Living abroad tips and hints for money savers

Merrywidow

:beer: Congrats Sloan and enjoy your party and your lovely holiday.

Did you watch the Michael Jackson memorial concert on BBC2 last week. After it finished they had to fill 20 minutes before the scheduled film at 9 o'clock and they showed an episode of Coast - what a thrill - there was my home town of Saltburn in all its glory, along with Staithes and then on to Whitby and Scarborough. There were glorious aerial shots of Saltburn town centre and it even showed the small row of shops my brother owned in Milton Street with the glorious Victorian lead and blue glass awnings. I punched the record button for Sky plus and will now save it for posterity.

Not many people know this but Maggie Thatcher poured buckets of money into Saltburn to restore the glorious stonework on the buildings and the lead canopies over the shops among a lot of other things. It certainly won her a heap of votes from such a Labour stronghold. Happy memories.

Look forward to hearing about your leaving bash. Have fun.:T

sloan

Well, less than a week to go to retirement. Had a fabulous party on Saturday night and husband presented me with a surprise new, shiny black Mada mx5 convertible to grow old gracefully in. We are definitely spending the kids' inheritance - but with their blessings! Can't wait for Cyprus! 5 weeks in the summer, then home for a while, then October to Christmas, coming home via Christmas shopping in Istanbul. I am so excited!

sloan

Hi Merrywidow
The bash was a treat. DD1 presented me with a cake in the shape of our apartment, with me sunbathing beside the pool. If I could work ou how to post a photo, I would.

We were in Saltburn the Sunday before last. Sat in the restaurant half way down the bank (now called Vista Mar) and had a couple of glasses of winw, watching the surfers etc and then had a curry in Spices which is a new Indian restaurant on the square. It is like being on your holidays without going anywhere! Whitby is bustling at the moment. Full of life and loads going on. I think I am going to have the best of both worlds, dividing my time between Whitby and Cyprus.

droopsnout

Yes, I was in Whitby in February. Hardly the busiest time of year at the seaside, you'd have thought, but couldn't find anywhere to park! The place was very busy with weekend visitors, and when we went for a walk on the beach from Sandsend we were far from being on our own! Had a lovely fish'n'chips lunch (a bit of a treat since we can't get them here!) in (I think) The Hart Inn at Sandsend (where we succeeded in parking).

Merrywidow

Yes Whitby is great. When hubby and I were in Saltburn visiting my parents at Christmas, Boxing day afternoon was always a trip to Whitby. A brisk walk in the winter sun (more often that not!) and in the wind, the overindulgency was blown away in a flash. Yes, even that time of the year the town was full. Lovely place but in all those years we never made it to the Magpie for fish and chips. Have I ever mentioned that my husband and wife neighbours hail from Redcar. Bought the film Attonement just to look at how they transformed Redcar for the film. Even shows the church I was married in. A truly lovely part of the country. Must make time for a visit soon. I have a sister-in-law still there and my two godchildren not to mention umpteen cousins.

Sloan - Glad your party was great. The resturant on the bank used to be a nighclub, Philimore (?) Jimmy Saville's aunt used to own the bungalow half way down the bank. Oh - the bank - took my driving lessons up and down the dreaded thing, it terrified me, that and Loftus bank. Oh happy memories. Was last there 4 years ago when I moved my mother down to Tunbridge Wells to be near me after my Father and brother died. I expect I will see the many changes.

droopsnout

There was some debate among our hosts whether we should go to the Magpie or the Hart. In the end, they decided that the food is slightly better at the Hart. I've not been to the Magpie, so can't comment.

sloan

Egon Ronay likes the Magpie - it has three stars. I have a friend who was an extra on Atonement and sent some fabulous 'cast view' pictures of the transformation as it was happening and of the making of the film. Pupils from my school were the children on the Hogwarts Express in the first Harry Potter film, and I watch Heartbeat just to look at the extras who are usually people I know.

Happychappy

Hi

Anyone on the board made the move to the Greek mainland or one of the islands ? would be interested to hear how things are with the property market as well as the effects of the poor pound.

I have just returned from Costa Del Skiathos, unfortunately ruined by the Mama Mia film and more chavvy than a chavved one, although Skopolos and Alonnisos were lovely as were the uninhabited islands to the east.

Merrywidow

Thanks Sloan - Dear Heartbeat - my brother had a pub in Saltburn and the cast used to come in for a night out. My brother got quite friendly with "Greengrass" - mind you they were like twins - rougues the pair of them. Droopsnout - which place is the Hart, doesn't ring any bells. I didn't visit Whitby that often over the years as I lived in Holland. Is the parking there still a nightmare? I really am getting a longing for that part of the world again. When my hubby and I drove over the moors, he always wanted to stop at the highest point just to breathe in the peace. You don't get much of that in Amsterdam.

Don't worry Sloan, you will enjoy the sun in Cyprus more so when you think of the bone chilling North East winds in winter - I could never miss them.

sloan

The parking is still a nightmare and the town is so full of visitors in the summer that it is sometimes a bit off-putting. However, we do love the place - warts and all! I always feel as if I am on my holidays as I visit lots of the places along the coast. Still agree about those winters - don't like to leave my blazing fire in winter. The winter weather in Cyprus has been variable recently. I was there the New Year before last and it was lovely, but in February, it warmer in Stansted when we flew back! Also, it has been a relatively wet winter, but it does not seem to have eased the water situation much - it is still dire.