The Elite:The Good, The Bad and the Glitchy

fairclaire

On a more positive note though......

All of the thinking about how the kids are growing up way too fast had me thinking about holidays. It's been absolutely years since we all had a holiday together. I can't even remember when. With OH always needing looked after and DS2 loathing of strange places, it's been impossible.

My friend has a place in Portugal and regularly offers the use of it. Ive just never taken her up on it. There is one week where it's technically possible to go at the end of August. DS2 was my stumbling block though point blank refused when I suggested it. The uncertainty of going to a strange place in that timescale is something he wouldn't even consider

After many phone calls and plan hatching today......my friends husband has been convinced to do an in depth video of his journey there next week. Poor man has agreed to video his journey, the property and surrounding area so that DS2 can see what to expect :cool:

So subject to DS2 video approval......me and all 3 kids should be going there at the end of August. I'm so pleased as it's an opportunity none of us has had for years with one thing and another. And one I feel won't come along again :A I don't have loads of friends, but the ones I do have are wonderful!

Only worry I have is I've let DS2 passport expire in theory I should have time but does anyone know the current state of play with passports? Im willing to pay extra for peace of mind if I have to

fairclaire

Sunshinemummy wrote: »

You are brave, I packed mine away for when I have grandchildren!

:D:D:D:D

Grandchildren :eek: I'm in no hurry for those, thank you

zippydooda

fairclaire wrote: »

On a more positive note though......

All of the thinking about how the kids are growing up way too fast had me thinking about holidays. It's been absolutely years since we all had a holiday together. I can't even remember when. With OH always needing looked after and DS2 loathing of strange places, it's been impossible.

My friend has a place in Portugal and regularly offers the use of it. Ive just never taken her up on it. There is one week where it's technically possible to go at the end of August. DS2 was my stumbling block though point blank refused when I suggested it. The uncertainty of going to a strange place in that timescale is something he wouldn't even consider

After many phone calls and plan hatching today......my friends husband has been convinced to do an in depth video of his journey there next week. Poor man has agreed to video his journey, the property and surrounding area so that DS2 can see what to expect :cool:

So subject to DS2 video approval......me and all 3 kids should be going there at the end of August. I'm so pleased as it's an opportunity none of us has had for years with one thing and another. And one I feel won't come along again :A I don't have loads of friends, but the ones I do have are wonderful!

Only worry I have is I've let DS2 passport expire in theory I should have time but does anyone know the current state of play with passports? Im willing to pay extra for peace of mind if I have to

Portugal is in the Schengen Area so technically a passport is not needed. but i would not travel without it.

Forms of Identification

Even within the passport-free Schengen Area, it's a good idea to carry your passport or other nationally issued ID card. You don't need to show ID at the border, but you may be asked to prove your identity if stopped by the police, or if you are boarding a plane. For border crossings outside the Schengen Area – or for proving your identity within this area -- the only acceptable forms of ID are those issued by national authorities. Identification you may use within your home country – for example, a driving license, bank card or tax card – is unlikely to be accepted in another European country.

i know this dont help as you are obviously going by plane :rotfl:
just thought id throw it in the mix

lookinforabargain

fairclaire wrote: »

LFAB where art thou. I've only just tuned in :eek:
I seriously do object to having to iron uniforms, pack bags and have planner debates for a day and a half of school. DS2 picked today to tell me he thinks he needs new shoes :cool: he does as well :eek: I had no idea they were that small He can wear black trainers for 2 days.....hopefully no one will notice.

I've had a very emotional clear our today. Prompted by DS2 objecting to having his lunch butty served on a melamine teletubbies plate that is, to be fair, older than him He informed me that he his too old for these plates and would like proper ones from now on

That was followed by a lecture about how he's had to use second hand characters his whole life and that he had never indeed even liked teletubbies as it was before his time.

I realised he is absolutely right so I've spent the day clearing the house of an embarrassing amount of child stuff. It is time I realised I'm never going to pack another ninja turtles lunchbox, or pour a bag of sweets into a Pokemon or my little pony bowl and no one is going to drink from the Barbie sports bottle or the Tweenies beaker ever again *SIGH*

I could not however part with the Thomas the tank cutlery. It has gone into the greenhouse to start a new life as 'useful items' :rotfl::rotfl:

Have to say though, some of that stuff was nearly 20 years old and has been used and dishwashered to within an inch of its life and survived well. Go melamine

I've only just got here now :eek: No idea what's going on as my Sky Go is being a temperamental !!!! :mad: Is it even still on?!

fairclaire

lookinforabargain wrote: »

I've only just got here now :eek: No idea what's going on as my Sky Go is being a temperamental !!!! :mad: Is it even still on?!

Good grief woman :eek: Anderson is beating the bronzed Adonis 9-4

Scratch that he just won 10-4 as I was typing. and you missed it :eek:

Sunshinemummy

davemorton wrote: »

Cant have too many beakers

Strangely I have not packed away my Ikea beakers... the kids still drink out of them!

fairclaire wrote: »

Grandchildren :eek: I'm in no hurry for those, thank you

I have become a friend granny twice over this week, one boy and one girl... loving it! x

lookinforabargain

Yes it is still on, just in time to see the winning dart by Gando :T

Evening all

Coupon_Kathy

Evening xx Just popping in to confirm that Toblerone still working this afternoon on an instore shop.

Xx

MrsBartolozzi

zippydooda wrote: »

Portugal is in the Schengen Area so technically a passport is not needed. but i would not travel without it.

Forms of Identification

Even within the passport-free Schengen Area, it's a good idea to carry your passport or other nationally issued ID card. You don't need to show ID at the border, but you may be asked to prove your identity if stopped by the police, or if you are boarding a plane. For border crossings outside the Schengen Area – or for proving your identity within this area -- the only acceptable forms of ID are those issued by national authorities. Identification you may use within your home country – for example, a driving license, bank card or tax card – is unlikely to be accepted in another European country.

i know this dont help as you are obviously going by plane :rotfl:
just thought id throw it in the mix

When did we join the Schengen area?

nerfdad

Mrsnerf cycle ride her a charity that helps our family

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/68787827#Comment_68787827