This week has not only been one celebrating the National Day of Oman but it has had a preponderance of glamorous mechanical equipment on the streets and skys.

First off were Britain’s Red Arrows. They come to Oman on a regular basis and perform over the main beach in Muscat. The attraction is such that the main road traffic is brought to a standstill. Fortunately they did not clash with the next arrival.

Slightly less visible but equally audible has been the HOGS (Harley Owners Group) visit to Oman. Based in the very fine Muscat Intercontinental (one of our favorite hotels in Oman), dozens of Harley-Davidsons took up a good part of the hotels substantial main car park. I was in Barka, a town along the coast from Muscat when many rode past – perhaps from Dubai or as they often do Kuwait – and it was their thunderous roar that made me decide to take a peak at their home for the few days of their stay in Muscat.