UK Power Adaptors

The standard power plug and socket design used in the UK is the BS1363, which consists of two horizontal, rectangular pins at the bottom and a larger, vertical pin at the top. 

If your move to Oxford is an international one and you're planning on packing items such as your camera, mobile phone, laptop, hairdryer or electric shaver, don't forget to buy a couple of UK power adapters at the airport before you arrive. Depending on where you are traveling from, they can be much harder to find once you've entered the country and a lot more expensive!

The BS1363 design is also used in Ireland, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong, Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE, Qatar, Yemen, Oman, Cyprus, Malta, Gibraltar, Botswana, Ghana and Zimbabwe as well as several of the former British Caribbean colonies such as Belize, Dominica, St Lucia, St Vincent and Grenada.

Moving is stressful at the best of times, but relocating to a new country can take it to a whole new level. That said, there are lots of things you can do before you leave to alleviate these pressures and ensure that your move to Oxford is a smooth one. Check out The Oxford Freshers guide to Everything you need to know before you arrive, for lots of helpful tips.

Renting in Oxford: Securing a property before you arrive

Unfortunately for most international visitors, securing a property before arriving in Oxford 

is a rather risky business - Twelve months is a long sentence to pay if you've somehow gotten 

it wrong. But if you're up for the challenge and absolutely confident that you've done all your research, it is possible, (but by no means easy) to secure a property before you arrive. 

Things to keep in mind when viewing a property, online or otherwise:

·     You can’t smell a picture and only the best ones will be shown - ask to see more! 

·     Photographs are always taken at the brightest time of day. Natural sunlight is limited at 

      the best of times, so you want to ensure you get as much of it as you can! 

·     Ventilation is also important. Damp, dark bathrooms and living spaces become moldy very 

      quickly. Note: Some properties have bedrooms and/or living areas are below ground level.

·     If it's not possible for you to view the property in person, try to organise for a friend or 

      colleague to attend an inspection on your behalf and ask them to take lots of photos. 

·     Find out as much as you can about the local area – If you haven’t already downloaded 
      The Oxford Fresher's Guide to 'Searching for your new home' now is the time!
·     Remember that the advertisements will always focus on the properties strong points, so be 
      sure to consider what they are not telling you - Is the property behind a night club or train 
      line or in a dodgy part of town? (Google Maps is very useful). 
·     If you plan to rent a ‘furnished’ property, ensure you know exactly what you are getting.  
      Furniture, fixtures and fittings featured in the photographs will not necessarily be there 
      when you arrive. (A full inventory list should be provided by your real estate agent).

Photo: Permit holders only, by Clive Jones

·     Does the property have an allocated parking space? Is it eligible for a permit? 
      Tip: You'll find details on how to obtain a parking permit are included in The Oxford 
      Fresher's guide to 'Buying a Car & Driving in the UK'.

·     and last but not least, if you (or your friend or colleague) notice any faults during the

      inspection, ask if they can be fixed before you move in. Tip: Check the exhaust fan in the 

      bathroom!

      It’s important to note that customer service is not one of Britain’s strong suits - equal 
      measures of preparedness, patience and persistence are a must but in this case, 
      will not necessarily guarantee success.

 

Oxford Guide: Grocery Shopping

Grocery shopping in a new country can be a daunting and time consuming experience, but it can also be lots of fun! There are lots of weird and wonderful new products to discover, a seemingly endless list of '3 for 2' and '2 for 1' deals and a few fancy new names as well. For example, did you know that if Cinderella had have been written in the UK, she would have ridden home in a 'squash'? A few other veggies separated by a common language include; 'mangetout,' 'aubergine' and 'courgette,' otherwise known as snow peas, eggplant and zucchinni, but none are quite as important as learning the difference between 'trousers' and 'pants!' 

As I've mentioned previously, I do most of our grocery shopping online, but I love the markets and use the local supermarket for everything in between. I don't have a favourite, I usually just use whichever is most convenient, but there are some major differences to be aware of. 

