Eddie Cochran - Summer Time Blues

WEDNESDAY CLUB

NEVER TWO

The Hotel near the Burj Al Arab

 
EDDIE COCHRAN - Summertime Blues

NEVER TWO WITHOUT

The following 3 incidents happened in the last two weeks beginning 21st Feb 2017.

ONE

Old Ma and I were visiting Shellhunter in Dubai she was about to leave after one year, it just did not work out for her there. (broken promises) We were there to help her out packing etc and at the same time we were going to do Dubai. We just had to get to the top of the Burj Kalifa the highest building in the world. and should be considered as one of the wonders of the modern world. It is just awe inspiring and is a fabulous building. We also did the usual bus tour taking in all the famous landmarks, the Palm Island, the Burj Al Arab, the only 7 star hotel in the world. (I bet the Butler wipes your bum with Egyptian cotton hankies before spraying you botty with expensive sandalwood perfume).

One of the things we wanted to do was experience one of the famous Friday Brunches. We choose one of the most expensive at a 5 star Hotel (slumming it) The cost was about £120 per head and included all drinks except Champagne. That was another £100 pound. The sell was that it takes 40 Chefs 3 days to prepare the buffet. It was out of this world, I have never in my life experienced anything like it. Foods from all over the world superbly prepared with finesse.

We all decided to treat it like Tapas and just take small plates at a time and keep away from potatoes, rice and pasta. It was hard to get past the sushi counter, it was just to die for. On arrival you were given cava, good quality too. I then went on to white wine but had always two glasses on the table and they were always full. One the cava and the other the white wine. I did have a beautifully prepared Gin and tonic at the Gin station. The whole experience lasted about 4 hours and it was just great for people watching. All Dubai's expat finest were there in all their makeup and finery, high heels and all and that was just the guys.

This brings me to the conclusion, I remember leaving the venue and the next thing I remember was wakening in bed at 02:30 in the morning and it finished at 16:30. I had no recollection what happened as did Shellhunter (she got stuck in too) Old Ma was furious saying we were both a disgrace swaying about and I tried to kiss the waiter, a very agreeable young American lad. She has got the photo to prove it. (help). Later when I checked my wallet I was 500 dirams light. (about £100) I must have give the taxi driver 500 instead of a 100 note. (don't get pissed in Dubai)

TWO

We travelled back from Dubai and arrived in Barcelona just after 20:00 and were going to stay in an Airport Hotel for one night and catch the short flight to Alicante the next day. It was quite a long walk to the pickup point and it was not exactly clear if we were in the correct place. To cut a long story short we missed the bus and I was trying to phone the Hotel to find out the next pick up time. I suppose I was a little stressed. After the call I noticed my travel bag gone. There were two guys that I felt were suspicious and they obviously took their chance. Old Ma was in a right state I thought she was going to have a heart attack. I take these situations with a more relaxed resigned approach.

Anyway she was off on a mission to find the police and I just followed on with the cases. My travel bag had the lot, passports, flight tickets, 100 euros which I just cashed plus a lot more personal stuff. We eventually found the police station and were giving the lowdown (luckily Old Ma speaks a little Spanish) when the officer said they had found a bag and they will bring it asap. It arrived and only the 100 euros was taken and everything else was intact. Result I thought.

It was a very welcome couple of beers in the Hotel bar believe me. I have now devised a chain with two clips that can be clipped to your bag and a a trolley or almost anything. Maybe it's a case of after the horse has bolted, but you have to learn, even at my age.

THREE

Shellhunter is coming with our Grand Daughter Ripley in a couple of weeks to stay for 3/4 weeks. I have a mission to get books, toys, high chair, and car baby chair. I advertised in a local forum and got a few responses. I picked up some toys and books and was on my way down a dual carriage way to see a car baby seat. when I was stopped by the Police. It was the first time in 14 years I had been stopped. I knew they were having purges because you now had to have a Spanish driving licence. I pride myself in always having my car papers up today just for such an occasion. The Officer went through my papers with a fine comb and eventually asked me to sign his hand held computer and in broken English said you are being fined for speeding. I just smiled and said Gracias, there was no point mentioning the cars that overtook me on the outside lane. I looked at the paper the fine was 100 euros.

I carried on and met a very nice old couple and chatted to them for about an hour and bought their baby car seat for 25 euros. Well 125 euros I suppose.