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CouchPotato

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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 11 May 2015 - 10:18
snap Kitten :biggrin:
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 11 May 2015 - 09:24
I think the difference here is you have umpteen things set up for children in the heat, tons of indoor play areas etc. Cyprus is VERY hot in August and not quite as set up with a/c and things to do indoors. I think. May be worth researching that side of things.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 11 May 2015 - 09:05
Speak to Kershaw Leonard and get a temp in for the day.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 11 May 2015 - 08:55
many BC ones only have two days next week instead of the traditional full week. :cry:
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 11 May 2015 - 08:43
Cyprus would be super hot in August. I guess it depends what sort of holiday you are after, active with sightseeing of somewhere to lounge around swimming pools etc. I'd go to the Alps. :)
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 09 May 2015 - 14:09
It has felt like it all week. 0% chance according to GN though!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 09 May 2015 - 13:45
what's going on....is something brewing?
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 May 2015 - 16:52
<Irrelevant> the pie face sweet range has a lemon curd and a strawberry mouse cake
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 May 2015 - 14:19
It probably depends whereabout she will be in Sharjah. There are loads of Hotel Apartments in Deira around DCC and that would only be a short journey to one side of Sharjah - so it depends where in Shj. Also, there are lots of really nice apartment blocks on the Corniche in Sharjah, that would be the ideal place to be if she wanted to be based in Sharjah itself.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 May 2015 - 14:15
Can't WAIT for summer and for a bit of peace. Bring it on! (Please remind me I said that). :P
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 05 May 2015 - 18:48
We've lived through 12 years of the 'ups and downs' and it hasn't really mattered that much to us except at the times we have been buying or selling during one of the ups or one of the downs. As previous posters have said, if you look at it over the long term, once you have actually bought and are living in the property it doesn't really matter that much until you sell again. A few things to note though. - you need a lot of cash on hand which is not accounted through your mortgage, for various things. Title deed registration, agency fees, transfer fees etc are all payable in cash and can add up to a LOT. - make sure on the terms of your mortgage and that they won't change, we've been stung in the past for example on having no early redemption fee payable and then suddenly it is payable after all! - invest in an area with a reputable developer, - view properties at different times of the day, morning, afternoon, evening at night so you can get an idea of traffic situation at different times and also things like if you'd be bothered by children playing nearby. Happy investing! :)
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 05 May 2015 - 18:37
On purpose? With a drop of cyanide?
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 05 May 2015 - 17:37
Check Careem.com and negotiate a monthly rate :)
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 05 May 2015 - 17:35
If you had a maid, you wouldn't need this thread, as your nice hot freshly cooked dinner would be waiting for you as you walked in the door after a busy day! :lol:
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 05 May 2015 - 17:26
LadyMary you would leave the oven on all day while out? :idea: I do sometimes leave the slow cooker on (but panic a bit) but I think oven is a completely different thing to leave on all day, esp a gas one?! <sidetracking thread>
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 05 May 2015 - 16:45
Hi SD The providers prefer to credit the account as it is much easier. As I recall, if you receive the deposit back any other way, it takes 6 weeks to be received. Could be wrong but that is what I remember.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 05 May 2015 - 16:41
For those days when you just can't rustle something up, my quick dinner suggestions usually involve a local lebanese restaurant for a grilled chicken, homous and salad :( :) I just think you can't cook properly in a rush and it's relatively healthy and everyone likes it. Make your life simpler, that's what I say. :) Otherwise, the usual suspects can be made in half an hour: Chilli con carne, spag bol, stir fries, pasta etc.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 May 2015 - 19:37
Oh dear Metro. Firstly, what is your DH saying about this? Did they say this to you, or to him? Did they 'ask' or just tell? Is DH able to say no, or are there cultural/other issues where this would be impossible? Is it possible for you to respond saying you'll be out of town for part of the trip so you can't host the extras? Aaaagh! Hugs.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 May 2015 - 19:13
