May as well start with some pictures of a day trip that Dave and I took just after we lost access to the Net. This is Al Ain zoo. Al Ain (for those who don't know) is an Oasis city in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, right on the border with Oman. It's a lot greener than Abu Dhabi is (but then again, the Tory Party's environmental policies in the 1980's were greener than Abu Dhabi), and there are no skyscrapers. It's also a lot quieter, with fewer cars and slightly less mental driving. Some of them are even known to use their indicators!

Where's Mike Charlton when you need him? I have no idea what this is! As you may have guessed, don't expect David Attenbourough quality commentary on these pics!

It was really weird to see a swan in the zoo! To them, it's a rare creature I suppose.

"A wonderful bird is the pelican,
Its beak can hold more than its belly can"
Still my favourite bit of poetry of all time, closely followed by McGonigle's "As I was walking doon the road, I saw a coo: a bull ba goad"! You probably have to read that in a Scottish accent to understand it.

He's feeling a bit horny.

I liked this picture. It came out well, and I'd swear they posed for the camera.