Bismillah, alhamdulillah.

We needed a water tank as the old one was leaking. These tanks sit perched at the highest possible point on a building and are quite large. The smallest capacity is 1000 litres costing 750 Riyals at that volume. Other more expensive varieties exist which claim to keep the water cool and can start at 4000 Riyals.

Being quite large you can’t carry them through the door and up onto the roof via the roof access. The word crane had been mentioned and I sat waiting for the delivery of the tank. I was very surprised to find that it arrived in a small pickup with no crane in sight. On inquiring two men brandished their coiled ropes and said don’t worry they would sort it out. The pictures tell the rest of the story. As with programs for children this one goes with a danger warning – do not do this at home!

First: One worker climbs onto the edge of the wall on the flat roof and assesses the situation from the third floor.

Second he squats calmly on the edge and lowers two ropes down.

Third the ropes are tied around the water tank, with a third steering rope.

Fourth, he is joined by his colleague, equally happy to sit perched on the edge of the roof oblivious of the potential danger.

Fifth, with a gravity defying deftness they stand up and begin to haul up the water tank.

Sixth, job done.

Welcome to Jeddah.