Things are, as Leo would say, much more better. It is a strange thing, but getting to grips with life here is notoriously difficult. When you tell people you have been here for a day, or a week or even a month they look at you as if you are recovering from some serious illness and tell you things will only get better.

I really feel as if we’re finally settling into life here because I now find myself telling people who have just arrived and have that ‘I have been weeping all night’ look I used to have that things will get better.

Today I have been busy. It is only 3pm and I have already been to the bank (where they gave me two new credit cards which I am course not going to use), had the final blood test I need for my visa and been into the office. Not bad for a Sunday eh?

I am going to take Leo to ballet any minute now and can you guess what I can just about see from his ballet studio? OUR NEW HOME. I can hardly bear to be excited about it just in case this one falls through as well but I think we may FINALLY have somewhere to live. And not just somewhere to live; an apartment with a (bit of a) sea view, right on the Corniche, bang in the best part of town and for a (just about) affordable rent.

I have been trying to stop myself but am as pathetic as a girl with a new boyfriend, constantly imagining us in the apartment, cooking, reading, watching TV, just doing normal things. I have even been wondering if Max might be happy there.

Added to which an old university chum of mine who is moving out at the end of the month has offered us his villa in Dubai on the beach. So now we have a weekend home too. I told you things get better……

Copyright: Helena Frith Powell 2008