gailmcphail | ExpatWoman.com
 

gailmcphail

gailmcphail
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Latest post on 14 November 2012 - 12:13
Folksy.com is a bit like Etsy but UK based for handmade/ unique items
gailmcphail
198
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 November 2012 - 12:05
Not sure then, I renewed my temp licence for 7months so have an idea how to do that. To get my permanent licence I needed a form, copy of both sides of my ID & husband's ID, photo, temp licence & payment is by card only. If your co has a PRO they should be able to do form & then you take it to traffic dept at Madinat Khalifa with the above and they will do it all for you. There's a typing office opposite which did photocopies for me & could perhaps do form if req'd.
gailmcphail
198
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Latest post on 13 November 2012 - 18:50
Is it a temporary or permanent licence?
gailmcphail
198
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Latest post on 05 November 2012 - 22:00
Try www.mater.co.uk Has details of a lady selling Aloe Vera products in Doha
gailmcphail
198
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 October 2012 - 09:20
No problem. They were packed and labelled separately and we were told they would be inspected on arrival in Doha, but the box did not appear to have been opened. We shipped last Nov/Dec, LCL with Crown from the UK. Obviously don't pack anything dodgy and perhaps be careful if the image on the box is a bit risque. I have seen others comment on similar threads and say they also got theirs in fine.
gailmcphail
198
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 October 2012 - 09:13
I got married in the UK and my DH is my sponsor. We had to send our marriage certificate to the FCO office in Milton Keynes for them to stick something to the back of it to say it was genuine. We then had to take it to the British Embassy here for them to stamp it to say that the bit of paper stuck on the back of it was genuine. If you google FCO legalisation the website will come up and the instructions/process are quite easy and sending from here we had it back in less than 2weeks. The British Embassy will stamp it on the spot and charge 100-200 for it. ETA this was done in Feb of this year. <em>edited by gailmcphail on 22/10/2012</em>
gailmcphail
198
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 October 2012 - 17:53
Pretty sure I saw this in Daiso last wk, did not look at them in detail, but spotted them while looking for other stuff.
gailmcphail
198
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 14:21
It's not as nice as the EK lounges but does serve grape and hop and juniper etc juices. It's often very busy which makes finding a seat harder, if you go round the back it's a bit darker (I find the front section very brightly lit) and sometimes quieter. It's still better than being out in the main terminal.
gailmcphail
198
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 11:21
Are there any kind of tributes put up in the mall to remember the tragedy? Doha news was reporting that any floral or other tributes that have been left are being removed.....
gailmcphail
198
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 September 2012 - 21:38
Try: http://www.globalwomenqatar.com/ And also http://www.qpwn.org/ which has a list of other recruitment consultants under 'working in Qatar' <em>edited by gailmcphail on 24/09/2012</em>
gailmcphail
198
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 22:29
Check out Aspire http://www.aspire.qa/ASPIREACTIVE/Pages/default.aspx They have pregnancy fitness & aqua programmes & I think membership for these is separate to the other programs which are usually full.
gailmcphail
198
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 September 2012 - 21:38
Try notonthehighstreet, etsy.com or folksy.com
gailmcphail
198
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 September 2012 - 10:01
Turning off the wifi will make a massive difference. When I got mine the battery was draining v quickly but now if I have wifi off it lasts for months on standby
gailmcphail
198
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 September 2012 - 10:28
I got some linen from souq al deira. The shop was near one of the exits which faces towards al rawnaq, sorry can't be more specific! Think some other shops in there also had linen.
gailmcphail
198
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 September 2012 - 16:50
There is a street- the 'curtain souq' which has lots of upholstery fabric shops. They have fabric which can be bought off the roll, or bookd of fabric which need to be ordered- some is off-site and is delivered in a few days, some will take longer. I have read on another post that there are tailor shops on the street who could make up the cushions,.but i have never used any. I expect the fabric shops could also advise. Forgot the directions! If you come over the Jaidah flyover towards the souqs, pass straight thro electricity intersection and at Dhow r/a (which had no dhow last time i was there!) take a right (1st exit) and this street is where all the shops are. Parking is limited, side streets may be best option. <em>edited by gailmcphail on 08/09/2012</em>
gailmcphail
198
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 September 2012 - 11:32
My less-than-container-load took 9.5 wks door to door. This was last Oct for packing, Dec for delivery.
