The plan was to drive into Oman after work so that we could get up at 6.15 and be walking by 6.45. This would give us all day to reach the top of Jebel Shams and get back down before dark.

The reality was a freezing cold night in the tent so that when the alarm went off at 6.15 we rolled over and waited for the sun to come up.

We eventually started walking at 9.30 so got nowhere near the summit but still managed to see some spectacular views.

The next day saw us on yet another Omani Ministry of Tourism official walks. This time the abandoned village of As Sab – a fabulous donkey track clinging to the cliff along the edge of Wadi Nakhar.

This was a very rushed three hour round trip with little time to explore the village. We are absolutely certain that we will come so were not concerned. Next time we will explore the abandoned terraces and the lake above the village all nestled in the impossibly steep cliffs.