chickadee2 | ExpatWoman.com
 

chickadee2

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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 March 2015 - 17:40
Hi Cherpie, sorry only just seen this so you may have gone out already to buy it! The Usbourne 'What's Happening to Me' seems great. Each one (bought my daughter one a few years back) gives easy to read pages/diagrams on what will happen with their bodies, growing up, emotions, feelings towards opposite s@x etc. It's saved hubby having the big 'talk' anyway! By the way, not sure why I would get down arrowed for my previous comment of where you could find the book - I guess some people on here having nothing better to do....
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Latest post on 01 March 2015 - 18:30
I got the Usbourne one last week for my son in Creative Minds on Umm Sequim Street, they had the girls ones too.
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Latest post on 27 February 2015 - 18:54
My hubby works in AD and we live in Silicon Oasis. for over a year he has done the commute daily and it has finally got the better of him. He works in construction so long hours as it is, combined with the commute, he was never getting in until at least 9pm every night. We never moved to AD as we couldn't get schools so we are now settled in Dubai and won't move. Hubby now travels on a Sunday morning, stays in a hotel 3 nights (until work find a company villa for a few of them to stay in) then comes home Wed night. He works in Dubai on a Thurs. He thought he would be able to do it but it has sure taken it's toll. Wouldn't recommend it long term!
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Latest post on 13 January 2015 - 20:20
We moved to Dubai from Qatar and kept our Qatri RP's which only expired recently. We've been able to go between the two countries, including the kids travelling unaccompanied to/from Qatar without any problems.
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Latest post on 07 September 2014 - 19:23
We moved over in December last year and used Pickfords. They were excellent, packed up a 4 bed villa in 3 days in Doha, leaving the beds until the last day. Crew very professional, polite and hardworking. Estimated time to travel was 3 weeks and got here just less than that. Unpacked at this end, not a thing broken and all put back together. Highly recommended.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 August 2014 - 17:51
I've been trying very unsuccessfully to find a part time agency maid to come in each weekday. Companies either don't come to our area (Silicon Oasis which I thought was fairly central) or can't supply someone for a 2/3 hours each day during the week. I work full time and would like someone for minimum hours each day but seems like I'm searching for a needle in a haystack!
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Latest post on 30 May 2014 - 07:27
marykar.....having recently come from Qatar, I can honestly say that amongst my friends you would have been seen as a right ogre treating your maid that way. Not one of us paid less than 1200 a month, we paid our maid 2000 for her basic salary, always with a day off each week. When we were all out at work/school, she had around 4 hours to herself in the day to do her own thing. She never worked more than 7 hours a day. My kids are slightly older so can get their own breakfast, however I employed a maid to help out in the house, not a nanny for my children which I believe should come at a higher price. There is also a minimum wage in Qatar and I think it was far more than 800. I think the job you are describing isn't maid but something beginning with 's'....
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Latest post on 26 May 2014 - 19:02
Hi, quick piece of advice if possible. I have recently started a new job (last few months) but have now been offered a new one that I applied for at the same time. I really like my current job but feel that new job offer would ease my stress as it is 5 mins from home and both kids school which would cut down on my hassle and driving considerably. My current job is a fixed term contract of 1 year with a probationary period of 6 months. I am currently in that 6 month period. I am under hubby's sponsorship and work have arranged my work permit. New job are saying they think things will be Ok however they need approval from Ministry of Education. That will be under an unlimited contract. Sorry for sounding dense but just want to know if there will be any consequences of me leaving one job to go to another. I have seen previous posts mention a 'ban'? I like my current job and it pays more money but I'm at the point where less stress is my driving factor hence the decision I'm currently facing. Thanks in advance for any guidance.
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Latest post on 27 April 2014 - 17:50
Thanks Skyfall, will look into your suggestions. She is really good with children (except her own brother) so volunteering may be something to look at. I'll look into anything really, can't bear the thought of her doing nothing until her horseriding comes round each Saturday. I'd thought about paddleboarding or something similar, she's a competent swimmer and will throw herself into anything risky but not sure where does anything in the summer months which is why I thought i'd ask. Thanks again.
