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Geordie expat

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EW MASTER
Latest post on 03 September 2015 - 09:27
I hate to say this, but it will probably be you. Underground leaks are a common problem in JVT and most people don't realise they have one until the DEWA bill comes in. All of the villas there are now out of their 12 month warranty period so you won't be able to recover any costs from Nakheel.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 02 September 2015 - 19:18
Put his litter tray outside your door in the garden. That has been known to work for a few people I know. Hope he turns up soon.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 02 September 2015 - 15:57
I just treat this and ignore it the same as I do all the hair adverts. Majority of people just want the opposite of what they already have. Straight hair want curls and vice versa. Milk bottle white want to be tanned and vice versa.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 02 September 2015 - 13:49
Sounds about right, it's just starting :( http://www.go-lanka.com/sri-lanka/weather.html
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 01 September 2015 - 15:40
Could he not start by looking on the Mediclinic website, they have a very active career page.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 01 September 2015 - 15:12
Don't forget to check your special conditions on the policy though, as ours says the following:- 2. Young and new drivers All regular drivers below the age of 25 or with less than 12 months driving experience need to be declared on the proposal form and named on the policy schedule. As well as the 10% extra to pay
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 01 September 2015 - 09:42
Try and keep watering morning and evening just in case. As I said we were ready to bin everything until we were told to persevere
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 01 September 2015 - 09:34
Try the couples massage at Desert Palm, then you could have lunch by the pool after.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 31 August 2015 - 21:17
We were about to throw some of our plants out as under any other circumstances they would have been very definitely dead. Our friends gardener saw them and said NO you must leave and still water. Lo and behold, they are at long last showing some signs of re growth. I agree with most of the others, this has been a very long, hot summer and some plants which under normal circumstances would have lasted, have given up the ghost.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 31 August 2015 - 17:56
If you are buying a second hand car from a dealer, ask if youcan purchase a warranty from the manufacturer at the same time. We've done that twice
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 31 August 2015 - 16:09
I found the thread, thanks for that. My issue is really with the age, has anyone had experience with insuring their teenager to drive their car on a UAE licence converted from own country licence? Thx Going by what you've said then, if she has a UAE license, you may have to ring round a few companies and see if any of them will insure her. We're with Zurich and they're pretty good.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 31 August 2015 - 15:56
If you search for a previous thread this was discussed on detail just yesterday. Most insurance companies will not insure anyone without a UAE license in a private car. They are only allowed to drive a hire car on their UK license. I have a feeling that if you try and go down that route your daughter will either be too young, or not held her license long enough. These reasons may help you stop her driving out here :) My 30 year old DD thought about it, but once she had been here a day or so quickly changed her mind.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 31 August 2015 - 14:26
Here's our set up. DH's company don't pay flights home, only certain grades get school fees and that's only up to a certain amount and they all get the same housing and car allowance. So yes we lose out on the school fees and the housing allowance as we need to live in a villa because of the pets. I get money for a flight home for myself, other members of staff get flight cash for all their dependents, and a school fee allowance. I also was asked when I joined what my rent was and I get exactly half of that as an allowance. I will no doubt find out whether they will still honour that in the new year when my next raise is due as out rent has gone up since we moved. It is also paid up front in an annual sum.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 31 August 2015 - 14:21
We did a couples Hammam at Zabeel Saray and had male and female masseuses, but when we went to Desert Palm for a couples day, we both had female masseuses. To be honest DH actually prefers a male masseuse as he reckons it much better for his aching muscles !!
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 31 August 2015 - 12:26
Just bought one from House of Cars and the dealer was really good. Not at all what I was expecting !!
