Clairehdp | ExpatWoman.com
 

Clairehdp

Clairehdp
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Latest post on 25 April 2011 - 11:46
There are some gorgeous villages outside of Newbury - if you go onto www.rightmove.co.uk and put in a radius around Newbury and how many bedrooms you need you will get a list of property for rent in the area. there are some lovely country cottages set in cute villages around there but easy commute of around an hour on the train into central London.
Clairehdp
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Latest post on 24 April 2011 - 10:24
Re the Villa - I know quite a few people who are there now and some who are moving there - we were there on Friday and it's really really lovely especially now the landscaping is in. Check out this community site - it's full of great info http://thevilladubai.webs.com/
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Latest post on 24 April 2011 - 10:18
Just thinking - you could also look at Al Waha - easy for school.... http://www.expatwoman.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=143481
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Latest post on 24 April 2011 - 10:16
Thanks Claire. That sounds better then I thought. The Villa is looking like a great option right now. Off to search previous Villa threads ;-) I have no idea where the al Waha villas are... Well I do, but I wouldn't know how to get there :-p Will check my mail now, sorry I haven't made contact, it's been a busy week here and I'm sure it has for you too, with school holidays and Easter. edited by KellsBells on 24/04/2011 No worries - let's get the easter bunny stuff over and meet up sometime next week..... The Al Waha villas are the Mustard coloured villas on the Dubai Bypass road - you come off just by them and head up the Al Qudra Road to the Studio City roundabout onto AR.
Clairehdp
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Latest post on 24 April 2011 - 10:09
Call Emaar and get the pest conrol guys to come in asap.
Clairehdp
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Latest post on 24 April 2011 - 08:48
Thanks AdviceSeeker. Those prices seem far better value for money. Had a look on Dubizzle last night. Printed off some floor plans and the Cordoba Villas seem to have a lovely, practical layout-better then what we saw at Ranches. Just really loved the idea or the Ranches, being so close to the school. What would a journey from The Villa to AR be like? Are there any backroads? Or would it be Al Ain rd, onto Emirates rd an up to the big interchange? AR to The Villa - 10 minutes. You could come out of The Villa and onto the Dubai bypass road and come off by the Al Waha villas (the mustard coloured villas) and up by the polo club and into AR that way. To be honest though - it's no problems getting onto Emirates Rd and coming off and into the main entrance. I do that run every day and over the past 2 years have only ever had a handful of delays - a good and easy route. The Villa is lovely. ps have sent you an e mail about jolly phonics - !! <em>edited by Clairehdp on 24/04/2011</em>
Clairehdp
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Latest post on 24 April 2011 - 08:44
I know only too well exactly how you feel. You are pulled in so many directions when you have a close one at home so ill. I can tell you too that your DH will be amazing - he'll rise to the challenge and the kids will be absolutely fine too! As much as we like to think the world will stop turning if we are not there to hold it all together I can tell you - the world continues and their life is good! Your time with your Dad will be very special to both of you. We have had 2 years of life like this and it's times like this that you will know your true true friends. So many will invite the family over or cook meals for you. Others will rally together from the school and work out pick up and drop off rotas so your DH can continue with his work etc. As soon as people know what you are dealing with they will pull together. It may well be a big shock to you when you see your Dad but chat, laugh, tell him how much you love him and enjoy every single minute you have with him - looking back with my Dad those were really lovely times. No distractions just me and him. I'm very happy to cook a shepherds pie and make the kids some cupcakes and bring them over. If you need an ear to talk to or a shoulder to cry on - you are very welcome to contact me. Crying is also absolutely fine and it helps too. Big, big hug to you and your Dad. xx
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Latest post on 23 April 2011 - 07:48
There's a 5 bed with private pool no agent on dubizzle at the villa for 130! It's really lovely there. <em>edited by Clairehdp on 23/04/2011</em>
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Latest post on 23 April 2011 - 07:37
Yes I've used them for most things and they've been very good. They've been in business here for many years I think from the 60s so they must be doing something right!
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Latest post on 23 April 2011 - 07:15
Dubai laundry collect and deliver I've used them for 5 years and they have always been excellent.
