from our own correspondent

[teafortwo]

Old thread...
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/2423/576865?ts=1222265998268&msgid=12499051

New thread...

to be created below!

Enjoy!

oopps, wrong email address. It is kindersurprise (at) t-online dot de

I will get in touch with my sister to ask any question you have because I have not actually lived in Switzeland since I have the DCs. I have been in the UK for the last 12 years. Just write down your questions on the thread and I will email you the answers asap(it might be not before tomorrow night though)

Previous post for MmeLindt of course, I forgot to mention.

FOOC Auckland foxytocin - wow rain! I think I mildly know how you feel, it's been hot and sunny here for a few months now and although we went away the other weekend and it rained it really didn't matter - it was great to be cool for a while. I guess that's the good thing about NZ that when summer arrives 9/10 it arrives and we have months of lovely weather. I really do look forward to the change of seasons though, rain, changes in the colours, leaves, a chance to change the wardrobe! etc etc....mind you come September I will be well and truly over winter and eagerly awaiting summer.

We've been making the most of the weather and the on-going school hols and been out and about every day. Swimming in the sea, beach and hill walks (early morning and late afternoon), swimming in the pool, catching up with friends, everything summer should be.

Yesterday we headed with friends to a new beach, the boys swam until they were blue and shaking with cold, then warmed themselves eating berries in the hot midday sun until they were warm enough to plunge again. The same pattern until they were exhausted a few hours later and we headed home. The mums? we sat under the shade of the pohutakawa tree (aka NZ christmas tree due to it's bright red 'flowers' and seasonal appearance) chattering and taking in the view of the islands in the near distance.

Today...much more of the same with different friends. Next week off to the beach for a week with dh...more of the same, bike riding, tennis, surfing, bbq's watching the sun rise and set over the horizon...me I love summer!

pohutakawa tree
images.google.co.nz/imgres?imgurl=www.nzhistory.net.nz/files/images/pohutukawa-flowers.jpg&im grefurl=www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/photo/pohutukawa-flowers&usg=__3RLJ1I8CZqvf5NdXjAOTlvCYws8 =&h=345&w=460&sz=41&hl=en&start=8&tbnid=jZa0sh4_VyFxOM:&tbnh=96&tbnw=128&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpohutaka wa%2Btree%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG

Gorionine
Thank you so much, I am going mad at the German buerocracy.

Basically, what is the office called where you would normally apply for Family Allowance? I have to get a form from them to say that we are not applying for any state benefits in CH before we can get Kindergeld from Germany.

And would she know the translation for Gemeindeverwaltung/Zivilstandsamt? We need to get a form filled out from them too.

Thank you so much. If you are interested, I have a blog about life in Geneva. I will send you the link.

Apologies for the hijack

Sibble, it's just so weird to think that as we are sitting here in the rain and cold, you are sunning yourself on the beach under a beautiful tree.

Not much to report from Galicia. Everyone is back to work after the Christmas holidays. The New Year Sales were apparently disappointing, but I didn't go as we are trying to save up and avoid unnecessary expenditures.

I can't add any personal insights into pre-natal or post-natal care in Spain, but the impression I get is that while most women are happy for the "enema, shave, epidural, flat on your back" approach, there is a growing minority that is fighting against it, and the health service is reacting. Galicia is in fact one of the first regions to install birthing pools in its public hospitals, and I found out from a colleague that there are even doulas here!

FOOC Greater Manchester

It is cold again, I am not too pleased.

To MmeLindt I have just emailed you, I hope it will help. Let me know if you have not recieved it as my emails can be a little capricious!

fooc Auckland

Re: birth differences. I think the only differences here were that in London all the staff were Aussies/Kiwis and here in NZ they are all from the UK . I had emergency caesarians both times, in the UK I had to pay for my own room for my stay but in NZ your own room is compulsory and free. The biggest difference though was security I had the room by the entrance/exit. No security at all and had a run in with the nurses as I wouldn't leave new born ds2 in the room while I had a shower on his own. I wanted ds to be watched or wait until dh arrived. They had never had a baby taken and thought I was completely mad. I stuck to my paranoid guns though and waited for dh..........

Gorionine
Thanks for the mail, will reply in a moment.

I spent the morning going from office to office in Geneva trying to find out who was willing to sign two forms so that we can get the Kindergeld.

The office of our village, "Arrondissment de l'etat civil" sent me on to the "Office central de la population" in Geneva who sent me to the extremely unhelpful and rude lady in the "Service Cantonal d'Allocations Familiales" who eventually sent me to the "Caisse suisse de compensation" who at last told me which office to apply to.

So I have to go back to the "Office central de la population" and get a form filled out there and see if the German civil servant will accept that as the Swiss will not fill out HIS form. And I have to email a lady in Basel in the Office fédéral des assurances sociales. Aaargh.

