Well, I am approaching the end of my 2nd week over here in Dubai. While over here with Weir oil and gas, I am working on a project that they have going on at the minute. A factory back in England has shut down, and a company from Pakistan has bought alot of their machinery. Some of the equipment is in a right mess and in no state to be operated. It has been sent to Weir's in order for them to pretty much fix them before shipping them out to Pakistan. The two main pieces of equipment are a Siemens turbine, and a rather large compressor. Not sure what its called. There is alot of rust on the machienes, so we are required to strip them down to the bear minimum. I would have had, some photos but I lost my cable to connect the camera to my laptop. Doesnt sound like us lads over here in Dubai are having much luck with the old cameras (Peter ?).

On my second day here an engineer from Weir services back in the UK came over here to run the workshop side of things. His name is Joe and we are in the same appartment which is quite good for the company. We also have a car to share which is handy for getting around although we have both had a few near misses on the roads. Mine was on the first day, looking the wrong way at a round a bout and just pulling out!! Lucky for me noithing was coming. On the work side of things, the first few days for me were very quite and I was just observing what Joe and the other locat l workers were up to. I feel as time is going on though, I am gradually getting to participate more the practical side of the project. I have had alot of past practice in this in the past, so I can do most of it quite easy. The hardest part is that alot of the parts are rusted which makes them that little more tricky to come of, but its soon solved with a little blast from the burner. I am hoping in the next few weeks, I will be perhaps getting a bit more responsibility.

On the social side of things, I was working six, ten hour days last week, so I didnt get that much chance to explore. Hovever I did take a drive into Bur Dubai which was a crazy experiance, but really fun. I am begining to enjoy the driving over here now to be honest. Last thursday night, Joe and I went for a nightout and met up with Peter. It was a really good night and a good laugh. I was quite shocked at the difference between a nightout here and back in Europe. For starters no one dances. Secondly, tis must be the only place where girls chat up guys!!!! But you soon realise that what you need over here is a big wallet to please these girls!!!

I have got two days of this weekend, I am staying of the drink this week as it caused me to miss a day out to the water park, which has been rescheduled for this Friday. I should be another good day out and I am really looking forward to it.