RAF Akrotiri - Cyprus

[julietlundie]

Hello there,
My name is Juliet, I'm 36 and married to Dave, 38. We have two children - Catherine aged 4 and Daniel - 9 months. We both work for Customs and live on the Kent coast.
My DH has just found out that he will be posted at RAF Akrotiri after the summer. We hope to travel out September/ October.
I'm delighted that this posting allows me to give up work and spend some valuable time with my kids but a little daunted at the move. Catherine is due to start school when we arrive at the base.
I would love to hear from anyone who is currently posted, or has been, at Akrotiri or any of the other SBA bases there, especially with a view to opinions on the life there as a full-time mum.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks,
Juliet

[harrisey]

hi there

Never been to Cyprus but a very good friend is the RAF Padre at Akrotiri with 2 little boys aged 7 and just 4, and his wife 9also a close frind) is a FTM out there.

CAT me and I could put you in touch if you like!

[Medulla]

hey harrisey I know them they are good friends of mine (scottish yes?)

juliet I am at RAF Akrotiri and I would be happy to answer any questions you might have. I look forward to meetng you in September/October time

[Medulla]

BTW your children are similar ages to mine too DD is 3.5 and DS 11months!

[vnmum]

i lived in dhekelia in the ESBA area during 2004 and 5. i didnt have my ds then so i would presume it would be different with children. i have to say i didnt make the most of my time there due to husband being away alot and i know wish i had done more as given the chance to go again i would. there always seemed to be more activities going on at akrotiri or episkopi than at dhekelia which will be good for your kids. my main advice would be, make the most of it, get into the mountains, and get an air con unit as the heat can be too much in the summer. also dont be tempted to buy a brand new car duty free, they are not as cheap as they seem and you will have problems with it returning to uk, also be aware of second hand car dealers trying to rip you off with overpriced cars for their age. we unfortunately had to learn the hard way about that. good luck and enjoy the sunshine

[Medulla]

vnmum I would disagree with the new car advice. I would recommend buying a brand new car, we have been here 6 months and have bought 2! We saved £6,000 on the first one and £8,000 on the second. It's really easy to indulge them home now too. We did it mainly because of your point about second hand cars - what a rip off!!

[vnmum]

hi medulla, the only reason i said that about new cars was that by the time youve taken the exchange rate into account the price was the same as uk price. also lots of people from our unit had problems registering their cars in uk if they didnt have a certificate of conformity and if they tried to part ex them for a car in uk, garages either wouldnt take them or wouldnt give a good price as they were from cyprus. the 2nd hand cars though, i cant beleive some of the prices they charge for those death traps. all said and done, i wouldnt turn down another posting there

[harrisey]

Hi Medulla that is weird!
Yes they are scottish with 2 boys I suppse we are talking about the same people (dont like to mention names online!) The man is an ex-flatmate from Uni of my dh! We have been friends for a long time!
Hope you get sorted for moving out juliet.

[koalabear]

juliet - we visited our good friends who are posted there (returning in sept/october) - they have been there for 2 years with a little boy and girl, who are both now in school (little girl started this year)

all i know is what they have told us, and what we saw, but they seem to have had a wonderful time - the children both love the school on the base, and the social life there for the mum's is fantastic - there are gym classes and groups and all sorts that you can get involved with - i went to a gym class on the base when we stayed there and it was an absolute hoot

they also enjoy a much better family life because of the secure environment, and "outdoors" lifestyle

[Medulla]

koala that is just how it is, it's a really lovely tour and think you and your family will really like it.

[luckylady]

Hi all, I am at Ay Nik on the other side of the island. Our tour is nearly finished we are of to Elmpt in germany in October.

I have loved living out here and dont want to leave. I am a ftm. I have two children DD 9yrs and ds 2 yrs.

Medulla - can you give me some info on indulging the car please as loads of people have told us it is a pain. some info would be handy, CAt me or contact me on karen0701hotmailcouk Thank you

Do you play netball!!!!!

Juliet my main bit of advice is get involved with things on the station, like the netball etc, it is a great way to make friends you also get over to our side of the island.. Also We bought our car brand new out here and saved £8000 in total as we hads loads of extras fitted aswell alot cheaper than in the UK.

You will love it... wish I was you....

[julietlundie]

Thanks everyone for all your input. Still waiting for confirmation of dates and salary. Sticking points are trying to get negotiations between Customs and MOD, as DH will be on loan from our department there. He's flying out for a week on Saturday (15th) without even having formally accepted the post, although we exepct to know full terms and conditions on Friday.
I really, really hope that it works out as it sounds like a fantastic place, and the thought of going from 41 hour/week, shift-working mum to being a 'lady of leisure' is almost too good to be true.
Will be in touch when all is confirmed and to gather some hints and tips on the move.
Looking forward to meeting some of you.

