Meetings are arranged out in the desert and although you aren’t supposed to need 4WD to get there on this occasion you did as evidenced by a number of cars parked about 400 metres from the actual venue. Dave (my partner in crime on this occasion) and I had one scary moment where we had to drive over this sharply rising ridge and couldn’t see what was on the other side.

Once signed in (they do like to check that you haven’t gone missing in the desert with a sign in/sign out procedure) we elected for the long walk from a run/long walk/ short walk selection. N0 I wasn’t being a wuss just I had already run nearly 10 miles earlier in the day at the Diplomatic Quarter (more of this later). The walk started gently enough for about 50 metres and then headed straight up what appeared to be a vertical face of a nearby hill – the group consisted of the young and old (me) and the fit and not so fit. God knows how some of these people were supposed to cope with the terrain. After this we had a pleasant five minute stroll until we had to descend the other side of the hill which was probably even worse. The half way point was reached and fruit/drinks provided before we were driven on by the hares (aka Riyadh Sadists Society) up another b*stard hill.

After this the ground became reasonably flat/downhill  for  a good 15 minutes  ending with the option of yet another mountain or flat walk back to the car park. Mr Wuss took the latter option.

After signing back in we set off only to be held up by the same ridge encountered on the way in where someone had managed to get stuck in a 4WD. After about 10 minutes backwards and forwards the driver managed to get over the  brow and it was our turn. 4WD engaged, low gear (do I need diff lock and what is it anyway) and a littele burst of speed got us over the brow with no problems – Toyota rules. Dave looked suitably impressed so I didn’t mention I had been very nervous about tackling it having not driven in the desert for such a long time.

Other bits – 4 training runs at the DQ so far this week including a couple of near 10 milers on consecutive days (not ideal) and finally only 12 more days left in the hotel. Yippee!

Yesterday was my second race back here in KSA and a little more normal in that we were all running the same distance.

Held at a large compound up towards the airport and after (just) getting through security in time for  registration /the start  around 50 of us started the 4 laps into a slight headwind and cool 15C temperatures. Despite promising an easy start I soon settled into a group of three which after a lap and half became two and two and a half laps one when I dropped off the pace. This was being set by Finnish legend Matti who has the most relaxed style I have ever seen and the only effort he seems to make is checking his watch at regular intervals – not sure why as there were no km markers.

The last lap and half became a trudge and I was glad to see the finishing clock in 46.55 giving Denise a soft target when she competes in the Bradford 10km tomorrow – I have an awful feeling this is going to result in my losing bragging rights for the next few months.

Main benefit today was that I lapped Nicki Morgan, the long time ladies’ star runner of RRR not only one but twice. I reluctantly must ‘fess up that she had been reduced to a walk by her little boy who was pacing her (!).  Sorry Nicki but if you turn up then you are there to be beaten!

Nick and I also made contact with Riyadh Triathlon Club and seem to have agreed to participate in various swim/run events in the summer although Nick seems to have  an  idea  that he is going for the full monte and also buying a bike. You need to wear a hat Nick you are getting too much sun!

The final event of the season takes place in two weeks and is a 10 mile event so that will inevitably results in a slower pace although I hope to start some training now I can find my way to the Diplomatic Quarter. This (be surprised) is where all the embassies are situated and in addition to being somewhere you can run in vest and shorts has a perimeter path allegedly 9 miles around which is lit up in the evening. I sued to train here initially when I came out (no not like that) in 1996 but once I settled into compound life found it too far to travel.

Rest of the weekend comprised brunch at Arabian Homes and an introduction to Mark who works as an insurance broker, comes from Nelson, supports Burnley, once lived in Eldwick for a year (I appreciate this means nothing unless you come from Baildon) and likes cats.

Hopefully now only 19 days until I esacpe from the hotel – not that I’m counting of course.

After seeing the Toyota and paying a deposit I hadn’t realised that the balance was due the following Sunday i.e. 2 working days!