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Latest post on 15 April 2014 - 20:24
We went to Yas 2 days ago as we had family over from UK. It was the worst i've known it - 2 rides closed from the start of the day (they have been closed since Feb apparantely) and as we paid we were then told 2 more would be opening 'later'. This later was supposed to be 12 - we were at the park first thing so thought it wouldn't be too bad and we could get on the other 2 later. After asking several official type people who each said 15 minutes, one opened at 1ish and the other nearly 2pm. The one that opened at 1pm stopped working on average every 2 inflatables (the round 6 person ones) and we had 2 sets of waiting for it of over an hour - even with a fast pass! As we stood waiting the people who got stuck each time came to the front of everyone with priority cards so in the end we gave up. Complete waste of a journey and money - after complaining they have said I can have free passes for next time if I produce my receipt!!
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Latest post on 14 April 2014 - 13:46
The ladies name who owns the stable is Hana, her no is 052 998 5719. We haven't been for a few weeks as they have been forced to close as the stable next door had strangles so everything was forced to close until the world cup was over. My daughter is starting back this week but not sure when or if it will close for the summer. gana and her husband run it together. It is next door to K2.
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Latest post on 13 April 2014 - 19:27
We arrived in December and were looking for somewhere for our 13 year old daughter who not only loves riding but likes to be around the horses, mucking out, tacking up, etc not just turn up, get on and get off at the end. We found a place called Elite which is in Nad al Sheba. She goes every Saturday and does stable management and has a lesson from 7.30am to 11am. Let me know if you need any more details.
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Latest post on 30 March 2014 - 20:40
Pickfords were great when we moved here, not a thing damaged and they packed/unpacked at both ends but not cheap. Moved our dogs here from Qatar with DKC but to keep costs down, I did all the export paperwork running around and they just did the import bit here - they can tailor make a package with as much or as little as you want doing. I think they have a price list on their website.
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Latest post on 30 March 2014 - 16:28
We come from Beverley which is half an hour from York and I love York but as other posters say, wouldn't particularly want to live there. It is swarming with tourists in high season and no chance of getting in to park, park and ride is your best option. Loads of lovely villages around the outskirts, depends on what you are looking for on a wish list as to which village/area to start looking at. Pocklington is fairly nice, between York/Bev but as I said, depends on what you need to be near, completely rural with fab walks and rolling countryside views when you open the curtains or more practical things like school, work, shop locations.....hope this helps.
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Latest post on 23 March 2014 - 18:24
I feel for you...your post sounds like I could have written it this time last year. Me & the kids went back to the Uk for 6 weeks to supervise the extension on our house and hibby wanted to join us for 3 weeks, however this would have meant 3 Fridays the maid would have had to be around - didn't want her to work, just come back from Church earlier with a financial incentive and she point blank refused. Hubby only came back for 2 weeks and we had a kind neighbour see to the dogs for those 2 days. We also have a nightmare dog and a lovely dog, both rescues and we were thinking of getting some behavioural instruction for our nightmare dog. When left with the door open, they both set each other off barking and the neighbours have complained so we cant do that anymore and when upstairs (only upstairs) in the house, he feels the need to pee even when the door is open. When out on a walk he goes ballistic at the sight of any other dog but they have just been in kennels as we have been away for the weekend and around other dogs he is absolutely petrified. He walks around here on the lead like he owns the place but put him in with other dogs away from his patch and he turns into a different dog. Anyway, if I can help, I will - I feel for you as having the 'nightmare' dog can be so restrictive at times, weve had agency maids refuse to come and we now have to muzzle him with strangers in the house. with us all he is an absolute gem, the most lovable dog you could get! We live on Ranches and I get most of July and August off but will be going away for about a month I think with the kids prob mid july-mid Aug but these are only rough dates at the mo depending on my sons cricket committments. Mine are going to have to go in kennels this year whilst i'm away as we don't have a maid here and I'm not sure he'll be that accommodating to strangers coming in the house. Let me know if I can be of help.
