Clairehdp | ExpatWoman.com
 

Clairehdp

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Latest post on 25 October 2012 - 11:48
I agree, the farm is lovely. Vixen easy to find off emirates rd from silicon asis going towards Arabian ranches the turn ff is signposted al Barari. Take the exit and stay on the road going past the main gate carry on down the road and the farm will be on you right. The Arabian ranches golf club and the polo club are good lunch places and are very hold friendly. The terrace at four seasons golf club is lovely and very peaceful. The restaurant by the pool at desert palm resort is lovely if you're lucky there might be a polo match or they might be practising.
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Latest post on 17 October 2012 - 15:04
http://www.upscaleandposh.com/ The florist by eat and drink restaurant near Safa Park - sorry can't remember their name - are superb Contempo florists, motor city and i think in the fairmont too are also superb.
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Latest post on 17 October 2012 - 14:23
Why would you pay for quay club beach access as well. I was under the same impression as moose. If you go to talise spa you usually get beach access included. Worth checking again. I'd call the spa. Al qasr is the nicer of the 2 I think much bigger pool than Mina a salaam
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Latest post on 17 October 2012 - 14:20
It does make a difference to my dd because she's not forming the letters the way you should as a right hander....she tries to make it look the same, but when I watch her she's looping in opposite directions and the flows are different, and I think this actually slows her down and it is definitely not correct if she's supposed to write the same as everyone. edited by Sugarbeach on 17/10/2012 Btw, many left handers curl their hand around to write. I don't write pen pointing at paper, I write with my left hand curled to be able to write as though I'm a right hander. It just comes naturally. I've seen that. I just write exactly like a right hander but with my left hand - maybe that makes me a weird left hander!
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Latest post on 17 October 2012 - 14:15
Ladies it is truly lovely at the moment here in the uk. Blue skies, red and golden leaves and beautiful sunshine off for a long ealing with our 2 puppy dogs now!
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Latest post on 17 October 2012 - 14:13
Do you have the sheets that have the arrows that show which way to go to form the letter? It makes no difference if your left handed or right handed you just have to form the letter following the arrows. She will just need to practice sheets of the letters and get her speed up but this is true of a left handed person or right handed person it's just learning a new technique. I can't get over how many things you can get now for left handed people. I found it really easy to show my kids how to write cursive as we could write next to each other and they could see me forming the letter easily me with my pen in my left hand and them with their pens in their right hands.
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Latest post on 17 October 2012 - 14:13
Thanks Duck, do you have a link please? Duck!! http://www.abcteach.com/directory/subjects-handwriting-left-handed-friendly-handwriting-practice-1853-2-1 Here you go. Oooh fab!
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Latest post on 17 October 2012 - 14:02
Thanks Clairehdp, It's so strange for me to go to the police station with such problems, but I will do it even if its just to get a number to call when LL does try anything else. LL and wife are really good at this because believe me throughout this process they refer to me as 'dear' (uurghh!!!) and very nicely explained to me "dear, MFRE have run away but YOU are here so we can make you pay....." Eviction and threats are also given very politely: "dear, you have three options....." If it wasn't so stressful it would be funny! Yeah it's odd how people think that if they call you 'dear' it's ok for them to stitch you up. Go to jebel li and see if you can have a chat with one of the officers with as much braid on his shoulders as you can find. You will get a crime number and next time they come over with ' dear' you can tell them 'my dears' here is the crime number from the police...... See the colour drain. Try from now on to put everything in writing/on e mail. Keep polite and short and sweet and to the point. Good luck. Oh and get those locks changed but keep the old ones.
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Latest post on 17 October 2012 - 13:57
Why being left handed does it make any difference? I'm left handed and learnt cursive handwriting in exactly the same way as everyone else in my class. Both my children are right handed and I show them how to write but I obviously use my left hand! My writing doesnt look any different just because its been done with my left hand! In those dark distant days when I was at school you just learnt how to write with whichever hand you were most comfortable with.
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Latest post on 17 October 2012 - 12:14
Definitely go to the police now and file against both of them - the property management company and then the LL for his harrassment. Take, as the OP said, all your documents - you have done nothing wrong....you paid up front in all good faith and signed a legal contract. The LL is of course angry but his anger is with the wrong person. You need to protect yourself and, if Jebel Ali police are dealing with so many cases they will help you. I have been in there before when I lost some jewellery and they were so nice and helpful. Honestly - go in there and protect yourself from any more upset.
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Latest post on 17 October 2012 - 12:01
Claire's idea is cute :) I love Tiffany's gifts. I also love that you can haggle at the Dubai Mall Tiffany's :D and MoE too!
