Finding a gym

I really miss going to gym so we've been to visit a few gyms here to see which we'd like to join and find out what it would cost.

First we went to the Leisure Centre down the road from us. We can walk there in less than 5 minutes so it's conveniently close. Before I tell you about the gym I have to tell you a funny story. Andre and I went there one Sunday afternoon to have a look around. There was only one lady at reception who gave us the brochures with prices and asked if we'd be okay to have a look around ourselves as they don't have many staff on a Sunday to show us around. She explained to go up stairs, walk along until we get to more stairs and then take those stairs down which would bring us back to reception.

So off we go down corridors, not seeing anything resembling a gym yet. Then I see stairs at the end of the corridor and assume that's where we're meant to go down and maybe then we'll see the actual gym. I notice it's an emergency exit, but you know some places use these stairs as everyday stairs too. So we go down the stairs, but then at the bottom the door won't open. No problem, it must be the wrong stairs so we walk back upstairs. Again the door won't open! It's one of those one way doors where you have to press the handle down on the inside to open, but there's no handle on the other side! So we were stuck on the staircase!! (I now check for handles on both sides of doors.)

I remember that I've got all the brochures in my hand so start looking for the gym's phone number so we can phone reception to come and free us from the stairs. I read the number to Andre, but he accidentally dials a number incorrectly. Without realising this he thinks he's gotten through to reception and is explaining how we were just down there at reception and came to see the gym, but are now stuck on the staircase. The lady says, "I think you have the wrong number. This is the police station." hahahaha Now Andre's number is probably listed as a prank caller in Yateley!

Luckily just then one of the members walked past. We knocked on the glass door and gestured to him to come and open it.

I'm a bit scared to join this gym now out of fear of getting lost and locked up there.


Anyway, about this gym and most other Leisure Centres I would assume (we've seen two). It is not what I'm used to. I'm used to vibey large open space, bright colours, music playing and people working out hard. This one, not so. Lots of small rooms, few equipment, small studio, lots of corridors, and few people working out. And silence. I suppose in a country which does not require you to really ever appear in a bathing suit there is not as much motivation for exercise...

We went to another gym near Andre's office which he has been to before when he lived here. This one was more like what I was used to at Virgin Active in South Africa. Friendly, motivated staff, energetic vibe, larger spaces and more equipment. With TV screens. Not that that is important, but if I'm going to pay the money I want them to have the up to date equipment I've been used to.

Only thing is this gym is a 25 minute drive from where we live. And it's a little more expensive too. They did say they would contact us again and see if they can make us a better offer. If they can offer the same or less than the leisure centre maize next door then I think I might drive there.

Sorry now photos today. Were to stressed out on the stairs to think of taking photos and had a tour guide at the nicer gym.

Let it snow!

Snow started falling in our garden during the night of 29 November. Not even December yet and it was snowing in a country where it isn't normal to have so much snow! It melted away a little yesterday but then we got a lot more overnight. Andre was ready to leave for work this morning and I got up to make his sandwich for lunch. I looked out the window and called him to go check the road to first see if he will be able to leave before I make his lunch. It was totally covered in snow! Everything looks really beautiful, but the little road we live in does not get cleared or gritted. It's quite strange for us coming from Switzerland how people here get to stay at home when it's snowing. Not complaining! It's nice to have Andre at home! But it is dangerous driving on these roads which aren't cleared and without winter tires too.

Here are a few pictures of the snow.

Yesterday on our way back from Southampton, going to visit friends. Yesterday they had a lot more snow here than we had about 20 minutes away. Now we have about the same amount!

This morning in our garden.

Pure white!

We're here to stay!

Last night we were very very excited to receive Andre's 5 year residence card in the mail! We weren't expecting it for another month or two so it was a really good surprise. And such a relief! He is now legal and can stay for another 5 years after which we will figure out what he needs to apply for next. I think he will then apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

Now we can travel again. As soon as I get my German passport sorted out. I need to do a name declaration next week to be able to have my German passport in my married name. Then apply for the new German one. I have already applied for my SA passport in my married name and it would make things so much simpler to have everything in one name.

Yay! We'll be celebrating this weekend! If we don't get snowed in :-)

A&E

This weekend I had my first hospital experience here in the UK. Nothing serious. Just thought our SA family might find it interesting.

Andre's been having some stomach pains on and off for a very long time now. So far no doctors could really tell him what exactly it is. He was on a course of tablets for a month which relieved the pain a little. Now that's finished and the pain was really bad on Saturday.

So after we did everything we needed to do on Saturday we got home and said, "Let's go to the hospital! We haven't been there yet!" Just kidding. He really didn't feel too good and we need to get this sorted out.