Clairehdp
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Latest post on 22 April 2011 - 07:06
Yes I do but only really on clothes and big items. Nit so much on food especially if it's something you have to have. I also covert to dhs from Uk pounds when I go to the Uk. My dh has an app on his iPhone that reads bar codes now that's scary to see what the price would be in tescos Uk and what they charge in spinneys - he only did it for a few shopping trips - it was way too depressing! But it was entertaining! <em>edited by Clairehdp on 22/04/2011</em>
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Latest post on 22 April 2011 - 07:01
Picnic brunch today with friends and we've all done something for the kids to do an egg hunt at the picnic. Sound of music tomorro and we've ordered turkey take out for traditional Easter Sunday lunch and are doing with our great friends who live on the palm so another egg hunt but on the beach on Sunday. The Easter bunny comes to our villa with the big eggs for the kids on Saturday night so they wake to a chocolate festival!!! My dh's Easter bunny came early as he polished off one of the kids eggs last night!!!!!!! I love easter it's a mini Xmas in our house but with a chocolate theme. <em>edited by Clairehdp on 22/04/2011</em>
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Latest post on 22 April 2011 - 06:43
Arabian ranches golf club do lovely breakfasts with pork bacon. Their pancakes are fab and they'll do them with chocolate for the kids. Lovely to sit on the terrace and the kids can roam around while you wait for the food to come.
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Latest post on 21 April 2011 - 12:55
Thanks ladies! I missed all your responses... So can you just cut and freeze raw vegetables? Which ones can you all freeze? I guess for the ones that contain too much water like tomatoes and cucumber it doesn't work. Any tips on this are welcome. Does anybody has any tips what to do if you need fresh herbs? Do you feel the dried ones can really replace them? Also never froze my quiche, so happy to hear that works too. And here I am thinking I was the freezer specialist... :) I am buying the Jamie Oliver 30 minutes cooking book this weekend since I read good things about it in another thread. these veg freeze well.. Onions Peppers Mushrooms Butternut squash carrots beans parsnips slice or chop and pop in a freezer bag and you have ready prepared veg to cook.
Clairehdp
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Latest post on 21 April 2011 - 11:59
Magrudys sell the jolly phonics stuff.
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Latest post on 21 April 2011 - 11:57
If you have access to a pool why not buy them some pool toys (so cheap in Geant and Carrefour) and let them have fun in the water. My little girl would spend hours with a little watering can and a plastic tea set in the pool at that age. also buy them some cute new arm bands.
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Latest post on 21 April 2011 - 11:50
Cite Des Enfants, Mirdif city centre Children's City - Creek Park Cafe Ceramique - Festival Centre beach for sure I would agree if you can take them - al Ain zoo is superb. do a day on a weekday at an hotel with covered baby pool and kids club too.
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Latest post on 21 April 2011 - 07:05
Hi! this thread should help you. My friend takes her housemaid to UK every year - she is on this thread - I can put you in touch with her if that helps.... http://www.expatwoman.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=95289
Clairehdp
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Latest post on 20 April 2011 - 22:22
I got an e mail tonight about easter brunch friday, sat and sunday at thyme in oasis beach tower. Really good price - activities for kids and on sunday an easter egg hunt. worth checking it out....
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Latest post on 20 April 2011 - 21:56
Love 101 at The One&Only on The Palm, amazing atmosphere on the jetty at night! We went for lunch and loved it. You don't feel you are in Duabi so where do you think you are then?????
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Latest post on 20 April 2011 - 21:25
Remember when that Hard Rock Cafe tower was the tallest tower up that end and seemed like the other end of the earth from Dubai....LOL! Yup, we all thought they were crazy having there as there was literally nothing else that end of town. The HRC couldn't continue operating as it's license was under the hotel next door, which was demolished. yeah the Palm Hotel - pulled that down - they ran out of alcohol a month or so before closing but it was so good we still went. Wish they had just kept the staff on and kept it going it would still have done well. The staff were fantastic.
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Latest post on 20 April 2011 - 21:23
Remember when that Hard Rock Cafe tower was the tallest tower up that end and seemed like the other end of the earth from Dubai....LOL! Yeah it was like a day trip to the HRC! Almost in the desert!
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Latest post on 20 April 2011 - 19:38
Crazy - I bet they open just as we all leave for the summer and wonder why they are not doing well!!!!!! Come one HRC open those doors we are all giving our custom to other HRCs!
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Latest post on 20 April 2011 - 19:37
Love 101 at The One&Only on The Palm, amazing atmosphere on the jetty at night! Oooooh not been there yet - thanks for the recco
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Latest post on 20 April 2011 - 19:36
Girls nights out Caramel Teatro (vouchers) Bussola (bouchers) Chef House (vouchers) West 14th (vouchers) Grand Grill (vouchers) Left Bank (vouchers) Trader Vics BBC Flavours on one or is it flavours on two? Beachcombers (vouchers) La Verandah (vouchers) Ooooooh I don't get out much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thank you entertainer book!!!