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Latest post on 17 October 2012 - 11:23
Ah men..... Aren't they just great!! If a teacher gives a kid 'special care' then they're in the wrong school! Tell him to wind his neck in.... absolutely agre and love that - wind his neck in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Latest post on 17 October 2012 - 11:17
I'd book myself into a lovely spa for a few days and let your DH deal with your little one all on his own. Let him do the school run and try to get more information out of the teacher at the most busiest time of the day - he might view everything a very different way when he experiences for a few days just how mad, crazy, stressful but fun having a young child is! Let him get all the meals ready, wash and sort out the school uniform, snack box, homework, after school activities, swimming, playdates etc etc and see what a walk in the park he really thinks it is. He might just appreciate you a little bit more after all that!
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Latest post on 17 October 2012 - 11:12
Carrefour usually have a good selelction of reasonably prices digi frames and Sharaf DG too.
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Latest post on 17 October 2012 - 11:09
How about going to the ceramic cafe and painting a special money box called honeymoon fund. They can both put their spare coins in there and they will have a lovely fund by the time it's time to go on honeymoon. Personalised and practical!
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Latest post on 17 October 2012 - 11:07
fit flops now do shoes and boots http://www.fitflop.co.uk/null/womens_boots,en_GB,sc.html?cm_mmc=Google-_-Brand+Other--E-_-Boots-_-NA&geoip=geoip&gclid=CNaKhKW-h7MCFUfKtAod6TMALw Or - check out Marks and Spencer they have a range of shoes called footglove that are supposed to be super super comfy.
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Latest post on 16 October 2012 - 21:55
contact tumble time - I hired a face painter from them before and she was amazing - one of the best face painters ever!
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Latest post on 16 October 2012 - 21:54
I would highly recommend contacting tumble time. They provide entertainment to many of the hotels. I have used them a number of times and they are easy to deal with their face painters are superb, their equipment is well maintained and their entertainment staff are lovely. Ask to speak to the owner - she's a lovely lady who will come and meet with you and take the brief for your event and give you a comprehensive quote. Reliable and very very nice to deal with.
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Latest post on 16 October 2012 - 12:52
Yeah we go back all the time and never have any problem. we hold british passports and they are now stamped with a visa for 30 days - plenty of time for a holiday visit. We are often recognised and welcomed back which is nice!
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Latest post on 16 October 2012 - 12:47
OMG I wasn't aware of that :-( Thank you so much Claire!!! Are you in Dubai? I thought you had moved back to UK x yes in UK but go back quite a bit and my husband is there working very often! where are you in the UK? We;ve got beautiful blue skies and sunshine - loving the trees turning red and seeing all the autumnal colours.
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Latest post on 16 October 2012 - 12:20
I wouldn't ae my kids on a hot air balloon flight in Dubai. Are they doing them again I thought after the fatal accident a few yers go that they were suspended......no health and safety - way too risky
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Latest post on 16 October 2012 - 12:18
When your landlord called about nt getting the ' going rate' I ope you referred him to the RERA rental index! That might sht him up unless of course you have been in the property for many many years in which case he might have a point!
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Latest post on 16 October 2012 - 12:16
My little girl had a splash n bounce pool party for her 5 th birthday but we held it at the pool at the children's garden nursery in te green community. Most of the kids that came went to the school so were familiar with the pool and it worked fantastically. I would not have held it in a normal pool. There are toilets and changing rooms and plenty of room for parents to chill out and enjoy the afternoon. Tina from splash n bounce is great she also did the food boxes for me and Jenn at frosted did an amazing swimming pool cake! <em>edited by Clairehdp on 16/10/2012</em>
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Latest post on 14 October 2012 - 16:52
My favourite restaurant there is Hukama in the address hotel. Superb views from their terrace and the most exquisite chinese food. the meat company have some tables with a good view - make sure you tell them you want a table with a fountain view. The mango Tree has great balcony with superb views - used to be in the fine dining book - worth checking to see if it still is there. Thiptara in the Palace hotel - in fine dining book Urbano italian for relaxed informal food with excellent view. Asado at the address
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Latest post on 13 October 2012 - 01:58
My experience was not with taking on a Howdra full time live in maid. I used them for housemaids before I employed a full time housemaid. At that time, Howdra did not supply full time live in housemaids - only part timers. I used then as 'nanny' services for babysitting. I don't term housemaids as nannies...... A nanny in my book has undergone specialist training in a top Nanny school. Dubai offers some truly lovely women who have left their own children at home in order to give their family a better life.... If you are looking for a 'nanny' to look after young babies then you will not find them in a 'housemaid' from any 'housemaid' agency in Dubai. what you will find are women who have arrived here (most having had to leave their young families behind) to work and send money back to provide a better life for their families.......