gailmcphail
198
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 September 2012 - 21:37
I am not involved or affected at all, but very shocked to hear that this is happening. Very hard position for parents to be in. My initial thought was why are the school not hiring rooms in hotels or somewhere so they can carry on teaching the children in their classes?
gailmcphail
198
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 August 2012 - 18:43
Lush do a shampoo bar which is really good. Can't remember name but it's brown in colour and stinks,.but is v effective.
gailmcphail
198
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 August 2012 - 14:18
I have not noticed any particular pattern to sales. Clothes (high street) shops seem to have regular sales. Homes r us and Home Centre have had a few sales each this year. I have noticed roadside adverts for various sales, it's just a case of keeping an eye out.
gailmcphail
198
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 August 2012 - 14:16
To try & answer few of your questions... Re p0rk- yes, only QDC sells it and there is only one outlet, you need your alcohol licence to get access. Never known them to sell out of bacon or sausages, think they may sometimes run out of things like Parma ham or joints etc. it's all frozen so you can stock up when you go. Ikea-,I just checked the Festival city website and it's quoting 112 days to opening. This has gone down since I last checked, but it does sometimes go up. No holding of breath! Furniture shops & selection is pretty dire & expensive. There is an active second hand market but I also think this is expensive. Time out ran a feature (last nov or dec) on Christmas dinners at hotels & also where you can order turkeys from- try googling that. I didn't go or order, so can't comment, but there seemed to be fair bit of choice. Look up Doha Mums, prob worth joining them. Good luck!
gailmcphail
198
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 July 2012 - 18:28
I used Crown to ship stuff out when we first moved here, they packed and shipped and by the time it arrived we had an address and DH had his RP for the customs clearance so it all worked out well. Emirates, I think, have the biggest luggage allowance in economy without frequent flier status - 30kg each. If you book excess online it's cheaper but still expensive per kg. I have just been trying to get quotes to ship some stuff we have in storage, so have been googling for ideas. Russell's Freight have given me a quote of around 500gbp for 8 boxes weighing 30kg each air freight which I thought was quite good. This requires you to pack and take to airport yourself and to collect from the airport this end, they have not, however, so far managed to answer my questions on clearing customs and the charges here (Crown did this for us first time round) so I may not end up going with them. It's hard to get quotes as it's a bit of a piece of string question as to how much volume and weight your stuff will be until you start actually putting it in cases or boxes!
gailmcphail
198
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 July 2012 - 14:18
.....*goes off to make up a vinegar spray bottle*....... Thanks for the tip Kitsune :-) Will spray round the driveway as well to see if that stops the blighters climbing all over car and scratching paintwork.
gailmcphail
198
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 July 2012 - 12:27
Try putting in 11111 or make something up it will accept
gailmcphail
198
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 July 2012 - 09:26
I had unwelcome cats in my garden and read up on 'natural' deterrents, citrus peel & eucalyptus oil (&i think black pepper) were listed as things cats don't like. I haven't had one in garden for a while, not sure if these have worked or whether me 'enthusiastically' shoo'ing them away any time I see them has meant they have got he message??!! If the dog was in the garden I assume (?) cats wouldn't come in or would run away.....
gailmcphail
198
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 July 2012 - 14:12
It's just taken me around two months, five visits to a health centre, and visits to two hospitals to get health cards, so hopefully your experience will be easier! You need to go to your local health centre with ID, electricity bill, forms (although they have them there if you can't get one). I was sent away twice as I didn't have elec bill and then I was told my health clinic was in fact one in middle of industrial area and not the one 7mins from my house. DH came on our fifth visit and that turned out to be the winning formula. The lady didn't send us away when we didn't provide elec bill and accepted that our address was 'off Salwa rd, just over there'! If they process you, they will write on your form which you then take to Hamad hosp with two passport photos, copy of both sides ID & passport cash per card and they will print your card on the spot. Good luck!
