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hkhan

37
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 July 2016 - 00:59
Thank you Yorkgirl for your reply. I will have a look when I go to City Centre next. I bought 3 bottles once when I was in the UK but it has such strong smell and taste that I only had it once but I am going to try again and give it another go. What do you use it for and how do you consume it if you don't mind me asking. Most places I have read says add up water and drink :sick:
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 July 2016 - 20:27
Hi ummsana, Yes I am in Doha. I moved here end of March when my children broke up for Easter holidays in the UK. Congratulations on expecting baby number 3. Hope your pregnancy is going well. Will you have the baby in Qatar or fly back out to the UK? Yes it is a good idea to start driving yourself especially with a baby and your husband being away a lot too. For the time you are not driving you can use the following services: Karwa taxi Careen Über I only have experience with karwa. You can also get a driver of you want. I am not sure how much they charge but maybe around 2000/2500 QR a month ( I heard a mum mention that she pays 3000 QR for morning and afternoon pick up for a 20 min distance from Home to school but the driver would drop her back home in the morning as she used to come with the children and in the afternoon he would pick her up from home and take her school and than drop her and the kids home) As long as you can do the school run and the grocery shopping ,you will b fine. That is all I want to do, just practice the school run and I have a few shops around me which are not very far. Which area will you be living in? Are your girls starting the Oryx school which is for Qatar airways staff ? My children school will be starting on 4th September too and than Eid holidays from the 13th till 18th. I am spending the summer in Qatar as I only moved her less than four months ago. It has been quite hot here especially the month of July when the humidity has kicked in too. School have been off for nearly month but there isnot much I have done with the children due to the heat. If you want any more information than don't hesitate to ask.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 July 2016 - 12:27
Hi ummsana, Hope you are ok. Have you moved to Doha yet or still in the UK. My son only did the last term of the school here in Doha as I arrived in March. My husband work shifts change in daily basis, so the days that he can't do the school run, I order a taxi. I have the Karwa taxi app on my phone which I use to order the taxi. I will be honest with you, twice the taxi driver didn't turn up and sometimes they are late but as my son was in year 3 it was ok as he actually preferred me going late to pick him up so he could play with his friends lol My experience with the taxi hasn't been too bad but not 100% but Allhamdullilah I managed the full term. 15 mins before your pick up time, you receive a text with the driver details and number and you can also track the driver. In September my younger one will b starting too so I am practicing driving as though they will both be in the same school , he will finish 15mins earlier and he needs picking up from his class and I have been told he needs to be picked up on time whereas my older son's class is let out in the playground when school finishes. How far is your girls school from home? Are there other families whose children go to the same school ?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 April 2016 - 23:06
Welcome to Doha myles1. We arrived here 4 weeks ago ( though I have lived here for 10 months before, this time last year we were packing to go back to the UK after my husband lost his job) The weather is still quite nice. This will be my first summer here. Last time I arrived in August and left in April so I have missed the intense months of June and July. To be honest , August was v hot too n humid. Hope you find a villa soon and start settling in. I don't drive here ( got my licence though). I have to do the school run at times which I do in a taxi.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 April 2016 - 14:13
Hi, Is Al Fardan Gardens 5 in Ar-rayyan? According to google map it is a 30 min drive from there to DESS. I am not sure what the traffic will be like. My son goes to DESS aswell and we live in al - dafna ( 2 mins away from Doha college in Westbay) and it takes us around 15 mins to get to DESS. What year are your children in ?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 April 2016 - 14:08
Hi LushOH Thank you for the reply. My son had his assessment last week and was successful and has been offered a place at DESS. It is such a relief to have both my boys going to the same school.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 April 2016 - 19:25
Hi ummsana, Just thought I'd ask you how was your trip to Doha during the Easter holidays ? Hope you and the kids enjoyed yourself. Have you managed to sort out the schooling? I have been in Doha for just under 3 weeks. All the paperwork done now allhamdullilah. We managed to get permission from SEC too and my son started school here on Sunday. If you need any questions answering than feel free to ask.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 April 2016 - 19:21
