As we start the descent into Dubai, the Saudia non-stop promotional roller-coaster is regaling us with 'Monsters vs Aliens' and men in white dresses sat astride black horses, striding heroically across fields of green. I wonder about the latter, as I've not seen a green field over here - must be related to the previous ad, grass by DreamWorks Animation.

We're off to Dubai (boss & I) for some business (we need a system), and some golf, we intend to come back with the trophy again (we won it last year too). Hopes are high that we can do a repeat, though our battlefield of choice has just a little too much in the way of water hazards for most of our motley band of high handicappers. Playing off 26, I'm primarily interested in keeping the number of lost balls for the three days below that figure. One should always have an objective in mind at such events.

We do seem to be in the early stages of our descent, but rather oddly, the smell of freshly toasted teacakes is wafting round the cabin. Wonder if that's a frisson of excitement surrounding the animated conversation in front of me - extra from MIB meets Filipino air stewardess, or are they called something else these days - whatever, something is warming up nicely. We're on a 747 today, bit of overkill considering that I doubt there are 50 people on board - must have seen the size of the golf bags we checked in with and realised something more substantial than the scheduled MD90 was called for. We're doing well time-wise, 20 miles to go and we may still get to the hotel in time for the Liverpool vs Manchester United kick-off. Beach-balls at the ready...