gailmcphail
198
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 July 2012 - 14:16
Thanks. I like the idea of doing a package as it's easier, but I shall check out the agents you suggested for hotels and look at QA for flights.
gailmcphail
198
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 July 2012 - 21:55
http://www.globalwomenqatar.com/ Try this one
gailmcphail
198
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 July 2012 - 08:46
For water we bought the dispenser from C4 for around 200qr (I think) and had to pay 25 qr per bottle as a deposit. You can buy hala sim cards when you first arrive- pay as you go, around 50qr but you get some credit for that. Once you have RP you can get mobile and home phone/tv contracts, think you just pay a month up front and we got lots of free channels for first month.
gailmcphail
198
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 July 2012 - 20:15
Where would you be shipping from- a country that drives on same side of road as here? I would have thought shipping a car would be expensive, check out how much it will cost to ship vs how much you will get for it if you sell it vs how much it will cost to buy a car here. Qatarsale.com is a good place to look for 2nd hand cars. Not sure aboutvrental companies in Al Khor but for a basic sedan in Doha it's around 2000qr per month although I think you can barter down if taking longer term
gailmcphail
198
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 July 2012 - 20:02
Anyone know what grocery stores are like in Al Khor? A LuLu hypermarket was being advertised as opening in al Khor this weekend. The ones in Doha are well stocked with good selection.
gailmcphail
198
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 July 2012 - 20:03
Non-members can play on the academy (9hole) course at the weekend.
gailmcphail
198
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 July 2012 - 11:01
I was there at about 1.30pm yesterday. Car park seemed normal level of madness. Found a parking space very quickly - outside the M&S entrance, it looked like there were quite a few others around there too. ETA: leaving half an hour later, I was faced with quite a few cars double parking waiting to collect ppl or for a space which made getting out of the space a bit more interesting, but that is quite normal it seems. <em>edited by gailmcphail on 02/07/2012</em>
gailmcphail
198
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 June 2012 - 16:01
I had it done in UK, made no difference, went back and they did it again and still no difference. In fact I think all the straightening damaged my hair. I stuck with straightening it myself and moroccan (argan oil) seems to help my hair be smoother and in better condition.
gailmcphail
198
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 June 2012 - 15:16
Should have left a note on the windshield saying 'In future please leave a tin opener, so I may get back into my car'. *like* must remember this for future. I just had a similar experience where a number of people decided to create their own parking spaces in the absence of any real ones. I had to do a 20-point reverse to get out of the space because they left just more than the length of my car between the real spaces and the row of spaces they created.
gailmcphail
198
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 June 2012 - 11:06
Activity ideas: http://www.shabbybeachnest.com/101-idea-im-bored-jar/ http://www.imperfecthomemaking.com/search/label/family There are lots of recipes online for homemade finger paint if you want to do some painting. Simplify life with kids: http://www.imperfecthomemaking.com/2012/03/99-ways-to-simplify-life-with-kids.html There have been some threads on here about indoor summer activities, couldn't find them on initial search, but things like indoor picnics, making tents from sheets, treasure hunt etc. Good luck!
gailmcphail
198
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 June 2012 - 22:10
Does Fiona charge for her advice? If not, she may be paid commission from schools which register students via her in which case she may only reco schools which pay her.
gailmcphail
198
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 June 2012 - 20:39
Thank you all for your replies, will keep you all posted! Good luck!!
gailmcphail
198
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 June 2012 - 14:16
I have had one that was very informal and chatty and one that was much more formal and included a standard politically correct sounding list of questions relating to specific competencies and behaviours. Both asked questions about my personal circumstances that would not have been asked in UK.
gailmcphail
198
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 June 2012 - 21:39
My 2 year old was stopped at Aspire Park two golf carts sped toward us) because he almost stood on grass sideline of the football pitch . The grass on the pitch is "special " and "only for the international team " . I was told to keep him back 3 metres as that is the rule because the special grass starts 3 metres from the painted lines . No sign or fence to be seen . Walking from the grand Heritage back to the park we walked between two pitches thinking it was fine as we were not on the pitch, but no! Not allowed! Again no sign or fence, just the plastic chair for the security guard on the far side from where we started! Re the photography, I went to see my nephew play a football match in England and was taking some photos, only to be told by a mum that you are not allowed to take photos without the parents' consent and therefore taking photos at football games, school play etc was much more difficult/ not permitted. I thought I was doing something quite innocent but it ave me a different perspective on it.
