Christmas in England

So the first trip back to England for me and the girls is going to be an extended 3 week visit for Christmas and New Year! Lots of things planned, many people to see (and we're not going to have chance to see everyone we'd like to), places to go, and quite a long shopping list to fulfill. I have to say, people aside, I haven't actually missed all that much about the place. I am looking forward to going clothes shopping for me and the girls though, as we are quite limited for options on that score here in Södertälje.

I wrote a little blogpost on posterous about the things I'm looking forward to. And yes, it is all food.

So I guess it can't be all that bad here, or we'd be more homesick surely?

As we'll need a car whilst we're there, we've decided to travel overnight on the ferry from Esbjerg (in Denmark) to Harwich. We did consider driving the whole way, but the thought of spending 2 full days in the car with the girls was not particularly appealing. And being on the ferry, in a cabin, feels like it will be something of an adventure - I'm sure it will be to the girls anyway.

I confess I initially wasn't that bothered about going back, but I am looking forward to seeing everyone, and it will be nice to have a break from being in the apartment. And now that it's nearly time to set off, I am getting a little bit excited!

So don't expect any more updates for a few weeks (as if you were anyway!) - I'll see you when we get back to Sverige.

God jul och gott nytt år!

iPhone again

As I mentioned previously, one of the things I was looking forward to about moving to Sweden was that I was promised an iPhone when we got here. Decided to wait till the end of July when the new 3GS was released, but of course when I went on the day they had nowhere near enough stock in and I had to order one. They told me that it would be about a month, so you can imagine my delight when I got a phone call last night to say it had arrived already!
So off I trotted this morning down to the store in much excitement, only to find (after the shiny box was tantalisingly placed on the counter in front of me and we'd determined which tariff was appropriate) that actually I'm not allowed to have a contract phone until I've either been in the country for 8 months, or we have bought a house.
A very sad me left the Telia shop and wandered over to Carphone Warehouse to get a pay as you go sim card to put in my UK phone. Looks like I am doomed to only have basic phone functions for a while longer.

iPhone

Oh yes, the negotiations definitely paid off - the man has decided that I can have my iPhone when we get to Sweden (if I still want one *duh*) yay!!
And no, I didn't threaten to hurt him :P

On the plus side

I am currently negotiating with my lovely husband (in case he decides to read this!) that some of our relocation money should be spent on an iPhone for me when we move there - it'll be a necessity don't ya know?!

And whilst I'm on the subject....

.... need to have a moan about Ryanair (so feel free to skip this post as it will likely be deeply uninteresting and completely irrelevant).
They go on and on and on about how they're cheaper than other airlines, but really they're not. Oh yes, first glance - fare out = £0.00; return £74.99pp -> bargain! But then there's the taxes, fees etc. - £146.49; £19 to check in a bag; and then £9.50 each for airport check in - they won't let one person check in at the airport with the bag and the others check in online for free, oh no, you have to all check in at the airport and put more money into their greedy little paws.
The one that really gets up my nose though is the so-called 'payment handling fee' for paying by card - £4.75 per person per flight so another £28.50. What I don't understand is how they have the bare-faced cheek to charge us 6 handling fees for a payment we're only making once.
Grand total £447.46. 
If the service was good and the planes actually comfortable then I wouldn't mind so much, but it's just not worth that kind of money.
Had we been able to book this trip a couple of weeks ago we could have gone BA for the same price. Unfortunately all their flights that suited us have now sold out and we are left with no choice.
Last time I flew Ryanair I swore that I would rather swim than get on another one of their planes. Unfortunately Mr.B won't travel that way. I just feel sorry for #1 that her first trip on a plane (that she'll remember) is going to be in a yellow peril :(
Sorry. Rant over. Thankyou for your patience.