Dr Tom Vosner gave a very interesting talk about a Dhow being built in Oman. It will eventually sail to Singapore and become the focus for a Museum about the Belitung wreck, which was probably an Arab dhow which sank in the 9thc laden with an extraordinary cargo. The Dhow being built features 'stitched timbers', a key factor in Arab dhows of the 9thc and the one which identified the Belitung as a ‘West Indian Ocean’ boat.

Today, close to where the Dhow is being built, I came upon these Donkeys just after I finished a swim. The first little herd I have seen in the main area of Muscat for many years. They were wandering through the wadi that goes into what must be Muscat’s most popular beach at the weekend (it's so busy that I never go on a Thursday or Friday because the sea is full of pleasure boats ) , Bandar Jissah , just behind them is the famous Iron Age Cemetery and associated Iron Age Village of Bandar Jissah .