Abu Dhabi Dec 6, 2012

To day the barn access changed to us being able to have access to the barn at 7am, that gives us time to feed etc prior to the horses being allowed out of the quarantine compound at 8am, all are happy.

This was ride day for Summer we aimed to be out at 8am to take advantage of being out by ourselves as Summer can be a bit competitive around others.  Ariel and Summer (with Glenn out for a jog for 1/2 of the ride) had a wonderful ride

The roads and streets of Abu Dhabi are very good, but if you don't know the city getting around can be a challenge...  we have seen lots or the area by not making the correct turn, and needing to find a route back to where you need to go...  so I ended up buying a GPS map for UAE... getting around is much easier now.

Abu Dhabi Dec 5, 2011

Monday was a busy day, Ariel, Tara, Joan and I get to see Summer for the first time scince ariving in Abu Dhabi. All accredited team menbers are now allowed in the barn, so that change has been implimented. Summer is looking great!!

We are in compond #1 and are next to the bird (egle/falcon?) gage (more stories to come later)

Summer went out for a hand walk with Tara and Glenn and both spent a fair amount of time being dragged... she is ready to go... being pent up of course is adding to the energy level... tomorrow we may do a light ride..

We also visited the vet gate and checked out the set up, very efficient and provide a significant amount of shade and designated areas.Later in the day we were able to pick up our accreditation and gift of jacket and shirt each.  Will take another walk around on Wednesday to see what has changed.

Before dinner we sat out side by the pool for a drink, and were introduced to the hooka (or at least some of the team were... mint that is)

I really like the event PR logo

Also check out www.facebook.com/EnduranceCanada   for additional photo's and posts, and on race day for  twitter play by play posts on our progress during the race day at Maura_Leahy on twitter

Abu Dhabi Dec 4, 2011

We have all now arrived in Abu Dhabi

• Glenn Sinclair arrived the evening of Dec 3 so that he would be here to receive Summer the next morning.  Glenn arrived but his luggage did not.  Oh yea, the OC forgot to send somebody to pick him up from the airport so he had to hire a cab and locate the correct hotel.
• Summer arrived the morning of Dec 4th and is doing GREAT, her blood work and hydration was so go we did not proceed with hydrating her as planned.  Glenn took her for a had walk this afternoon, or should that be Summer took Glenn for a walk - being pent up for that number of days apparently was showing.
• I arrived at 8pm this evening (well last evening) and  was picked up along with the others that were expected at the same time  - thanks Glenn for paving the way.  Met up with Kelly, Kelsey, Kyle and Melodie in the Amsterdam airport, was great to see some familiar faces.
• Was unpacking when i got the panicked email from Tara, she couldn't find their visa's - thank goodness for ipads and technology, she was able to email the visas to the transfer station desk and they were able to print them - problem solved!!  Apparently it is a $10,000 fine for the airline for having a passenger without a visa.  The first time somebody wanted to see my visa was when i got to Abu Dhabi.  Zulu the TD was in the loby when i went downstairs so hitched a ride to the airport - all was well they were abe to print copies and got a story to telleveryone about :) 

This is greeting area of the Abu Dhabi airport which you get to after leaving the arrival gates - breath taking - i should have taken out the real camera to do it justice

At the moment only 2 people allowed in the barn at one time, this will apparently changing tommorw and thoes with accreditation will be alllowed into the barn starting tomorrow.

The journey is now in full swing