Hi, The Doha College in Westbay only offers primary education. Their Campus in Al Waab offers secondary but I am not sure if they have primary too because if they don't than you will have to enrol your children in both campuses as your 2 children are in primary and one in secondary.i There are quite few compounds near the Al Waab campus which can be convenient for you only if the Al Waab campus has primary schooling too.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 April 2016 - 23:12
Thank you for your reply. I had already been to Sharq Dental Centre by the time you had replied. I must admit it was really difficult to locate due to all the construction going on around that area. We followed google map location that the receptionist whatsapped me. I saw Dr Nizar Kharma too and was happy with the way he dealt with me and would definitely go to him again if needed to again.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 April 2016 - 23:09
Hi ladies Hope you are all well. I have a question regarding assessment at DESS for pre school. My younger son has an assessment this week. Have any of you been through the assessment with your child for pre school. My son should be starting Reception in September 2016. What shall I expect from the assessment. What are the teachers assessing him will be looking for ? My older son will be starting at DESS tomorrow so ideally I want both of my children to be attending the same school.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 March 2016 - 14:05
No you don't need immunisation record for when you go now on holiday but when you do move permanently in Shaa Allah than schools do ask for immunisation record so have it for than.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 March 2016 - 03:41
No I have not driven in Qatar. I do not even drive here in the UK even though I have a licence. The first time around my hubby did the pick and drop from school as he would drop in the morning n go straight to work and than pick up in his lunch hour. It was too hectic for him. This time he has told me that he can't do that so I will either need to drive or we might get a driver. I do not feel comfortable using the school bus for my younger one who is 3.5 yrs old at the moment. Another thing is that nursery and reception year in most schools finish one hour early compared to year 1 onwards so we have to make some kind of arrangement for that too as my younger one will be starting reception in September. The school you mentioned only opened recently so they will more than likely have no waiting list. The school that my son went too was very new too and they had no waiting list at the time either. Make sure you take immunisation record for your children from the GP once you do move in Shaa Allah as schools do ask for them. In Shaa Allah when you travel now in the next few weeks , make sure you n your children passports have 6 months validity to enter Qatar and you have a credit card to make the visa payment at the airport. Another thing is to let your bank know that you will be travelling abroad so when you go use your card, they do not block it. These are small and silly little things but it helps once you are there to avoid any issues,
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 March 2016 - 02:23
I live more towards central Manchester. I totally understand what you mean about just wanting to live as a family. I lived away from hubby for 5 months the first time and this time he has been away since December so I don't know how you coped for a year. I just googled ORYX school as I have never heard of it. If it is a school for Qatar airways employees than is it not easy for you to secure school places for your children? Where is your accommodation? Traffic is horrendous in Doha so it is better to live near school and work.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 March 2016 - 19:36
Omg I am in Manchester too. No I have never home schooled. The first time I went, I had already secured a place in school for my son to start in September. We went after the end of school year and after the school holidays , he started school from day one. This time allhamdullilah he has a school place to start in April so when I do go end of March, it will be Easter holidays there too and he will start after the holidays. We have been told by school that SEC will grant permission if we take the offer letter/email, school fee invoice paid and the RP and SEC has told us the same thing as my husband went to their office. Have you visited Qatar at all since your husband has been gone ? Tbh I m abit vary of home schooling as the schools ask got reports etc. Family is telling me not to put my younger one in school as we will have to fund his reception year fees ourselves but me and hubby do not want to do that so will be sending him to schools too. Which schools have you contacted in Qatar?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 March 2016 - 16:13