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Latest post on 13 October 2012 - 01:49
why don't you speak to the people at AXA. You might get advice on here that says City is included but it may have changed......best to check with the supplier as they change their providers so frequently.
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Latest post on 12 October 2012 - 22:32
Ask your gate man who comes into the pool to teach kids swimming. They will know who it is and if they have no number come back on here and ask for the tel number of the swim teacher. We had Lauren on AR and she was excellent but I have no idea if she is still teaching there.
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Latest post on 12 October 2012 - 22:29
Irooni - get Dubai Laundry to pick up your ironing, book an agency cleaner to come in once a week and do a big clean. Take yourself off to the pool, sit under an umbrella and read a good book. You deserve some time for yourself. You have to cope on your own when your husband is away - so get some help to give yourself time to relax. A tired Mummy gets sick and when your husband travels with his job you need to be healthy so you can look after your children. Treat yourself to some help - you're worth it!!!!!
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Latest post on 12 October 2012 - 22:22
I used Howdra when I first arrived in dubai and their girls were superb. We used them for babysitting. I would always have the same girl who cleaned for us to babysit. On one occasion she was sick so I asked for them to send a lady who had her own children - they sent me an absolute angel who the children adored. From then on I would get either my regular cleaning girl or Nora the angel. I found them to be reliable, easy to deal with and the girls seemed to be well looked after. I ended up employing a live in housemaid so no longer needed Howdra but when my housemaid was away they were very helpful in sending me a replacement housemaid who, again, was lovely. What I liked about Howdra was all the girls spoke pretty good english and all had been trained to a pretty high standard.and they all seemed to be looked after and relatively happy.
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Latest post on 12 October 2012 - 01:05
I remember wondering when my LO would be walking at around 14 months. And today I caught myself wishing he'd just sit down for 5 minutes. Enjoy the calm before the storm :) Oh my God yes - enjoy it while you can!
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Latest post on 12 October 2012 - 00:58
We had the same problem so a couple of years ago we bought a mobile home aka caravan on Hayling Island, just an hour south of London. It's fabulous and on a site with indoor and outdoor hated pools, kids parks, shops etc and is less than a mile to walk to the beach. We have 2 bedrooms, one with ensuite, central heating and double glazing, a little garden and parking. Ther is a shed, washing machine and decking so we can sit outside if the weather permits. We only use it in the summer, so no good to rent out to you. The only downside is the cost, as we pay for 10 months March to end December and only use it for a few weeks. It's a shame as it sits there empty most of the time, and it's lovely. We'd rent it out if anyone wanted a break any other time of the year. ShellFC I'd be interested to rent it from you. Hayling Island was a place I used to go to as a child so I'd love to take the kids there. We are back in the UK now always looking at different things to do on a weekend/school holiday. You can reach me on claire dot damamme @ ntlworld dot com
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Latest post on 12 October 2012 - 00:52
I agree with what you say here but my point was about the slagging off that she was getting just because she wanted to hold the landlord to his obligations - the same as I will with mine. She wanted to hold her LL to his obligations plus plus plus...... I'm sure you won't be doing that spongey we had a LL do that to us and we went to the rent committee wrote down all that they told us - shared that with the LL and ended up with a new lease but with 12 months notice to quit - so a non renewable lease at the same rent.as it was our first renewal. I think 12 months notice is pretty fair and - at the end of the day - if he re-rents - you can file a case..........but can anyone be bothered......and has anyone done this and won their compensation......... good luck Spongemonkey - you are well informed and a strong woman - stand your ground!
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Latest post on 12 October 2012 - 00:36
Another one here with a late walker. DS was perfectly happy to sit and chat! He would get all the other walkers to bring him the toys so had no incentive to move! He never crawled but at 17 months old (a week before my 2nd baby was born) he just stood up and walked - he was like the bloke of Little Britain who keeps getting out of his wheelchair! It was almost like he only wanted to walk if he could go the distance! He loved his door baby bouncer but if you picked him up and tried to get him to stand he would draw his legs up - he just was not interested in being mobile! If you think you would like your little one checked out then I highly recommend Dr Marc Sinclair - he's fabulous.
