HX Report
Irishman in the Middle East
Al Hadaf Shooting Range
Posted on November 4, 2022
In case anyone thinks MB is some kind of gun nut, he’s not. He would be very much on the side of strict gun control and bans on military-type weaponry if he lived in countries where such debates rage. MB appreciates that others have opposing views. And certain arguments they espouse have merit. But coming from a country that put away the guns in recent years after 800 years of it, MB can see the benefits of gunless society, more or less.
But MB digresses……………………….
Apart from the occasional usage of an old single-barrel shotgun growing up on a farm, MB was not familiar with any sort of firearms until he and a friend recently visited the newly opened gun range in Doha called ‘Al Hadaf’. It’s next to Khalifa Football Stadium or Villagio Shopping Mall, and means in English ‘The Target’. It’s a super-modern facility and has a 100M range for pistol and rifle practice. A ‘clay’ range is currently under construction and will open in a few months from now.
In addition to the range, Al Hadaf has coffee shops, a VIP lounge (de rigeure at any new facility in Qatar!), and a showroom to view lots of merchandise. Needless to say, many of the facility instructors were asking MB if his name was, by any chance, Client Eastwood. MB gave them a steely stare, and didn’t even need a ‘make my day’ statement!
So, dear HX followers, if any of you happen to be visiting Qatar for the November/December FIFA World Cup, or anytime soon, a visit to Al Hadaf is a few hours well spent, if shooting’s your cup of tea.
A few pics……………………
Ed’s Blog From The Bog – Reblogged by HX Report
Posted on July 16, 2020
MB’s cousin RO’R is married to Tommy O’Rourke. The live in Dublin, Ireland. RO’R, like MB, is north of 50, to put some context on this reblog from Ed’s Blog.
A few short years back, very suddenly, Tommy lost his sight. Life suddenly went from the normal to the very abnormal. Previously Tommy was a huge fan of live horse racing and the game of golf. The passion obviously remained, but under very different circumstances.
Today, MB received a copy of Ed’s Blog From The Bog (from RO’R – see below) which mentions Tommy and his introduction to the world of blind golf. MB was not previously aware of the blind golf world. But what a great world to discover, particularly in these trying times. And huge well done to all those involved and who give of their time to nurture and foster this world.
Best wishes to Tommy for the future and to super caddy RO’R. Hopefully that hole-in-one near-miss on the Par 3 first might be converted some time in the near future to the real thing!
MB
Reblog of Ed’s Blog, where the debutaubt exploits of Tommy O’Rourke are mentioned:
Windows with a view
Posted on January 13, 2020
Windows with a view.
Thanks to Amy for the ‘windows’ challenge.
MB offers an original MB Monet-type effort for this week’s challenge.
MB kids you not.
On second thoughts, describing MB’s composition as ‘Monet-like’ is not to do it the huge justice it so thoroughly deserves.
Minimalist, yet not.
Textured, yet not.
A window, yet not.
Blurry, yet not (that’s where Mr Claude Monet enters the MB scene).
A genre of photography not yet invented, so to speak.
MB entitles his composition:
Skiers. Yet not. Through the dirty window of a French Ski Lift.
You are so full of crap MB.
That’s probably a shot you forgot to delete.
It’s a total bullshit shot.
And now you’re pawning it off as some sort of Photo Fine Art.
You think you’ve fooled us MB.
Yet not!
Lens Artists Photo Challenge – Architecture
Posted on March 3, 2019
Architecture. Big thanks to Amy for the challenge.
The Al Shaqab horse arena in Doha, Qatar, is an architecturally-impressive mega-structure situated on the northern outskirts of the city. It features hugely impressive indoor and outdoor arenas of equal scale, which host show jumping, dressage, and other equestrian events. There is an emphasis on promoting the Arab horse breed. The below shots feature the outdoor arena FYI.
MB attended Al Shaqab for the first time yesterday afternoon to view a Swiss watch company Longines-sponsored international show jumping event, featuring over 40 horses and riders from many countries, including three from MB’s Ireland. Everybody who attended got a free USD 1,000 Longines watch to boot, which was extremely generous of the Qatar/Longines people. Longines company are producing quality watches in Saint-Imier, Switzerland, since 1832. MB just thought he would give them this little plug/mention in thanks for the awesome freebee, which should see sales hit an all-time high in the coming weeks.
MB did not have any super duper camera & zoom lenses with him. All below shots were taken on MBs Sony RX 100 M6 pocket camera.
“You’re a genius MB. How do you keep on doing it?”
“Thank you guys. Nail on the head, MB guesses. Genius.”
“And did you not take any shots with your Huawei Chinese Camera Phone thingy MB?”
“Of course MB did guys. But MB will save those for another post. Too much awesomeness could be just a little too much for followers to handle in one single post.”
“BTW guys. MB was just kidding about the free Longines watch!”
“Ha ha ha, MB. What a kidder you are!”
“Voila guys:”
It’s the weekend
Posted on February 21, 2019
It’s the weekend
Posted on November 8, 2018
Sport.
Seems like every weekend in Ireland has some sporting activity of one sort or another. If your kids happen to be sporty, then as a parent you will be on the road a lot. In winter, the field sports of rugby and soccer (as the Irish refer to football) are played, while the uniquely Irish sports of Hurling and Gaelic Football are played in Summer. That’s not to mention the numerous other indoor our outdoor sports available to Irish kids all year round.
When MB was home at September, he witnessed his daughter MB2 win a big Gaelic Football regional final with her local club.
MB caught these two at that game having their own sport while the big game was going on!
Qatar Blockade – Update
Posted on August 4, 2017
Weekly Photo Challenge – Friend
Posted on May 31, 2017
MB remembers the love his two sisters had for horse riding in their younger days. Like most young girls who share that same pastime, MBs sisters always considered their horses a close friend. The horse friend was/is very often treated with far more TLC than, for example, a brother!
MB saw this guy as he drove on the road from Lough Gur lake to HX last week when he was home, and stopped to take the shot.
Foto Friday – Camels
Posted on March 10, 2017
MB went to watch camel racing today. More photos will follow, but here’s one for the moment, for MB’s Foto Friday.
Weekly Photo Challenge – Graceful
Posted on January 20, 2017
Top sports people always look graceful. They make their sport look easy.
MB gives you a shot of Novak Djokovic at the recent Qatar Tennis Open.
Weekly Photo Challenge – Morning
Posted on August 6, 2016
HX. Early morning, 21 June 2015. Solstice morning.
Sunrise & jet trails over the Grange Stone Circle; and a short while later, cyclists from a Limerick city club pass by on their way to the annual lakefront solstice breakfast.
Morning Sunrise
Cyclists
Weekly Photo Challenge – Numbers
Posted on June 3, 2016
MB must mention that this golf ball, lying in the Dubai Emirates GC rough, is not MBs. You would generally find MB’s ball slap bang in the middle of the fairway, minimum 250 yards from the T-box!
Not MB’s golf ball
Weekly Photo Challenge – Jubilant
Posted on May 22, 2016
The HX soccer club won the local Cup Final on Friday night, completing a season League & Cup double. Needless to say, they were jubilant!
Trip Home – Road Runner
Posted on March 20, 2016
MB was on the HX/LG road early morning when he passed former HX soccer player and current An Bru AC member BL who was out for a pre-breakfast run. MB allowed him to pass on, and when the distance was sufficient, MB jumped out of the car (he does that a lot) and caught BL running off into the distance. Just like the Road Runner.
Beep beep!
Road Runner
HX Report 