Tonight I fly back to the UK after five wonderful months in Oman. It makes me sad to think of all the things that I will miss about this country. Here are ten of them: Dishdashas – Wor... Read more
Morning broke with a heavy dew. The moon was behind us and illuminating the thick mist in the valleys below. We each had a litre and a half of water left and, we reckoned, some three hours t... Read more
After a few months living in the Middle East I find myself routinely feasting on Arabic breads filled with any combination of houmous, olives, fresh lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes and peppers.... Read more
It is a rare treat to watch both the moon set and the sun rise in a single sitting but that is how we started our second day. Twelve hours later we would catch each celestial body in the rev... Read more
In three weeks’ time I will be back in the UK after five glorious months in Oman. I will be very sad to leave. It is a truly beautiful country with some of the most stunning scenery I... Read more
I was amazed that we found it at all. I’d zoomed in as close as possible on Google Earth to trace the fine lines of what looked like a dirt track ending at the western edge of the sand... Read more
Yesterday afternoon I scrambled to the top of a rocky ridge above the corniche at Mutrah to sit in the sunshine and watch the final stage of the Tour of Oman. A cycling stage race like the T... Read more
Last weekend I competed in the 19th annual Wadi Bih relay here in Oman. It was probably the best event I have ever entered. I was in a team of five with Laura and three people from the local... Read more
What are you up to this weekend? I will be crossing a desert. Since arriving in Oman I’ve been a little transfixed by the idea of desert travel. It’s not something with which I h... Read more
Masirah island sits in the Indian Ocean just off the east coast of Oman. It is around 50 miles long and 10 miles wide. It has a single town called Hilf on its north western coast and little... Read more
Excitement quickly penetrates lethargy as the alarm sounds early on Christmas morning. Waking swiftly not to open presents but to ensure we have enough time for a 90 mile bike ride. And it w... Read more
How has your year been? As another precious one slides by, I’ve found myself, as ever, wondering how it’s passed so quickly. So, to make myself feel better, I cast my mind back t... Read more
