[talkSAFT]

Where in Saudi, Aries?
I was there in the 80s, at Riyadh, Jeddah, and Qasim. What a flipping miserable time I had!

I've been in Al Baha in the south west and now I'm in Al Ahsa in the Eastern Province, and I can tell you things are no better except my bank balance! I've visited Riyadh and Jeddah, I think Jeddah is overrated, to get to any beach as a single European you have to travel something stupid like 30 miles. I did like Riyadh though, but life in Saudi Arabia is still sterile on so many levels. For a weekend break, we either drive to Bahrain (2 hours) or catch a bus to Doha in Qatar (3-4 hours) - there are some nice places in both where you can get a drink, and really good restaurants, and there's women.

Drink???
In Saudi - as you know - alcohol is forbidden, and punishable by "The Lash", but we used to brew beer in our villa, and not dare leave the premises. We had to get arseholed to get any enjoyment. We used to buy tins of malt by the cartload till the Saudis realised what we were buying it for - then they took it off the shelves, so we'd buy grapejuice and make wine, then applejuice and make a decent cider. Happy days (not!)



Spen,
I used to park in Handsworth towards B'ham - still on the A41 - just past the Royal Oak (good boozer). I parked there on the street for 10-20 years without any bother at all - and it's free!