Here's a brief introduction to what Oxford has to offer:

Charles and Camilla check out at Belgravia's Waitrose. Photos by: The London Evening Standard

Waitrose $$$

As the only supermarket chain to hold a Royal Warrant, Waitrose supplies some seriously 'posh nosh.' Understandably, it also has a reputation for being one of the most expensive super- markets in the UK, (along with M&S), but I think it offers far better value for money than it is given credit for. That said, if you choose to do your weekly shop here, it will cost considerably more than at any of the other 'big 4' supermarkets (Asda, Morrison's, Sainsbury's or Tesco), 
but the quality and service you'll recieve are second to none...except maybe M&S.  
Location: Old High St, Headington.

Kate at the Menai Bridge Waitrose store in Anglesey, North Wales. Photos by: Lee Thompson & Chris Neill.

M&S Simply Food $$$

Marks & Spencer, (also affectionately know as 'Marks & Sparks), specialises in luxury food items and has the best selection of fresh, organic produce by far. All products are own-brand and come beautifully presented. Home-brand just sounds wrong in this case and the only real down side (apart from the price) is that most of M&S's produce comes with LOADS of packaging.

M&S also have a large selection of delicious ready-made meals. Please let me clarify by saying these are not words I ever dreamt I'd use in the same sentence, but they really are delicious! Keep an eye out for their 'Dine in for £10,' deals where you get everything you need for a two course meal plus wine for two. Locations: Banbury Rd, Summertown, Queen St, City Centre, (the food section is on the ground floor towards the back of the store) and at the Oxford Retail Park at the end of Cowley Rd.

Tesco / Tesco Express / Tesco Metro $$

I had no idea Tesco featured in Lily Allen's LDN (London Music Video) until my little brother came to visit last month. Every time we went past a store he'd start singing, "There was a little old lady, who was walking down the road, she was struggling with her bags from Tesco!" It was kinda cute. You can watch the clip below. (You may need to 'un-mute' the sound).

Known as the 'big bad giant', Tesco has put many of its smaller competitors out of business, but its customers enjoy excellent value for money and the convenience of extended trading hours. Some stores are even open 24 hours a day!

Sainsbury's $$

Although they own far fewer stores Sainsbury's is often compared to Tesco, but overall, I think that they provide far better customer service and a more pleasant shopping experience. They also offer a huge range of products to suit most budgets, from the Sainsbury's 'Basic' range, to 'Taste the Difference,' Sainsbury's answer to the up-market, restaurant quality foods provided by rivals like Waitrose and Marks & Spencer. Other ranges include; 'Organic', 'Freefrom' - for those who have wheat, gluten and dairy intolerances, a 'Kids' range and a 'Be Good to Yourself' range.

The co-operative $$

The co-op pride themselves in ethical trading and sourcing and ALL of their stores are powered by green energy. (A first for any UK retailer). Amongst their produce you'll find fairly traded bananas, wine, tea, coffee and chocolate. And if these weren't reason enough to visit, the co-op's 'Truly Irrisistable Chocolate Ice Cream' really is!

Aldi $

Short for "Albrecht Discount," Aldi is SUPER cheap and stocks mostly own-brand products. The check-out system is a bit bizarre, but it's fast and furious and the quality and service are great. Location: Botley Rd, Oxford. 

Expat shopping tips

·     In most cases, you'll be expected to pack your groceries yourself

·     Fruit and vegetables are weighed by the cashier at the cash register

·     Plastic bags are provided, but usually at a cost.

·     Always insist on receiving a receipt and check it before leaving the store.

·     If paying by credit or debit card, take extra care to ensure 'cash back' has not been added 
      to your bill. (Unless of course you requested it).

·     Many stores offer loyalty/ discount cards. If you plan to shop at the same store regularly, 
      it's definitely worth filling out the paperwork.

·     If you're longing for items from home, check out my post on expat survival food supplies.

·     Unfortunately, few grocery stores in Oxford supply parking. If a car is a must, check out my 
      post on Oxford's Superstores.

Delis, specialty stores and farmer's markets coming soon!

Making friends as a 'grownup'

Alex Williams wrote an article for last Sunday's New York Times about how hard it can be making new friends in you thirties and forties and judging from the amount of comments it's received, it has really struck a chord. 

