Is it just me or is everybody leaving the middle east? I know a lot have left because the numbers no longer stack up. I know that a lot of old folk are working from home. I know quite a few have moved to remote camps in the desert. Riyadh is very quiet. Is it the same where you live?

I now work almost exclusively from home, but I don't feel like people are leaving in droves for good - only the summer.

Basically everyone left on holiday. My kids went to a softplay today and we were the only ones there, for two hours.

Did they spray your shoes with the magic anti-covid spray that is so effective they only need to do about 1/4 of the shoe?

That makes sense for Riyadh but what about Dubai I didnt think anyone was letting them in.

Our remote camp in the desert will be three times the size by this time next year. Was certainly winding down for Eid, and I’m just back in Riyadh after spending most of the month in NYC and UK.

It's only the UK, really. Europeans are all able to return to their home countries. And the Brits in the UAE are just going to selected countries (anywhere from Albania to Jordan) on holiday (and then continuing on to the UK if they really want to go back home).

I'm currently in Spain, almost 3 weeks here now thanks to the big Eid.

Weirdly quiet in places, so much is closed up - hard to tell if they're just the lazy bastards we know or if that many businesses have been hammered by the virus.

Snap. Whereabouts?

I do about 80% of my work from home now - even got a bigger apartment so I can have a dedicated room for an office.

I know a lot of people who have left or are considering it. And many more who are in a position where staying isn't viable. Dubai still seems to be quite busy in certain sectors...and still appealing if you're able to rake in a chunky income or aren't interested in bling and keeping up with the Jones.

N.

Having had some nice time with our families these last few weeks, she said she wants to move home soon. I think it's covid and travel restrictions, but I never dismiss it, I always listen and ask for her plan - so we'll see.

Whilst we're both earning and working hard, I see greater opportunity to save / invest / travel* and enjoy things from here than in the UK where house prices are nothing short of disgusting and the only place it still seems to earn decent cash is London.

*covid permitting

Make the most of your time as DINKYs, because once you're married and have kids it all goes to shit re savings and travel. Or you'll be saving a lot less anyway, and for sure traveling for pleasure is finished.

This...with bells on

This is cropping up more to be honest, the delays in wedding are having a knock on effect on the kid conversation. She's still quite negative about the idea, at least more negative than me anyway. I'm keen to be a Dad (I'll obviously be incredible as a role model to a smaller version of me) but am increasingly joining her in the thinking that they just ruin your life. Her career is flying at the moment and taking time out for a nipper would have an impact. Lots of factors to be honest, but we'll see.

The more years that tick by, the more likely it'll be hard to achieve so we'll have to decide what we do when we're married anyway. We've discussed adopting, having kids and not having kids so they're all on the table.

What if it’s a girl?

I have three of these blood suckers, and while they do ruin your life, and I do love the dog more; the kids are great. I’d be keen to add to the nest. Pregnant women are awful people though and I’ve been rewired so unless it adoption then it’s looking like more dogs.