More leavers & another meal out

As more people from the Honeywell Shell Pearl GTL site office prepare to leave this week, it is time to celebrate with another meal out in Doha. This time the venue is the Belgium Cafe, at the Intercontinental Hotel. One of the leavers if Felix Beltran (bottom picture), our Spanish friend, based in the Honeywell Bracknell office. He is taking a week off before returning to the Bracknell office. Senthil is now off to India, before going back to Scotland, to the Newhouse office. Discussions are still taking place between Honeywell and PAG (Processes Automation Group) trying to decide who leaves and who stays here on site. PAG are trying to reduce Honeywell numbers here on site. I have said that I do not want to stay beyond February next 2012, so there should soon be a decission as to whether or not I return in the new year. Tom Evitts, my colleague from Atlanta, is interested in stayng next year, so he may be returning in my place. I hope to find out what is happening, over the next week. I have another three weeks before I go home for Christmas and the new year.

Visit from Emir of Qatar

Well, I'm already in to week 2 of my tenth visit to Qatar. This week we had a VIP visit from the Emir of Qatar (right picture), along with Honeywell HPS President Norm Gilsdorf and Uk's Prince Andrew, for the Shell Pearl GTL site Inauguration. Unfortunately, most people had to stay away from the control room area, and security was tight, due to the fact that a group had tried to kill the Emir, a few months ago (maybe related to his role against the Gaddafi regime). The incident left Qatari Emir injured. He was taken to the hospital with eight others who were wounded. Layed-in again today to catch up on some sleep, hopefully back to the gym next week. Now off to lunch, to the cash point after lunch and get a tin of cashews from the camp shop. See you later.

The picture on the left shows Viktor, saying goodbye. He is moving on to a new project. Victor, who is Hungarian, has been with us for over a year. Here's wishing Viktor good luck for the future.

Well today was time to get up early and get back to the gym for a couple of hours.

Leaving Meal in Doha

On my first week back, I was invited to a leaving meal for Earnest and Senthil. We had a very nice Indian meal, and a few drinks, at the Chingari Restaurant, Ramada Hotel in Doha (we also had a meal there last Christmas). The picture on the right shows from left to right, Senthil, Vipul, Rahul (who had my camera for most of the night), Earnest and Jatender. The picture on the left is a group picture, with most of the people invited to the evening meal. Many thanks to Earnest and Senthil for the evening out, and wishing them the best of luck for the future. Earnest is staying in Doha, where he has lived for the last 11 years, and looking for a new venture. Senthil is leaving at the end of November, heading back to India for a few days, before returning to our Honeywell Newhouse office in Scotland.

I started the week sifting through 143 emails, as my remote access was not working during my break, so I let the emails mount up. Just getting back in to the swing of things here on site. Now relaxing and enjoying the day off, after a lay in, to catch up on some sleep.