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Latest post on 17 March 2014 - 20:27
This post made me chuckle....we had exactly the same situation with our 60 year old maid this time last year when we were in Qatar. The only reason she told me about it was as she wanted an advance on her wages to pay her 'cousins husband' the customs fee to get the parcel with a laptop, cash and other goodies in it released. I was immediately suspicious and told her we were having no such parcel delivered to our house as i was convinced it was something dodgy so didn't want our name/address dragged into anything. We dug further with her and asked for all details etc and it turns out her long lost cousins new 'husband' had got in touch after coming into money and wanted to send her some gifts but the parcel was held in customs and she needed to pay a fee to release it. My husband went as far as ringing the phone number she was given and it was not even a UK number - can't remember exactly but what we thought was a uk number starting 00 44 had another digit that followed which after googling we found out was a scam type number. Turns out, she'd just opened a facebook account and she had actually never ever met this cousins husband. After loads of googling and showing her the exact address she was given come up on most of them as a scam address, we advised her we wouldn't be lending her any money as it was a complete hoax. Suffice to say she was completely upset with us (!) as she was convinced she was coming into an early christmas pressy and we'd thwarted it! Couldn't actually believe the lack of gratitude she showed that we'd saved her a months salary on a completely bizarre story that she'd been daft enough to get sucked into but hopefully we saved her from some heartache down the line when no parcel actually surfaced. Ask for the airwaybill (there was one) and google the courier details etc - google it, ours was sometimg freight (sorry cant remember) at a UK address (somewhere like Feltham nr Heathrow) and the guy was calling himself John Lewis!! It will be someone sat trawling thru facebook for someone innocent enough to believe this stuff, please tell her our experience and not to send any money as that's what will come next! hope this helps.
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Latest post on 07 March 2014 - 12:48
Thanks Ruth, have just emailed Helping Hands to see what they can offer. I do really want the same maid every day as our smaller dog can be really funny with strangers-he would go crackers with someone different coming into the house each day. I need an am slot really as someone is back at home by 3pm each day so hopefully they will be able to provide someone who can come mid morning, do a clean and let the dogs out in the garden for a wee so fingers crossed. I know an agency maid coming in for a few hours a day will cost as much as a live in so going to give it a go and try and convince hubby sponsoring someone would be the way forward in the future but I know it'll take time to talk him round. Would you mind sharing what Helping Hands charge and can they do the ironing while they are in as it seems that ironing is on a separate list from cleaning?
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Latest post on 07 March 2014 - 08:52
Thank you SJ! Hubby is against sponsoring someone as he's just gone through the rigmarole of setting up here so is sick to the back teeth of paperwork and red-tape! We also had a live-in in Qatar and her work ethic was questionable to say the least so we had our fair share of problems there and didn't want a repeat. I've been seeing all these adverts from part timers or full timers on other people's sponsorship so was wondering how that could be possible but I guess that it's not and you take your chances on hiring these maids and getting caught? I don't want to go down that route so we may have to re-think. Don't suppose you know the rough costs of sponsoring someone - is it cheaper if you transfer an existing maid?
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Latest post on 07 March 2014 - 08:07
Hi Ladies, fairly new to Dubai so looking for your advice. I have recently started working so am looking for someone to help with the housework but mainly come to the house every day and either walk our 2 dogs or let them out for the loo! Ideally I only think we need a few hours a day so was looking for a part timer, but am going through old threads that say this is illegal. I'm not against a full timer as we had a lady live-in in our previous country however we don't have the room here so would she would have to live out. Also do they have to be sponsored by us? Sorry to go over old ground but just need the rules laid out clear and simple!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 February 2014 - 06:56
Thank you for your help ladies. We didn't pay the full payment - hubby made a down payment and the rest was to come from the bank so he has spoken to them re withholding their payment. I contacted the DED Ahlan helpline and the guy there was very helpful. I found another issue with speakers in the car yesterday whilst driving it for the first time so he suggested putting everything in writing from now on. Have done so, copied salesman's boss in to everything and advised I was in touch with the DED. Suffice to say I am receiving very nice emails in return and getting some 'promise' (we'll see) of some service at last. I know in the UK we wouldn't have gone any further with this and at several stages I advised hubby to walk away but he is so stressed with work and had been through all of the red tape with bank/insurance etc already with the previous car we were buying before the buyer then pulled out at the 11th hour. I will keep on with my email campaign until everything is sorted and even get their parent group involved if needs be, just so he knows I won't be going away anytime soon. Thanks again!
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Latest post on 24 February 2014 - 20:04
No, it's two words, one of which is 'Car'! Had i known we would be dealing with Arthur Daley, we would have walked away weeks ago. It's second hand by the way. Just wondered if the Municipality or something similar had someone to report them to or is this normal service here?