Clairehdp
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Latest post on 20 April 2011 - 17:36
If you do Etihad from Abu Dhabi they do a luxury coach transfer from Dubai - their offices on SZ road. You check in there and it's really easy. My friends did it with 3 small kids - I was happy to drive them to Abu Dhabi but the older child loved the idea of a coach - they called me from Abu Dhabi and said it was excellent and they would do it again. 5 hours connection time is pretty hard with a toddler......I wouldn't do it. Remember that at end Aug/beginning of Sept everyone is coming back for the start of schools - if you can avoid those busy weeks you will find that the prices will come down.
Clairehdp
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Latest post on 20 April 2011 - 17:30
DOZ = Dubai Outsource Zone
Clairehdp
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Latest post on 20 April 2011 - 16:22
Oooooh go, go, go. Brazil is soooooo great! The opportunity of a lifetime. Just because we have kids doesn't mean our life should stop being exciting especially if your Dad can come over and look after the kids.
Clairehdp
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Latest post on 20 April 2011 - 09:02
Coast in Debenhams have some pretty floaty dresses very suitable for weddings.
Clairehdp
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Latest post on 20 April 2011 - 08:44
Had berocca..just trying to keep it down oooooooh......that bad eh?!
Clairehdp
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Latest post on 20 April 2011 - 08:22
There will be more - I am sure of it!!!!!!....... you need Berocca
Clairehdp
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Latest post on 19 April 2011 - 20:51
If you put in man* van* in the search you will get lots of recommendations..... here's 1 for you http://www.expatwoman.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=140573
Clairehdp
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Latest post on 19 April 2011 - 20:23
A friend in the UK has properties overseas, she investigated buying in Dubai in 2004, and her financial advisor said No, so she bought elsewhere. She know nows why!!!! Buying here doesnt give you the right to stay, and if everything goes pearshaped, you will have to pay the mortgage off before leaving or face prison. I would rather rent. edited by salsB on 19/04/2011 If I were your friend I would have eaten the financial advisor for breakfast - if she had bought in 2004 and sold before the crash she would have cleaned up - that's when so many made so much money buying and flipping..... bad advice..... I don't think it's bad advice. Many people who bought in 2004 etc kept on buying and flipping well into 2008 and ended up in negative equity. People got greedy. Only some made money Well I would have been well peed off if someone has told me in 2004 not to buy - I know many many people who made very very good money but they were not greedy. We were going to buy but I just could not see how the market could sustain the ever increasing prices - we decided not to and within 4 months of that decision the crash hit - we were so glad not to have bought - it was complete and utter madness and people were really taken in by the hype. If I'd been here in 2004 I would most definitely have bought and would be sitting on a very nice nest egg now. hey ho - lifes a gamble!
Clairehdp
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Latest post on 19 April 2011 - 19:59
We have the family entertainer and the fine dining books. We have guests (4) and would like to take them to a brunch this Friday but since we'll pay, would be keen to know if there are any vouchers in either of the books that could save us some money. I'm at work and don't have them right now but would be keen if anyone knows offhand! Thanks in advance! if you go onto the entertainer website you can search all the vouchers on line - it's really useful if you're not near your book. they also have specials on there only available on line too from time to time. <em>edited by Clairehdp on 19/04/2011</em>
Clairehdp
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Latest post on 19 April 2011 - 19:44
A friend in the UK has properties overseas, she investigated buying in Dubai in 2004, and her financial advisor said No, so she bought elsewhere. She know nows why!!!! Buying here doesnt give you the right to stay, and if everything goes pearshaped, you will have to pay the mortgage off before leaving or face prison. I would rather rent. edited by salsB on 19/04/2011 If I were your friend I would have eaten the financial advisor for breakfast - if she had bought in 2004 and sold before the crash she would have cleaned up - that's when so many made so much money buying and flipping..... bad advice.....
Clairehdp
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Latest post on 19 April 2011 - 19:44
West 14th on the palm.
Clairehdp
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Latest post on 19 April 2011 - 09:17
KIDZANIA!!!!! She'll be the favouritest, bestest, most popular Granny in the history of the world if she takes her there and spends the whole day. Oooooh yes!
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Latest post on 19 April 2011 - 09:15
I think the best way to look at these situations is that we are all very different - what one thinks is rude behaviour others feel is perfectly acceptable. the world would be a very boring place if we were all the same. that said......not sending a thank you note is just bad manners!....... we live and we learn.
