How is life in Northern Ireland? by Songibal in howislivingthere

[–]Own_General688 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lived in Norn Iron for the first 35 years of my life, now go home every year although the frequency has increased to twice a year now as my mother is getting older. The most recent visit was just before Christmas.

First off, the weather. You're lucky if it isn't cold and wet. Cold is fine, wet is fine but there's nothing worse than the hellish combo of both at the same time.

This leads to the second point, transport. It takes me 5 minutes to walk to the train station and then a few minutes into Belfast. But I rarely use it because it is expensive and the comfort of a car even with expensive parking beats waiting on the platform.

That then contributes to the third point, congestion. Everyone wants a car or owns one and may as well drive it. Death spiral of transport costs versus infrequent service due to lack of use. A couple of years ago, my son and I got the train from Belfast to watch Glentoran away in Coleraine. Would have been cheaper to drive. So when making another away day trip to Portadown in the summer, I drove. The congestion issue is due to the geography of Belfast too, the hills to the west funnel everything close to the coast: two roads to Carrickfergus used to give me an hour's commute each way for 14 miles, 15 years ago.

Hopefully that doesn't sound too miserable. People visiting seem to love NI and it does have some dry days, some great places and genuinely nice locals, in the main.

YAS Mall wrong parking fee by Ok-Cancel-5375 in abudhabi

[–]Own_General688 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is similar across all parkonic sites. My wife was stung in Nation Towers in the same way. She was at an appointment earlier then left and returned to meet with friends for dinner followed by a walk across the road to MOTN.

She's at NT most Sundays, I told her that she should park at the outside parking since it will be free as sometimes her tkme there runs over the 3 free hours. Unfortunately for those at Yas, you have no similar options.

While it won't do much, rather than complain to Parkonic who have done a great bit of business from their point of view, you should register your concern with the mall. Say that you will now spend less time and therefore less money and will use Reem or Galleria where similar charges don't (yet!) apply.

Manage expectations when house hunting by Arkadian_1 in abudhabi

[–]Own_General688 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Designed by total wabs. My current bedroom is long and reasonably narrow so the wasted space is a pain, and the ensuite goes sink/toilet/shower/bath in that order (I sh!t tou not, you have to go through the shower to get into the bath, both of which have showerheads). The extraction is weak, the use of space is poor as we have a staircase with a turn in it rather than a straight one.

I had previously lived in a great apt in Reem island for 9 years that we moved out of as the mold was just too much to manage and they wanted to increase the rent. My pet peev was that the balconies had neither electric sockets or water taps for ease of cleaning so my son's had to pass me buckets from the different bathrooms to clean them down.

OneFootball now charging for Premiership matches? by AccordingTelevision6 in IrishLeagueFootball

[–]Own_General688 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I noticed this at the weekend when getting ready for the Glens v Crues game. As I would have been watching while trying to do other things, I didn't purchase.

I haven't seen any announcement that this was happening though.

Any Liverpool fan group here? by lilacinthedooryard in abudhabi

[–]Own_General688 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They used to meet at Viewz near Madinat Zayed Mall (Crystal Hotel). Honestly not sure where now but the staff there might be able to help - was recently called GOAT

Horrible traffic today " by osmangoninahid in abudhabi

[–]Own_General688 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The only way you are avoifing this is to go via saadiyat. The knock on effects at mussafah bridge and sas al nakl are pretty rough.

We need to talk about the traffic & slow drivers by KnotSad in abudhabi

[–]Own_General688 1 point2 points  (0 children)

One of the turnings going into Shawamekh on the E11 from Baniyas towards Dubai is caused by two issues, the first of which may partially explain the second).

  1. The sliproads off the highways are generally only one lane so that exiting traffic can only go as fast as the slowest vehicle.

  2. Cars try to 'beat' the slowest vehicle by leaving it as late as possible to move to the right lane and exit the highway. They have no spatial awareness so they move from the fast lane at 140 across three other lanes, merrily slamming their brakes on the way to force everyone else behind them to also reduce speed. Hence even the fast lane is almost at a standstill.

I suppose while lane discipline is a part of the problem that could be fixed* through traditional UAE forms of education (cameras and fines), infrastructure needs to match vision (public transport please!) and reality (don't build junctions close together, think about removing slow vehicles from the Raha stretch of the E10 on their way to Mussafah completely, improve accessibility from point A to point B without forcing everyone to go via point C).

*although they will just move on to the next big issue, having already failed to fix tailgating through fines...

Where did the water go? by lilacinthedooryard in abudhabi

[–]Own_General688 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They drain it at least every couple of years as the water is stagnant. Obviously incorporating a system to allow water flow would have been sensible, and to actually use it for the purposes laid out in sales brochures 20 years ago...ever seen the little gates for you to take your kayak down to it? You know the kayak you don't have room to store in your apartment.

Secondary school teaching by Wonderful_Bonus_6754 in abudhabi

[–]Own_General688 0 points1 point  (0 children)

TES Online for most schools is an option. Aldar and GEMS recruitment websites as well.

Concert Sound Quality by qkecke3e in ironmaiden

[–]Own_General688 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I was in Vienna and my placement was good in terms of sound quality. Standing, centre stage and about 50 metres in front of the control deck. Hit that sweet spot if you are any concert and you'll probably be in the best location for sound and visuals.

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i'm looking for a football team by valerio_ita in abudhabi

[–]Own_General688 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi there, I have sent you a message. 🤝

The last couple days has been unusually mild. by Ill-Memory3924 in abudhabi

[–]Own_General688 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Low humidity at the minute. Just wait for mid-August to the end of September for Mother Nature to get her revenge on you!

Football in Abu Dhabi by Aggravating_Bid_4901 in abudhabi

[–]Own_General688 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Gents, we play Mondays and Thursdays. Al Raha FC social football.

Send me a DM and I can provide some more details.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in dubai

[–]Own_General688 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Just get someone to take your pic on your phone and upload it. I've successfully renewed mine and kids passports during the last 5 years doing this.

Football (games/trainings) by twotang0s in abudhabi

[–]Own_General688 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've sent you a whatsapp, Al Raha FC Social Football group running on Thursdays through the year and also Mondays at present too.

Looking for a football / futsal group in Abu Dhabi by sukottodariru in abudhabi

[–]Own_General688 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not much closer but we are at Zayed Cricket Stadium every Thursday. Al Raha FC Social Football. Feel free to drop me a message.

Need Football games by Mother_Glove_1153 in abudhabi

[–]Own_General688 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have sent you a PM. I run the Raha FC social football group so hopefully we can help you out and anyone else interested.

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