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Latest post on 24 February 2014 - 18:26
Bit of a longshot but we have just bought a car from a dealer on SZR. Basically, it needed plenty of scratches touching up after hubby initially agreed to buy but when he went back on the agreed date nothing had been done. He went back 7 days later (after many furious phone calls etc) only to wait in the showroom for near on 4 hours only to find nothing still done. After having an absolute meltdown with the sales guy, he agreed free servicing for a year, all paint touched up, cleaned, paying for my hire car for the extra week and a free sat nav. Car is delivered tonight and there are still loads of scratches on the car and delivery driver turned up with a voucher for a free oil change, no servicing, no hire car contribution. Many furious phone calls later to sales guy and his ultimate boss (who had turned his phone off), my hubby is almost having a stressy heart attack. I told him to send it back and tell the guy to shove it where the sun doesn't shine but this is the 2nd car we have been messed about with and my hubby can't bear the thought of insurance companies, registering another vehicle all over again etc etc. Anyhoo, we have decided to keep the car to save on hospital fees for hubby (!) so I'm basically wondering if there is anyone I can report these cowboys to (much like UK Trading Standards) for their complete underhand shoddy sales work. We have paid over Dhs100,000 for this car so its no banger. Thanks in advance!!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 February 2014 - 13:01
Don't know if this helps but my son has just joined Yr6 in DESS and is also finding it hard with the year group being so established. He was so settled in his last school and had 'found his place' so to speak in his year group so coming here was a big upheaval. I think as the children get older they probably have less friends who they have found they have stuff in common with, rather than being a big group of kids playing together as they do when they are younger. I've also found that as Dubai is a massive place, playdates don't seem to happen here as much as they did in our old place as people don't always live close by. As there also seems to be less people come and go here, the groups are quite well established rather than the transitory nature of our last posting where new kids came and went regularly throughout the school year so new kids were accepted as the norm. I'm trying to keep my boy busy with his after school stuff and we are still busy exploring Dubai so trying to keep busy that way. He has made friends, however as I don't see any of their mums at pickups or drop-offs (working/Yr6 being embarrassed by parents being in the playground etc) I am finding it hard to meet any school parents either. Keep at it, it will pass and she will find friends in due course. Hopefully the teacher will keep on top of it and make sure she is included with as many girls as she can then that way they will be brought together inside school whereas they might not have just approached her under their own steam. Hope this helps.
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Latest post on 09 November 2013 - 13:44
I ordered from New Look website last year and ordered around GBP100 worth of stuff for my daughter. I had them sent to my PO Box no here but after around 5 weeks they still hadn't arrived (as is normal with the PO Box system) so NL refunded the full lot. Parcel arrived a week later!!!
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Latest post on 03 November 2013 - 20:59
Hi Tiamona, do you mean Al Jazeera TV near TV Roundabout....that's the only one i know of but there could be others. If you do mean that then that is Fureej Kuleib kind of area and traffic is an absolute mare there at present. They are digging up the road (white palm tree road) that leads to West Bay area and it took me 45 mins to get down that stretch alone last week. I believe they are closing it for 2 weeks altogether. What kind of facilities do you want nearby/on the compound and what budget do you have? City centre is a stones throw away from TV roundabout, as is West Bay. Welcome to traffic chaos!
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Latest post on 30 October 2013 - 18:45
Thanks for that Feefmick - I wasn't bargaining for a 2 hour run in the afternoon....what joy! As were coming from Doha, I was starting to get smug thinking I was getting away from the daily school slog into some normal traffic but it appears not. There goes Plan A of trying to find a job around school drop offs - on those timings, I'd never fit anything in!! Plan B of trying to drum up some private swim teaching hours may have to come into play - Im a qualified swim instructor currently working in a British Curriculum primary school - would you know how easy it is here to start up your own lessons or find a club that teaches in the day?
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Latest post on 30 October 2013 - 14:53
Hi Ladies, thanks for that. We have a villa on Ranches so much closer to DESC than DESS. I haven't looked at after school clubs or anything as, like you said, I suspect this will add another dimension to the travelling. Bus service isn't a bad price - at least I only have until September of different runs then both will be in the same school so may just send her that way for now....just felt a bit cruel sending her on the bus straight away before she's actually met anybody. Thanks Ladies
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Latest post on 08 October 2013 - 18:28
Hi sassenach, we are leaving in December and our maid will probably be looking for a transfer. How old are your kids and whereabouts do you live? Or maid has been with us for just over 2 years and is older-she is in her early 60's. This doesn't stop her doing anything tho, she walks our 2 very lively dogs twice a day, cleans, irons, cooks, washes etc & goes to our friends villa to work for 15 hours a week aswell. We have 2 kids but they are 10 and 12 so although she does childcare, our children don't need any direct hands on supervision. She has every Friday off and goes to Church. If you maybe interested in meeting her, let me know.
