

The main stadium photo taken from the nearby hospital 

Food and transport is not cheap by any means. Most of their foodstuffs are imported and while there are many top class dining establisments in the malls, a meal like a sandwich and coffee would set you back US$ 20. No small sum indeed !

In the Premier League for the first time in 6 years - what a cracker of a match !

All the hype leading up to Wolves debut, at Molineux no less, was well deserved. Look at the quality of the goals scored, the saves made and the fans there must have lapped up every second of it.

Richarlison, the Brazilian international scored 2 good solo goals. Reuben Neves scored a screamer of a spot kick, past Jordan Pickford, England's No. 1 no less. It was a gem of a goal to show Premier League he had arrived.

Wolves 2nd goal was from Mexican International Raul Jiminez who scored a lovely header from an inch perfect pass from Neves again.

Man of the Match, Reuben Neves.

What a start to the Premier League season !!! 

1991 Simplon Pass Switzerland Drive Through and Stop for Scenery

An unforgettable drive into the Swiss Alps and I have this video to show for it. I stopped to take this video and all the Jungfrau range's glory. My car was an Opel Astra, I think. 

This trip was made possible because my mentor Frank Rigley 'pushed' me into driving in Europe, something I thought was impossible back in those young adulthood days. I was so happy I took up his suggestion and the drive through Germany to Switzerland (into the Jung Frau mountain ranges) was nothing short of unforgettable ! 

The roads were and are winding, so some experience and skill is required of the driver. I was all of 29 years of age then. 

Now, as I approach 56 in a matter of days, all these old videos are all the more precious to me. 

Enjoy ! 

Lovely Forest near my house

Nestled in some corner of Singapore is a piece of green, our forest, as our neighbours would jealously guard it and clean its roads ever so often.

Here is a video of a typical morning, some elderly people who are practising Qi Gong to the sounds of melodious Chinese chanting.

Enjoy  

Piazza St Marco

A great memory from the lovely holiday in December 2017 

Taken at Piazza St Marco while on holiday with the wife

Pre-season friendly Wolves vs Villareal

Wolves still need some strength at the back, as can be seen by the Villareal goal which featured a through pass and the defenders, especially Roman Saiss were caught flat footed. The back 3 of Boly, Coady, Bennett and possibly 1 more must be more unforgiving. 

Next week the Premier League awaits. My prediction, I think within the top 10 clubs should be viewed as a success for Wolves.