Re: It's been a week.....
 

Anyone have any advice on diesel v petrol? I know you get more miles to the gallon with a diesel but I'm not sure I like the idea of diesel engines. Also should I just get an automatic to start with (that way I can get used to driving on this side of the road without the added distraction of finding the right gear!) or should I just jump feet first and get a manual?!?!?

Re: It's been a week.....
 

Hi Britwhore,

We have just opted for an Automatic with diesel fuel. Our situation is a bit different as we can simply swap our Cdn license for a UK license, but we will only be authorized to drive an automatic. If we want to drive standard, then we have to take the UK test.

From what I have read, diesel is more cost effective in the long run, but I am no petrol head, so what do I know. Do you have a full UK license? If so, then you can choose the type of transmission you prefer. Having said that, even if I had a full UK license, I would still opt for automatic, for the reason you stated.

I am planning to take a few driving lessons to brush up on driving in the countryside. I was so used to driving on wide straight roads, that I think some professional help is in order.:lol:

Just trying to find insurance. Have managed to get some quotes, but I am a bit concerned with the after sales service, so I have called a local agent and if the price isn't too much out of line, I may go with them. They are rated no.1 by "Which"

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The Honda salesman who sold us our car was really helpful. He asked how much mileage we do, and when we told him, he said it wouldn't pay to buy a diesel. We don't commute every day so our mileage is definitely lower than more people.

We bought an automatic. I have enough on my plate without figuring out a whole new way of driving. lol.

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Just got driven round the block by my neighbour who`s keen to sell me her car. I found myself commenting that gear changing "seemed such hard work!"

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As someone said buying a diesel would depend how many miles you drive in a day. If you put on a lot of miles each day get a diesel otherwise stay with a petrol engine.
To get some of the benefits from the diesel the engine has to get hot to be effective.
This advice is not mine but from a petrol head on the UK Yankee Forum

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Diesels return more MPG and if bought secondhand are roughly comparable in price. If bought new it can take a few years to recoup the extra.

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Thanks for all the advice :)

Re: It's been a week.....
 

Did you decide on a car, Britwhore? We have bought a brand new Jazz and it is being delivered on Thursday. We got a nice deal with interest free credit for 3 years. We need to get another car as well at some stage but currently have the use of my elderly aunt's Ka while she is not well enough to drive it, so there is no immediate urgency. We got insurance with Aviva. I called and spoke to a real person rather than doing it online, and they were able to give us full no claims based on our documented US insurance history.

The house is slowly coming together. We have had most of the damage fixed- still really annoyed with the property manager who seems to have done nothing at all in terms of maintenance for the last few years. She has paid up for the repairs so that's something, although we could definitely have done without all the extra hassle. Have had an architect round to draw up plans to extend the house and I am really excited about it :thumbsup:. I'm less excited about living in a building site for months, but it will be worth it in the end.

Most importantly, the children had their first day at school today and they loved it. I am so relieved!! The 14 yr old had to make his GCSE choices in about 5 minutes flat but was able to get the classes he wants and needs. The only issue is a modern language, because he is a beginner (would have started in the US this year) and the rest of the class are all 2-3 years ahead of him. In the end he has opted not to take a language at school and to do another subject instead. He will probably need a language GCSE for university entry, so he will take a language class out of school or with his A levels. That seemed to be the best way forward. The school has been brilliant, really supportive in trying to help us make the best choices when we don't really know what we are doing :eek:

It is still early days, but so far we are really enjoying being back home. For me the feeling of belonging is priceless. I was worried about the kids because they have not lived here before, so although it is familiar and comfortable for me, it is strange and new for them. But they are doing really well and have only had a few grumbles about the weather. They have met a few nice kids already who go to the same school, so I hope they will be able to build on those friendships.

So far so good!

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Hi Pombat,I had a Jazz before I left in 2007. They are great. I`d consider one again. I`m currently spending my days up to my eyeballs in paint. I`ve even got a decorator doing half the house but I`m still fully occupied, painting. I`m also hooked on the Paralympics. The furniture is still in transit, thus the rush to redecorate before it arrives. Good to read your update, glad the kids have got over their first day. My hubby moves back finally at the weekend, wish us luck!

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Pombat glad to hear you are enjoying being home in the UK.

I'm very interested in how your son settles in school, as we are returning when my son will be 13. Do you mind me asking what options he took and how they decided if he could take them?

My main concern at the momment is history and geography as they don't do them at Middle school here.

Hopefully your son will settle and make more friends now hes at school.

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He's doing triple science, maths, English, history, geography, ICT, RE (Catholic school), music, and probably 1 more, still to be scheduled. The school here asked for his reports from the US and talked to us at length about his academic performance so far and career aspirations. They gave him a sample maths SAT test to do to determine his maths class placement. They didn't think history or geography would be a problem - he had studied them in the US but obviously with a US slant! He is entering year 10 so will have the full 2 year lead up to GCSEs. My daughter is 12 and entering year 8. She did not have any option choices to make but has been put into classes based on her ability, again from school reports and discussions with us.
I hope that helps, but PM me if you need more info.
Good luck with your move!

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Wow Pombat, it sounds like it couldn't have gone better for your son.

Can I ask where you lived in the US, we live in Las Vegas and they are last on the list for education:( He does go to the best school in the area, he is also very luckly to be very academic.

Its just he recently started Middle School and I've had a meld down about the whole thing. His maths is easy peasy and he doesn't do History or Geography. He now has a tutor for French. I'm so worried that he will be behind in Maths and I don't know what to do about History and Geography.

It has given me hope that it won't hold him back hearing it has gone so well for you son. We worry so much about them.

Lets hope everything else about your return goes as smooth:)

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We were in California, also not exactly top of the rankings education wise. We were lucky in that the middle school accelerated the most able kids in maths, so he did prealgebra in 6th grade, algebra in 7th and geometry in 8th. That has all helped coming back here because he's now ahead and confident in most maths areas - although there are some things he hasn't done, just because of the curriculum being different. He is going to have to catch up some geography and history but not too much, and the teachers are going to do that with a combination of a few lunchtime lessons and some extra homework, but really not a big deal. The language has been our biggest issue, so if your son is already learning French there shouldn't be any problem. i think it all comes down to the individual schools. Ours seems very keen to help and to make the transition as smooth as possible for our kids, so we are very lucky there. I'm sure we will have some bumps along the way, and the kids will definitely have to put in some extra work to fill in gaps in their knowledge, but honestly, so far (and it has only been a few days) i do think it will all be OK.

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If you want to sharpen your kids skills and maybe challenge them, have a look at http://www.khanacademy.org/ he makes a video of each subject or skill and then they do some practice and can review back to the video till they can understand the work. It's free and so far my 7 year old who was struggling with basic math has watched a few and suddenly everything has clicked and she's taken off. There's Science on there too.

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Interesting to hear about the History and Geography. I just discovered that with mine as well? And they wonder why they are the laughing stock of the world re Geography! History - well of course in bright and beautiful America who needs that! - they write their own version..