Living abroad tips and hints for money savers

seven-day-weekend

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

Well a letter turned upfrom the DWP to say that the have contacted a Dr who will let us know in due course.
However, he is in MARBELLA!:eek:

I've rung the DWP up and politely asked if there is a Dr any nearer as we don't live anywhere near Marbella and it is a four hour drive there and a four hour drive back, without the medical appointmant in between.:eek:

Even Malaga is a bit far (3 hours) but we do know Malaga. Marbella is the other side of Malaga and we've never ever been there so would have to allow time to find the surgery.

Anyway, they are ringing us tomorrow with a complete list of Drs and we can chose one. I wonder if they will let us wait until June and see one in the UK?:rotfl:

The DWP rang, there isn't a suitable Dr any nearer than Marbella. However, they were pleasant, polite and helpful and said my husband can claim his travelling expenses, so that will help a bit.

They also said it may be months before we hear anything.

So.....Watch This Space!

droopsnout

Well, it gives Mr s-d-w a little breathing space. Hope he doesn't fret over it.

And since your expenses will mainly be covered, perhaps you will both enjoy the trip. Eight hours' travelling? Any chance you might stay a night or two and make the trip worthwhile? It would perhaps take some of the apprehension away if he has something to look forward to.

seven-day-weekend

Yes droopsnout, we thought we might take our kayak with us and stay overnight, either the day before or the day of the appointment, depending on what time of day the appointment is.:beer:

We've never been to Marbella, it is POSH and various celebs have places there (although the only two that spring to mind at the moment are Jim Davidson (sounds of vomiting) and Mark Thatcher (even more vomiting)!:eek:). Oh, and Antonio Banderas, who has an illegal house.....:rolleyes::rotfl:

So I think we will combine it into a mini break.

My husband is very calm about it at the moment.

Thanks.

droopsnout

Nice!! Doesn't Sean Connery have somewhere there, too?

gfplux

Just to add some more thoughts in response to Lic post number 1124.
Firstly I must agree with what Les D says in post 1127.
Just to add -
The pound has dropped in value against the Euro for lots of reasons. interest rates being only one. however what it does say is that a VERY LARGE number of people around the world in places such as Honk Kong, New York, London, Frankfurt, Milan, Brussels, Paris and Madrid etc, etc, think or are betting the UK economy is in worse shape than Europe in general. (remember tho' even if you bet on the favourite it does not always win)
Europe and the Euro zone is a very large place with a HUGE population. If you hear that, for example that Spain is having a difficult time. First ask yourself whether you believe it (The daily Mail is full of "facts") and also remember to compare it to for example that Devon is "having a difficult time"
Also if you read that the Germans are so upset about the Euro (Daily mail again?) that they are thinking of coming out of the Euro. While pigs may fly and never say never, at the moment that is not very likely.
We are in a worldwide recession which may last until the end of 2010 of longer and all European Country's are being effected. However come the Spring European retailers will be buying their imports in Euro's from other Euro zone country's or with a reasonable strength of currency from Asia in Dollars €1 = 1.40 23rd Dec 2008 against €1= 1.43 23rd Dec2007. almost unchanged.
Compare the pound 23 Dec 2007 to 23rd Dec 2008 I know these are only snapshots in time.
Against US Dollar was 1.98, now 1.49. down - 25%.
Against the Euro was 1.38, now 1.06. Down - 23 %
Imagine what that means to the price of imports in to the UK.

Here in Luxembourg things are tough but do not apear to be as bad as the UK.

droopsnout

Quite so, gfplux.

There is considerable protection when you're part of a bigger entity - as migrating birds will verify (if you ask them, of course). The UK left itself very wide open when it failed once again to grasp the bull by the horns and join the eurozone. And my French friends, whilst sympathetic with my personal plight, waste no time in pointing out that this wouldn't have happened if only ...

seven-day-weekend

droopsnout wrote: »

Nice!! Doesn't Sean Connery have somewhere there, too?

Oh yes, I believe he does, but there is no danger of us going anywhere near a golf course (I hope), which is almost certainly where his villa will be, so we probably won't be dropping in for a cuppa..

(Fleece Navidad indeed...!:p)

Merrywidow

I would like to wish all my friends a wonderful Christmas and a healthy and wealthier 2009. I still owe you a run down on my holiday, but that will have to wait till after New Year. Off to Amsterdam to spend some quality time with my family and Friends over there. Once in a lifetime you all have to experience an Amsterdam New Year. Can you imagine a major city at midnight with fireworks going off in every square foot of it. That's Amsterdam. Geef mij maar Amsterdam. Je moet het proeven. Tot ziens.

seven-day-weekend

Merry Christmas
Feliz Navidad
Joyeux Noël
Vrolijke Kerstmis
Buon Natal
Fröhliches Weihnachten
Natal Feliz
καλά χριστούγεννα

....and a Happy 2009 to you all!

Oh - and as is up on banners all round these villages at the moment - FELICES FIESTAS - Happy Partying!

seven-day-weekend

Merry Widow, I went once to Amsterdam the first year of my marriage, hundreds of years ago. I'd LOVE to go again!

Our next-door neighbours here in Spain live in Amsterdam most of the time; we keep hinting for an invitation to look after their house while they are here, but maybe we are being a little too English and not forthright enough. Must try harder!

Methinks a SKI-ing trip may be coming on!

Loads of fireworks here too, mainly huge noisy bangy ones!