Words of the week - Flying

Hello from Australia.

Having spent 11 years living in South Africa and Dubai we're more than used to flying. Ether 12 hours direct from SA or 8 hrs to Dubai and 7 hours onto the UK. 

Child 3 moved out to Australia in 2017 and this is my 4th trip to visit him (3rd for Peter)

2019 My first trip was from Dubai and I broke the journey up with a stop over in Singapore for 2 hours. I got off the plane, stretched my legs, got a Starbucks, then boarded again with mostly the same passengers, back into the same seat onto Sydney. It was 2 x 7 hour flights. I flew back direct from Melbourne.

We used to joke that a 7 hour flight was short haul for us travelling between Dubai and the UK.

Covid stopped us visiting for 3 years, but I still made flights to and from the UK to Dubai

2022 My 2nd trip was 7 hours to Dubai. Peter came with me and we were now living in the UK. The usual stretch legs, Starbucks and then 14 hours onto Sydney. We had a couple of internal flights to travel to The Gold Coast and Sydney of 2-3 hours each. I flew home from Sydney and Peter returned 2 weeks later and spent a few nights in Dubai on his way back.

2023 Was a flight via Kuala Lumper which was 10 hours, 3 over stop over and yes, stretched legs and coffee, then 8 hours onto Sydney. We had more internal flights up to Cairns and Brisbane and flew home from Sydney via Kuala Lumpur Lumper where we stayed for 4 nights.

2025 We're back in Sydney, via 2 hours in Dubai and we've got 4 nights in Dubai on our way home. Another 7 hour and 14 hour flight. 

Emirates is our preferred airline, but often due to only being able to travel in the school holidays we've opted for other airlines as the price can differ between £1000-£2000 return for the two of us. We were silver members for many years with the airline and benefitted from using the lounge and early boarding, which we do miss being able to take advantage of.

We picked up the AirBus A380 in Dubai

There is so much more room in economy than other planes, so no need for any upgrades. We booked Premium economy with Virgin with our 11 hour flight to Vegas over Christmas and we really needed it. Emirates haven't compromised with economy. Our only issue with booking with Emirates to Dubai or Australia is making sure the code share isn't a Qantas plane, as it's a completely different flying experience.

I opted to have the gluten option on the flights. Usually I just don't eat the bread roll, crackers and cake, usually bringing my own. But I noticed this was a really heavy carb based meal flight. I actually wasn't impressed with any of my meals. They get served earlier than the rest of the cabin do, which also meant I had the tray for twice as long. I also didn't get to see what was I was going to have in advance and was served fish which I don't mind but it really doesn't reheat that well and was very rubbery.

The cakes and bread were really heavy with exceptionally long use by dates. It was also very fatty and sugary)

In theory the gluten free range looked promising

The reality not so good. I couldn't eat this.

I'll be popping some crackers, a cake and bread roll in my hand luggage for the return flight and just having a normal meal (chicken or beef).

You don't need to survive Christmas.

Ok there are some people who won't cope very well over Christmas and the title of my blog post is not aimed at them.

What I'm referring to are the endless blog posts appearing in my timeline, on face book and in linkys 'how to survive Christmas with kids' and 'top tips to get you through the season' and even worse 'how to explain to your kids why Santa didn't bring them the gifts they wanted'

I'm not opposed to anyone writing any of the above but I do get annoyed when people feel the need to talk about surviving something that doesn't actually need surviving, such as Christmas, especially when the post is titled 'Surviving Christmas with Kids' it's up there alongside 'sacrifices I've made for my children'

Christmas, if you choose to celebrate it is supposed to be a fun time, about family, decorating the tree, school plays, gifts. OK, I'm choosing to leave the religion part out here, that's a different post all together, one I won't be writing.

Christmas isn't about stress, or it's not supposed to be anyway. It's not about whose kid gets picked for the school play, it's about taking part. Blog posts shouldn't be about putting the parents down of the child who took the lead role or heaven forbid the child themselves, because yours didn't get picked. It's not about judging how your face book friend chooses to post pictures of their kids presents piling up under the tree and you writing a whole post on how people like that are selfish and should consider your childs' or more importantly your feelings because you can't afford to do that.

It's not about spending a small fortune on things you can't afford for fear of your child being bullied for not having the biggest, best, most expensive present and certainly isn't about getting into debt for, especially when you're still paying off the debt from the family holiday you've blogged about in a similar vain.

