Dubai, Düsseldorf, Berlin, Newcastle, London and Henley, but not Rothbury...

Like a terrorist leader trying to prove my kidneys haven't failed I'd like to make a couple of topical comments.
1. Why don't they dig a ditch around Rothbury and fill it with water, they could call it the Moatmoat? Removed for reasons of poor taste.
2. Cephalopods cannot predict the future. If they could they would deliberately fling themselves out of their tanks before arriving in Oberhausen. Seriously, Darlington is unlucky to be twinned with such a concrete place... this should tell you all you need to know.

Well our household's specific interest in the World Cup is now over. It has actually been brilliant. I forgot about England's ignominy quickly and have since enjoyed supporting Germany's dynamic team. It's been an excellent tournament here since there are nearly always people from each competing nation, bars are open 24 hours and the weather is hot enough all the time to sit outside and enjoy the games en masse. Some locals and Americans get a bit confused and cheer at the wrong times, but in general it has been brilliant. Since I've been transferring my support based on loyalties, I will now shift to the Oranje army in honour of the van Wagtendonks.

It's been nigh on 40 degrees for a fortnight now and I'mm loving it. A chilled apartment, outdoor pools, rooftop bars and ice cold beers make it easier to bear.

Anyway, the purpose and title of the post; we'll be back in Europe for between 3 and 4 weeks. Caroline unfortunately has to return before me for work, but it's happened the other way around too, so it's not so bad.

These are our travel plans, let us know if, where and when you'd like to catch up:

Thu, Jul 22 23:55 Flight from Beijing (PEK) to Dubai (DXB)
Fri, Jul 23 08:40 Flight from Dubai (DXB) to Dusseldorf (DUS)
15:05 Flight from Dusseldorf (DUS) to Berlin (TXL)
Mon, Aug 2 16:40 Flight from Berlin (TXL) to London (LHR)
Sometime that week we'll be heading south to London and Henley
Caroline back to Beijing
Sun, Aug 8 Flight from London (LHR) to Dubai (DXB)
Mon, Aug 9 Flight from Dubai (DXB) to Beijing (PEK)
Then sometime that week I'll be heading back north to Newcastle
Sat, Aug 14 13:35 Flight from Newcastle (NCL) to Dubai (DXB)
Sun, Aug 15 11:00 Flight from Dubai (DXB) to Beijing (PEK)