Off we went to the nearest hospital A&E. That's accident & emergency. Neither really applied to us but if you need to see a doctor on the weekend that's where you go. You state your name and pains at the reception desk and then take a seat. It could take hours depending on how many people are waiting. You don't make an appointment. After about 30 minutes we got to see the nurse first who checked Andre out to see what he needs. She offered pain pills which he declined and said he needs to see a doctor and the wait will be about an hour.

We were lucky that after only 15 minutes a doctor came and called us.

Now when you go to see your GP here you get a 10 minute appointment. On Saturday the doctor spent over an hour with Andre. He took multiple vials of blood which they tested right away while we waited. He suspects Andre has some stomach ulcers, but also checked for everything else. We were very impressed. Even more so when we walked out without having to pay anything!

I know how much health insurance (medical aid) can cost in South Africa and often it won't cover everything. And how much a doctors visit can cost. All those tests and an hours time of a doctor on a Saturday afternoon would have cost us a small fortune back in SA. We are fortunate to get it all for free here. It still feels strange to us walking out without paying! But we're not complaining at all!


*Oh, if you're wondering what's happening to Andre and his stomach now: the blood tests came out fine so nothing more serious than possibly ulcers. He's seeing the GP today. (For the maximum 10 minutes appointment!) Who will then probably make another appointment where they will do more tests. If it is ulcers he will get antibiotics which will clear it up. But no more hot curries for Andre!!

Winchester

A few weekends ago Andre and I went for a drive in the MX5. Top down of course. It was a few weekends ago before this cold weather fully arrived.

Andre joined the MX5 owners club. For this he gets a magazine which he enjoys, all about cars, especially MX5s. He also gets discount on things like servicing the car. And then the other owners share scenic routes they've driven.

So that was how we ended up in Winchester. It's not that very far from us, about 40 minutes. But we took the scenic route, through small country lanes which took quite a bit longer. And was way prettier.

Winchester is a lovely town. We had a look around the shops a bit too. We'll be going back there for the Christmas market which starts next week.

These were the only photos I took there but next time I will take some more!

Andre and I are watching The Pillars of the Earth on tv at the moment. It's a mini series based on the book by Ken Follett. I read the book a few years ago. It's really good, you should read it if you come across it. Anyway, Winchester Cathedral is mentioned in the book/ series too. The story is about the building of a cathedral and it's very interesting to see how it was done and what life was like in that time (the 12th century).

Have I told you I love sushi?

Oh I have? Once, twice, three times? Almost missed one, here's another one!

Anyway, I'm gonna tell you again: I love it! But I won't over do it here with another sushi post. Go see the rest of the photos on our All Things Petite blog.

You thought we spend our time only making Sweets? We can do other things too!

River Cottage

Every time before I start writing a new post, I click "View Blog" to well, view my blog. And each time I see the date and think, "Was it that long ago I was on here last?!" Then I look at the calendar to check exactly how long ago that was. This time it's been over two weeks. I am ashamed of myself. Where are the days when I sat thinking up random things to write about here? Oh right, I left those days behind in Switzerland. We have a very busy social life here, not to mention business life now too! Oh and how can I forget the couch-and-TV life. It takes up so much time!

I'm not complaining. Not at all.

Just trying to make excuses for my lack of regular blogging. Sorry.

But I'm here now and will hopefully finish this post in one go.

Andre and I have been following Hugh Fernley Whittingstall's River Cottage cooking shows for a long time now. Andre has some of the DVD's so I've been watching it in SA already. Last week we were watching one of the shows again and saw them at the River Cottage Deli & Canteen. Well we saw it written on the building Hugh was sitting outside of. We were able to rewind the program to find out where this is. With a little extra help from google we found that it's 2 1/2 hours drive from us in a town called Axminster.

So on Sunday Andre and I drove there to go try Hugh Fernley Whittingstalls food. I suppose not really his food, but his restaurant. It's a very casual, homely restaurant with plain tables and chairs and not much decor besides all his books displayed on shelves along the wall.

The deli counter had so many delicious things. Lots of organic and local produce. Cheese, oils, truffles, milk, yoghurt, flour and many many more as you can see from the picture.

The menu changes daily depending on what comes in fresh from the farmers and fishermen. I had fish and mussels. I can't remember when last I had seafood. Andre had roast pork.

On the way to Axminster town centre, we took a wrong turn and (accidentally!) found River Cottage HQ and took some pictures at the entrance to the farm. Maybe one day we'll go to an event there too. You can have dinner there when they have certain events in the evenings but which will be quite a bit more expensive than eating at the canteen we went to on Sunday.