Miss Construe

Re-reading my blog last night I had a jolly good laugh! I think I've managed to make this sound like Brideshead By Camel Train. 'One hump or two vicar?

White Rock City, the name of this camp, (more on this later) is within a wire fenced perimeter. The dusty dirt road in here is about ten minutes drive from the main tarmaced road. That main road is about a thirty minute drive to the nearest supermarket, in a one camel town called Oyoon Al Jawa; an hour's drive from here is the city of Buraidah, where I could have the choice of two supermarkets; three and half hours driving at one hundred miles an hour is the capital city of Riyadh and it's even larger selection of supermarkets, malls and sprawling markets.

There are no buses connecting us with anywhere, nor any taxis to be rung for at a moment's notice. The company therefore have drivers to service the works and the accomodation camps. In Saudi Arabia it is illegal for a woman to drive. So we have the choice of either being driven by our husbands to collect the groceries or arrange for a driver to take us.

Jun is a part of the maintenance team here on the camp. They maintain the villas, school, pools, gym, sports courts and clubhouse. All the gardens, hedges and trees are looked after by them also.
Stephen, living as a bachelor here is given the option of having someone come clean his house once a week. He can have his garden watered daily and send his clothes to be cleaned and pressed. As this is an extra income for the maintenance men we are continuing with it until we leave.

The camp restaurant is open daily for breakfast, lunch and evening meal. This is a valuable service here for the men as it not only provides them with three square meals a day but gives them the chance to socialise over a meal. A nod at normality. The meals are of a high quality and inexpensive so we visit the restaurant daily, usually at lunch-time and catch a moment or two away from work.
As the job is winding down, the numbers here at the camp are dwindling and the properties are being renovated. The restaurant has been moved to a villa two doors down from us in English Gardens. There are just the four tables set out in what was the through lounge/dining room. The staff numbers four or five and provide delicious meals and impeccable table service. It is an absolute treat I look forward to!
The bedrooms have become a comfortable tv lounge and a dvd/book library with a computer. So, on Tuesdays I will enjoy a coffee with the restaurant staff and let Jun get on with his job here.