Hi all….it’s been nearly 2 weeks since I updated so here goes.

Been a busy time with new staff arriving and lots of planning and meetings at school.  I am a little lucky in that the ICT staff has not changed so most of our forward planning is already in place.  I really need to give a big thank you to the ICT staff as our results have improved again (for the 5^th year) with 100% pass for the IGCSE students including 4 A* & 10 A’s. 

Had trouble with my car so had to rely on George again to get me around.  By the way just to cheer you all up I found out the cost of petrol here…..ready for this??  Regular unleaded, 114 Baisas per litre (about 19 pence).  Anyway had to get a new radiator and I am now back mobile again.  If anybody has any questions about the cost of living here I will be pleased to hear from you and will try to get any answers for you.

Here are a few more general prices.

For my 2 bedroom flat (remember I live alone) my electricity bill is around 11/12 Rials a month (about £20) and my water bill is around 4/5 Rials (about £8.50).  This changes very little throughout the year.

Transport: It’s easy to hire a car here (with a British licence allowing a minimum of 6 weeks driving) and depending on what you want are available from about 9 Rials a day (about £16).  Lots of teachers hire a car on a monthly basis and will get something like a Toyota Yaris for 150 Rials a month (about £255). 

Taxis are freely available and quite inexpensive compared to the UK but you should set your fare before you start your journey as meters are not commonly used.  You can get to most places in Muscat for no more than 5 Rials (£8.50) but most journeys cost no more than 2 or 3 Rials.  For a cheaper (and a bit fun) option there are the ‘Baisa Busses’.  These are minibus taxis and will normally get you to your destination for around 200/300 biasas, but be aware they will often go the long way around as other people will be sharing the bus with you.  When I first arrived in the country I got on a baisa bus to go to the Seeb City Centre shopping mall…had an hour tour of the city before I got dropped off, it was brilliant!! And only cost 200 Baisas!!.

Have started my exercise regime by (trying) to swim every afternoon after school.  Must admit have missed a few days due to tiredness and being a little ill but getting back into the swing of things.  Have taken some pictures of the scenery on the way into my village and also some pictures taken from the roof of my apartment block.

Click on the link to have a look.  https://picasaweb.google.com/106587406877358873052/ViewsLeadingIntoTheVillageAndFromOurRoofTop?noredirect=1#5915171675853447154

 Temperature at 12 pm 40C (104F).

Well had a bit of a restless night but as I didn't have to get up it wasn't so bad. It's brill getting up and knowing that the day will be hot and sunny!! Took some photos of my accommodation as a few people have asked for them (had to do a quick tidy up first, yesterday was a lazy day) so just follow the link  https://picasaweb.google.com/Lezmcg54/BowsherApartment?authkey=Gv1sRgCNrI4dW9nbr4mQE

Been out and did a little more shopping.(Carrefour, Al Qurum) Indian Lamb Chops (Ribs) OMR 4.390 per KG (£7.00) New Zealand Rib Eye Steak OMR 6.890 per KG (£11.70). Feta Cheese OMR 1.590 per KG (£2.70). Pint of Heineken Extra Cold OMR 2.400 (about £4) in the Dolphin village.

Took a couple of pictures whilst I was there just to demonstrate the conditions I have to drink under!! (see link above). Bar B Q tonight so may have more photos tomorrow!

Temprature at 11am 36C (96F).

Ok so back in Muscat and thought I'd start entering some information into my blog. Been awhile since I updated it but have been asked by several people to add more to it and to also give an insight into everyday shopping costs etc.

At the moment the Rial is very strong and fluctuates between £1.65 and £1.70 so I will use £1.70 as the basis of my calculations.

I use 3 main supermarkets in Muscat; Lulu's, Carrefour and Al Fair, with Al Fair being the more expensive.
Lulu’s: A great supermarket with an exceptionally wide and varied stock. The one in Al Khuwair has everything under one roof from clothes, electricals, some furniture and of course food. I can recommend their cooked food which is mainly Chinese and Indian but absolutely gorgeous. Will put some prices on soon.

Carrefour,where I shopped today, also in Al Khuwair in the Muscat Grand Mall. Another multipurpose shopping store, although the one in Qurum (opposite my school) is much bigger and also has a much better selection.
Here is a list of some of the shopping I got today
Lemons 790 baisas per KG (about £1.36)
limes 490 baisas kg (£0.85)
carrots 750 baisas per kg (£1.25)
red cabbage 580 baisasper kg (£0.90)
Roasted Chicken 1.2 kg in weight OMR 1.490 (£2.45) Kleenex Toilet rolls (16 + 4free) OMR2.630 (£4.05) Philadelphia light 780 baisas (£1.35)
6 large Ciabatta bread 495 baisas (£0.85)
Mushrooms 250 grms 650 baisas (£1.10)
1Ltr Lowfat fresh Milk 530 baisas ( £0.85)

Al Fair has high quality provisions and you can also get pork at most of their stores (Be warned pork is very expensive here). A lot of the produce is the Waitrose make and their fruit and veg are excellent.