All these offices are spread over the town of Geneva which is a nightmare to navigate through at the best of times. The traffic is always terrible so I spent all morning puttering back and forth across town.

So, Gorionine, your father's tip of the Caisse Suisse was not right, but they were the ones who knew where to send me They were very helpful too, and actually phoned other offices to find out where I should go. Thank you both for your help.

I have moved my desk out of the office and upstairs so that I now have a view of the lake, through the trees, so only visable in winter. I have just noticed that there is misteltoe growing on one of the trees. I wish I had noticed that before Xmas.

Here in Geneva the winter tends to stay rather grey and misty, the sun is not seen very often. We went up into the mountains on Wednesday and enjoyed the sun as we were over the clouds. It is lovely to sit outside the cafe, drinking chocolat chaud and eating crepes, looking down at the puffy marshmallow clouds. The DC were happy as they got to go sledging again (our third time since they got their new sledges for Xmas). They had never really known snow when we lived in Germany as it hardly ever snowed so they are enjoying being so close to the mountains.

CoteAzur
Your experience of childbirth sent a shiver through me, I do hope that the next birth is much more positive. What a shame that an event that should be the most joyful experience should be a traumatic and harrowing one, especially when it is absolutely unnecessary.

Oh no!MmeLindt it sound like "les 12 travaux d'Asterix"

And they all seem to have different names as what my dear dad told me, maybe it is a "cantonal" thing (My parents live in beautiful Valais)

There is probably be a law against cutting your own misteltoe anyway !

Winter in Stockport is just as grey but without the crepes and chocolat chaud

LOL at Asterix, Gorionine. Even with my limited understanding of the language,

formerly FOOC Bosnia

Just popping in to say hi to everyone. It's been ages since I've been on FOOC or MN.

RL has taken us back to the UK for a while. With our safaris season over in the autumn it seemed like the ideal time for a long overdue trip home over the winter to spend time with the family, meet my new niece, get the consultant-led ante natal care I really needed without having to bribe a local doctor (sigh), and do some temping work to keep ourselves busy, earn a bit of money, and of course to ensure we were paid in to the NI system etc etc to use the NHS. So we'll be here until we are ready to travel back to greet our first safari guests in early summer.

It's been ok - not too much of a culture shock (for me anyway). DS couldn't quite understand why it rained so much at first and was very worried Father Christmas couldn't come if there wasn't any snow! I've loved window shopping - oooohhhh, all the lovely clothes - and wandering around town anonymously, without everyone watching what 'the foreign woman' is doing and buying!

Hope everyone is well. My bump is too heavy for me to sit at the computer long enough tonight to read all the recent posts but I'll get back to them all eventually and find out what you're all up to.

NB - I'd just like to point out that my life here so far hasn't just been about window shopping!!! I'm working full time but make the most of my lunch breaks

Fooc - N Yorkshire

Hello everyone. I have not been around much, so really dont have much to add, but as you are aware January in England can be dull, wet and dire, however, today was crisp, sunny and light. A real antidote to the winter.

The boys and I had a lovley adventure (walk) this afternoon - The light was fab.

I am making the most of my time with the boys at the moment, as I am due to go into hospital at the end of February. I definatly am thankful for the NHS, as my private cover wouldnt touch the operation, as it is preventative. They would rather treat any cancer I got (85% chance).

FOOC Galicia, N Spain

WelliesandPyjamas what is the safari that you mention? It sounds intriguing...

TheMadHouse - I agree with you about NHS cover. We have excellent state health provision in Spain, which was really brought out to me yesterday as I was listening to the real FOOC (on BBC!). The correspondent was somewhere in the States, and was talking about how his 9yo son had been diagnosed with type-1 diabetes. Along with this devastating diagnosis the family had to contend with medical bills arriving at their house, and the worry that the insurance company wouldn't cover them.

To me it seems like another world. I'm so lucky to live in a country with a first-class state health service. ILs are always on at us to take out health insurance because the private hospital is "nicer", but if you have anything seriously wrong with you then the private hospital can't cope because it doesn't have the equipment so you are shipped off the the state hospital anyway.

I'd much rather take my chances with a "not nice" hospital that's fully competent and free.

Cies if you do a google search with 'bosnia' and 'safaris' we should be top of the list (after the usual sponosred links of course) - that is what we do out there. And the stunning young lady on the about us page is me . Also the bottom photo on the walking holidays page - that's me pretending to be a model (the scouts will spot me one day, it's only a matter of time )

Wellies
Your website is fab, and you are indeed stunning.

FOOC Switzerland Geneva
I got stopped by the police for the first time in my life yesterday. I had been out for a drink with a friend and was on my way home when we passed a police car. At the next junction I turned left, and said while turning, "Hmm, not sure if I am allowed to turn left here". Suddenly the police car appeared behind me, lights flashing.

