Frankincense, Beads, Daggers and Forts

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What a lot you can do in 4 days here in Oman. And many thanks to Tamsin and her family I have been most warmly welcomed here from a pickup at the airport to a comfy bed in their lovely villa, swimming in their pool and delicious food. They've been my tour guides and even gave me a car to drive. What it is to have such generous warmhearted friends.

In between lazing around in the garden and swimming in my first 2 days there has been a visit to the Souq, Muttrah old town and harbour , lunch at the Marina overlooked by the British Ambassador's residence and then a visit to one of Oman's many forts. The souq is fabulous with such a range of goodies-from giant pans (imagine them full of rice and stirring the pot with a spoon a yard long!) to the most beautiful beads , daggers , spices, clothes and plastic bowls - and of course Oman is famed for its frankincense so Jonathan and Robin did some bargaining and I got some with a little burner and charcoal. On dark winter nights I shall light it and sit by the fire - and the souq will be conjured up for me.

Omanis are lovely people - friendly and helpful and I must say the driving isn't so frenetic as it is in Dubai- a much better pace of life I think. They are rightly very proud of their long history and heritage and there is a lot to see here - I have just scratched the surface. Maybe I can come back?

Dylan did an amazing job showing Tamsin and I round Nakheel Fort - we had to visit every nook and cranny and he, of course, had to have a rest on the cushions at every opportunity.

Glad to see my pics are cheering up some of you in darkest chilly UK. Here is some more sunshine for you all.

Love Lynne xx

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