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Another week has passed where I have been all over Bahrain and sampled so many different walks of life.
My family started off the week with a special outing for our little Hannah (our pony/horse loving daughter). Where she got such a love for horses I don't know, as I like to look at them - but after falling off one when I was about 12 I definitely keep a wide berth from these four-legged friends. Although my wife Wendy likes horses and riding she doesn't exactly get all that excited about it, although perhaps she was more enthusiastic when she was younger.
However, a lovely gentleman by the name of Allan Smith - who trains horses here in Bahrain - invited us down to the stables where he works.
He said that Hannah could ride the resident 'Pony' whose name is Rio. Well, when we got there out trotted Rio with Paul (Allan's son) riding. Apparently, in horse racing circles, the term pony doesn't always mean a little horse. This 'pony' was massive.
The ponies that Hannah is used to riding at the Dilmun Club Riding School are literally half the size of Rio but she took one loving look and when I asked whether she would like to have a ride she answered straight away, "Of course, Daddy!" Phew, braver than me, I thought.
Anyway, Allan took Wendy and I round the stables to look at some of the magnificent horses he takes care of whilst Paul and Hannah rode off into the distance.
Wendy kept wandering away to see if Hannah had had enough, until we realised that she could probably never have enough, and I learned more about horse riding and racing in an hour than I'd previously learned during my whole life.
I also found out that I'm just a little bit allergic to them. I've always thought that Wendy was a bit of a wimp about allergies (as she always wants to know if there are cats and dogs etc at houses when we go visiting so she can go prepared with antihistamines and Ventolin in hand). But when we sat down for a coffee and a chat later on Wendy and I both sniffed and sneezed continuously and just about finished off Allan's box of tissues between us.
This week my 'Music Mania' music TV show was filmed at the Palace Hotel; where I interviewed a couple of amazing rappers called Hotline and D Boy. Joining us filming were three guys who performed some amazing 'popping' and break dancing. We had a great time down there thanks to Lou for his hospitality and to Sarah from 'Grind' for arranging everything.
Don't forget if you want to feature something on my TV programme just drop me an email to musicmania@live.com
We love going to various venues out-and-about in Bahrain and meeting the weird and wonderful characters who make our community so interesting and diverse.
Speaking of interesting and diverse, on Thursday night we went on down to the Dilmun Cub to see the seasonal pantomime; the club's very own rendition of 'Dick Whittington'.
Now my wife is an Australian, so trying to explain to her what a 'Panto' was all about, was quite difficult. You see, traditionally, the leading man is a woman dressed as a man the other main characters also cross dress; the leading woman is always a man dressed as a woman, and then there's also lots of fun, mayhem, songs and laughter throughout. It's extremely corny, predictable, and full of in-jokes and it's absolutely wonderful.
I had interviewed the producer Gavin Baldwin and one of the stars on the radio a couple of days before and it was suggested that I make a guest cameo appearance during the show. So, when they are having a 'Pop Idol' type contest and Gavin (Davina in the show) wanted a top class judge like Simon Cowell / Bruce Forsyth to come on stage and judge the contest, he (or should that be, she) introduced me.
And I did something I've always wanted to do. I came on the stage and hid behind Davina. So, the crowd shouted "He's behind you" in true panto fashion, till eventually we got together and all did a funny version of "Singing in the Rain" with the rest of the cast.
Then, on Friday afternoon I was an auctioneer at Krumz restaurant for an event organised by a couple of lovely ladies (Nikki and Paula) to raise funds for a cause that is very close to my heart; the BSPCA.
It was a huge success and well over BD3,000 was raised with generous contributions from so many people. At the end, Sandy, the manageress at the sanctuary, made a lovely heart-rending speech that got everyone reaching for their hankies. A huge thanks to everyone involved for your wonderful work.
After the auction I went home and lay on the settee for a couple of hours, and then I was off out again to DJ at a 'going away' party for Peter and Maureen Loubser. Peter was Captain of Riffa Golf Club.
The couple are leaving the shores of Bahrain in January to go back to their native South Africa. The event was held outside and by the end of the night a few people ended up fully clothed in the swimming pool. Brrr! Good thing it was a 'mild' winter's evening.
Until next week, keep happy and have that smile on your face!
Krazy Kevin