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Latest post on 11 October 2012 - 16:20
But it is his property! Whether he wants to re-rent it out, take it off the market, live in it himself is no ones business but his own! It is his house he can do whatever he wants with it. It's no longer available, end of. If I was renting out a property, why do I need to tell my tenant what I intend to do with my own apartment once they have vacated! Yes it is annoying to move - I've done it on average every 9 months since being here but that's the nature of being a tenant. We can't lay claim to live in someone else's house for as long as we want - we can stay there as long as is convenient for the LL. It's a business agreement and we can never really truly consider it to be "our home". DB you need to make the guys at the rent committee your new best friends! No one should have to move on average every 9 months. there are laws to protect this from happening to people. The absolute minimum amount of time you can be in 1 property is 2 years. You have one year (the first year) and then if the landlord wants the property back (for his own personal use only) he can then give you 12 months notice to quit. If he puts the property back onto the rental market - you can file a case as he has to compensate you - I have never heard of anyone filing such a case - it would be interesting to hear if anyone has done this after moving out - did your LL rent the property out and did you receive compensation???? If he doesn't move in himself then he cannot put the property back onto the rental market for 2 years - so...to the OP - you have been given 12 months notice - if after you move out you find that the property has been re-rented - take the LL to the rent committee for compensation.....you might end up with alot of money! Or.....as it gets closer to you moving out - if you find your property on the rental pages - get him to re-rent to you.....an increase in rent is cheaper than moving costs and a whole new set up and new agency fees.
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Latest post on 08 October 2012 - 23:54
We had 2 landlords giving us a notice of eviction so they could move in. the first time (we had only been there for 1 year) we went to the rent committee - they were fantastic and assured us that we would be allowed to stay for at least 2 if not 3 years. We were advised to file a case which we did and won in 2 minutes! Our Landlord was told in no uncertain terms that we had a renewable lease and that he could not evict us. He was told we were to be allowed to stay in the property for up to 3 years - no rent increase 2nd year and 5% (which was the rent cap at the time) for the 3rd year renewal. We signed a non renewable contract with our landlord agreeing to move out after we had been in the property for 3 years. He was furious that he was not allowed to move into his property but the rent committee told him he should not have placed the property on the rental market if he felt he wanted to move in after 1 year. We did move out and our Landlord DID NOT move in but placed the property back on the rental market - so he was playing a fast one but by then we wanted to move anyway. The second time we were sent a letter by our next landlord telling us that he was not going to renew as he was going to sell the property. Again we went to the rent committee who helped us - we were told he was perfectly free to sell his property but with tenants. he could not evict us after just 1 year. So he was advised to renew for the 2nd year with no rent increase but to renew with a non renewable contract - in effect giving us 12 months notice to move out. So - if your contract does not clearly state non-renewable it is a renewable contract and you have every right to stay for another 12 months from the end of your lease. If it's your first years renewal then it would be very very unusual if you were paying under the market rent but check the rental index - I'm sure that you will be within the rental band and will not be due a rent increase. You just have to refer your Landlord to the Rera rental index and refer to advice you have been give by the rent committee - they usually do know the laws but just try it on because often the tenants are not aware of the support they can get from the rent committee. Good luck - keep calm and know your rights.
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Latest post on 08 October 2012 - 23:31
It's not a new requirement it's been in operation for quite a few years. It's also not the embassy that you go to but the POLO office. There is a map on this website for you. You need to complete the form, pay the fee(of course! sorry can't remember how much it is - not alot from memory) and take the original employment contract that you are given for you and your housemaid to sign from immigration. If you don't have one I would go to your closest immigration office and ask for one taking in all the relevant paperwork you have on her sponsorship. this is for a housemaid with a sponsorship from Dubai - maybe it's different in Abu Dhabi. Without it she will have trouble getting out of Manila to come back to Dubai.
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Latest post on 06 October 2012 - 21:03
He can't evict you. He has to give you a years notice if he wants his property back. How long have you been living there - if it's your first year he has to renew at the same rent.
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Latest post on 29 September 2012 - 10:57
If I were you I would speak to your photographer as they must have seen many hair and make up people and they could dhow you pictures of brides so you can see what you like, what works for you and then meet up with the hair and make up artist.
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Latest post on 26 September 2012 - 17:50
I am left handed but only write with my left hand. When we go bowling I can never remember which hand to use so have to have a few goes and then it's clear which hand is better (still can't remember!). I play tennis with my right hand because I was taught that way, never had left handed scissors so use normal scissors fine, I wear my watch on my left hand I eat with my knife and fork in the usual manner etc etc. When I was a kid - no one made any adjustments so I just got on with it. I learnt the guitar and played hockey with no adjustments (wasn't great at either thought!!!). My Nana taught me to knit and I'm sure she didn't show me a different way (although I'm not great at knitting either!!!!). The only thing I still struggle with is knowing my left from my right because I was told to remember your left and your right - you write with your right.......errrr not if your left handed!!!!!! both my children are right handed but to be honest - I'm not sure I would make any special adjustments for them - I would just hand them a raquet/knitting needles/guitar and see how they got on. It didn't do me any harm.
