Al Ain Racing

Back with you again! We're all feeling much better after a good nights sleep.
As I was putting together these photos I found myself thinking about what a great time we all had and it made me miss my family and friends so much. How I wish you were here to experience the tension, the heat, the wind that blew sand everywhere just as the sun was setting. I want you here to see the relief on my face when that last race was over, Grant's mile wide smile and Scott's grin that said a million words!

I have to take Jake to rugby practice soon so will give you a run down of the weekends events. Firstly the track is new and still being finished off. Some things will be changed like the pit area location, track edging, landscaping etc. However, it is a really great track, very fast (so I'm told) and we are looking forward to many more events there. No ladies toilets though!!!!! 6 women and about 200 men yikes! not good!

Anyhow, the first heat went well, one lad from Bahrain took off with a commanding lead while the others were very even, there was some overtaking and Scott came 3rd.

Next heat same lad way out front, Scott came 2nd

Next heat, OMG Scott was in a spectacular smash. Two karts in front of Scott collided and one spun right into Scotts path. It couldn't be avoided and Scott's wheel went up over the other karts wheel and Scott was launched up into the air, spun and hit the ground hard. This was just a few feet from the finish line and the two that caused it all managed to finish but Scott injured his ribs again! He made a trip to the ambulance where they checked him over, luckily nothing was broken just real sore.

Semi-final disaster strikes again. During the break Grant replaced the chain but forgot to do a bolt up, so during the race it came off. Frustration!!

Final - Scott starting near the back of the grid because of the last two incidents. He gets a good start but oh the pressure! (for me that is) it was intense. His competitors suffered some incidents themselves and Scott manage to hold it together to take the win. It was a long race 25 laps and the track is just over 1km long and it seemed like it went on forever!

He so deserved his place and we all got a very rare big smile as he stood on the podium.

1st Place at Al Ain

Scott did it!!!!!!
After a series of mishaps, when all looked lost, Scott's single minded determination saw him through to a win in the Rotax RMC Middle East Finals Juniors). On the completely new and very excellent track at Al Ain Scott battled it out with some great competitors. It was a wonderful weekend, large classes and lots of V.I.P's. We are all very tired but I could not go to sleep tonight without posting this!
I think I will let you know all the details with a few more photos tomorrow, I'm not exactly sharp at the moment. We didn't get back to our hotel till 3AM, it was bliss to have a hot shower then slip into bed. Grant and Scott slept in until 11.30AM - luckily we didn't have to be out of our room till 12.00! Poor Grant has to work night shift tonight and the boys and I are off to bed in a couple of minutes.
So I will be back tomorrow - I promise

Jake gets Player of the Week

Gidday again - just a quick little post, Jake was so proud to get this trophy for Player of the Week. Not sure if you can read the journaling but he was suffering with a nosebleed and finally managed to get out on the pitch for some very important scrum practice. He got the trophy for his perseverance. No more nosebleeds so it was just a one off, thank heavens.

I've been so busy - lots of stuff happening around here, my head is spinning. Scott had his dyslexia assessment and has been given the OK for extra time in his GCSE exams. We are very relieved as he really needs it. The assessment was interesting, it has been several years since his last one. Basically he is the same which surprised me because he does so much better at school now. Both Scott and Jake are busy with their sports, Grant is working hard and I'm always on the go!
Scott is racing over the next two weekends and it looks like he will be racing in the Biland Worlds held here in Dubai. More on this later!

Credits for Scrapbook page : String, I Close my Eyes, Beth Nixon

Background, Joyful Heart, Agnes Lahur

Wordart, Khirsty Scmitt

Staples, Boys Wish, Jessica Bolton

Font, Eraser Dust

Homework Time

To make up for a week of no posts here is a photo taken two minutes ago.
We are all in the study working away, the boys both have a load of homework this weekend. I like to stay handy because Jake asks a lot of questions and it's easier if I'm not at the other end of the house! It's proved to be one of our best decisions putting three desks and plenty of storage into this area. It's not big but it works and is always in use.
The last week has flown by again, I have been trying to put household stuff ahead of computer stuff......yes - trying. I could easily spend most of the day here doing scrapbooking, surfing etc. Very sad I know, most of the time its not even remotely productive.
Anyway, it was a pretty good week. Jake's teacher is pleased with his marked improvement. I have got some extra support for him after school. It's at the other end of the city and rather expensive but I'm hoping it will help him a lot.
Jake is happy that he has been accepted into golf as an after school activity, he has wanted to do it for ages but has missed out in the past as it's a very popular choice.
Scott has had his highs and lows. He had an interesting race meeting last weekend. His first qualifying "hot lap" was a disaster, on the first corner he clipped the barrier tires at speed and broke the front wheel assembly (sorry I don't know the right name for it) anyway, something was bent at a right angle that should have been straight. Luckily Grant had a spare and managed to fix it. Unfortunately they missed the first heat while Grant was doing the repair but the rest of the evening went fine. Scott was amazing in the end and the whole night was a lot of fun. We didn't leave the track till 1am! Scott came second again but he is getting faster all the time.
The next meeting is on the 27th in Al Ain (a their brand new track). Its the Rotax Max regional finals and will have racers from all over the Gulf.
Unfortunately Scott injured his ribs, the track at Jebel Ali is rough on the body I'm told. So we were back at the doctors, more time off school and more rest. At least there is now a decent gap between events so he can get back to normal.

The weather here is cooling down, the days are now high 30's and we have had lovely breezes this weekend. I still have not got into the garden for its Autumn clean up but it's on the agenda for this week.

OK time to get these lads some lunch - lots of moaning about hunger in the background!