Dashing up the Oman Batina Coast over the last few days I managed to enjoy one of Oman’s Bull Fight spectacles. This was a local affair – and I guess that over 30 bulls were brought for their day of glory. Of course, not a drop of blood is expected to flow – this is Bull against Bull – and when it becomes clear which of a pair is the more dominant they are pulled apart and taken off.

At the opposite end of the scale I managed to enjoy the sight of Oman’s Little Bee ‘Apis florea’ . These are less numerous than Apis mellifera (the honeybee) – but are probably better adapted to Oman’s summer heat. Unfortunately, like the honey bee they are suffering from a unknown swarm killer (possibly virus ) .

Back again in Muscat – it’s raining; a great thing for Oman as always, though apparently in the north-west several deaths have occurred.