All of the Rotanas do this.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 May 2015 - 17:37
Can't believe it's that time already Ilovewine!! I remember your journey :) Just on uniform shops in general: expect them to be closed during the summer for a refurb (!!), open the week before school at which point every single mother in Dubai is in there all flinging stock around hunting for sizes, which are never consistent, i.e. a size 1 in a PE kit does not equal a size 1 in a uniform etc, they never have all of the kit, so expect to go back at least 20 times for the full kit and still you will be missing something on the first day, and the shirts will probably be missing some sort of combination of stripes/logo/spots/etc, then you queue for one hour to get to the till by which time there is some sort of meltdown from another customer and everything grinds to a halt to sort that one person out and you end up throwing everything in the air, walking out and turning up at school in play clothes. Just kidding. Sort of. Go and buy your uniform before the summer ;)
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 May 2015 - 17:25
:( Poor Cleo.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 May 2015 - 17:10
If she's here during May they are doing a special "camel menu" Hopefully camel milk inspired and not camel burgers??! :cry:
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 May 2015 - 16:48
- Breakfast at Arabian Tea House in Bastakiya, followed by the coffee museum and a look round Bastakiya's shops & galleries - Dinner & Outdoor cinema at JBR - Afternoon tea at one of the new Palm hotels since her last visit (maybe Jumeirah Zabeel Saray?) - a pampering afternoon? Maybe Cleopatras at Wafi? With pool/massage/mani-pedi and tea? - The Farm at Al Barari for lunch or breakfast - Sharjah Blue Souq V impressed at Granny's tour of the world!!!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 30 April 2015 - 19:10
Thumbs up to that Nomad! I was also thinking the other day the thumbs are partly what has made EW quiet as people were just thumbing instead of commenting! :nerd: Hurray for the thumbs up!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 30 April 2015 - 16:12
There are vocational colleges in some of the other Emirates, Ajman has one definitely
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 30 April 2015 - 16:07
What joy, what fun, on a Thursday eve! will the Mods join in and give a reprieve? An ode about sizes of beds, what a thing! to see such rhymes makes our hearts sing SB can I suggest the place called Karama They make bespoke furniture cheap with no drama Alternatively, DH could just tuck in the sheets? There may be some parts flapping but at least he can sleep? (Assuming DH will do his own bidding am I for real - who am i kidding) DH's are not known to tuck their sheets well Perhaps a DM would be oh so swell?
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 29 April 2015 - 20:52
OopsieD to ode in a language not yours is a feat of wonders, you are welcome of course in days of yore when odeing was banned one sentence in rhyme and your name would be canned now with the tumbleweed we can ode as we please no one to bin us or put our names on freeze SB seems to have bedded down til tomorrow and it is time for me too, I speak with sorrow But perhaps this ode, about the bed for two shall continue until Thurs? With the old odeing crew and until then, dear Oopsie, think of somwhere dear SB can get a bed of UK size, for two, not three.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 29 April 2015 - 20:05
laughing out loud remembering the road to slough though the reason it started, i am not sure now the mists of time have clouded our brains when we think back to odeing times, they were slightly insane!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 29 April 2015 - 19:59
<jumping up and down> You remembered your password! What a delight will you find somewhere to lay your head at night? A bed for two, not one or three SB's back on EW! Finallyeeeee!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 29 April 2015 - 17:47
SueB, are you leaving Dubai? :(
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 29 April 2015 - 06:48
Welcome in advance! If your DH is working in Warsan there is not much point in living further away than you need to, there are some great communities within 10 minutes drive. DSO with Repton/Gems Wellington The Villa with FirstPoint Mirdif with Royal Dubai All are family friendly communities with children out playing and within a short drive to DH's work
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 29 April 2015 - 06:43
if you bring prescription pills just enough for a shorter stay (3-4 weeks max), I do not think that anyone would notice or question you. I always have strong sleeping pills with me,that you cannot get here, no one ever looked at it. I'm sorry Dentro, but this is terrible advice! There have been many cases of people being jailed for having prescription medication through the airport. One case was an older British lady who had co-codamol with her after a recent back operation. She was jailed for SIX WEEKS while her doctor in the UK was contacted and provided proper paperwork to satisfy the authorities. OP, the procedure with prescription medication that is on the controlled list here is:- - Prescription & letter signed/stamped by your Dr - Notarised - Legalised by Ministry of Foreign Affairs or equivalent in your home country - attested by UAE Embassy in your home country only then, can you walk through the airport with a clear conscience!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 28 April 2015 - 19:53
