So when the UK sleeps, we know you other MNers are out there part II

[tadjennyp]

I was looking for thumbwitch's recipe for that cake and found the old thread has disappeared so Linzer and I thought we'd resurrect it!

We must be the only people living abroad who don't use skype. I think my parents would only consider it if it was significantly cheaper than phoning (they certainly wouldn't want to be seen on the computer; they tend to disappear whenever a video camera is around), but we only pay about 2 cents a minute.

My brother lives at home so sometimes sends e-mails on the their behalf and also does all the DVD recording for us. He did teach my mum how to send an e-mail and search for recipes online a few years ago, but she's forgotten it all in the meantime.

How many days until you leave, stranded? It can't be many now.

Linzer - it is significantly cheaper than phoning, it's free. Can't get much cheaper than that!
But sometimes the call quality can be a bit rubbish, depending on available bandwidth.

Yes, I realise it's free but when we only spend about 40 cents a week on phone calls, I don't think it's a great incentive for my parents to switch to skype.

My post was badly worded - I meant that back in the days when my parents had to pay about 35p a minute to phone Austria, they would probably have considered skype as it would have meant significant savings then. Sorry, my brain is starting to switch off for the day...

heh heh - gotcha!
Mine switched off a while ago and then switched back on again but hasn't reset yet - bum!

Muuuusssst goooo toooo beeedddddddd....

i was going to say that we shouldn't 'talk' to stranded til she's packed. then i realised that presumably, the computer will be packed so she will be incommunicado then anyway.

d'oh

I'm sure stranded is back in the UK by Monday. Must stop eating, keep putting on ridiculous amounts of weight! And then I think I don't care, I will be running around after 3 5 years and younger and it will drop off, surely?

You're pregnant - you're allowed to put on weight jenny! Besides, you'll need lots of energy to run round after 3 DC. I remember eating loads after DD1 was born and being constantly hungry, but the weight started dropping off when she was about 6 months old.

ha ha no computer won't be "packed" it comes with me in my hand luggage as it's a cute little netbook. We are staying at a hotel two nights tomorrow and Saturday before flying out Sunday night and I have downloaded some programme to watch while I am sitting in a dark hotel room while the dd's sleep (esp tomorrow night as I will be alone, dh joining us on Saturday).

Have had to pick up the dd's now so no more packing possible, but I am actually feeling vaguely organised....

have you gone yet, stranded? or have your plans all gone to hell in a handbasket cos of the snow?

I don't Skype either (rejoins the party v late).

Hope you're safely back, stranded! Although I guess if you're actually stranded you won't be able to tell us anyway. But thinking of you all the same.

I managed to get back here with no havoc as I left Thursday, before all the snow.

How is everyone? All geared up for Christmas?

so far behind it's not funny. Have just ordered a Christmas present for my Dad though, from an amazon supplier, with express delivery to make sure it gets there. haven't posted more than 7 cards ; did make my puds but not the mincemeat so will have to see what state the suet is in later this morning, at a civilised time.

Hi - we're actually at the airport but our flight is going to leave hurrah. Only one hour delayed (so far!). It's nearly 9pm and the dd's are knackered but we won't be boarding for another hour or so....I hate travelling, it's SO tedious.

Mind you I am now much more worried about the drive home than anything tomorrow. So many dire warnings! And we have a long drive, through some of the worst hit areas (luckily most of that on motorways). At the moment they are warning against travel in Gloucestershire but hoping that's better tomorrow....

Oh and when we get home panicking about then needing to buy EVERYTHING from food to presents, wrapping paper to toilet paper....

I will be SO HAPPY once we are home. Hopefully will be able to update you in 24 hours....

Have a safe journey home stranded and good luck with all the prep! Looking forward to the new name!

Hope the journey goes well, stranded. Keep us updated!

I am also slightly worried about our journey back to the UK next Monday, but am hoping the weather conditions will have improved by then. When I spoke to my mum yesterday, they hadn't been able to leave the house as the roads and pavements were so slippery, and no post, newspapers, etc. had got through to the town for a few days. She said it was supposed to continue for another two weeks, but I'm telling myself it can't go on for that long.