Hi ummsana, I read your post yesterday and feel I needed to reply. I have been in your position twice, trying to find school places. My husband moved to Qatar in Feb 2014 and me and the kids moved in August 2014. At the time only had one school going child who I managed to secure a school place for September 2014. I did that while I was still in the uk. The company which my husband was working for was not providing us with a school allowance so we had to choose for the cheaper option plus all the good schools had very long waiting list. Anyway my husband lost his job in March 2015 so we had to relocate back to the UK. Allhamdullilah he managed to get another job in Qatar and moved in early December. Me and the kids are still in the UK and are hoping to relocate by the end of the month (after hubby passes his probation). This time round I need to look for school places for both my children but allhamdullilah schooling is paid for. Like you I got told by all the schools about the deadline to start school in Qatar. If you are coming from abroad,the deadline is the 31st of January and not after that. This is what DESS, Doha College etc told me. This was very frustrating for us as I didn't want to relocate before hubby's probation was over but than didn't wanna wait till end of July ( which is when the school terms end here in the UK). My husband went and spoke to SEC ( Supereme Education Coucil) , who basically either gives permission or not for your child to start mid way after the deadline. They said if your child has a place in school, bring the offer letter and your child's RP to them and they will let them start school. My older son has managed to secure a school place starting on 10th of April. We will take the offer letter from school and his RP to SEC once me and the kids get to Qatar and I'm Shaa Allah he will start from the 10th of April which is when the last term on school starts. At this stage my younger one is just in playgroup so I am just looking for him to start in September in Reception year. My hubby's company pays from year 1 and above so we will have to pay for a year ourselves. If you have any questions than don't hesitate to ask as I have just been through this all recently. Up until last week my son had no school place and now he has managed to secure one in one of the best schools in Doha. Just hoping my husband passes his probation and than we can all relocate. Where in the UK are you ?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 February 2016 - 13:25
Hi, Which school is closing ? I know Doha College WestBay is still taking applications for Reception Year starting in September 2016 as I just applied for my son. The deadline for application is 15th February. DESS is taking applications too but the waiting list is v long for reception,my son is very down in the waiting list. I know Qatar International School's deadline has passed as it was the 31st of January. Hope you manage to sort something out as schooling is such a headache.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 January 2016 - 02:19
Hi Ladies, Can somebody please tell me what Newton School, Westbay is like? Any reviews/ anyone has their children there? I am applying in other schools too. I have applied in DESS, Doha College, Qatar International School and Lyodence Academy for both my boys and was thinking of applying in more schools. Are there any more schools that I should apply in? I am only looking in British Curriculum. My husband works in Bin Omran, 2 mins away from DESS. Me and the children are currently in the UK but will hopefully make the move in the next 2-3 months. We will like to stay in westbay/ Al-Dafna/ Bin Omran area so schools nearby there. My older son is in Year 3 and younger one in Nursery at the moment. Please can some one assist me. Thank you in advance, any help is very much appreciated.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 January 2016 - 09:17
Good morning ladies: I have posted on this forum before too and I am back on here as I need help regarding schools. I was in Qatar from August 2014 till April 2015 but than my husband was made redundant so we had to go back to the UK. Well my husband is back in Qatar as he has found a job here again. Me and the children ( Year 3 and nursery at the moment) are hoping to move here end of March once his probation is over. I was hoping to put the children in school for the last term of the school year but I have been told that is not possible. The deadline is end of January and if not than children can only start in September. Is that the case? If I come by end of March than I will have to have the kids at home till September which is too long. I went to the SEC office last week ( as I am in Qatar at the moment on holiday) and I was told that I should stay in the UK till the school year ends which is in July but that is too far away. I am now thinking of maybe moving in end of May when my son has two weeks half term in the UK. Schools here close end of June so that way he would only miss one month of school here. But even for September 2016 intake, schools are taking applications now and will be carrying out assessments. How can I secure a school place for September when I wont be here for assessments? I know I have been here before and school situation is a tough one here. The annoying thing was while I was here last time, I had my older son on DESS's waiting list and we got an email from DESS a day after we got back to the UK offering him a place :-( DESS is taking applications for the current school year too atm but if the children are not allowed to start mid way through the year than why do schools take application. What is elementary school here in Qatar in British curriculum? My husband's company will pay schooling from elementary onward but I do not know what elementary is? We asked his company and they said ask school. I asked one school and was told to ask company :-/ as every company is different, some pay from aged 3 and some from 4 onwards Is there anyone in the same position as me regarding schools.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 April 2015 - 20:00
