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So far
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We stayed over in Bethune, about an hours drive from Calais, not a particularly nice place but the hotel was comfortable. We ate out that night, I couldn't eat the steak it was awful very fatty. Of course I complained and we ended up with the deserts and coffee free! Clearly my communication skills are continental - fab.
We drove up to Strasbourg the next day another lovely hotel expecting to stay only one night but ending up staying 2 as the apartment company in Zurich confirmed to us they had mixed up the dates and our apartment wasn't available til June - a swift and very strong reply was returned and different - better accommodation was confirmed at the same rate - doing well so far. We didn't mind the stay it gave Harry a break and we were just opposite the Orangery, a lovely large park with a small animal area where we introduced him to the Parrots and Monkeys though he was more interested in the budgies. We had a little shopping trip in town here too; I picked a shirt off the sale rack which when at the til turned out not to e in the sale. The assistant was French with no English, I just speak English - we came to an agreement some how that I would get the 50% discount - another result.
The weather has been roasting since we left and continued through to our arrival in Zurich. We easily found our apartment with the help of Google maps and we've settled in quite nicely thank you. We even have cleaners so no chores - wonderful.
The first few days we wondered, finding parks, supermarkets etc. It is more expensive than we first thought - lots of little extras. Health insurance is the biggest shock so far at 450cf about 225 pounds a month. Meat has also gone through the roof, mainly pig and about 4 times more than home. The food isn't as good as it should be, your limited to 2 supermarkets COOP and Migros and they clearly work together to limit choice and keep out anyone else - even the few Carrefour' are pulling out, some great closing down bargains but we have no-where to store anything.
A few days in and we found out Switzerland is going through the process of banning 'dangerous dogs' Staffies are included. We have to register him before the end of the month. We have to have him neutered and get a vet approval which consists of an examination of the dog and our handling skills. When out he has to be muzzled and kept on a lead. There are different rules in different cantons (areas) so we have found an apartment just outside the Zurich canton which has yet is not affected. He's still getting lots of walks - even off the lead (pics attached)
as I said we have found an apartment, the paperwork sill has to be done but if all goes well we should be in at the beginning of June. There are issues here with the dog, they really don't like staffies here so we may have no choice but to move on but our fingers are crossed. We did look for a house but they are few and far between here. The apartment is ground floor - best for Harry and brand new in the beautiful area of Rapperswil, 5 minutes walk from the old town and the lake. It's also just 30 mins on the train to Zurich central. So fingers crossed for that one.
I'm going to start looking for work tomorrow, I have been looking and registering on websites but they are all German speaking with other languages expected. Strange languages here though apparently is a 'high' German that's spoken here so even the Germans don't understand it. I'll see how it goes, there must be someone who wants someone as fab as me, if not I'll be retried and have to sack the cleaners .
The weather continues to be glorious and it's that time again for the dog.
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