If you can't afford something, then you don't have have it. If it's out of stock and you can drive a 100 mile round trip to collect it, then do so, that's ok, but don't moan about those who do or don't because you choose not to or can't do or don't as I read on a recent mumsnet thread.

Without sounding too old (I'm 46) I don't remember returning to school in January with the topic of conversation being all about who had what for Christmas. I don't remember my kids getting in a strop because they didn't open the right gift on Christmas morning and I certainly don't remember there being a meltdown when one of the older ones informed their younger brother that Santa wasn't real, we just brushed over it and said 'if Santa isn't real then who puts the stockings at the bottom of the bed on Christmas Eve?' they knew I did it and if they visit over Christmas as adults I still do it.

We told our kids that the presents under the tree were from us and family and friends, how else could we explain the random timing and appearance of the gifts, with 5 kids I shopped early, had little storage space, so they were wrapped and plonked under the tree. We were fair with the number of gifts they had, if not the value, they were asked to make a list and Nintendo's and latest PS's were crossed off straight away as being too expensive.

However you choose to do Christmas is your choice and I hope you don't think from this post I'm telling you what you should or shouldn't do. My post is aimed at asking you to take a step back and think about what you write about how others choose to do their Christmas differently from yours and just consider for a moment that there intention might not be to show off, or be aimed at putting you down, just sharing how they do things, in their way, celebrating their successes and hard work and in no way making any one else feel like they need to 'survive Christmas with their kids'

After all it won't be long before like me, you'll be spending Christmas without the kids, they'll have left home, live in a different country, maybe have their own families. Spending Christmas without the kids as a blended family is something we've done on many occasions over the years, but we've still had an actual Christmas, just not on December 25th. Enjoy it while you can, don't worry about the number of gifts, the amount of food, whether Santa is real or not, let the kids discover that for themselves, just enjoy it and do it your way, whether that's with or without a Christmas Eve box or not. My kids remember Christmas, but they don't remember what gifts they had.

Moving House in Dubai Part 2 and Hidden costs after a relocation

We're on the move again, but this time just down the road, not a different country. We've been in this property for almost 3 years and I suspect there will be a few new purchases to be made when we move in to our new home. 

We are moving into a new build property, complete with appliances and our only costs will be to block pave the sandpit and erect a fence. 

However it won't be as expensive as it has been when we've relocated overseas, because this move we can take everything with us, including the contents of our fridge.

I had 3 companies quote for moving, some companies have included insurance, others have had to be chased up for it. All companies will pack and part of the insurance is a requirement that they unpack everything on the day they move you, but not back into cupboards, just onto surfaces to make sure nothing is broken so you can't make a claim further down the line that can be disputed. This is a pain in the backside as it means you don't get time to rest and on our last move to Dubai, we couldn't find several kitchen items for a week afterwards until we had the oven connected. 

For this move though I have found a company who will pack, move, unpack us and put everything away and remove all the packaging on the same day. But they will not pack and transport, valuables such as jewelry or alcohol and I have to pack all fragile ornaments.

When you move house, you pack your food up and take it with you, all of it, maybe not the milk and you've probably run the freezer down, but I bet you take herbs and dried goods and probably the sauces.

At least with this move we don't have to throw a big party to consume all our alcohol as that can't be packed when moving overseas.

But when you relocate from one country to another you have to start over, from fresh and I mean everything.

You can't pack half opened jars of spices or packet mixes. You can't take the salt and pepper grinders unless emptied and cleaned. You can't take cleaning materials and laundry detergents either.

The packers are responsible for what goes in your container. Every single item has to be declared and a value given, if you try sneaking something in and your container is checked at customs, not only will the item be confiscated, but you'd be fined and it will seriously delay the delivery of your belongings.

But when you've just relocated from one country to another and you've had to give away or sell at a loss so many other things that are banned on entry, such as outdoor and garden furniture and bikes, unless steam cleaned with a certificate when moving from the UK to South Africa or you're told DVD's and books declared on the inventory when moving to Dubai can seriously hold your container up so you give them all away with a few favourites in your checked luggage.

The last you thing you want to do or can even afford to do is restock all your cupboards from scratch, knowing at some point you'll be on the move again and have to start over once more.

