DubaiCricketFan

Day 2 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi and England are at least putting up more of a fight, however, disappointingly a couple of late wickets fell near to the end of the day - hopefully we will make it to day 4 this time, we met an ex England cricket captain in the lift this morning before play started and he predicted he would be at the golf on Sunday as the second test will be over!! I understand Rory McIlroy is leading after day 1 but have not heard this officially. Today a couple of golfers, not big names, came to watch the final couple of hours at the cricket, when they had finished their rounds, they sat near the Barmy Army and were immediately recruited!!!! The cricket stadium is again in the ... read more

We moved to Abu Dhabi yesterday for the start of the second test, which starts on Wednesday. Our final two days in Dubai were disappointing because the weather was not at all good! It reminded us of cold, windy,cloudy days on holiday in Devon when the kids were young! Even included was some Devon fog, we couldn't see the Atlantis Hotel which was a view from our hotel balcony! A couple of English people in the hotel lift were Packed ready for theirflight home and were moaning about not having a tan!!! The coach trip to our hotel right next to the Abu Dhabi Mall took an hour and 20 minutes, an easy run with areas of 'forest' along the side of the motorway, apparently the government are planting forests to make the area look better, ... read more

England spectacularly lost to Pakistan with 2 days to spare in the first test in Dubai! The catering had improved by day 3, we could get magnum ice creams and sugar in coffee but have no fear, pies were still heavily on the menu and for some bizarre reason every bottled drink purchased had the lid removed. It became apparent by lunch break on day 3 that there would be no cricket the following day so Mr CF frantically took photos in order to complete the painting he had been working so hard on. The final afternoon session saw some good hitting from Swan and Broad and we managed to ensure Pakistan batted again. What to do tomorrow?? Our tour guide laid on a trip to the Meydan races and we were blown away by the ... read more

First day arrival at Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium and it seemed that they were not expecting spectators! No refreshments available but we were told Coffee would be available at 10.30 and (relayed with a beaming smile) there would be pies later - very gourmet! The cricket began and England failed, however, we enjoyed day one, duly had a pie, plus samosa ANDdoughnut for lunch. Evening saw a knees up with other cricket fans followed by a walk and coffee with a couple we met today. Day 2 looked more promising, the catering had expanded to include ice cream and England performed better in the field. High hopes for tomorrow, could I Put a plea in for chocolate on the menu! Had an average Indian for meal tonight, Mr CF is getting on well with his ... read more

Ice at Birmingham, not a problem for Emirates Flight 038, just return to stand, get a de icing machine, spray away, heat the cabin to boiling point and off we fly, an hour or so late, but on our way to sunshine, food and great (we hope) wins at cricket for England against Pakistan. We know Dubai reasonably well as our eldest daughter (who will become known as Missy) lived here for a year and showed us the places we needed to know. When we arrived on the usual early morning flight, our room was not ready but we walked along the seafront and found a french (I know, strange in Dubai) cafe. Mr CricketFan had an omelette on the assumption and superior knowledge of all things French,apparently they know how to cook eggs, Mrs CF, ... read more