My husband worked for Sidra as a contractor. He came through an agency last year in February, me and the kids followed in August 2014. He works for IT Help desk support. Well his contract was extended till end of Sept 2015 but all of a sudden Sidra decided to get rid of all the contractors (22 in total in IT) and they ended the contract on 31st of March. We are due to go back to the UK on Saturday now. I think as the project is just pro longing and the finish in date keeps changing, they can't afford to keep /recruit more people. My husband has been applying non stop for the past one month here in Qatar and UAE but haven't been able to secure a job. Initially it was a shock as I had just settled, I have only been here for 8 months but as time went on, I got used to the idea of having to go back. My older son managed to get a place back in the school he left from in the UK as a student had just left so he will b back to school on Monday 27th. Good luck to you all as I can imagine how frustrating all the wait can be.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 February 2015 - 22:44
Thank you ladies for your replies. My kids have both got assessments there next month. Now after reading your replies I am not too sure. I only visited the school once when we went to pick up the application form. The assessment will be 2 hrs long plus parents will be interviewed too so maybe than we can get a better feel and idea about the school. Its so difficult finding the right school for your kids here. My older son is on DESS waiting list at number 17 and younger ones application for pre school wasn't accepted. Doha college is toooo expensive even though we live 2mins walk from there, next to Doha college is SEK but that's a different curriculum. My older son is at Cardiff international at the moment. Now I am not sure if to move him. I have applied for younger ones pre school there but not had a reply yet. The thing is with this school is that pre school and reception year are in different premises to the rest of the year group and they finish one hour early so its a bit inconvenient to do school run at different times to drop off at different buildings and only my hubby drives.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 October 2014 - 22:47
Evening ladies Is anyone worried about the MERS virus? I actually forgot about it until I read on a news section that a second case is reported in Qatar within 10 days so I am abit worried. Anyone else feel like that? TIA
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 September 2014 - 19:33
Evening ladies I just wanted to know how many days your child/children getting off as EID holidays? It is my first EID here so I am not sure.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 September 2014 - 11:57
Thank you for the reply. Will try toys r us and the baby shop. Suppose if nothing than I will have to change the bottles altogether. Avent is easily available here but not tommee tippee
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 September 2014 - 10:54
Morning ladies As the title says, i am in desperate need for size 3 tommee tippee teats. Carefour and lulu doesn't have any. They don't even have the Tommee tippee bottles. Where can I get them from?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 September 2014 - 05:47
It is on the 10th floor in Salaam Tower. Salaam tower is kind of behind Tornado Tower.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 September 2014 - 15:10
Hi I have been in Doha from the past 5 weeks and like you after 3 weeks I had to take my 6 year old son to a dentist. I went to British International Dental Clinic in West Bay. We saw Dr Nafeh Fansa. He is a Paediatric Dentist. I would really recommend him. His number is 44117755/44117744. If you want any more information, please ask
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 September 2014 - 15:30
So it took my husband over an hour to go from work (westbay) to school (near Qatar university) to back to westbay. He went in his lunch break which is only 45 mins so obviously he has gone over. This can't happen everyday. Think we need to look for a rereliable driver for aftrnoon as morning should be fine. Does anyone know of any drivers? And how much do they charge? Please any help/info appreciated and TIA.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 September 2014 - 11:19
I know what you mean about missing home. I used to walk and drop off ny son as school was less than 10 mins walk but here it's a different story. Hubby dropped off, he told his manager he will be abit late as it's first day today. He will do pick up in his lunch hour so all rushing b hectic. Which school do ur child/children go to?we are staying in Eestbay atm, ,school near Qatar university and hubby works in West Bay in Sidra medical centre tower.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 August 2014 - 09:00
Thank you for your reply. You mentioned that the website only lists government schools but it has DESS, Doha academy etc on it too and I believe they are not government schools.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 July 2014 - 07:19
Hey ladies So I got my documents certified and sent off to fco. I received an email yesterday to say that the solicitors I used are not on their database so they need to b verified and the whole process can take 20 working days and I only have 15 working days left and in between that I need to send my documents to Qatar embassy too which will be closed for a good few days if not a whole week for Eid. So I asked the solicitor to email a copy of her signature along with my details to speed up the process but lets see. Qatar embassy wilk take at least 3 days too once they receive the documents. Oh stressful time. Worse comes to worse and the documents aren't back I will just have to ask family to Dhl me the documents to Qatar My flight is booked for 9 th August, three weeks tomorrow <em>edited by hkhan on 18/07/2014</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 July 2014 - 21:55