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Latest post on 03 October 2013 - 19:01
Lovely to see such great reviews for DESS. My son starts in January in Yr6 so only there for 2 terms before transferring to DESC but hopefully he won't be the only new starter which he is quite worried about!!
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Latest post on 20 September 2013 - 11:30
Hi Ladies, we move to Dubai mid December but my husband is already working there and commuting to and from Qatar. He is looking for properties now and we can sign anytime between now and December if we find something we like. We have pretty much narrowed our search down to AR and Saheel in particular. We started off thinking that 230k was our MAX budget and looked at plenty of things online so he could go this week and start some viewings. However, aside from Agents not being that responsive to calls, he is finding that as new similar properties are coming onto the market, they are now asking for 240-250k! Is the market really moving that fast and do we really stand any chance of getting a nice 3 bed for around the 230k mark?? Any help or recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Thx
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Latest post on 15 September 2013 - 19:00
Thanks ladies, that's great. I emailed the fdess email address earlier but it bounced back! I'll see if hubby is in Dubai on the 26th to see if he can pick some bits up, then the rest I'll have to buy new (for 2 terms...)! Thanks again!
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Latest post on 15 September 2013 - 16:02
Hi Mags, thanks for that. In our current school, only the small ones go in with DESS bags so I thought I would check....my son doesn't want to be going into Yr6 with a DESS bag when no-one else has one, he'd never forgive me! As for the trousers - he's dreading wearing them - he hasn't worn trousers since leaving the UK but it seems in Yr6 only trousers are allowed. The lady at school advised the DESS trousers had a 'tag' on the side but wasn't sure if he'd get picked up on it if I just sent him in a plain pair?? I'll look at Uniform shops but thanks for your advice!!
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Latest post on 03 September 2013 - 18:00
Hi Dubaistars....unfortunately for your budget the PE top (not shorts) and the swim shorts have to be uniform stock. Caps can be personal choice as long as in the summer months they have one otherwise they can't go outside of shaded areas at breaktimes. Not sure how old your child is but the older they get, bags tend to be personal choice rather than DESS stock. My son had DESS bags in year 4 but didn't Yr5/6. If your child is a pre-schooler then they don't in the majority have PE kit or swim kit - its all of their own stuff. Think Uniform Shop is open tmra/Thurs and they should have some pre-loved stuff at more reasonable prices! Hope this helps.
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Latest post on 02 September 2013 - 11:49
Forgot to say, we also have 2 dogs and if I go out of the compound, I'm stared & shouted at regularly! I've had people taking photos, stopping to ask if they can buy the dogs, and weve been barked at countless times through car windows! Suffice to say dogs are seen as a novelty here!! Good luck!
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Latest post on 02 September 2013 - 11:45
I can't compare the living situation in both countries - we have only lived in Qatar and are shortly moving to Dubai however we have visited Dubai loads. We have older kids (10/12) and are moving predominately because of the lack of stuff to do for them - they are both really sporty and there is not the greatest selection of stuff here to do at that age. If your daughter is 1, there will still be loads to do for her here, I've always said that if we had younger kids, living here wouldn't be a problem-parks and pools are a plenty. Shopping here is far more basic than Dubai although I wouldn't know if sourcing certain things is still a problem in Dubai?? There are a few more malls going up here but for me, once you've seen one, you've seen them all - I'm not a big shopper but I suppose these new malls may bring more choice. I wait until I'm back in the UK to get what we need clothes wise and bring it all back! Roads in Doha seem far more congested as far as I can compare, we still have 2 lane roads that are a main route for lots of commuters that just can't cope with the amount of traffic and then chaos ensues-regularly!! Road rage is a major issue here for me - whenever I've been to Dubai it seems like the road system is finished and as there are more lanes, traffic seems to flow however here that is not the case!! I also feel like Doha is very 'unfinished' and presume with the footy coming in 2022 and rail network being started, it will feel like that for an awful long time to come. Dubai seems far more finished to me rather than the building site Doha feels like most days! On the whole though, if it were a choice for us of moving back to the UK or staying in Qatar, we would stay here. The kids have a nice life, it's just not the place I envisage there is an awful lot to do with teenagers, hence our move. Hope this helps.
