turners0730

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Katara: International Hunting and Falcons Exibition

September 21, 2017September 21, 2017by turners0730Leave a Comment

We saw this event being set up when we visited Katara last week and thought it might be something interesting for Little T and I to do, and it was. Though we weren’t in the market for a falcon or any hunting gear there was plenty to look at and he found it really interesting. Upon arriving I was a bit worried it was not the place for us as it was just swarming with men. But, I bumped into several other mums with young children and I learned that there is an active home ed community here which I can look into being a part of.

At the exhibit there were of course plenty of falcons to see and also the Houbara (birds) which they hunt in the desert. We spent the most time watching a craftsman making leather falcon hoods. Little T was drawn in by the tools scattered on the floor but then it really held his interest. We sat for nearly 45 minutes and by the end he had a new friend.

Tasting some Arabic coffee

Having a closer look at the Falcon hood

A falcon hood on display

A very interested boy!

New friends

It was super busy there but so interesting and a good bit of local culture. The exhibition runs until September 24th from 10-4 each day. It is free to enter. More details here.

Looking at some birds

Little T was invited in to sit and try some dates

He wasn’t quite sure of the dates, or the smell of the falcons!

-Mrs T

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Our place

September 20, 2017September 20, 2017by turners0730Leave a Comment

We found out this week that we will be in our current flat for the whole school year. It is nice to know we will be staying and now we can start to make it a bit more homey. I am also glad we are staying as the pool is nice, the staff are super friendly and they are all so good with Little T. There is also weekly cleaning with new bed linens and towels, I can’t complain about that! We have already done a bit of rearranging so new pics coming soon. But this is how it started.

-Mrs T

Living area with dining area to the right

Kitchen

main bathroom

Modified room for Little T. We moved one single bed to be a couch and put the other mattress on the floor, with the base next to it. So far no rolling out of bed!

Little T’s room

master

balcony

and our lovely view of the marina

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Flat White

September 16, 2017September 16, 2017by turners0730Leave a Comment

Even before we moved here we had been scoping out what restaurants and cafes were near our tower, and we were hopeful Flat White would be our kind of place. We were not disappointed and are so pleased to have such a fantastic coffee house to call our local.

We’ve made it our Friday tradition to pop in early for a drink and sometimes cake. We generally have the whole cafe to ourselves which is nice for Little T not to be confined to a table. He, as well as us, have grown to love the barista. Straight away he hops up to watch her work and then we retire to a comfy couch with a low table with wooden stools just his size.

So why do we love this place? For starters the coffee is head and shoulders above the many international chain shops that are here. It is slightly more expensive, but you get what you pay for. Delicious coffee, prepared with love. Mr T has been loyal to the flat white each week and is always pleased.

flat white

cold milk, chai latte, flat white and the remains of in house pistachio cardamon cake

I have been sampling the different lattes and local teas. Most recently I tried the chai latte and it was beautiful, not overly sweet, just spicy, milky goodness, a perfect accompaniment to the in house pistachio cardamom cake. Last week I tried the karak, a local tea, this is quite sweet, rich and spicy, it also has the smallest price tag of all the drinks and a generous serve at 8qr.

What I love most about the space is that it is filled with plants and bespoke wooden furniture. Concrete floors and big windows make you feel like you could be at a trendy cafe anywhere in the world.