Weekly Ponderings 6

This week I was excited by...

A rather special 'staycation' courtesy of The Grand Hyatt, Doha. Rich and I have just begun a weekend of fun and relaxation just minutes down the road from where we live. I really do feel as though I could be on the other side of the world right now. Look out for a post on what we got up to during our stay at the hotel on Sunday!

 This week I was reminded...

Just how much us bloggers have in common as the posts started to roll in for this month's Travel Link-Up. The theme was 'the unexpected benefits of blogging' and I didn't read a single post which didn't mention the strong bonds and friendships between bloggers. This month I particularly enjoyed Emma's enthusiasm, Sara's photos, Jaklien's London references, Anna's thoughts on how blogging has helped her at work and the personal touch to Angie's post.

I was also reminded how much us expats have in common when the very talented Jaime filled my Thursday guest post spot on Follow Your Sunshine this week with an article on expat life which really resonated with me. She seemed to capture every thought I've ever had about living away from home, and I can't stop reading it!

This week I appreciated...

• Spending some quality time with the gorgeous Becs, a friend from home who has recently moved to Doha to start a new job in a local school here. Rich and I met her and her very lovely boyfriend Giles for supper at Opal by Gordon Ramsay and had a brilliant night discussing Qatar and the pros and cons of expat life, while catching up on each others' news. 

It's so exciting to have someone I knew before I became an expat out here in the desert and I can't wait to spend a lot more time with these two beauts in weeks to come.

• Having a big night out with my fabulous friend Lauren who has been out in Doha for a few weeks working with Rich at beINSports. It was so much fun to sup on cocktails while looking out over fabulous views of Doha, and to have a bit of a dance - something I haven't done in far too long. 

Seriously love this girl.

• Attending the very first blogger's networking event in Qatar organised by Blogging ME at the Four Seasons hotel. It was such a fun night, which has been beautifully captured by Nat High in his post, 'So there I was...'

Me, with lovely Doha-based bloggers Doaa and Rosalyn in selfie mode, courtesy of Nat.

Quote of the week

This is a big shout, but I think this week has been one of my favourites in Doha so far. How was yours?