45th Anniversary

Last year was the 45th anniversary of Sultan Qaboos Said al Said becoming ruler of Oman. 'HilaryinOman' sent me this badge, I think they are not commonly available so I treasure it very much and appreciate her great kindness in thinking of me and sending it.
Sultan Qaboos took power in 1970, from his father who was a bit of a tyrant. Qaboos has transformed the country making life for it's inhabitants a lot easier with education, health services, roads etc. Always been pro-British and he attended military training academies in the UK.
It's a wonderful desert country which, for those that aren't familiar with it, covers the upper half of the Eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. 
My first posting was the island of Masirah, Oman, from July 1968 to October 1969. I've always had a fondness for Oman and it's people who are incredibly friendly.
As you will know, I returned to Oman in October 2014 and had a wonderful 10 day trip from Muscat in the North to Salalah in the South, spending a couple of days on Masirah Island.

N.B. for Kevmersh - the badge on the left is Blackwatch Regiment, this was my fathers badge. He served with the 6th Battalion Blackwatch during the war and then A&SH 1945-47 in Palestine.