Dilys | ExpatWoman.com
 

Dilys

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Latest post on 14 June 2012 - 15:13
Thanks for that. We need to find somewhere that we can take our dogs for an early morning run and breakfast after (especially with the dogs) sounds great.
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Latest post on 14 June 2012 - 14:31
Thank you for all your replies might just be brave and get one :). I've done it and ordered one. Can't wait to use the cooker and oven properly now :)
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Latest post on 14 June 2012 - 12:20
Was just about to log off when I saw your reply. Do the gas company supply the cages when they supply the bottles? TIA
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Latest post on 14 June 2012 - 11:27
Thanks Pam got it this time. Leave it with me for over the weekend and I'll have a look through it. PS I tried a couple of those websites mentioned and they are very efficient, even found a couple of jobs to apply for.
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Latest post on 14 June 2012 - 11:20
Hi Pamm1e Still no mail and I need to go out soon. If you try again I will check when I am back home. Just realised it may well have been my typing !!! <em>edited by Dilys on 14/06/2012</em>
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Latest post on 14 June 2012 - 11:03
Hi Vera I'm thinking the same as you. We live in JVT and all the bottles are stored by the front gates. I'm assuming that this is the only way to go out here. Desperate to do more than just cook on one electric ring :(
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Latest post on 14 June 2012 - 09:16
Hi Dilys/Brown Eyed Girl I have the same problem as the other ladies on this thread, would you be willing to look at my CV to see whether it fits the 'Dubai' style? TIA Hi Pamm1e I'd be more than happy to look over your CV, gives me a chance to get my head back into work mode. <em>edited by Dilys on 14/06/2012</em>
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Latest post on 14 June 2012 - 08:54
I've also got about 6 or 7 left, 2 bags full of the paper they wrapped the stuff in, some bubble wrap and even one roll of tape (don't know how that got packed???)
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Latest post on 13 June 2012 - 17:05
We will. We're quite old !!! and reasonably sensible. Not likely to go haring off into the distance without a thought for anything. Promise
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Latest post on 13 June 2012 - 16:50
Don't take my word for it, but I've heard that they've got a similar reputation to Groupon. I may be wrong and when I can contact my friend who used them I will let you know.
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Latest post on 13 June 2012 - 16:42
Thanks for the info Suze63, I'll make sure DH and probably me does this first. I'm really loving it here She's right - and most importantly have your car kit with you always (a visit to Adventure HQ and ACE would be necessary). You may get stuck not only in sand (I think this is the easiest to get out of), but also water-filled wadi or up a mountain cliff. (Don't ask). Now you've got us all wondering?????
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Latest post on 13 June 2012 - 16:40
Dilys A very warm welcome to the UAE May your stay be a long and happy one. :) Thank you, I'm loving everything about it so far :)
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Latest post on 13 June 2012 - 16:38
Hi GoodMorning As we are newbies here, can you let me have some information on where you go trekking please and what other things like this there are to do. TIA I normally start off with routes from the offroad books and we kind of just follow our noses and go off-track where we feel like it. The books have got good mapped routes ready-to-explore to get you started. :) For example, these kind of [url=http://www.off-roadexplorer.com/'>books[/url'> have pretty fun routes. edited by GoodMorning on 13/06/2012 Thanks I'll put them on my shopping list, makes a change from food and household stuff If you're going to go off road then I strongly suggest a special course first (we did ours at Emirates driving Institute and it was great fun and very well done)...I think you have only just arrived? We don't want to lose you so soon! edited by suze63 on 13/06/2012 Thanks for the info Suze63, I'll make sure DH and probably me does this first. I'm really loving it here <em>edited by Dilys on 13/06/2012</em>
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Latest post on 13 June 2012 - 16:32
Hi GoodMorning As we are newbies here, can you let me have some information on where you go trekking please and what other things like this there are to do. TIA I normally start off with routes from the offroad books and we kind of just follow our noses and go off-track where we feel like it. The books have got good mapped routes ready-to-explore to get you started. :) For example, these kind of [url=http://www.off-roadexplorer.com/'>books[/url'> have pretty fun routes. edited by GoodMorning on 13/06/2012 Thanks I'll put them on my shopping list, makes a change from food and household stuff
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Latest post on 13 June 2012 - 16:13
Love to meet up soon. Taking a well earned break from the boxes, but still loads to go. Why did we bring so much out with us :(
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Latest post on 13 June 2012 - 16:12