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 31 August 2015 - 12:00
I've been using Holly at Essentials for the last 18 months and I trust her to do exactly what I ask her for. Prior to finding her I been waiting till I went home for a decent hair cut.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 31 August 2015 - 11:14
If it's any help. my DH worked with a professional CV guy back in the UK and he suggested the following and so far it has helped DH, me, our eldest and a couple of friends get new positions. He was told to start with Objective, Professional Profile and then Selected Achievements before getting into your Career History and always explain why there are gaps in your history. Also remember to change your objective, professional profile and selected achivements to suit the position you are applying for
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 31 August 2015 - 09:09
Sorry CP and the others. I was so very good last night and I decided to weigh myself again this morning. Lost another 0.5 since yesterday. :) Feeling a little smug today :)
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 30 August 2015 - 17:50
Hi Sarahlou, yes I agree, such a grey area here. however having read the post this morning we rang and double checked again and were told definitely ok, third party only mind you, and this was RSA?! So suspect it is still a confusing picture! I still wouldn't risk it as the police could take an entirely different point of view if anything did happen. Also you could ring again tomorrow and get a completely different story.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 30 August 2015 - 17:14
You can have vino if I can go and eat crisps [strike'>before anyone gets home to catch me[/strike'> You have my full permission, have as many as you like, as long as it's no more than one :P As I will only have one vino ;)
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 30 August 2015 - 16:58
ahhhh you'll have to stay off the vino & tortilla chips tonight! :P I'm planning two "2" days in a row this week but it won't save the day by tomorrow. :sleepy: [b'>ahhhh you'll have to stay off the vino [/b'>& tortilla chips tonight! Noooooooooooooo I'm having Tuna steak tonight and need the vino How about if I do half an hour on the exercise bike as pennance :cry:
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 30 August 2015 - 16:47
I am scared about weigh in day tomorrow.... :cry: Think I'll be back to square one as I have eaten a lot [strike'>like a plg[/strike'> eek! Just realised I've done mine today by mistake. I think I was so worried about the cheat night, that I weighed myself a day early. Can't see there being much difference tomorrow though :(
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 30 August 2015 - 12:08
Hi NIrshjen, You can drive using your UK driving license as long as you are on a tourist visa. Once your RP is processed you will have to exchange it for a UAE driving license. We have all the info about the process of exchanging your driving license - just click this [url=http://www.expatwoman.com/dubai/monthly_faqs_drivers_license_dubai_5095.aspx'>link[/url'>. HTH EW Admin Hi. I know this post is almost a year old but I didn't want to start a new thread when the info is here. That link is useful, thank you! Can I just check something.. My husband has his working/residents VISA and his UAE driving licence so he can drive the car we have bought. I am still on a visitor VISA and have my UK licence, he seems to think I [u'>cannot[/u'> drive the car we have bought without a UAE licence; but that I can [u'>rent[/u'> a car with my UK licence. My paperwork has not started to go through yet to go onto his VISA, so I am still a [b'>visitor[/b'>. Our car is insured, so I don't see why I cannot drive it when I have a valid UK licence? Some people have told us I can drive my/our car up until the paperwork starts to go through; others have said I can only drive a rental at the moment. If you know, or know how I can find out for definite, I would be very much grateful! We are living in Abu Dhabi if that makes any difference?! Thank you! Nicola x He is right. With a UK licence you can only drive a hire car until your paperwork goes through and then you need to get yourself a UAE one straight away.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 30 August 2015 - 10:59
Not a coffee aficionado but, I like my nesspresso. I like how easy it easy to use and has different strengths and flavours. I don't know how easy a bean to cup machine is to use in comparison. Forgot to add I bought it on Dubizzle, it was practically new and half the price. Bean to cup, dead easy to use. Fill with beans, set grind to what you like and away you go. Also no rubbish to get rid of.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 30 August 2015 - 10:21
Thank you ladies! As for being or not being a real coffee lover that is a hard thing to answer. I do truly love good coffee. I am Italian and adore freshly ground gourmet coffee beans turned into an amazing espresso but my body does not love this. Sadly, I have some very serious auto-immune diseases that won't allow me to enjoy a full bodied coffee or even more than one true coffee a day. Some days I have to go without all together. I do try to have 1 cappuccino a day as a treat to me. It is typically weak by any true standards but to me it is heaven. So please don't poo-poo want some one likes as to them it might just be the best thing ever. It truly is the little things in life that can make such a difference. My weak (but yummy) cappuccino makes me smile each day that I can have it simply because I can have it. Thank you all again for weighing in on this :o) Sorry that you have problems and are unable to enjoy your coffee as you would like to. If it was me in this situation and I do love my "proper" coffee, I would make sure that the one I drank was the best it could be. Try somewhere like Raw Coffee (I think it's called) and see what you think of their bean to cup coffee and the type of beans they use. The other thing that makes good coffee for me is the smell while it is being ground and made. Nothing can beat that, especially first thing :)
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 30 August 2015 - 09:49
