In the other direction

 February half term is a dreary break ...add the builders into the mix and the prospect of staying at home and cleaning dust every day for nearly 2 weeks is not a fun one.
 The last 2 Februarys have been cold affairs , somewhere between-10 and -17 C with warnings about not getting frostbite on exposed skin and staying out of the cold, it's time for a break that requires altogether fewer clothes...

Dubai 

OK it's not exactly the wilds of anywhere but there are a few less populated parts,  there's a city, a beach and the miracle gardens but best of all its not cold!

 Now there's going to be a catch or a convoluted route in here so bear with me, why fly direct from London to Dubai when you can take the scenic route and save some money at the same time. Berlin isn't actually the scenery everyone has in mind but that's where the cheapest fare was from on Qatar Airways so that's the reason, stopping off for an hour in Doha won't be a huge hardship , stopping off in Berlin for 4 hours will be more of a hardship but since the Germans pulled a characteristically efficient strike today at about 12 hours notice I am pleased to have some ease time built in for the inevitable delays.

Qatar Airways  has some fascinating routes, who knew that it was a mere 2 flights from London to Kathmandu?  Or indeed Auckland or Zambia?? It's a whole different world from a whole different hub Doha. That's because I am travelling in "The other direction " something I don't make a habit of but with the welcome foreigners are receiving across the pond it wouldn't be a good time to head West.