My Sunday Photo - Week 128 K is for Khalas

Khalas in Arabic means enough, no more, STOP.

I find myself saying it more and more these days.

To the gardener who sweeps the path with the hose, water is expensive.

To the repair man who keeps finding excuses as to why he couldn't come and fix the air con.

To the cat who is moulting everywhere.

To my husband who keeps saying how hot it will be soon.

To the bag packer in the supermarket who puts my eggs and bread in a bag with the raw meat and a bottle of bleach.

Everyone seems to think I'm in a hurry here in Dubai, that'll I complain if they don't pack my bags at the speed of light and throw everything back in my trolley and try to get me back to my car faster than Usain Bolt.

Just stop, I've had enough, there's no queue at the till, I've already asked to pack my own bags, I've already said I don't want the free plastic bags each filled with only one or two items.

I had a mini melt down in Carrefour yesterday. I bought a lemon, before I knew it, it was put in a bag and the label attached, after I'd asked him to stick the label on the lemon. It was a forgotten item after we'd returned to the car with the rest of the shopping. At the till it was put in another bag while I got my purse out to pay.

Khalas, no more, stop with all the waste. I DON'T WANT ALL THESE BAGS and I took the lemon out of the 2nd bag and as I put my purse away, the bag packer just looked at me and put it back in the bag.

Week 6 - One Daily Positive and Project 366

I've been having a good, long, hard think about my new job this week. Peter is supporting whatever outcome I decide upon and has been talking things through with me via Skype and the telephone as he's in Germany in the UK this week. Financially we are more than secure and teaching adults, not 4 year olds, has always been my preference. I do actually enjoy teaching the children, I have very good knowledge of the British Curriculum and I can manage the paperwork and record keeping. I'm struggling with the long hours and working at home in the evenings and working abroad is certainly very challenging, I was also ill last week and ended up in hospital, I still haven't made a full recovery. I'm struggling with not letting myself down, I'm unable to just walk away. I have no issue with telling other people the job isn't for me, but I have huge trouble telling myself that. Peter is only a few years off retirement, I have 20+ years left. Teaching in Dubai is a great opportunity for me and my future career when we finally return to the UK. I'm sure I'll get the hang of it, I probably just need a bit more time, after all it has been 5 years since I last had this level of responsibility. 

I'm struggling to keep up with my blogging and photo prompts, there seems to be a lot of food pictures this week.

Sunday Day 38 #onedailypositive #project366 having dinner out because a) we don't have to cook b) we always eat out the night before one of us goes somewhere (Peter off to Germany and UK with work) c) because we can, and d) why not? My Sunday Photo this week is the Dubai Skyline.

Monday Day 39 #onedailypositive #project366 a day late with posting as I didn't have a suitable photo, so I snapped this one this evening as I left work. I called in at the Mall of Emirates on my way home, remind me NEVER again to drive along Sheik Zayed Road to get there and don't get me started on the parking. On a positive I got everything I need and more, came home for a bath and an early night.

Tuesday Day 40 #onedailypositive #project366 I've been having a tough time in my new job, getting to grips with all the paperwork, the planning and assessments and working with people from various cultures, getting to know the kids, making endless resources, balancing work with sleep and taking endless paperwork home to work on in the evenings and the fact I haven't worked for 5 years. On a positive though I decided to blitz the classroom this evening and on leaving work at 6pm I'd discovered loads of paperwork and resources made by the previous teacher that I can use, which means I can now focus on the planning assessments and teaching knowing that all the other stuff I've been fretting over is already sorted. Bob and I shared a McDonalds for dinner. Linking up with Animal Tales with A tent, 2 teens and a Warthog.

Wednesday Day 41 #onedailypositive #project366 after an unsettling tail gate experience I arrived home in day light, walked Bob, had dinner with home grown tomatoes and strawberries for afters, watered the garden, had a bath and washed my hair and in pjs by 6.30pm, spending the rest of the evening on assessments for work.

Thursday Day 42 #onedailypositive #project366 after a long and stressful week and a weekend ahead of work, the simplicity of opening the fridge and chucking what I can find on a tray pleases me greatly. Although hubby is away and I feel a bit lonely here in my own, it is nice to switch off from everything and just slum it for a few days.

