cymraes | ExpatWoman.com
 

cymraes

cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 21 May 2011 - 10:20
thanks all - will probably go for the LH ones then. If anyone has any tips ... do share :)
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 20 May 2011 - 17:47
I know everyone wants a cheap flight but who are doing some good offers at the moment? Thought I'd got a cracking deal on Virgin for me and DS (who is classed as an adult being 13) but then looking at the really small print said excluding taxes, grrrr. Ideally I'd like to fly into Manchester but Heathrow isn't a big issue - any good tips?? Cheapest I have seen today is 2,825AED with Lufthansa ... is that a good deal?
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 20 May 2011 - 15:00
bumping ... I feel your pain Simpleasabc! DS is 13 and here permanently but the summers get very boring, we have our own pool which is way too hot to use from mid morning until late afternoon. The beach for us is way too hot unless you go super early in the morning. I don't want a summer camp for DS (hot topic it appears at the moment) but if there are some other activities around, perhaps someone could post. Fingers crossed there will be some posts?
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 19 May 2011 - 10:19
we used Supreme way in March moved from Ranches to The Villa, they were great (have to say gillw's post is a bit weird - I did bubble someone a few months back about promoting them on here without any EW track record/other posts) that said they did a good job for us, nothing broken, all in one day and a very good price. Cymraes
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 19 May 2011 - 10:06
you might want to try Decathlon sports shop too in Mirdif City Centre - they have all kinds of reasonably priced sports equiment (not sure if they still have ski stuff this time of year) - it's the Debenhams side of MCC, near Crate and Barrel. ETA - BNBH - you beat me too it!! HTH <em>edited by cymraes on 19/05/2011</em>
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 18 May 2011 - 10:44
generally takes about 4 days but we recently put our returned deposit cheque from our LL into the HSBC machine in Mirdif in one afternoon at 4pm and it had cleared that night!! Shame it bounced!
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 15 May 2011 - 14:36
Yes lots of schools talk the talk. We have been 'talked the talk' although DS is not dyslexic, just lacking support in school .... hence he has not been offered a place at his school next year and we are applying to WIS SO <em>edited by cymraes on 15/05/2011</em>
cymraes
1430
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 15 May 2011 - 09:08
thanks all will pass all the info on and suggest she gets the kids time out :-)
cymraes
1430
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 14 May 2011 - 21:13
Some friends have just moved to Dubai with small children (3 & 7) they would like to enrol them in some activities over the long summer - am I right in understanding that there are summer camps at Wellington and at Repton? Can anyone who can point me in the right direction or give me some names/contact details? Thanks in advance
cymraes
1430
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 14 May 2011 - 17:37
Wow Helena's attitude was quite good when we dealt with her, perhaps you should drop a note to Landmark who she was with when we viewed properties with her. In the end we went with Abu, Watersedge, he was ok but I wasn't too confident, however he delivered the goods eventually but we were a bit desperate by the day we were due to move and still not exchanged contracts ... we paid 135 for an A1 in Phase 3, fully landscaped (LL wanted 145 originally) but I think no one was biting at his offer. As I said perhaps let Landmark know how you've been treated, they are lots of agents (see The Villa listings on Dubizzle) offering properties on The Villa right now.
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 14 May 2011 - 12:59
We use Thrifty, and pre pay it works out a bit cheaper that way, ok it's not the cheapest but you do get what you pay for. I've had friends go with cheap car hire only to find out that they've been charged for all kinds of things at the end eg Easycar hire (the Easy Jet car hire) they charge you all kinds of things like getting the car washed and then all kinds of 'damage' that you haven't caused, one particular friend was well fleeced by them on two separate trips to Ireland and warned me off them.
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 10 May 2011 - 13:49
thanks just checking my emails now ....
cymraes
1430
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 10 May 2011 - 12:55
hi redrec tangle - please email me on: once you have the email, can you post so I can remove it ... thanks :-) <em>edited by cymraes on 10/05/2011</em>
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 09 May 2011 - 15:44
Hi, re our previous school thread, I would be interested to chat to you about your experience, if you would like to I can post my email. I had a very interesting meeting this week which you may be interested to know about. Kind regards - Cymraes
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 06 May 2011 - 16:10
So I swapped my UK licence for a UAE one, if I have proof of my UK licence even then I can't get one when I permanently go back to the UK? I know my UK licence is invalid whilst I'm resident in the UAE. Would I have to retake the test or just prove I passed my test in the UK in the first place. Anyone managed to swap back to the UK licence after returning, permanently, from the UAE? Thanks in advance
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 May 2011 - 21:13
gosh thanks all for your great suggestions am looking them all up!
