Before we move to our apartment and while I still have access to Wi-Fi and the internet a quick update on what happened in the past two weeks. We were completely immersed in moving from Canada to Abu Dhabi: from Craigslist sales of some of our furniture, saying good-bye to our friends and emptying our Vancouver apartment to simultaneously packing what we thought we may need here in Abu Dhabi. It felt like a marathon for 10 days with no time for ourselves. Amazingly, everything was done by the deadline, our departure flight on May 6 th. Arriving here has been quieter for me since I am still waiting for my immigration application to return. It is anticipated for early next week. My husband on the other hand had to continue “running” as his work started the day after our arrival. Being the leaseholder of the rental apartment he had to communicate with maintenance and cleaners. At least, with a second key I can now help by waiting for deliveries. Anticipated move-in day is this Thursday with a bed and couch in place. There is very little storage in the kitchen and we will be creative once there. In the meantime we try to enjoy the amenities at the hotel: a nice pool and great views over a golf course and the channel towards downtown.

Golf course and mangroves

Towards Ferrari World

Turning around one has the view of our pile of luggage we are currently living out of. We managed to move with a total of 10 large bags in three flights and now realize, we may have brought way more items than needed. My crafting supplies alone took up three bags. I will be busy knitting and spinning for the years to come without even needing to buy a thing. Which, obviously, will not really stop me. But my sincere plan is to use up most of this stash – there is still more left in Canada !- and NOT shop on my travels.

So, I have one finished knit item to share: a second pair of socks with a longer cuff in the awesome sock yarn from White Birch Fibre Arts in the colourway “Umbrella drinks forever” which I modified in the heel area from my last pair featured here.

Happy with the slower pace of getting settled I started two new knits: another pair of socks in a variegated yarn from BlueMoonFibreArts  in the colourway “Tangerine Dreams” which reminds me of spring flowers. Unfortunately, I will frog or unravel them since I realized just now that the 48 stitches on a 2.25 mm needle is a little to big for my feet and I don’t like the toebox. The next pair will be 44 stitches and starting with 16 stitches in a turkish cast-on. 

The other knit is the Channa sweater by Liisa Nieminen which I swatched for a few weeks ago and then did not have time to pursue. Knitting with the Katia Linen-Cotton-Mix is definitely better when using sharper pointed needles, but still I need to check every row that I didn’t split the yarn. The yarn feels a bit “hard” at this point, but will soften once washed and dried.

I am looking forward to move to our own place soon and being able to unpack all of our clothes, housewares and my Majacraft Suzie Pro spinning wheel. Hoping that everything arrived as packed for creating our personal space with photos, small home decorations and tokens from our friends and family. Soon life will feel more normal again with spinning and knitting for entertainment. 

Until next time with first impressions from life in Abu Dhabi!