Aww thanks for the reassurance AJA. I know what u mean about staying near your mum. Atm I am staying at mums because we put our house in rent. Initially we were gonna come in May but staying till August now for a family wedding. I have noted down your email adress so you can remove it, thanks. In shaa Allah will keep in touch. How many children do you have? I have two boys mash Allah. A 6 year old and a nearly 2 year old. Do you drive? I don't drive even though I have passed my driving in the UK nearly 10 yrs ago :-( Hubby telling me I will probably have to drive there and from what I have heard not a good place to start driving lol. Which company does your husband work in? Hina
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 July 2014 - 19:47
How is it living in Qatar? Tbh sometimes I really dread it, the unknown. My main concern is how the kids will cope with the change and the heat being one thing. My older one will have to go school and just worried how he will settle in with everything. He is doing very well in school here and with lack of academic results from Cardiff as its a very new school, I don't know how good it is. Im moving fron Manchester, uk. My husband is working on a DELL project for Sidra. Its a contract and don't know for how long. Worried by the time we get to doha hubby would have been there for 6months and come February it will b a yr and whar if they end his contract and we would have to come back.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 July 2014 - 16:15
I applied in Lyodence too but they weren't prepared at all to accept my son without RP and said get in touch once in Qatar but tbh I didn't want to move over without securing a place in a school due to SECs rule about children coming from abroad can only start in September. How long does RP take? Cardiff has given us until end of October to have RP done. Hubby will get his 6th pay by 3rd week of August and as soon as that's done we will apply, have all the other documents ready before hand. I have my son on the Waiting list for DESS which can take 12-18 months so I am only hoping for one year in Cardiff. I will b applying for my younger one's nursery place too in DESS once admissions are open. Hubby is looking in Al duhail as that area is nearer to school.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 July 2014 - 07:25
Thanks AJA for additional information. I fly out in 4 weeks, do you think thats enuough time for documents attestation both from FCO and Embassy? Hoping to send documents to FCO on Monday using first class signed delivery and use their courier service so may get my documents back by fri/sat. Did you guys post documents to Embassy in London or go in personally? I want to post as it seems a better option. Qatar Embassy charges £4 per document, is that right? Where does everyone live in Qatar? Cardiff school is near Qatar university so hubby looking for accommodation nearby.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 July 2014 - 21:39
Thanks for the replies again. AJA I go my son's report for year one aswell and it states his levels for English and maths and I think these are the only subjects which have levels so hopefully it should be fine. Yes hubby can go SEC but with it being Ramadan and shorter hours and hubby himself fasting in the heat of doha its difficult. Is there anything else I should know. Only have 4 weeks to go. Hubby is coming in 2 weeks and than we all go back together. He is staying in Ezdan in West bay atm and looking for accommodation.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 July 2014 - 16:38
Thank you ladies for the replies. I have just taken out the following documents to send out: Both my children's birth certificates which will be sent originals to FCO and than Qatar Embassy. My Islamic marriage certificate which will be certified by a solicitor and than sent to FCO and Embassy. My Degree and TEFL course certificate which again will be certified by solicitor and than sent to FCO and embassy. I have my son's reception year report and the year one will be given out end of the school day today. I will send the certifed copy by the solicitor to FCO and than Embassy. Yes the immunisation record, I asked Cardiff school and they said we don't need them to be attested. What is a police clearance document? No one has mentioned that. Is it a MUST? And AJA what you mentioned about school reports having some kind of grading etc or else we need to obtain a letter from school which gives that information, does that letter need attesting? I have just had a look at the reception year report. On there states three levels: Below Expected Exceeding and on the report the school has highlighted Expected in every area. Will that be enough. I hope his report today has some kind of levels etc included so that I won't need to get any extra letters from school. Eleonor, What do your friends say about Cardiff International? Is it a good school? I have corresponded with the admin staff and head teacher and they do seem nice people. Thanks again for everyones help.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 July 2014 - 00:16
So many views but not evn one reply :-(