Hi, What kind of job are you looking for, because as well as the general job boards and recruiters, there are some specific ones too, which i can point you towards. Also ensure your CV is "Dubai friendly": ideally limited to two pages, bullet pointed experience, clear job title and dates, a personal statement/career objective of what your skills are and what you are looking to do, and sometimes a smart head and shoulders photograph in the top right corner helps, if you are comfortable with this. NO jazzy pictures, colours, fonts, sizes, borders, animations or anything like that! edited by brown_eyed_girl on 13/06/2012 Hopefully this goes without saying, no spelling or grammar errors. If you can, ask some honest friends to have a look at it. The number of CVs that I see that have basic errors is amazing. Some even use 'text speak' which means it is destined for the bin. Tell me about it. I've interviewed for enough staff to be able to see at first glance whether it's even worth reading through the CV. I don't care how good someone may be at their job, if they can't present a CV to a prospective employer correctly, they don't even deserve an interview
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Latest post on 13 June 2012 - 16:07
Trekking! Hi GoodMorning As we are newbies here, can you let me have some information on where you go trekking please and what other things like this there are to do. TIA
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Latest post on 13 June 2012 - 15:58
Hi, What kind of job are you looking for, because as well as the general job boards and recruiters, there are some specific ones too, which i can point you towards. Also ensure your CV is "Dubai friendly": ideally limited to two pages, bullet pointed experience, clear job title and dates, a personal statement/career objective of what your skills are and what you are looking to do, and sometimes a smart head and shoulders photograph in the top right corner helps, if you are comfortable with this. NO jazzy pictures, colours, fonts, sizes, borders, animations or anything like that! edited by brown_eyed_girl on 13/06/2012 Hi brown eyed girl I'm after anything in clerical, administrative, reception, PA and I've done about 10 years in customer service Thanks Dilys, there is an agency called Miller Hay that specialises in this market, also Michael Page and Charter House have specialists in this market. If you go on their websites there is definitely an email address to send your CV to. Fantastic, many thanks for your help and all fingers crossed.
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Latest post on 13 June 2012 - 15:46
Hi, What kind of job are you looking for, because as well as the general job boards and recruiters, there are some specific ones too, which i can point you towards. Also ensure your CV is "Dubai friendly": ideally limited to two pages, bullet pointed experience, clear job title and dates, a personal statement/career objective of what your skills are and what you are looking to do, and sometimes a smart head and shoulders photograph in the top right corner helps, if you are comfortable with this. NO jazzy pictures, colours, fonts, sizes, borders, animations or anything like that! edited by brown_eyed_girl on 13/06/2012 Hi brown eyed girl I'm after anything in clerical, administrative, reception, PA and I've done about 10 years in customer service
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Latest post on 13 June 2012 - 15:41
Boring I know, but I would like to have my villa looking more like a home than some rooms filled with boxes. Hope everyone else enjoys theirs though
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Latest post on 13 June 2012 - 14:58
Hi ladies And I'm just joining this party :)
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Latest post on 13 June 2012 - 13:57
Hi I am just about to do this with a company called Argentum who basically get it all legalised and attested in the Uk ready for when i come to Dubai. If she has no access to a computer then does her husband as all he has to do is fill in a form on line, pay the amount required and he can have it sent to his wife at home. I am also getting them to get a replacement certificate so i do not even have to send anything to them in the post. Yes this is a little more expensive but hassle free. If it is is UK certificate is is £169 for attestation, £8.00 postage and then £45.99 for certificate (Scotland) £39.95 if England. If she can get a friend maybe to download the form then she could send that by post as she is in UK together with her certificate so cheaper. I got recommendation off this site and so far have sent company a couple of emails and they are very prompt and helpful. Thanks ladies. As usual you've saved our sanity again
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Latest post on 13 June 2012 - 13:46
Try Darren at Pacific Prime, sorry I don't have his contact details to hand, but they are easily found on google. He was excellent when I was searching, gave me loads of options
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Latest post on 13 June 2012 - 13:37
When I saw that last awful place was gone, I was hoping for a Wagamamas... but oh well. Shakesphere's is okay we've never had cold food or service problems. Really don't like Al Arrab, the staff there are awful, a little while ago one of them stood practically on top of me he was so close, while a visiting friend was looking at the menu. I even said to my friend, "wow would be nice for some personal space", followed by "this guy is like standing really like close, it's kinda creepy" after he didn't get the hint I vowed never to go there. We prefer MBCO for breakfast though, although the food is not great (but improving) we can take the dogs and it's their morning treat at the weekend after a desert run. Then the staff want their photo's taken with the dogs to show how tough they are (the dogs are sleeping in most pictures) that adds to the fun! Now if we could ditch Al Arrab, Pizza Hut and Burger King and get Paul's, Wagamamas and a less creepy Lebanese or even a nice pizza place I'd be happy. Please can you let me know where MBCO is and where you take your dogs on a weekend for a desert run??