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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 12:28
Is she eating the rolls and sandwiches? If she is I would just continue with them even though you feel fed up about it. I felt the same and started putting in different foods for my little boy and he hated it. The lunch box would come back with most of the food untouched or nibbled and left. I ended up making the same marmite sandwiches day in and day out and he ate them every single day and loved them! sometimes it's us that has the problem - not the child! At the end of the day, as long as they are eating during the day - does it really matter? I just made sure that they had lots of variation in their meal at home.
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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 12:23
You'll miss them when they're no longer around so I would cook with less spice or - as A rancher says - do 2 - one more bland for them and one for you and your husband to eat. I wouldn't lose sleep over the fact she doesn't rinse the plates.....at least she's helping you. If it's a really big thing for you then I would re-wash when she's out so as not to upset her. It's only 2 weeks of the year - just take a deep breath, smile and make their stay a lovely one. When their time comes to leave you will know you've done a great job and given them the best time and they will go back to their friends and sing your praises.
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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 11:59
Dar al Masyaf is my all time favourite. Don't forget to make the most of the free cocktail hour before you go to dinner! Enjoy every minute.
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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 11:55
Yes - it depends on the nationality. I believe it's 24 for Philipinna unless they have been here working before the law came into force in which case there are some younger girls working here perfectly legally.
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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 11:54
I always got napisan in Spinneys - it's not usually in the baby section but with the washing stuff. It's different to Vanish - much milder. I used it all the time for bad stains - excellent product.
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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 11:50
Roast dinner either beef or chicken with crispy roast potatoes and huge yorkshire puddings and lashings of gravy and different vegs. Nutty chicken curry Homemade chicken goujons with jacket potatoes and salad Toad in the hole with onion gravy and creamy mashed potatoes Pesto chicken pasta Homemade pizzas (I buy the ready made bases) Chilli con carne Shepherds pie Spaghetti bolognese Jeera chicken served with rice Fish fingers and chips Salmon fishcakes and potatoe wedges Tuna salad with jacket potatoes smoked salmon and tarragon pasta dish
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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 15:28
Just another to add - we went to a party where the catering was done by Jebel Ali international hotels - it was superb and according to my friend - was not expensive at all.
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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 15:21
I've not had anything go missing but when i ordered from the US it took far far longer than ordering from a UK supplier - in the end I never ordered from the US on shop and ship - hope the parcels turn up. At the end of the day if they have proof of delivery to the depot - they must be somewhere and surely that will be up to aramex to sort out..... good luck!
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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 12:23
I emailed them all with a picture and followed up with a phone call. If your cat is microchipped one of the vets told me that if it's brought in they are able to trace the owner. I also went to the municipality vets out past midriff and they were reassuring that all cats taken in are checked for microchips. Millie was not there but they were really nice in there. We leaflet dropped all the villas in the area and this did lead us eventually to finding her after a lovely neighbour called to say they thought they had seen her. Good luck! They are usually not far from home. <em>edited by Clairehdp on 23/09/2012</em>
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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 12:14
not an exit strategy as such but ive stopped saving here.. all my savings are offshore so if the poo hits the fan and we need to leave we will.. destintion will most probably be back to the UK for a short period then we will look at another country. The job situation in the UK is grim and I dont fancy being a branch manager for Pound Stretcher ! We are in the uk and the job market is not as grim as people have you believe. My nephew has just landed himself a corker of a job straight out of college ( he's a hard grafter mind you and knocked on many doors to get it! ) and my husband is head hunted on a regular basis. All our friends are in good jobs and a number of our neighbours have either just had promotions or moved jobs. It's nowhere near as awful as you read in te papers. We had an opportunity to come back to Dubai a few months ago and - after much deliberation because we really loved it there - we are also loving it here in the uk too and have chosen to stay here! I was very wary about returning to the uk but it's been a fantastic experience for us and our kids who are loving being at school in the uk, enjoying the outdoors and finding out about their culture in their home country. So if you did have to leave in a hurry I can assure you that it's not a terrible place to be! The Olympic euphoria is still here too which is great now were looking forward to Halloween and a big bonfire night - life is good although a bit cooler! I need to stop taking the daily mail as gospel :\: Oh yes mushy you really do!
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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 12:13
http://www.dubaipetinfo.com/vet-clinics-dubai/4541063628 Good luck hope you find her/him our cat was missing for over 10 days and was found thin but well!