Sorry I have to disagree on this. Nespresso tastes very weak compared to proper coffee. Try a bean to cup machine, where you can adjust the settings to your own strength and taste the difference. We have a DeLonghi one with a milk frother and it also makes great lattes. Also there is a great make called Severin at Plug Ins which is next on my list if this one ever gives up the ghost. The Nespresso ones have a host of flavours so if u like ur coffee stronger u can just use a different pod! When you buy ur machine they give u starter pack with a lot of different flavours and u just work ur way through them till u find the one that hits ur caffeine quotient! :-) I've tried them all right up to a 10 and just find they taste like slightly stronger dirty dish water and there's no difference in the quality of the beans they use.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 30 August 2015 - 09:29
Sorry I have to disagree on this. Nespresso tastes very weak compared to proper coffee. Try a bean to cup machine, where you can adjust the settings to your own strength and taste the difference. We have a DeLonghi one with a milk frother and it also makes great lattes. Also there is a great make called Severin at Plug Ins which is next on my list if this one ever gives up the ghost.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 30 August 2015 - 09:26
OK 30 August. It was a bad week as I went to The Meat Co on Friday and consumed over 1400 calories in one sitting, including alcohol!! But..... I did manage to loose 0.4kg over the week, so one cheat day wasn't too bad. :)
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 26 August 2015 - 22:04
Great thank you, I may give it a go, I am desperate to kick start my diet, I have a wedding in 2 months time to go to and would like to lose at least 5kg before then, Thank you again ? Ps the link you put up is it not the FB page? No sorry I can't access it from work
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 26 August 2015 - 22:03
Alternatively you could just buy an aloe vera plant and squeeze out the bits and mix it with water which would save you a lot of money! :P I'm on a "2" day but have opened the wine! Help! Does liquid count? :thinking: :biggrin: Depends on how much fruit you've had today ;)
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 26 August 2015 - 21:58
Call these guys and they'll give you a good estimate and be honest about how long it will take. They moved us a couple of months ago and it was the best house move I've ever done. I didn't have to lift a finger at either end. Everything went into the room it was supposed to be in, my clothes went into the wardrobes and they cleared all the boxes away (bar 1, which I asked them to leave for me) before they left :) http://promove.ae/phone/index.html
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 26 August 2015 - 16:37
wow !! why would you even think in those terms ? You saw a woman and you thought she was "ugly" ?? Why is it even in question ? People are people, why would you need to decide whether they are ugly or beautiful ? Have you never seen an ugly woman or man? It doesn't make them a bad person, but not everyone is easy on the eye. Yes, but there's what you would call "ugly" and what you would call overweight and badly dressed. Not the same thing in my opinion. The poster never said the woman was either overweight or badly dressed. I think Doubting Thomas was commenting on Adventure B's post. Nothing mentioned on being overweight or badly dressed. Oooops missed that one. I thought we were still talking about size
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 26 August 2015 - 16:22
wow !! why would you even think in those terms ? You saw a woman and you thought she was "ugly" ?? Why is it even in question ? People are people, why would you need to decide whether they are ugly or beautiful ? Have you never seen an ugly woman or man? It doesn't make them a bad person, but not everyone is easy on the eye. Yes, but there's what you would call "ugly" and what you would call overweight and badly dressed. Not the same thing in my opinion.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 26 August 2015 - 11:31
No I have been warned against doing that by a friend! I probably will post very little on there to be honest, I have heard it can be a bit of a minefield! Don't want to argue with neighbours ha! Just do what I do and spectate and anything said take with a pinch of salt :)
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 26 August 2015 - 11:24
I use Zurich for both car and contents insurance for the house. Works out cheaper the more you insure through them.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 26 August 2015 - 10:30
It happens a lot where you're living sorry to say :( Some neighbours are great about it as they haven't realised, but some well.......... Trust us to move right next door to it! Well, we seem to have no luck whatsoever so not surprising! We seem to have got the neighbour in your 'but some well....' category! Told us he hadn't been barking for that long and walked inside and shut the door! I was in shock! Only tried to help... P.S - I am back on FB!! :biggrin: Just log it on the FB page. I'm sure some of the do gooders on there will be only to pleased to help (or otherwise) ;)
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 26 August 2015 - 09:05
It happens a lot where you're living sorry to say :( Some neighbours are great about it as they haven't realised, but some well..........
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 25 August 2015 - 17:29
You could do a picnic of sandwiches, quiche, salad, fairy cakes etc As long as you have cheese and pickle sandwiches - that's pretty British ;-) Since when has quiche been British ??? Why not just order in a selection of sandwiches with British fillings, egg and tomato, beef, etc salads and trifle. You could substitute the quiche with cheese pie. School dinners, mmmmm. My mouth is watering now :) Cheese and onion pie :biggrin: No good for my diet though :cry: With sponge pudding and pink custard for afters! S** the diet :biggrin: STOP IT !!!!!! I've got to stay under 600 cals for dinner and the thought of this is already piling the kg's on :(
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 25 August 2015 - 17:05
Sounds bad I know, but I would enrol her and hopefully once she sees the others eating and she's feeling hungry, she'll just get on with it. Something similar helped with my grand daughter when she wouldn't eat the food provided at a party. She felt left out and hungry so by the end of the afternoon she was trying everything they provided.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 25 August 2015 - 17:02