Juliet

[JoshandJamie]

Oooh - I'm so glad I found this thread. Completely sideways question though: have any of you based in Cyprus been able to buy Babylicious/Kiddylicious frozen baby meals from whatever the base shop is?

Apparently Babylicious is exported specifically to the armed forces in Cyprus (not sure why!?) but wanted to find out if anyone there had seen it, used it, found it useful?

[Medulla]

Yes Joshand Jamie it's available in the NAAFI in Akrotiri and Episkopi, not sure about Dhekhalia as I have not been there. Not a huge selection but it's here!

[julietlundie]

ladies,
Thanks again for your replies. DH was over in Akrotiri last week, meant to stay for seven days but ended up remaining for twelve as he couldn't get a place on the flight home due to the Lebanon refugees. manic time over there i hear.
Well, DH's reports are brilliant - he says it's fantastic there and it looks like we're almost definitely going over at some point, just waiting for security clearance. Target move date is "sometime between September and Christmas".
In the meantime, I'd like to get to know any Cyprus Mumsnetters so I "know" a few people before I arrive.
My email is [email protected] so please feel free to contact me.
Will be back when I have more news.
Thanks again,
Juliet

[benandalex]

hi my name is claire and dh is in the army and we are in cyprus too Dhekilia

[wigglebumsmum]

expecting our first baby in sept and being posted to dhekalia in oct- any hints ot tips anyone has for life in cyprus would be appreciated!!

[julietlundie]

Hello everyone,
Thanks to everyone who has replied and also to the lovely ladies who have sent private messages.
I wish I had more news to share about the potential move but I don't and I have a fear that the opportunity is slipping away from us.
Firstly the MOD lost DHs security forms putting our move back at least a potential six weeks and the pay is still under negotiation.
I have a question for those currently out there - we have been told that that the COLA or LOA is to reduced as of October 1st. The figure we have been quoted is a cut of 50% - surely this can't be right?
If anyone has any details or info we would be incredibly grateful.
Thanks again,
Juliet

[LouiseVC]

Hello Juliet, We are also being sent to Akrotiri in January and have an 18 month old little girl. Would love to hear any tips people have who are already out there as to what items you recommend bringing out. Also whether people have shipped their own furniture out? Looking forward to hearing from, and hopefully meeting, you.

[julietlundie]

Hello again everyone,
Well the good news is that the money has finally been sorted out and DH formally accepted the post yesterday. Just waiting for a date which we have been told is probably 'either before or after Christmas'.
So one panic over, another about to set in .

Thanks again to everyone who has been so supportive and helpful. I'd really like to get to know a couple of people out there so it's not quite so daunting when I arrive.
If you're already there or due to be by the New Year, please e-mail me at [email protected] as I'd love to hear from my new 'neighbours'.
Also any tips for adapting to the lifestyle of a forces wife would be most appreciated.

Thanks again!

Juliet

[McDreamy]

Hi Ladies (nickname formerly Medulla, got bored of it one night and changed it!!!)

looking forward to you coming out to Cyprus. Tips for bringing stuff out to cyprus.

Louise I don't know anyone who shipped there own furniture out really. Most people acccept the RAF furniture - not very stylish but it's amazing how quickly you get used to it. I would recommend you bring out personal things that make your house a home so pictures, photos, lamps, cushions (fill up your washing machine and dishwasher with cushions and duvets)

Childrens clothes are expensive out here so I went mad in Gap, Tesco, Asda, Next sales (don't buy too expensive as the sun will bleach most of your clothes).

Someone recommended bringing out my tumble drier, although you will only need it for a few weeks a year it's worth it if you have the space, it will prevent your house becoming a chinese laundry!! We brought out nearly all the children's toys but to be honest I wouldn't go mad, just the special stuff there is so much available out here, most people sell there outside toys, slides climbing frames etc before they go back to the UK so you can pick up alot of things second hand (again it will all get bleached by the sun!)

In the summer the lifesyle as you can imagine is very beach based having said that in the middle of the day we often found ourselves in doors as it was too hot to go out so you do need some things to occupy them. Favourite DVD's as the childrens TV is very limited.

You will need some warm clothes as the winter although mild compared to the UK is cold because you do not have central heating. Portable calor gas fires and open fires provide heat in the houses. Also the snow at Troodos is worth a visit or two and it's flippin cold up there - although I have seen people up there in shorts and sandals - nutters!

Can't think of anything else to write but please ask as many questions as you want to

[julietlundie]

Hi all,
Hope everyone had a good Christmas and New Year!
Well, it's finally upon us. We fly out on January 16th (Louise is also on the same flight).
Looking forward to meeting all the mums already over there.
By the way, we've been told that there's a Burns Night event on at the end of the month - does anyone know what the dress cose for that will be? Busy trawling E-Bay for frocks already!

Juliet

[benandalex]

hi im in cyprus too we live in dhekilia have been here for 14 months now