Come dressed as you were in 1960 read the invite to the Awali Swimming Club Sixties night- so I did. I went as a baby with nappy, messy big and big safety pin. I had a dummy and a bottle and some nappy rash cream. Kevin put together one of his fiendishly difficult Sixties Quizzes and we had sixties music, psychedelic cocktails, food, some sixties posters ( thanks to Mark Johns in the UK) and a fancy dress competition. We had people of all ages and nationalities and a great night was had by all. It was one of three great nights I organised there- the others being a Motown night and the one and only GBBF1- more on that later!
Bahrain is a very transient island and people come and go- but many still keep in touch, albeit by messages on Facebook! Occasionally people return and when JJ told me Bill was coming to stay for a few days we arranged a night out. Bill thought he was just going for a quiet dinner with Wedad and John. Then our former colleagues Huda and Basma walked in. The kind staff moved us to a larger table- then his former overseas scholars kept arriving in small groups until the " Fancy seeing you here Bill" line was wearing a bit thin and he smelt a rat! We ended up with a room to ourselves and the 15 of us enjoyed catching up with Bill and eachother.
Paul H and Neil 1 on the pepper pot at Hamala
Some lunches and dinners were for smaller groups but just as memorable . One such event were our lunches at Hamala. The guys took cool boxes of beer and Mr Hamilton drove us ( sideways over the speed humps) in his luxury limo, and we had several enjoyable lunches with a core group and then others turning up when they were able. Even our executive store keeper, Patrick, joined us for one meal.
Neil 1 in the winners line up after the 3 km fun run
Just before I get accused of eating and drinking all the time I would like to point out we had healthy events too like the 3 KM fun run, and the Wellbeing Walk and Talk events . I even went to support Tim in the Triathlon at the Sofitel when Neil G tempted me with a cheap breakfast. On the way back to the car I met the DCE of Tatweer Petroleum, Hisham Zubari, on his way to the gym at the Sofitel ( very expensive!). "Oh I did not know you were a member here" he said as we passed eachother. " No I was here for the Triathlon" . I realised later he thought I was competing as he kept asking how my triathlons were going!
The Thai stall at one of the "Bahrain for all" events
One of the things I tried to do was break out of Awali and the expat life style so I attended many national events help in the capital Manama. One of these was "Bahrain for all" where there were stalls and displays by all the different country groups. So you could buy Thai food or watch the Philipino dancing. We would usually meet friends and colleagues there and each year the event became more popular .
The Pinoys practice their traditional dancing.
We also had family fun days both in our park in Awali and also at the Bahrain International circuit where there would be stilt walkers, live bands, stalls , competitions and slices of the Middle Eastern life with bands, dancing and falconry displays. As I did not have a family in Bahrain I would invite my friends and houseboys to come along so they get some free gifts and food.
TBK with a Falcon, well respected in the Middle East
Working for a petrol company ( the largest in Bahrain) had its advantages as we sponsored all the major events that needed fuel ( drag racing, F1, Air show etc) and that meant we frequently had free tickets to go to these events.
TBK at an event at the Bahrain International Circuit in 2014
We also organised our own events like when we all went Bowling- Anis and Fatima joined JJ and his some, and Ate Sheryl, Cheryl and Hazel
We also raised a lot of money for Charity through our Beer Festival and other events, and my friends and I helped walk the dogs at Tony the Dogfather's animal sanctuary. They held various sales which we assisted at and from one of which I bought my Halo Halo glasses.
Tony receives the money from our Beer Festival
TBK and two of his favourite dogs in Bahrain
There were a lot more events over the 12 years in Bahrain but the best was in the first year I was there, 2010. My brother flew in for my 50th Birthday and we held the first ( and only ) Great Bahrain Beer Festival ( GBBF1) . We got our suppliers to donate beer and raffle prizes and sold tickets to the event and the raffle, and the profits were donated to the animal sanctuary.
TBK with the GBBF1 Tee shirt and Elbha ( my Dietician!)
Neil 1 , in spite of his injured arm, help us set up bars at the Car club and the sailing club and John Steer manned the Tennis club and Dave Williams the Football club where kung Fu provided a curry feast to mop up all the beer. Thank goodness Neil's arm was better by the evening....
Judith and Neil 1 at GBBF1
So , as you have seen, as well as working hard at Bapco we had some fun times as well. Thanks to everyone featured and all those I missed out!
As usual if yo want me to remember more from mu past just drop me a line and I will dust off the archived photos!
Hello, I am The British Kabayan! Feel free to read my stories.
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