Today Tanya, Nikau and Nana have enjoyed a day at home. The temperature reached 39 degrees by midday today and we were able to dry three loads of washing on the clothes horse on the balcony before lunchtime! Tanya had a little rest this afternoon and I went down to the pool for about 50 minutes to cool off and get some fresh air. I am still getting used to the indoor lifestyle which is so necessary during the summer over here. I do love having a pool within 30 seconds walking distance!

We have to go into the city tomorrow, Nikau has a checkup appointment at the hospital at 9.00am and we want to get his birth certificate attested so we can get his passport underway. Its's going to be an early start. It is, however, a good idea to get things done as early as possible over here before it gets too hot.

Joel was telling me today that there is now a heat ban on and nobody is allowed to work outside in the sunlight between midday and 3pm. Bosses can be fined 10,000 dirhams per worker (about $3000) if they break this rule. Work places supply a cool resting place with water for the workers during this time. Last time we came to the UAE the heat ban didn't exist and workers worked throughout the day.