[Caroline]

I know they do have 'freecycle' in SA but it's not as popular as here in the UK. It's amazing how one can pick up nearly brand new stuff for free simply because people have bought something new and need more space.

I have given away lovely stuff myself just because we don't have space. If you need a few odds and ends when you arrive - it's a good place to look - very popular here!

August 2006

Morning sickness blues and unpacking!

Well, besides my grumpiness because I am spending most of the day between the bathroom and the bedroom-there have been a few exciting events.

Our container arrived on the 17th in the poring rain and of course the driver had not been informed that there was a ‘shuttle vehicle’ coming to assist the container. The poor container driver attempted to reverse down the narrow road to our house and the trees caused a little damage to his truck before he eventually gave up. The guys in the shuttle vehicle got lost and arrived an hour later but we eventually got started with the unloading.

We also had the unfortunate experience of being charged VAT on our international relocation but thanks to the Business Warriors (they strongly advised me to query this) we queried it and received an apology and refund from Crown Relocations.

The garage is still full of suitcases and boxes of books that we have not unpacked yet but I will tackle that another day.

I discovered something quite interesting the other day-actually it was another South African who told me to look up ‘freecycle’. It is a recycling initiative and people give away their ‘old’ stuff or things that they no longer want. Apparently there are some really nice things that come available on there. It works very well here in the UK and is quite popular as people are quite into their recycling. She had picked up a brand new (one year old) fridge for nothing (free).

We decided to get a puppy a few days ago, the sweetest little thing ever. She is a chocolate Labrador and only 8 weeks old. Much to Peter’s despair she eats and shits a lot but definitely ads some excitement to the household. She has already started eying out the kitchen table (wooden) legs to chew on! The people that we bought her from live just down the road and are extremely friendly and helpful.

I did a search for maternity wear the other day and found some nice stuff to purchase online (especially Mark’s & Spencer). But Peter suggested that we rather take a drive into Southampton then I could try the close on. Just as well because although I feel huge apparently I’m not. When they say maternity wear in this country they mean maternity wear ‘a la 9 months pregnant’. Much to my disappointment Mark’s & Spencer’s in Southampton did not have a maternity department (although they did have an online one). I ended up getting some ‘normal’ close a few sizes bigger than usual.

I received a letter in the post last week from the local medical centre-the kids and I were called in for a check up. It was pretty basic, she just went through the family medical history, took our measurements and weight and checked on the children’s immunizations.

I learnt something else that was quite interesting. My friend (British girl) in conversation asked me if I had received a form to register on the local voter’s roll. I had indeed but hadn’t sent it back yet. She emphasized how important it is that I fill this in and register on the voter’s roll because they check it when doing a credit check. Apparently it counts against one if one has not registered-this had happened to her as she had never bothered to re-register every time she moved. When she purchased her first property it counted against her that she did not have voter’s registration. We learn something new every day