If we could all mind our own business and stop commenting on how other people look I think we'd all be happier... There may be a junk food revolution but all I see is a craze for health and fitness..And mums obsessing about their kids eating healthily.. Personally I'm grossly overweight and have been for years but I refuse to lose any sleep over it..life's too short to stuff a mushroom... Exactly DT . What has happened to good old common sense. I too have put on weight going through menapause, but it's a case of managing so much that you do the best you can. If it worries others that just too bad , I eat a balanced diet don't deny myself those odd treats and to blazes with the rest. Nomad could I please be nosy and ask where you put the weight on during menopause. Mine has steadily been creeping up for the same reason, but suddenly my waist has just disappeared :( Not nosey at all ! Yep, round the waist and a bit above, have a muffin top for the first time in my life....... I am extremely active all day long but it is really stubborn so I just go with the flow. I am on a alternative natural hormone plan ( don't support the cruel practices associated with conventional HRT ). Have been on it for 10years but recent blood work suggests I still need my meds. Hoping that one day when I come off the extra pounds will " melt away " but not holding my breath :biggrin: Sounds exactly like me. I've also got the muffin top :( I've been taking soy isoflavones for a few months now and they seem to be helping with the symptoms, but being here and not so active doesn't help. I don't ever remember my Mum being like this, her shape never changed, so I obviously don't take after her. She didn't suffer anything either mind. I'm with you in the hope that it all fades away eventually :)
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 25 August 2015 - 16:47
You could do a picnic of sandwiches, quiche, salad, fairy cakes etc As long as you have cheese and pickle sandwiches - that's pretty British ;-) Since when has quiche been British ??? Why not just order in a selection of sandwiches with British fillings, egg and tomato, beef, etc salads and trifle. You could substitute the quiche with cheese pie. School dinners, mmmmm. My mouth is watering now :) Cheese and onion pie :biggrin: No good for my diet though :cry:
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 25 August 2015 - 15:47
You could do a picnic of sandwiches, quiche, salad, fairy cakes etc As long as you have cheese and pickle sandwiches - that's pretty British ;-) Since when has quiche been British ??? Why not just order in a selection of sandwiches with British fillings, egg and tomato, beef, etc salads and trifle.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 25 August 2015 - 10:37
A traditional lunch would be chicken. You could have KFC delivered and prepare your own salads to go with it. Buy ready made coleslaw and season it to improve the taste. The KFC chips wouldn't be any good by the time you wanted to eat them so buy small white potatoes, bake them at home and reheat in batches in the microwave. Wrap in foil to keep hot. Large quiche from Choithram's with salads. Spinney's also do big platters of Caesar salad with plenty of chicken in it. For a cold lunch, Ploughman's Platter - cheese, pate, crispy roll/French stick, Branston, pickled onions. For dessert, buy scones from Park and Shop, spread with butter, strawberry jam, top with whipped cream and strawberries. Buy a selection of the miniature tarts and eclairs from Spinneys. Make a cheesecake. Eton Mess. Trifle. Sorry but NO to KFC that is anything but British!!! If you want to do chicken, why not just buy some ready roasted from somewhere.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 25 August 2015 - 09:42
If we could all mind our own business and stop commenting on how other people look I think we'd all be happier... There may be a junk food revolution but all I see is a craze for health and fitness..And mums obsessing about their kids eating healthily.. Personally I'm grossly overweight and have been for years but I refuse to lose any sleep over it..life's too short to stuff a mushroom... Exactly DT . What has happened to good old common sense. I too have put on weight going through menapause, but it's a case of managing so much that you do the best you can. If it worries others that just too bad , I eat a balanced diet don't deny myself those odd treats and to blazes with the rest. Nomad could I please be nosy and ask where you put the weight on during menopause. Mine has steadily been creeping up for the same reason, but suddenly my waist has just disappeared :(
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 24 August 2015 - 17:19
Don't forget if you want to use Entertainer vouchers you'll have to avoid the Eid dates.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 24 August 2015 - 08:55
Monday 24th August Kg lost: 2.1kg Still to lose: 3kg
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 23 August 2015 - 17:47
If you bought it from one of the main stores in Dubai, I wouldn't worry. The guys who deliver and install do this on a daily basis. There was almost no gap between ours and the units on either side and that's the way it should be. I would have said it was up to you to read the manual and see what you have to do before using it for the first time, they won't remove the protective film for you.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 23 August 2015 - 11:37
GE I don't think you've lost your marbles - I read this somewhere too recently, not sure where though. DH thinks I'm going senile in any case, so this could be the icing on the cake if I can't find anything ;)
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 23 August 2015 - 10:44
If you have young children I would say a fence around your pool at home is a must as it is so easy for toddlers to wander into the garden. What price their life?? Sorry I know that, it's just common sense and if we needed one for that reason I wouldn't have an issue. I just wanted someone to tell me I hadn't imagined seeing a post about this ;) I think you imagined it and are possibly going mad. You're welcome. Thank you :cry:
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 23 August 2015 - 10:26
In our building in JBR, if you have lived in your apartment for over three years and then vacate, re-painting is done at the landlord's expense. Don't know if this is the norm but did your lease have a clause to this effect? We thought that too, but were told as we had a new LL this didn't count :(