Sensible Shoes - la deuxième partie - la merde que j'ai vu

Well it's that time of year and I've put together a gathering of my favorite photos that I've taken over 2013 in the form of a book, the last book sold a few copies - so why not.

The Liwa Desert to Chernobyl, Blackpool and some aerial shots, Yorkshire, Scotland are featured amongst others.

Sensible Shoes - la deuxième partie - la merde que j'ai vu by Fragglehunter |

Liwa Desert - May 2013

"Where do, you fancy going Friday? Your Shout"

Bit of a cheeky reply from myself, but you have to ask, "I wouldn't mind a spot of lunch at the Liwa Hotel".

With a very surprising swift answer of yes, a round trip of just of 240 km was required from our base in  Abu Dhabi, I had previously visited Liwa Desert and another visit was a must, England is a bit short of deserts so sad Englishmen like me get a little overexcited about sand and heat (we have a lack of that in England as well).

Well that was that, well it wasn't to be honest, the whole trip to Abu Dhabi was a payback to the family for me buggering off to Chernobyl and a bit of guilt for a yet unannounced trip planned for later this year. Even on a family trip you need a bit of non beach type stuff, so this was my day.

A hotel is hotel and I'm sure you don't want me to turn into a food critic, but for what its worth, the Liwa is on top of a big hill on the edge of the desert, lunch is a buffet, they don't sell alcohol until about 5pm on a Friday - lunch is about £25 per person but its literally the only place to eat.

Enough of the waffle, on with the pics.







 



An this one is for everyone who says I only do derp and graf
 

 and then it was back to Abu Dhabi for a cheeky cider.............



Thanks to the Chemist for driving and a cracking day out (again!!!).

Liwa Desert, Abu Dhabi - Carry On...Follow That Camel

Another total off topic, as today I have been finally starting putting in place plans for a return trip to the greatest city on earth ? Maybe not, but it will be once it's finished being built.

Anyway its a shame not to share these, amazing colours and it was a place to remember, if only for the heat.

I've had good fortune to do a few trips to Abu Dhabi in 2009/2010 and it was the reason I bought myself my first DSLR, I've learnt a bit since taking these, but hope you like.

On to the madness of the local motorway to leave Abu Dhabi City and off into the empty desert roads into the Empty Quarter and you enter the Liwa Desert (after about 155km of driving). Whilst driving you see signs for places like Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia - oh and Dubai (been a few times and had a McDonald's).

Liwa forms part of the Rub' al Khali Desert which is 250,000. sq miles and its hot, hitting 130f in July and August.


 


 


 





 


We drove into a camel camp, not tourist camels proper camels !!

 



 


The local farmer beckoned us in.



The farmer insisted I take a photo of this camel, his pride and joy it would seem.



Me and little Miss Fragglehunter (turns out she's not a fan of camels)





 

And off we go again

 





Some bugger kept insisting on taking my picture (from the air conditioned car I should add)
















The day was catching up with us and we needed to head back home as the motorway is like Wacky Races at rush hour and after dark your looking at something along the lines of Death Race 2000.

Hope you liked and yes next time I'm thinking of  taking a sledge....

 PS I'm not a wealthy person. Being able to travel to Abu Dhabi is down to being fortunate enough to have very good and extremely kind friends who put up with me and the girls, feed us, water us and show us wonders of the UAE, such as Liwa.

Dedicated and Jon and Val and two fingers to the UK Government for the hike in flight tax (again!!!)