Read the story here, if you'd like, and weigh in: Have you, too, found it hard to make new friends as an adult? What about during you time here in Oxford? Do you ever find it awkward to "ask someone out"?

If you're new in town or still struggling to get out and mingle, the Oxford University Newcomers' Club might be a great place to start. You'll also find an extensive list of organised activities, clubs and classes on the Oxford Daily Info website.

  

(Illustration by Roman Muradov for the New York Times).

Where has the summer gone?

This is the worst summer ever! No really, it's a fact. According to a report I read this morning, 
last month was the wettest June since records began! Can it get any more depressing?

Funnily enough, this year marks the 20th anniversary of the Sky Umbrella, designed by Tibor Kalman for the New York Museum of Modern Art's Design Store. In celebration, MoMA is reaching out to reintroduce the umbrella to a new generation of fans and they've certainly found one in me! 

Top: Havainas in: Green, Blue Sky, Citrus Yellow. Bottom: Hunter Original's in: Spring Green, Turquoise & Citrus
 

In desperation to brighten up my dreary mood, I've even considered trading in my flip flops (thongs) for a pair of these brightly coloured wellies (gumboots). It's hard to ignore the similarities in Hunter's 'summer' colour palette, but does anyone really buy them at this time of year?

Mothering Sunday (Mother's Day)

In the UK, mothers are honoured on the fourth Sunday of lent, i.e. today, but before all my fellow expats start freaking out, it's important to note that in Australia and the US at least, Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May. This year it falls on the 13th, so there's still plenty of time to make that all important phone call, get your Mum's gift organised or schedule in time for a Skype date.... just be sure to purchase your Mother's Day cards now - there won't be any left in May!

Perhaps all the lucky Mums amongst you will even get to celebrate Mother's Day twice this year! 

Need a post friendly gift idea this Mother's Day? We love this personalised 'Supermum' Print £45 by More Than Words

Happy Mother's Day to all the Super Mums out there!

Expat Survival Food Supplies

So the saying goes, the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, but perhaps it should have included expats as well. Whilst food may be the last thing that springs to mind when you are packing up all your belongings, nothing will remind of home quite like a dish or favorite treat from your past.  

As an Aussie expat, some of the treats that I miss most from home are Tim Tams, Mint Slice biscuits, Cadbury's Top Deck chocolate and Cherry Ripes - just thinking about them all is making my mouth water! For Kiwis it's Manuka Honey and Whittakers Peanut Slabs and for South Africans it's Peppermint Crisps, but whatever your soft spot, be sure to include an emergency stash in your suitcase before you leave. (The cutoms and quarantine regulations in the UK are not as strict as those in countries like Australia, so you'll have no trouble getting them across the boarder, the only challenging part will be making them last!)

Unfortunately chocolate of any description doesn't last very long in my household, so making our supplies last was never really an option. Thankfully, a recent trip home to Australia enabled me to stock up on all my favorite supplies. I was even able to teach all of my English friends the art of a Tim Tam slam on my return. The only problem was that they were all such naturals I've had to beg my mum to send me some more! 

If like me your supplies have run low, the following UK based websites are an absolute godsend: Australia Shop, Canada Shop, South Africa Shop, New Zealand Shop, American Soda, Italian Deli Online and Sanza  (which caters for South Africans, New Zealanders and Aussies). Please email me the details of any other stores you'd like to share with your fellow expats.

For more arrival survival tips, check out The Oxford Fresher's Arrival Survival Guide.

Hard water issues

The water in the UK is considered to be ‘hard.’ This means that it is high in dissolved minerals, specifically calcium and magnesium. It is not a health risk, but can be a nuisance because it causes mineral buildup (lime scale) on fixtures and poor soap and/or detergent performance. Be sure to read the instructions for your dishwasher if you are lucky enough to have one - special salts must be added to the machine from time to time to prevent limescale build up on its parts. You’ll see limescale on your glasses if you don’t.   

