Morag from Manama

It was meant to be and perfect timing! That’s exactly what I have been muttering to myself all day long and, yes, I’ve had more than a few strange glances in my direction.

I frequently talk to myself you see, generally when I’m feeling a little stressed or in today’s case when something, by chance, turns out to be quite wonderful!

My clock is ticking away, that’s my Scottish departure clock and not my biological clock just in case you are wondering! With the husband and our younger children returned safely to Manama and with my duties of assisting our beloved eldest son in to his University Halls complete, I saw a window of opportunity – shopping!

Anyway, picture this, it’s a Saturday and the end of the month (pay day) and my hometown is awash with eager shoppers. I have already made one trip back to my car to offload a mountain of shopping bags.

Quickly my wee arms are laden down with a second round of bags and just as I am crossing the road, shopping over, I hear a familiar voice calling my name. I turn and look in every direction when, lo and behold, I spot friends from Bahrain. I can’t believe it!

Meeting someone from your expat posting in your own home country is always a joy and what were the odds on us meeting at that particular time and place?

They had just landed and were about to go in search of their daughter’s university block and student accommodation. I couldn’t resist, it had to be done. There was only one thing for it! I had to bundle them into my car and do the thing I like doing most as I turned into ‘Morag, the tour guide’.

The sun shone and a wonderful afternoon was had by all, thanks to being in the right place at the right time.