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Latest post on 13 June 2012 - 13:34
I have just got mine attested but I didn't use a company, I sorted it myself. Tell her to begin by finding a notary public in her area, usually a solicitor. Trouble is she's working full time, her DH is out here and she has two girls to get organised. I managed to get my marriage certificate to Milton Keynes and then it disappeared!!! I eventually had to get it sent out here it took so long. To be honest I don't blame her for wanting to get a company to sort them all.
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Latest post on 13 June 2012 - 13:02
I miss lots about home, but not enough to go home! I have to disagree with you about the customer service here though! We have bought lots of big items, furniture, whiteware, etc and it has always been delivered within days, in the uk if you order a sofa set it could take six weeks! This is something my friends and family back home couldn't believe. Ordered the furniture on Tuesday night and it was delivered and put together on the Saturday. Even the couple of things we had problems with were sorted and put right the same day. That's customer service :) Not having to wait up to 3 or more months for delivery, or bringing a flat pack home yourself and trying to build it :(
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Latest post on 13 June 2012 - 10:12
Hi JSW We have had numerous numbers of cats over the past few years. I'm a sucker for a stray. At first we followed all the guidelines we could find, make sure your original cat has his/her own space where they can escape from the new one, feed separately, etc. To be honest we found that they all ended up mucking in together after only a few days and I would think that it should be easier if they are both young. All I would suggest is that you try and be at home with them as much as possible during the first week or so. HTH and enjoy having more than one cat, it's great. We have 3 out here and 2 dogs!!
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Latest post on 12 June 2012 - 16:08
Its not the tourists that are the problem or so the article stated, but residents to which I agree with. How easy would it be to differentiate residents from tourists? from october to march; quite easy; tourists are the bright pink ones :\: Please don't count us newbies in this. I'm still quite white, never mind pink :) Dilys..ive bern here 4 months and my mam still wonders why im white....erm cos its a muslim country mam not Vegas!!! Lol That'll be me this time next year too ;)
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Latest post on 12 June 2012 - 16:00
Hi Yes we just moved in last week and managed to get internet today. JVT is really nice, even if there are no shops or parks, as yet! and it's not too much of a building site. Once I get sorted, I must start to get out and about. Thanks for getting in touch. x
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Latest post on 12 June 2012 - 15:48
Actually I think the majority of the 'bad' dressers ARE tourists.... saw a busload of them getting out near Dubai Mall and it was a skimp-fest to say the least. Definitely not residents. During Ramadan I'll also nicely tell people on the plane coming into Dubai if they might want to try covering up a little more- nothing worse than people doing the reverse journey saying "but none of you girls said anything to us coming in" I know it's not my job but I actually think the airlines should have to make an announcement at the very least just before and during Ramadan to the effect that it is a religious occasion and appropriate dress should be worn... even to the step of having an attachment to confirmation emails for travel during that period outlining the dos and donts. I remember getting a 'checklist' when I arrived.... haven't seen those for awhile! "Welcome to Dubai, the outside temperature is boiling, it's ramadan and please don't do a Madonna" Sorry but can't people just think - Muslim country + Ramadan + keep your bits under wraps....... A lot of people probably don't even know what Ramadan means !!!
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Latest post on 12 June 2012 - 15:39
Actually I think the majority of the 'bad' dressers ARE tourists.... saw a busload of them getting out near Dubai Mall and it was a skimp-fest to say the least. Definitely not residents. During Ramadan I'll also nicely tell people on the plane coming into Dubai if they might want to try covering up a little more- nothing worse than people doing the reverse journey saying "but none of you girls said anything to us coming in" I know it's not my job but I actually think the airlines should have to make an announcement at the very least just before and during Ramadan to the effect that it is a religious occasion and appropriate dress should be worn... even to the step of having an attachment to confirmation emails for travel during that period outlining the dos and donts. I remember getting a 'checklist' when I arrived.... haven't seen those for awhile! I would be quite happy to see this done on every flight if possible. Some of the sights I saw when I landed just don't bear describing. I know people come here for a holiday, but isn't it just common courtesy to respect the people and culture of the place you are visiting.