Mad panic ensued with a visit to the Finance Company and although they agreed to lend the money the timescale was too short for them to issue a cheque. By now the seller was threatening to pull out and my 350 quid in the process of disappearing. Fortunately my employer’s came to the rescue with a salary advance which bought another week’s grace to find the balance.

Next a trip to the police station – no not arrested yet but I needed a letter to confirm that it was OK for me to have a truck of this size. Certain nationalities buy large cars and use them as unlicenced taxis. Mr Gruff at the police station wanted to know where my family were and after explaining they were following issued the wonderful letter permitting me to drive something I have bought, insured and am licenced to drive.

After further phone calls to the finance company they eventually delivered the cheque – could I have the car now please? No – they have to re-register it with the police first!

That part done I could eventually go and collect it after merely obtaining copy documents from the finance company local office at the souk. I had hoped to go late afternoon before it got busy on the roads but my trusted negotiator Faisal was busy and so it was almost eight in the evening as nosed carefully into the rush hour traffic. More by good luck than anything else I managed to find the hotel and parked up safely.

More riveting insights in owning a Toyota FJ to follow!

We arrived just before it opened and after chatting through various options decided a Toyota FJ Cruiser might be suitable. Looked at one on a dealer’s site which seemed OK but very dirty. Said to have had a minor accident but on a test drive Faisal spotted that the tracking on the front wheels was way off leading us to think the accident wasn’t that minor.

After looking at several others most of which were too expensive we eventually saw one parked in a side street which a mobile number stuck on it. Faisal rang the guy who appeared shortly and agreed a ‘last price’ with him. Next we took the car to a local workshop where effectively it was given a full MOT there and then including a test drive. Came away with a clean bill of health other than a recommended oil change and after providing a small deposit the car is now held in a showroom until I come up with the cash.

Many thanks to Faisal for all your help and I hope your wife forgives me for keeping you out late at the start of the weekend.

Mine is this colour but won’t be driven anywhere like this!

Business Services here at work have been brilliant  having obtained my residence visa in just  5 days despite a long weekend  in the Govt. Offices plus a driving licence  and bank account.

Panic initially on the housing front – I thought that  I would be in the lovely hotel for  months but Arabian Homes have come to the rescue and I hope to move in around 23rd March. Thanks Steve Parrott!

Have already met some old friends and colleagues from last time I was here and have plans to see a lot more in the near future.

Tried a run once since I got here – not a good idea at 9.00am as it’s starting to warm up and the run degraded into a 4 mile jog/walk.

Hoping to get to see the Marathon on Friday with someone from Otley AC and run a couple of the six laps. Seems a long time since I did the full one – 1999 I think.

Off shortly to see a ‘big boy’ 4 wheel drive – suspect it’s a wreck but at least I can see what you get for my car allowance.

Don.

PS Weather here is 19C at 8.00am warming up to 25C at lunchtime.

On arrival I immediately met several old friends from my last stint here – it was a great feeling to see some friendly faces after all this time.

I originally intended to only do 2 laps but started off too fast and even after one lap was almost inclined to chuck it. Settled down into the second lap and was caught by a guy training for MDS next month – to the uninitiated this is not some cheap wood panelling but the awsome Marathon des Sable. Apart from being mad as a box of frogs for wanting to do the MDS he was a really nice guy (Saudi from London if that makes sense). As we approached the end of the lap he convinced me to do another and then left me! Cheers!

After finishing in 1.46 I got the camera to take some snaps of the race and also the Dust Rats Harley Davison club who were also at the location.

When my driver had finished had a quick shower, lunch and home.

Numbers were well down form the 1996 to 2002 with about 20 finishing the full and other wimps like me doing the half or taking part in the relay. Organisation has improved though with timing chips and a mat and there is a very relaxed atmosphere under the stewardship of race director/club chairman Aussie Chris Mundy – good on yer mate!

Many thanks to my drivers Jer of West Limerick AC and Nick from Otley AC – hopefully I’ll be able to reciprocate by the time of the 10km.