This is the ninth month of my time in Riyadh. I first came out here to work for a large Saudi group offering education to around 3500 boys and girls. As my son was learning Arabic in Egypt, I thought it was a good idea to base myself close by. Needless to say, thankfully, he made it through his course very well, without any help.

My role here has been to offer some teacher-training for another British publisher and offer guidance on attending schools, colleges and universities in the UK. An earlier plan had been to offer a 'route to market' for a range of teaching resources; tha was before I had been here to evaluate the 'nature of the beast'.

September finds me aiming to be back in the UK, as I have described the many promises made here as somewhat less reliable than the shifting sands of the desert; still not seen as I seem to return to the UK whenever the opportunity arises.

Let me know if you are thinking of heading out here, so that I can offer some outline guidance.

Alan