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Latest post on 12 June 2012 - 15:36
Its not the tourists that are the problem or so the article stated, but residents to which I agree with. How easy would it be to differentiate residents from tourists? from october to march; quite easy; tourists are the bright pink ones :\: Please don't count us newbies in this. I'm still quite white, never mind pink :)
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Latest post on 12 June 2012 - 11:13
Not sure if you've got any boxes yet, but I have some and more to come when I empty them! I've also saved the paper and as much of the packing material as I could. I'm in JVT, dilysguthrie at btinternet dot com
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Latest post on 05 June 2012 - 22:00
That comment was meant a bit 'tongue in cheek' btw! DD is 9 so they were probably about 8 sue62. I don't usually get to meet the other mums though (I assume they all know my DH who does the school run and always has done)....and when I did meet some here, one asked me if I was Sue62!!! :) Sorry, cannot imagine sending kids out to a sleepover without meeting the Mom, but then again, mine have never done that kind of thing..... I would think it mighty weird, inviting kids to sleep in your home without knowing the parents......where do you come from? I'm from the UK...a Northerner, from a small town. Me too, but they have always said Northerner's are more friendly. I definitely noticed the difference when I spent 6 years in Cambridgeshire, no one spoke to you and if you said hello, they just looked at you as if you had landed from outer space. And my kids have grown up into sensible well adjusted adults, without being with their mother 24/7
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Latest post on 05 June 2012 - 15:42
I'm with Sydneygal on this, suze63, there's no way I would let my child sleepover at a house when I didn't know the parents. I still don't like the idea of it, and she's 17 now :) Am I missing something here. Even back in the dark ages we got to meet the parents of our kids friends, or is it just that nowadays parents don't have the time to do things like that. It wasn't uncommon for one of their friends to ask if they could introduce their 'Mummy' to to me so they could play together after school or at the weekend. That way we got to know most of the other parents at least in their class. And yes a lot of us did still work. I'm probably going to get shot down in flames now ;)
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Latest post on 05 June 2012 - 15:25
You could also look at The Villa and Falcon Villas. They are just on the other side of the Al Ain Rd from Silicon Oasis. What about the villas at DSO? What is your housing budget like and people can maybe advise you better? I'm happy to look at any of those places but how do you get to the agents? My Budget is 110,000 - 130,000 so thats why I was thinking Mirdiff Try www.propertyfinder.ae it's a bit like Rightmove in the UK. I found it easier to navigate than Dubizzle <em>edited by Dilys on 05/06/2012</em>
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Latest post on 05 June 2012 - 15:23
I've just spent the last hour or so ironing along to the thanksgiving service for the Queen. It's so lovely to be able to watch religious services like this and the wedding last year. I've done all my packing, while watching it on Sky. We're out of the hotel and into our villa tomorrow. WHOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOO
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Latest post on 05 June 2012 - 15:15
Suze, tell us your story. We are all ears. *opening Doritos* LOL!! Opens the can of worms! I emailed all the mothers, half of whom didn;t respond (the first surprise). I followed up with phone calls...one lady said she wasn't sure as she didn't know me (not relavent in my view as I wasn't inviting her for a sleepover), someone else said her DD could come but couldn't sleep there and someone else said she would need to ask her husband as she wasn;t sure (she eventualy said yes but her husband came with her to drop the child off and I thought for a moment he was going to ask to see the upstairs). When i was a kid, we were always off staying at someones house at the weekend and there was never any of this nonsense. I work full time and have done since DD was about 4 months so I guess my exposure to all this 'hands on' parenting has passed me by and I wasn't aware people thought like this. I only worked part time for their first few years, but once they started school mine were at friends most weekend nights, or their friends were at ours. Also I meant to add, when we used to leave them with babysitters it was long before the mobile, so we had to rely on landlines if we were needed. Same went for other kids parents and they didn't always have one, so it was out to find a phone box (as long as you had change), no chance of using a credit card in those days :) Don't I sound like a dinosaur, but I still think it was better then Ha ha...I remember when we got our first phone (I was 13!). I wonder how we all survived. When I was younger ours was a party line. I had a schoolgirl crush on the boy next door, who was in a bad, and was devastated when I heard him telling a girl he loved her. Serves me right for listening in :(
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Latest post on 05 June 2012 - 15:09