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Latest post on 02 September 2013 - 11:14
Thanks very much for that Virtue...I have been doing a spot of pre-move research on what is available for the kids and ICC was the one I had my eye on for him but always prefer a recommendation! I will contact them and see if we can pop along for a visit if they are open in half term. We are looking at moving to AR so it also seems fairly convenient. If he can be kept busy, I will have a happy son!!
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Latest post on 01 September 2013 - 15:41
Apologies for hijacking the thread but we move to Dubai in December and just trying to get some things organised with 2 unwilling to move children!! My son is 10 and absolutely cricket mad - I notice ICC is mentioned, is this the main academy that train kids? I need to find something fairly early on in our move so that I can keep him occupied which will then hopefully minimise the Qatar homesickness!! He's likes his footy aswell but loves his cricket. We are over in half term to househunt so would like to visit a few sporty places aswell so he can see what we are moving to!! Any assistance with 13 year old girls netball/horseriding would also be appreciated. Thanks for any help.
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Latest post on 27 July 2013 - 16:18
Hi ladies, I've looked through the DESC emails but there doesn't seem to be any mention of forms! We are looking at living on Ranches as hubby has an office in Dubai but will be working on AD airport so we need to be AD side really. It'll definately be good to get the girls together as mine are still unsure about the move although we are doing it for them-they are both fairly sporty netball/horseriding for DD and cricket/footy for DS and there aren't great facilities in Doha. I'll also be looking for something to do aswell as I'm not great at being at home-I currently work in a primary school as a PE Teaching Assistant teaching all of the swim lessons so may try and look for something similar when I find my feet. My email is hayleycc2604@hotmaildotcodotuk. Looking forward to meeting you all, maybe at Oct half term when were over househunting!
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Latest post on 26 July 2013 - 18:37
Hi Stephanie, were from DESS Doha and my son will be joining DESS Dubai in Jan, Year 6. Im going to join the DESS mums facebook page as it'd be nice to meet a few kids before he starts as both my kids are dreading the move...they're settled in Doha! My daughter will be going into Yr8 at DESC also. Were over in October for househunting so maybe catch up for that glass of wine! Hayley x
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Latest post on 08 July 2013 - 18:29
Sorry to hijack the thread but out of interest how long does it take to drive from Ranches for example to AD airport? This is what hubby is thinking of doing from September, with his colleagues saying it can be done in under an hour but friends who used to live in Dubai say the commute will be at least an hour and a half each way. Just wondered if we may need to rethink things!!
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Latest post on 03 June 2013 - 18:40
Just bumping this up.....were quite interested in Jumeirah Park, you seem to get more villa for your money than other compounds in this area however we can't seem to get an answer as to whether there will be communal pools etc or whether individual villa pools only. Also what else is being developed there now? I don't mind living on a construction site for now if the facilities will be worth waiting for!
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Latest post on 03 March 2013 - 19:10
Thanks Homebunny30, it's reassuring to know that other people have been in a similar situation. Our son is 10 and daughter 12 and both very sporty and that is the one thing sadly lacking in Doha. We have the one sports provider here but not much other competition/variety so it would be nice to have some choice. I have looked at BSAK but need to know if we are definately being moved before I make any contact re waiting lists etc. What areas would be easiest/best placed for BSAK or is the drive OK from most places? What compounds would you give as recommendations that I can at least try and get a look round if we come in April? Thanks for all of your help.
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Latest post on 02 March 2013 - 18:30
Thanks very much ladies, it seems a move is the way to go! I've been doing a bit of research over the internet but think a visit is best so we'll be headed over at Easter for a look around. The traffic here is one of the things that drives me absolutely bonkers and was hoping it would be better in AD and this seems to be the case thankfully - I know it sounds like a trivial matter but trying to get anywhere in Doha takes ages and you literally take your life in your hands most days so I'll be glad to get to a more civilised road system! Obviously schools will be the next step, then accommodation , we would like a villa as we have a dog so may have a look at some when were over. I notice there is also a Brit Club with a few things to do - any reviews???