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 May 2011 - 20:46
... that has crossed my mind, however, we've been here two years and only 'holiday' we've had is going back to family in the UK ...... fancy going somewhere a bit 'special' and feel we've taken advantage of being all this way east ... but it's a good idea if all else fails (have though Bab Al Shams)
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 May 2011 - 20:43
Nice location, I was up there this morning with poochie, so he could feel some grass under his paws (I did bag the poop!) - we moved from Ranches too, 8 weeks ago .... so glad we did, we were in Ranches 2 years, which was fab but I love the bigger villa and not being attached to anyone (we were in Al Reem) Hope all's going well settling in :-)
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 May 2011 - 20:35
Phase 3 (aka no man's land) near the back gate, RN sector, but I like it ..... I come from the boonies of Wales so am used not to seeing a soul ... ... just the odd passing camel, and I have my dog to talk to during the day ... LOL, where are you?
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 May 2011 - 19:58
was pretty desperate this evening so drove over from The Villa all the way to Ibn Battuta, Geant end, they have a great little place there and they are fixing it by tomorrow for 250dhs!! Ah well better than getting a new phone for DS .... grr that's a lot of car washing he has to do! Thanks for your help Lakes Lucy, no doubt it will be a place for the future!
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 May 2011 - 13:47
well we have a big black dog am going to put sign on the door so anybody contemplating it is warned! Triple checking I've locked all the doors today!
cymraes
1430
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 May 2011 - 13:42
is that what the police were doing in Phase 3 this morning?? Was it occupied or empty Goose?
cymraes
1430
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 May 2011 - 12:05
I've spent 2 months waiting for my bill, it appeared after I've sent an email to the customer care center, it was really amazing, 2 days and the bill was there. You could check it. thanks for that Brazilianindubai .... will do that - but will take a deep breath first!
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 May 2011 - 12:04
janesul - we've been told a full DEWA fill is about 350-400AED, currently we're getting the maintenence of the pool for free so it balances the cost of the water out .... pool maint is about 350 a month. Yes the leak is covered by IML/Mazaya who will have to fix it under the snagging. They're coming to sort the leak this week, probably need taking back to the original wall and start again (friends have just had this done in another A1). We've only been topping up 2 weeks as we've had visitors and wanted the pool operational for their visit - now all guns to getting it sorted. I understand 3/4 tiles is what we should see evaporation in the warmer months .... let's see. Still glad we moved here, the villa and location are great for us.
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 May 2011 - 11:48
We've been in nearly 8 weeks now and each time I check DEWA for our bill it's still zero - any idea how long it will take for the bill to come through .... guess it'll be a big one the longer we wait! Will update when I get one, we're in Phase 3, A1 with grassed garden with irrigation and a pool (which was filled by tanker) but it's got a leak and we've been topping up once a week 9ish tiles.
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 27 April 2011 - 13:37
right Gardener also tells me I need soil, if I start to compost I should be able to use this yes? How long until it's ready to use, should I start small with say a couple of regular bucket sized buckets?? I understand I should only use fruit and veg peelings etc, egg shells and some grass cuttings yes and a little newspaper to get it going, how often should I water it? Oh feel all 'Good life' now
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 27 April 2011 - 13:27
We have some fast growing creeper things (as you can tell I'm not a gardener!) put in by our LL at our new villa. Now the gardener tells me that I need 14 trellis' to hold them up and "they will be 40dhs each madam" (yes x14), thinking this is a wee bit expensive I said I would check the price, so EW'ers is that a good price or should I just get some bamboo/pea rods and make a teepee out of them and get him to get them to creep up these? I am happy to get trellis or bamboo rods but at a reasonable price, our LL is a bit hard work and we might only be here another 10 months so don't want to go spending oodles of our cash on his beloved garden. thanks in advance
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 27 April 2011 - 12:28
can't feedback on the list you had but can recommend Supreme Way - they moved us in March and I would highly recommend, can't put my hand on the number just now but I have put there number up on EW before. HTH
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 19 April 2011 - 11:07
thank you all :-)
cymraes
1430
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 17 April 2011 - 17:00
we thought we might have a problem Supreme Way said they could sort something, Alex 04 320 5195 - they did a great move for us, but we didn't use the storage in the end.
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 17 April 2011 - 16:52
We've been in since March, 135K fully landscaped garden A1 Mazaya, can't remember which phase but nearest to the 66 highway (!) we're in RN plots. Landscaping of the main road taking off this week and starting to look 'less' like a building site. Like emlsnre, we moved from Ranches ... still would do so, but snagging has been an issue and down to us not the LL. You do get a lot of room for your budget, I see that some Alma/Al Reems (3M which we came from) in Ranches which are much smaller are going for around the 125/135K - depends on what you want, we are happy to be a bit out of the way but love the space, being detatched and the pool (although some issues with that) make up for it. Edited to add - like Assisi, would not recommend our agent, but Helena from Landmark is good .... there is a problem with handover from the developer to the owner so you need to make sure the final payments have been made and the keys handed over, we lost 3 properties due to this. <em>edited by cymraes on 17/04/2011</em>
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 16 April 2011 - 21:30
I had a siemens gas oven and hob, hob was fantastic but gas oven burnt everything (I'm not a bad cook honest!) now have a Scholtes ceramic hob and electric oven and I love it - can't believe I put up with that horrid gas thing for so long!