gailmcphail
198
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 June 2012 - 20:06
I have heard that you are not allowed to lie down on the grass in aspire park.
gailmcphail
198
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 June 2012 - 20:04
Re baking. I have not seen vanilla extract here. Mega Mart would probably be the place to find it, but I keep forgetting to look. The big supermarkets(Carrefour, lulu,giant) have a more limited selection of food colouring but quite an array of essences- banana, mint,rose etc in glorious technicolor so they look like colouring. Mega Mart has imported ready made 'squirty' icing etc. I have bought some v.g. Baking tins here,methinks they are tefal, so don't bring them. There is a Lakeland and a kitchen-y shop in city centre mall and a kitchen-y shop in the Mall which have baking gadgets and accessories- quite expensive tho.
gailmcphail
198
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 June 2012 - 22:07
Goodmorning, he is starting with Qatar Airways..so really need to be within 40 mins ish of the airport It will depend on time of day, but most places in Doha would fit that bill
gailmcphail
198
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 June 2012 - 22:05
My compound is quite mixed and although there are kids and pets I don't feel overrun by either!! Take advantage of the co accomm to look around- there are some lovely compounds and I wouldn't trade my villa and garden for the convenience of being in west bay, in reality I would end up getting taxi most of the time anyway due to footwear choice or weather!!
gailmcphail
198
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 June 2012 - 22:01
Try Lakeland, their website says they have store at Mirdiff CC
gailmcphail
198
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 June 2012 - 21:57
I love living in a house which is huge compared to the UK, with lovely pool, tennis courts, gym, squash courts and shop etc. Having a longer drive to west bay is worth it for me. I don't have much of a compound social life!(no kids or pets means I am not out and about that much), but I believe some compounds have more organised activities if that's what you are looking for.
gailmcphail
198
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 June 2012 - 21:48
Hi, Can't reco any accomm as I wanted to live in a villa, others will advise. I went along to the 'Tuesday ladies group' which is an expat ladies' coffee morning, and that lead me to a volunteering opportunity which lead me to a paid job. I also registered with a job Agency - global women Qatar - after I saw a feature in a magazine while at the hairdressers! They seem to have quite a lot of opportunities. I found that a lot of activities were geared towards mums or older ladies (no offence intended) and it took some time tot find my groove. People here are very friendly and welcoming and you will find your fit. Enjoy taking some time to settle in and find something which suits you. <em>edited by gailmcphail on 18/06/2012</em>
gailmcphail
198
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 June 2012 - 11:01
Kitsune - I have been trying to get health cards for weeks now, so would also be interested if anyone has any advice. I went to Mesaimeer health clinic and on my fourth trip was told that this was not my health clinic ,according to my electricity bill, I had to go to a health clinic that is miles up Salwa Road in the middle of the industrial area. They wouldn't even give me the application form. I don't fancy that so researched and the info on this website suggests there is a health card office in Rumaillah hospital, so that was going to be my next stop when I can muster the energy to be told I must come back four times with multifarious documents! Mesaimeer told me I needed passport and electricity bill. There is a web link in the info about health cards on this website but it doesn't work, if you can apply online that would be much easier.
gailmcphail
198
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 June 2012 - 22:26
Bare Minerals is a good brand of mineral make up. I am in Doha and Sephora here stocks it.
gailmcphail
198
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 June 2012 - 20:40
My understanding, and experience, is that the 6month requirement came into force in Jan this year. I have spoken to quite a few ppl who have been affected by it, but am sure there may be ways around it for some companies/ organisations
gailmcphail
198
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 June 2012 - 15:58
thanks, that's very helpful. Was looking at the Hilton Resort and Spa, and was hoping that the reduced working hours would work in our favour.
 
 
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