Friday Day 43 #onedailypositive #project366 I'm putting off doing a load of paperwork for school and cleaning instead, which has so far yielded better results. A bar of chocolate on the bed and half a tin of quality street underneath it. I've already taken Bob into the desert to the lakes, we only saw one other dog walker today and the owner didn't want to play. Bob has been washed and the car cleaned. This afternoon I'm going to cycle to the beach and have dinner out. This weeks HDYGG? is a round up of Dubai in January and February.

Day 44 #onedailypositive #project366 arranged to meet a woman at the lakes after going yesterday and not seeing anyone. I went to the wrong lakes but did meet some other dog walkers and Bob really enjoyed himself, we were out for 2 hours, back home for a bacon butty, wash Bob and clean the car. An afternoon of paperwork and a bike ride ahead of me. Peter is with 3 of our children in the UK and home on Monday.

I'd love for you to link up with your One Daily Positive from the week. 

A visit to Dubai Miracle Gardens

New in Dubai and now we have a car we can explore further afield and over the weekend we visited Miracle Gardens.

Parking is free and was well signposted from the Umm Sequiem Road. It costs 30 AED for entry and that includes a phase 2 ticket for the Butterfly World, the actual domes were closed but the garden was worth walking around. Had we not asked what the 2nd part of the ticket was for, we would have missed it as it isn't signposted from inside and after walking round twice hubby gave in and finally asked someone where 'phase 2' was and we weren't actually told what it was at the gate on entry.

There are 45 million flowers of 45 different species and the designs change throughout the season. Check out the website for further information.

Food and drink is not permitted inside, however there are various huts you can buy soft drinks and a variety of snacks from as well as a restaurant which is all under a flower canopy, providing much needed shade. I would like to visit again at sunset as there were lights intertwined with the flowers so I'm assuming that it is lit up at night time.

There are no signs asking you to stay off the grass, just men with whistles who just look at you and peep loudly which spoilt the ambience of the park Outside of the food areas there were few benches just to sit and relax on and no interactive areas, although the website mentions an aromatic garden but we couldn't find it.

All in all it was good value for money and provided a much needed splash of colour in the middle of the desert, although I wouldn't like their water bill.

Week 11 My Sunday Photo

Jus Rol puff pastry review

Although I was impressed with the puff pastry ready roll, the cost, the ease of use and the way it cooked, what disappointed me was the total cost and time involved to actually make a dessert.

No wonder people eat so much processed food in the UK. The Jus Rol was £2 for 2 sheets and the apples were £1.51 for 3 or 80p for tinned ones and I would have needed 2 tins. The preparation time was 30 minutes, which included the peeling, chopping, cooking and cleaning up of the apples and a further 25 minutes in the oven.

Although it tasted nice and was a shared experience between my Mother and I in the kitchen, we both agreed that next time we fancied an apple pie we'd be buying a ready made one from the shops for at least half the price.

Quorn food review

I was given the opportunity to review 3 Quorn products. Living in South Africa I don't have a base in the UK so stay with family and friends. I repay their hospitality with a bottle of wine, some baby sitting and cook a meal or two, so when I get an opportunity to review a food product I'm more than happy to oblige. I'm friends with a family with 4 young children who all have different food preferences and their parents are more than happy for me to 'experiment' on their kids in the hope they'll try new and different foods. They love testing and reviewing the food products and do so more than willingly.

I purchased 3 Quorn products, chicken nuggets, cumberland sausages and mince. I assumed the same cooking methods would apply as with real meat and in the case of the chicken nuggets (14 minutes in the oven) and the sausages (in a frying pan or under the grill) it did, however when it came to the mince the instructions were to cook it in a pan with your favourite sauce, so I cooked it in a saucepan with 500mls of onion gravy.

The mince I made into a cottage pie and served to my parents and the sausages and chicken were fed to my 'test family' and I made a salsa dip to accompany it.

The children loved the sausages, but said the chicken nuggets were a bit soggy, but I think that comes down to my cooking and not the product. My parents ate all of the cottage pie after reheating it in the evening and along with the children they were very surprised when I told them that they had been eating Quorn products.

I would buy the Quorn again, particularly for my parents as my dad had a heart attack a couple of years ago and needs to watch his food intake. Compared to normal meat sausages the saturated fat of Quorn is 0.6g per sausage compared to meat sausages with 3.6g per sausage.