Suze, tell us your story. We are all ears. *opening Doritos* LOL!! Opens the can of worms! I emailed all the mothers, half of whom didn;t respond (the first surprise). I followed up with phone calls...one lady said she wasn't sure as she didn't know me (not relavent in my view as I wasn't inviting her for a sleepover), someone else said her DD could come but couldn't sleep there and someone else said she would need to ask her husband as she wasn;t sure (she eventualy said yes but her husband came with her to drop the child off and I thought for a moment he was going to ask to see the upstairs). When i was a kid, we were always off staying at someones house at the weekend and there was never any of this nonsense. I work full time and have done since DD was about 4 months so I guess my exposure to all this 'hands on' parenting has passed me by and I wasn't aware people thought like this. I only worked part time for their first few years, but once they started school mine were at friends most weekend nights, or their friends were at ours. Also I meant to add, when we used to leave them with babysitters it was long before the mobile, so we had to rely on landlines if we were needed. Same went for other kids parents and they didn't always have one, so it was out to find a phone box (as long as you had change), no chance of using a credit card in those days :) Don't I sound like a dinosaur, but I still think it was better then
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Latest post on 05 June 2012 - 14:45
Please don't anyone shout at me, but don't you have friends who would babysit for a few hours. I'm a 53 year old grandma and once I have made some friends out here, certainly wouldn't be averse to the odd few hours of babysitting. Or am I living in the past when we used to help each other out. No you're not!! You're normal and decent, the way people always were. I didn't realise that many people think differently now (I work full time and am out of the mummy politics scene)...got a rude awakening when I tried to organise for all the girls in the class to do a sleepover at ours. What a palaver!!! We had good friends and neighbours who would babysit our 2 every now and again if we wanted to go to something special. I'm not saying it was a regular occurrence, but the odd few hours out certainly did me the power of good. And I don't think it made me a worse parent, to be honest it made me value my girls all the more. Also remember in the UK children still aren't accepted as readily as they are overseas.
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Latest post on 05 June 2012 - 14:29
No problem, I'm originally from Middlesbrough and he's from Chester Le Street. edited by rachaelne on 05/06/2012 Anymore Geordies on here. We're both from South Shields originally, but were living out in Northumberland before we moved.
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Latest post on 05 June 2012 - 14:27
Please don't anyone shout at me, but don't you have friends who would babysit for a few hours. I'm a 53 year old grandma and once I have made some friends out here, certainly wouldn't be averse to the odd few hours of babysitting. Or am I living in the past when we used to help each other out.
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Latest post on 05 June 2012 - 14:10
Sorry to butt in on your thread but whereabouts in the North East are you from?
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Latest post on 05 June 2012 - 11:59
No problem Dilys - if you email me on sallyk4 at hotmail dot co dot uk I will scan some of the menus over to you. Thanks you should have mail
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Latest post on 05 June 2012 - 11:00
Salster I don't suppose you could let me have the details of some of these takeaways please. Our container should be here by now, but we're not expecting to get the stuff until the beginning of next week (if we're lucky!!) and we're moving in tomorrow. I refuse to buy any more than what we desperately need, 2 plates, 2 cups, 2 bowls and 2 sets of knife, fork and spoon. Cooking will just have to wait. We also tried to use a sat nav and went round in a few circles to start with. I have now remembered landmarks to get me to the villa, but no doubt they will change as things progress :( and I'll get lost again
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Latest post on 04 June 2012 - 17:20
Exactly and you can add whatever you like to it. Once you get the hang of it, it's so easy to change the recipes slightly to suit yourself.
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Latest post on 04 June 2012 - 17:13
Sorry Irooni yes it is and since we've bought it we've never even thought of buying bread and we feel much better for it, health wise.
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Latest post on 04 June 2012 - 17:08
I dont think the OP is British, therefor she wont be eligible for anything (I think LOL) The fact that the OP isn't British means she will be eligible for everything! :D I was going to say that but didn't dare ;) edited by Dilys on 04/06/2012 Haha thats why I said I think LOL Please don't get me started we've both been unemployed for nearly a year (got made redundant). No savings left, no help with the mortgage and now we're in Dubai, he's managed to get a job and I'm looking for one. Eligibility in the UK for help Grrrrrrrrrrrrr edited by Dilys on 04/06/2012 Would that be because you are "Middle Class"....?:D All I'll admit to is trying to save for our retirement ;)
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Latest post on 04 June 2012 - 17:06
We've got the seed dispenser one and it's great. Yes definitely get the digital scales though, as they are VERY VERY fussy about the correct measures
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Latest post on 04 June 2012 - 17:02
I dont think the OP is British, therefor she wont be eligible for anything (I think LOL) The fact that the OP isn't British means she will be eligible for everything! :D I was going to say that but didn't dare ;) edited by Dilys on 04/06/2012 Haha thats why I said I think LOL Please don't get me started we've both been unemployed for nearly a year (got made redundant). No savings left, no help with the mortgage and now we're in Dubai, he's managed to get a job and I'm looking for one. Eligibility in the UK for help Grrrrrrrrrrrrr <em>edited by Dilys on 04/06/2012</em>