thanks all
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 28 April 2015 - 06:57
Another thumbs up for him! :)
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 28 April 2015 - 06:53
Good luck with your visit!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 28 April 2015 - 06:51
I think they still use some apartments in Ghusais/Al Nada as well? There's also a large crew building in Mizhin which is close to Al Barari.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 28 April 2015 - 06:45
Hi Blue welcome to the UAE No, the Emirates ID card is part of the visa process. The application is done as part of the visa process and you receive your ID card about 2 weeks after you get your visa. (In the meantime before receiving the card, you use the printed application form with bar code on it for things like getting your Driving License etc). Someone else will be along soon I'm sure to advise on visa runs!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 27 April 2015 - 19:15
There are some on souq.com :)
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 27 April 2015 - 18:49
Hi Tuddy How very distressing for you. I hope that things are better than they seem to be now. Take care.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 27 April 2015 - 17:44
all this would give you a headache!!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 27 April 2015 - 17:12
Hi Cherpie Have you been to Chappan Bhog yet? It's SCRUMPTIOUS! ETA It's a thali place, what used to be Rajdani in Bur Dubai, it's now Chappan Bhog in Karama. North Indian thali yum yum yum yum......aggggggghhhh darn this diet! <em>edited by CouchPotato on 27/04/2015</em>
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 27 April 2015 - 17:08
So interesting - so there has been no time change at all with this one GE? Was there a difference in price/make/country of origin with the one which works?
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 27 April 2015 - 17:04
Beebers I can't imagine you being a nervous driver! That seems so unlike the online Beebers!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 27 April 2015 - 16:56
Exactly, that's my question, how do they class residency? How does anyone define where they 'live' if they live in multiple locations around the world (including UK) all year round.. &lt;going round in circles&gt; Also, on the driving in different countries thing, you can get an International Driving License from DNATA which costs 150 AED and you can use this when driving in certain countries, i.e. if you are driving a relative's car and not hiring one. (Subject to their insurance covering you!) <em>edited by CouchPotato on 27/04/2015</em>
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 27 April 2015 - 16:50
Start on Beach Road on a Friday morning. Move on to Al Wasl Road when you feel confident with Beach Road. SZR when you feel very confident and not before. Be ready to get lost, and don't rely on your GPS too much - it's good for you to learn which roads connect to which, I've never had GPS (can't work it :thinking:) and think it is good in the long run not to have it. Try not to panic too much. Be aware of what is going on all around you at all times, things can change in a split second. Expect people not to indicate and to change lanes suddenly and to not have roundabout knowledge or etiquette. If you expect this you are prepared when it happens! keep calm, keep a good distance between you and the people around you, don't slam on your brakes at any opportunity, try to keep the traffic calm and flowing smoothly. You'll be fine!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 27 April 2015 - 16:44
Some mini puff pastry cut into circles, topped with a feta type cheese and an olive and a roasted tomato jam. YUM. Or, alternatively, Lime Tree Cafe? :)
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 27 April 2015 - 06:33
They are used as a bullying tool by the same handful of posters who have brought EW down, IMO. Most often they appear on these types of "what's wrong with EW" threads deflecting attention elsewhere but their bizarre behaviour is consistent with school playground bullies with far too much time on their hands.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 26 April 2015 - 20:58
would be happy to call DVLA for you and try to find out about what constitutes a resident. Thank you dear Chezmoi! :rainbow: Not needed at the mo but thanks x
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 26 April 2015 - 20:56
Yes thank you - I know all of this (and agree with it as the way it should be), and as my original post said, I am looking for where this is written on the official DVLA website - not just with one line as to being UK resident when you apply for a new or renewed driving license.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 26 April 2015 - 20:36
Many posters have been subject to so much constant berating and down thumbing it's a wonder they stayed as long as they did.