Clairehdp
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Latest post on 19 April 2011 - 09:12
thanks simpleasabc, we have tenants but the rent does not cover all the mortgage..... how do people leave here and still own property ?? I'm not sure - I think many leave and don't say they are leaving as my understanding is that as soon as your final pay goes into the bank and is marked as final salary your accounts can get frozen and your mortgage becomes payable......... surely now things are different - I hope for you that they are. Hopefully the banks are more approachable. If you are with a UK bank and are returning to the UK and will be working in the UK - they should be understanding but I think it's down to who you get to see on the day. Hopefully someone who is in the same situation or has done the same can advise you better. good luck with your new adventure.
Clairehdp
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Latest post on 19 April 2011 - 09:09
if you use the search button above and put in handyman you will get lots of good recommendations.
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Latest post on 19 April 2011 - 08:41
Dubai Museum Children's City at Creek park Dolphinarium Atlantis - have a walk around and get a great ice cream from cold stone creamery/marble slab and do the chambers there. take the monorail on the palm to atlantis day on the beach day pass on a weekday at the hotels are not too expensive they just crank the prices up for the weekend. Cite des Enfants
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Latest post on 19 April 2011 - 08:33
Blimey she sounds like a complete and utter nightmare woman!....... We used to pack our microwave steraliser and take it all over the place with us - I would put all the baby bottles in it and it would go in the suitcase. Also - Janesul is right....the pampers here are not the same as the ones in the UK. We would always take our own nappies. If there is a particular brand that she likes and she's THAT fussy - she must bring her own. If she runs out she can go to the stores and buy others - also - they are much more expensive here than in the UK. Re formula too - she should bring her own for sure - and what's the problem with her popping a box of her favourite brand baby rice in her suitcase. When we travelled with our ones when they were 6 months it was always easier to bring your own stuff - that way the baby has less disruption and it makes for an easy relaxing holiday otherwise if they don't take to the brand abroad you can spend hours in the shops here looking for a siutable alternative. I met a couple once on holiday who had decided to get everything locally and it became a complete nightmare for them. We had one of the best holidays relaxing and they were out and about in every shop looking for formula and baby food that their child would take to - it ruined their holiday. Good luck - I think you will be taking lots of deep breaths in May! If the little girl is 2.5 years old might be a great time to get her out in the garden and potty trained!!!!!
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Latest post on 18 April 2011 - 10:14
I've been trying to sell some sofas, desks and furniture for my boss, i've advertised on here and on Dubizzle, but have had no success, have reduced the prices but nothing is happening, any other ideas of where to advertise? Many thanks if you have had no luck on both then sounds like your price is probably too high
Clairehdp
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Latest post on 18 April 2011 - 10:08
someone was selling some on the classifieds on here yesterday
Clairehdp
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Latest post on 17 April 2011 - 18:51
If it was me I would pull all priviledges/benefits and go for military action......
Clairehdp
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Latest post on 17 April 2011 - 18:35
Wow you've done well to get to 12 years and no smack - perhaps it's time!.....
Clairehdp
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Latest post on 17 April 2011 - 18:33
The turtle/ladybird rollies are Samsonite I think and my girls have them too. They've been able to pull them from being abut 2 and because they're designed for kids, they're very stable unlike the small roll alongs designed as hand baggage carry ons. I've also seen little ones take a nasty tumble from a trunkie but I can see the appeal if you're only travelling with one child. No our turtle bags aren't Samsonite - how posh! Ours are Carrefour special they are shaped like a turtle/ladybird with a hard shell top - they're superb and everyone that sees them wants one - although we;ve had them a few years now I saw them in carrefour only a few weeks back.
Clairehdp
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Latest post on 17 April 2011 - 18:29
No our pool maintenance man used to come armed with replacement tiles, special adhesive and a mask - he'd dive down and replace them - no problems.
Clairehdp
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Latest post on 17 April 2011 - 18:26
My 2 wanted one but I managed to get away with not buying one after seeing children fall off them everytime we travelled - it put my 2 off and we ended up with superb kids rollercases from Carrefour they are like turtles and they also do them in ladybird designs - fit everything they need in - easy to store and the kids love them - they get comments everywhere we go so many people ask where I got them from. I travel on my own with my 2 quite a bit so there's no way I could possibly push the trolley with the suitcases and drag 2 kids on trunkies - seriously they seem to be more pain than gain......and cause lots of tears from what I can see on my travels. Save yourself a whole load of money and get the cutey roller cases.
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Latest post on 17 April 2011 - 18:21
We've just had Delia's cottage pie with cheesy top and broccoli. Yum. you domestic goddess!
 
 
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