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 16 April 2011 - 17:53
Moved in March, 2,900 full pack up and move (dismantled and reassembled beds etc) 1 day from 3 bed 3M in Ranches to The Villa, A1. Supremeway 04 320 5195 (Alex) - they were so good and careful, nothing broken or damaged - we were delighted and happy to recommend. We slept in our made up bed that night - perfect! If we'd have done a partial move it was 1,900 (that's them just moving the big items - sofas, beds, big furniture but not cupboard emptying). HTH
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 16 April 2011 - 17:49
Yep got our full deposit back when we moved from AR in March, that said we had the whole place redecorated at our cost and all the little bumps and scratches were fixed ... we'd been there 2 years and our LL was a real stickler. Not sure if we will get deposit back on this property. We have a largish planted (grass and plants) garden that the LL is very precious about ... ah well ....
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 16 April 2011 - 17:46
thinking of going with friends who come next week, is it just one choice of beer and wine or is there a selection (read somewhere probably Time Out) that there is a more expensive bubbly offer ... any info greatly received.
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 11 April 2011 - 16:15
oooo thank you all, just googled a lemon curd recipe - DS loves lemon curd in victoria sponge ..... thanks again!! Will try the perserved lemons too xx
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 11 April 2011 - 14:07
thank you all, just got back from DSO and the little pharmacy (nr Al Arab) nice and helpful chap in there - thanks so much, plus they're open until 10pm. Much appreciated to you all who replied :-)
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 11 April 2011 - 12:25
just want to dash out quickly and if we're in for a storm don't think my little car will cope with the deluge on the 311 ..... we used to be in AR so I know that one and I could pop there, was rather hoping there was one up at Silicon as quicker to nip over there as we're near the 66 exit of The Villa. Thanks Shelly will pop there now .... thanks for that! <em>edited by cymraes on 11/04/2011</em>
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 11 April 2011 - 12:19
Is there a pharmacy in Silicon Oasis, as I haven't seen one, if there is can you let me have directions? Or is my nearest Arabian Ranches or over to Mirdif? Don't think I've seen one at the Outlet Mall either. Thanks in advance.
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 April 2011 - 13:08
thank you very much simpleasabc much appreciated
cymraes
1430
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 April 2011 - 12:32
I see lots of references to Fiona Coutts but can't find her number, please if anyone has it could they give it to me? Thank you so much
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 05 April 2011 - 17:41
I need to get about 100 samosas for Friday .... I am at The Villa, where is close that I can order and pick up on Friday (or Thurs if they will keep) - thanks for your recommendations. Cymraes
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 April 2011 - 21:48
Other people mentioned (and I am not advertising/recommending) but just the names of the ones I can remember listed: Gill Packaging Wales Supreme Way British Budget Removals can't remember any more, sorry Hope this helps, and apologies for getting it deleted as your question was genuine
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 April 2011 - 20:52
Sorry, I bubbled the poster - however I am just a normal EW'er and I used Supreme Way they were excellent 2,900dhs full pack up and move in one day - brilliant nothing damaged and they reassembled everything. I'd recommend them. We moved from Ranches to The Villa on the 21 March. I dealt with Alex 050 437 1123
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 April 2011 - 19:55
excellent ideal wuffles:) will do! I really value EW recommendations but this is blatent advertising and not why we're all here .... ETA, done it wuffles ..... that's relieved the stress of being charged 500dhs to wire in all my applicances today and then find out they've wired the plug incorrectly which I fixed! Was not happy and the phone was red hot when I called the company! <em>edited by cymraes on 04/04/2011</em>
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 April 2011 - 19:45
All your posts are about Supreme Way packers ... yes they do a good job but this is not an advertising forum - bubbled, my dear!! Secret Squirel (aka Cymraes)
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 April 2011 - 21:23
Try giving Dubai Kennels and Cattery (DKC) a call they are very helpful with this type of thing, I bet they can point you in the right direction if they can't help you out, they were great when we brought our poochie from the UK HTH http://www.dkc.ae/
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 April 2011 - 21:13
thanks emlsnre will look them up, appreciate your post :-)
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 April 2011 - 18:53
well pool does have a leak .... not unsurprisingly so we're on the case with that .... at the moment we can still use as it appears to be a slow one! we only have one bath, in the shared bathroom which we will use for guests, we're shower people, but we can use it when we want to. It's going to be a fab development when all the landscaping is done, I feel very happy here two weeks in, eventhough I can only see two other houses occupied near me, but we're in RN sector which is slightly out of the main populated areas. You should get an agent to show you one.
cymraes
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 April 2011 - 18:41
just moved into an A1 Mazaya, love it - we came from a townhouse 3M in Ranches - why not give an agent a call to go and have a look. Only one thing that annoys me, not enough plugs in the place!! Layout works great for us - we are a couple with a son and a dog ... means guests can have two bedrooms and a bathroom to themselves. Upstairs majlis great for study/computer/kids break out area. Downstairs we love the study (boys room), kitchen is great (lots of storage cupboards) and maids room and laundry are brilliant for dumping the junk. Nice sitting room and dining room fits our 8 seater table - glad we moved despite the moving in glitches as you get with all new houses.
 
 
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