The weather is shocking at the moment, isn't it? Have you managed to get most of your Christmas preparations done Linzer? I think we are nearly organised. Having dinner at friends and just have to decide who's doing what course. I can't believe it's less than a week to go, but it's the same date every year! I must start doing stuff in October,really!

Can you believe this? we had SNOW in Australia! Not close to us, sadly, but STILL! It's AUSTRALIA in the middle of SUMMER, apparently! I was back in boots and socks again today, I have to say - it was very windy and therefore chilly.

Am :( to hear that Climber/Penguin has not been able to fly home; hope Stranded isn't living up to her name currently, and has managed to get home. Linzer - dunno what your chances are really...

Am still miserably behind with cards and things - did manage to post ones to my Dad and my sis, and also all the Aussie ones; but still have loads of friend ones to do. . Am trying not to consider the cost of postage as a factor either - in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't matter. Sorted out a pressie for my Dad yesterday as well - online pressie but should get there before Christmas (paid extra for it!). Just need to do something about my nieces now.

Just picked up on this thread - the cold's a shocker isn't it, thumbplumpuddingwitch.

We have friends visiting for the UK, having escaped the snow, now shopping at Tar-zhay, as we say, for cheap warm clothes. I did say bring layers as we intended to go well inland later and the mornings get chilly, but nooooo.

Know what you mean about leaving the posting late, but as it'll all end up snow-infested in England, I can claim to have sent it on time. Avert your gaze from the cost of posting - not good for the heart. :o

Still, the weather's on the up over the next few days, so fingers crossed.

What's Tar-zhay? Is it Target? Is that pretty much the same Target we have in the States?

I'm not feeling very organised jenny, although I have at least sent all my cards and bought all my presents, which is more than I've usually managed by this stage. Your Christmas dinner sounds good - we'll just be having a quiet one at home, but I still haven't decided what to cook for myself (DH and the DC will be having chicken).

I can't believe you've had snow, thumb! Postage really adds up if you're sending things (even just cards) abroad, but I try not to think about it too much either.

Was also wondering about Tar-zhay. I really liked Target; it was always a good source of Christmas presents too. Why don't we have any shops like it here? Or any decent shops at all, in fact.

Don't you have Hugendubel in Austria? Or Karstadt? I always liked those shops, though never really saw Germany as a shopping mecca. I've never shopped in Austria particularly, as I always saw it as a place to relax, walk, ski etc. Definitely one of my favourite holiday destinations! Could you have chestnut stuffing with all the trimmings that your family are having?

I never knew you were so young frakkin! I am 38 and having my third and I can testify to how tiring that is. Though I can't say I was ever the most energetic of people anyway.

Hope stranded has made it back by now.

I'm very ickle....but apparently come across as being a lot older which I think is a good thing.

Second scan today. DH has just been told to get on a plane so he's going to miss it all and I'm dithering about whether I should go with my instinct and go alone or acquiesce to his insistence that I have someone with me. The problem being here is that I have no family and no friends who are close enough for me to feel comfortable with calling on like that really.

Yep, it's Target. Afaik it's the same as the one in the States, yes. We have K-Mart too.

Frakkin - in the end, you have to do what you are comfortable with - and if that means going alone, then that's what you should do. I can see why your DH would prefer there to be someone with you just in case, but it's really up to you.

If stranded has made it to the UK, I doubt she's made it to her hometown, seeing as how it was the subject of one of the snow threads - and it's a disaster area! :(

I've never heard of Hugendubel - although it does sounds quite Austrian! - and Karstadt is only in Germany AFAIK (haven't they gone bankrupt?). I can't think of a single store here where I'd enjoy shopping for presents (other than toys - there are plenty of toy shops); the only presents I haven't bought online are from M&S in Bratislava.

Good luck with the scan today, frakkin - is it the one where you can find out the sex? Although I know you were waiting for your DH to be able to go with you before you found out. If you're happy going alone and there's no one you'd feel comfortable taking with you, then I don't see anything wrong with that. I can understand your DH's concerns but like thumb says, it's ultimately your decision.

Hi! Just had a quick read and I think I will be posting here a bit more when I eventually get back to Australia.
Just saw the thing about UK rellies buying warm clothes. Do I need to do a quick unpack before the shippers arrive? Do I really need a cardi?