I was all of a flutter as the ridiculously young policewoman asked for my driving licence and Swiss ID card. For some reason I had picked up my DH's ID card instead of my own so had to then search for my passport. Just as well I had it with me, I don't always.

My friend told her that I had only just arrived in Geneva a few months ago but the Swiss police know no mercy and I was given a CHF 100 fine (about 160euros). Bummer.

Welliesandpyjamas your site is great. Very tempting in fact, and the prices look reasonable as well. I've always wanted to do a guided walking holiday...

MmeLindt Oh dear, on the spot fines are a real PITA.

When I first came to Spain it was strange to always have to carry my driving licence, ID and car insurance documents on me. I was so used to keeping them somewhere very safe at home, like the filing cabinet. Now, I sling my passport into my handbag as if it were just a little book, not something that costs about 100 GBP. How we adapt!

MmeLindt... why, thank you! I wasn't reeeeaally fishing for compliments, honest! I'm currently modelling the "puffy-faced extremely-pregnant" look, so it's nice to hear nice things!

Glad you both think the website looks good. Always good to hear what other people think. It's all DH's work, bless him. Do tell your adventurous friends

FOOC Auckland

It's hot hot hot - about 30 degrees but skin blistering in the sun - and no I'm not complaining.

Well we are back from our week at the beach before we head down to Wellington on Wednesday for a few days to stay with friends.

Had to chuckle at the need to carry documents with you elsewhere. I have become used to carrying my drivers license here in NZ (I never carried anything at home). Most people, as it's credit card style punch a hole in it and have it attached to their key ring. I have mine with credit cards in purse which means I always have to carry purse everywhere. Can be a bit of a pain but the easiest ID to carry.

Talking of red tape..........I decided at long last to open the ds's bank accounts the other week as an incentive to save their pocket money rather than spend it at teh first opportunity. HOwever unless I get them an IRD (Inland Revenue) number they will be taxed at the high tax bracket. To get the IRD number I need to submit, along with the form, their passports (as ds1 was born in the UK birth certificates no good), my passport, marriage certificate, drivers license. These docs need to be photocopied in duplicate one for each child then both the originals and copies need to be verified by....wait for it not a lawyer, JP, solicitor etc ..........but an AA driving test centre personel/instructor . Obviously pillars of the community here in NZ . So now they have bank accounts with no money in them until I can get my backside away from the pool in searing heat to sort the paperwork out!!!

FOOC Paris

On Monday it was required of me to take some papers to an office not far from Charles de Gaulle - Étoile. I wrapped up warm to fight the Paris cold.

There had been a serious accident and the metro was uncomfortably crowded. It took me three attempts to get into a train.

Once in a train it was especially uncomfortable with this seasons musthave coats, hats, scarfs and gloves. They had become a nuissance amongst the cramped body heated, so rather toasty, carriage. All passengers left their books and magazines unread in their bags (no space to read this must be what hell is like) and instead began to carefully remove their gloves and for the brave hats and scarves too. They were being careful to respectfully ensure in the process of clothes removal they did not poke another human being in the ribs or even loose their balance in the process. My country upbringing shone through as I seemed to be particularly struggling to do this well.

At crowded moments it becomes painfully obvious that there simply aren't enough things to hold onto. There are far less poles to swing from than say on the London underground or the trendy Métro de Barcelone.

On Monday I was particularly missing a bar across the top of the door.

Sans pole it was necessary for several of the taller members of the crowed to reach up. We each pushed one hand against the lit line one map above the metalic sliding doors to steady our squashed and swaying bodies.

For a woman I have quite chunky hands (my family were fishermen - and physically don't I know it!). The hand back lit by the line one map was looking particularly shabby to my eyes. Then I noticed something. I felt some warm and what could almost be described as proud satisfaction. You see... my three inside fingers had fitted perfectly inside the two yellow spots marking the station for Bastille and Gare de Lyon!

teafortwo, how is it going in Paris with the srtike?

Thanks for asking, Gorionine!

Actually I don't know how Paris is.

I am supposed to be at work today and would normally be able to tell you.

You see, usually Thursday afternoon is my planning and prep time. I work in the office. I usually take milkfortwo into central Paris with me on the Metro then drop her off at nursery near my work. I mentioned to my boss I might be a bit late in because of the strikes she said "Oh God, please don't bother coming in. Especially with milkfortwo! It will be a lot of hassle and we are upto date on all paperwork."

So my report on the strikes are - we have spent much of today listening to Susan Vegas, Jacques Brel and Billie Holiday making paper flowers and p.s - It is lovely!!!

I have not listened to the radio today but usually listen to RTL to get news from the continent! Yesterday everybody seemed to be very anxious at the prospect of this stike so I am really glad that it is turning as such a lovely day for you!

I will try to listen to the news tonight and see what the general consensus is! I doubt many people will be as positive as you!

Jacques even!