We have had a bit of time to reflect on our time in Dubai. Never ones to make plans, Laura arrived in Dubai on 13 November 2006 for a long weekend, ostensibly for the first press conference for Art Dubai. It was increasingly important to have a team based in Dubai, and when Gary Rhodes told Tom he was opening a restaurant there it seemed as if fate was taking us to the Gulf. Friends and colleagues from those early days are still our closest buddies, being an expat means that friends grow into the role that family often play in your home country. We were lucky enough to meet fantastic people who have mostly stayed – so the last goodbyes were with those who we affectionately call ‘our Dubai originals’. It’s not really goodbye with plans to meet up with a lot of friends during our travels and plenty more back in the UK.

Leaving was an excuse for a run of excellent parties – thanks to all who came to celebrate with us at our leaving bash at Toro Toro, Grosvenor House. It was also so special to have an evening at Rhodes W1, Grosvenor House where so many clever, thoughtful elements made it clear that ‘Chef Tom’ would be much missed!

Thanks to Sonia and Sven of SVENM who hosted a leaving ladies breakfast for Laura’s art world colleagues and buddies at Alserkal Avenue.

Sport became an important part of Tom and Laura’s life in Dubai, initially running the 10K in fancy dress each January building up to both of them running the full Marathon in 2017 and 2018. Team sports were where life-long friends and many medals and achievements were made. Tom’s Tuesday morning GH ride will continue after his departure, his final ride bringing together one of the biggest groups of cyclists on this ride yet, despite the intense July heat.

Dragon boating started as a just-married hobby in 2010, joining the Dubai Flying Dragons and travelling together to compete in Kiev, Penang and Hong Kong for the Club Crew World Championships.

Post kids we switched teams, Tom captaining his corporate team the Marina Monsters and Laura joining the women’s team Dragonfire. It was wonderful for both teams to win gold in many of our final races, including a clean sweep at the last race of the season in Ras Al Khaimah. MoJo were always a wonderful support during hot weekends on the beach cheering both teams on.

We were lucky to find a wonderful nursery for Molly and Joanna in Dubai, Home Grown Children’s Eco Nursery. A better possible start in a child’s learning journey would be hard to find.

Molly went on to attend Horizon English School for two years, which was also terrific, with inspiring teachers and ideologies. For the next two terms we will home school, hoping that all the life lessons picked up on the road will prepare the girls for school back in the UK. They are writing daily diaries recording all the things they have experienced on the trip.