Cloudy drinking water  
Because of a high concentration of natural minerals, you may notice that your tap water is rather cloudy. This is caused by the presence of suspended chalk. There is absolutely no health risk associated with these deposits, but its appearance can be unappealing. To combat cloudy water, try one of the many domestic water filters and jug filters on the market. These are designed 
to remove various compounds from tap water, improving both its taste and appearance.  

Removing limescale 
The simplest and most common way to remove limescale is with malt vinegar or lemon juice.  These methods are fine for cleaning out your kettle or polishing your taps and silverware but a heavy duty option may be required for larger appliances and stubborn build up. My friend, Lauren has kindly recommended 'Viakal,' (available online at Ocado) and 'Harpic 100% Limescale Remover' for toilets. The advertised '100%' is a bit misleading, but it's the best we can find for now. (Please email me if you've found something better.)

Dry itchy skin? 
If your skin has become excessively dry and/or itchy since arriving in the UK, don’t worry you’re not alone.  This is a result of your body not being used to hard water. It will eventually settle down, but in the mean time, buy yourself a tub of E45 and thank me later. (E45 is a dermatological moisturizer available at most pharmacies from as little as a £1).

The Oxford Fresher's 'Arrival Survival Guide'

Arrival Survival -  £2.99  

If you thought packing and saying goodbye to your loved ones was the hard part, I'm sorry to tell you that arrival can be the most challenging part of your adventure. 

Your first weeks and months in Oxford are bound to be crazy no matter how well you've prepared. Jet lag alone is enough to challenge the best of us, so if your first thought is, "What am I doing here?" Don't panic, I've got some great tips to help you settle in.

The 'Arrival Survival' chapter contains everything you need to hit 

the ground running, from where to buy your first day essentials, to registering with the NHS (National Health Service). Check out the contents pages of our FREE sample chapter for a full list of what's included.

Need some dosh?

Or perhaps a translation… There are lots of slang words the Brits use when talking about money - dosh, dough, bread, lolly and brass are just a few. The one you’ll hear most frequently is ‘quid’, which is used in place of pound.  A fiver, tenner and score replace £5, £10 and £20 respectively.        

If you need to withdraw some money, ask for the nearest ‘cash point’ or ‘hole in the wall.’ Use ATM (Automatic Teller Machine), and you’ll get nothing but blank looks. Most UK cash points do not charge for withdrawals, even if you have an account with a different bank (excluding all international debit cards). Avoid cash machines in bars and service stations as they usually have a withdrawal surcharge.  

For currency exchange, the best place is The Currency Exchange Office, just inside the ‘The Golden Cross’ off Cornmarket St (look for the arched walkway). The Post Office at St. Aldates House, 102-104 St. Aldates, City Centre also offers a currency exchange service, as do the banks however their rates are not as competitive.

 

When pants are not pants...

Whilst we’re talking about pants, a note to those amongst you who are not from the UK - If by pants you mean trousers, beware. Pants in the UK means something else altogether!

In the UK, ‘pants’ means underpants, knickers or undies. It is also commonly used to describe something that is nonsense, rubbish, or no good. For example, someone might say “That’s pants.”

You may also find yourself in a pickle if you're used to using the word ‘thong’ to describe rubber sandals. In the UK, this means G-string! Rubber sandals are called ‘flip-flops'. 

You alright?

Hiya, you alright? A slight variation on the Australian - “Hi, how are you?” caused me a bit of bother when we first arrived. The normal response is to say "you alright?" back, not rocket science I know, but on some occasions it becomes a little like a game of tennis.  Once you’ve replied it’s not unusual to receive “you alright?” back …. and on it goes. 

If you find this unsettling at first you’re not alone. I kept thinking why do people keep asking me if I’m alright? Do I look sick? Am I pale? Am I all right…?

I’m not sure now.

Feeling Poorly

Speaking of feeling unwell, ‘poorly’ is one of my favorite English words, but don’t wait 
until you have an excuse to use it, visit your local doctor today. 

It is really important to register with your local General Practitioner (GP) as soon as you arrive. 
If you have been granted a visa for six months or more you should be eligible for free medical treatment under the NHS. Generally speaking you won’t be able to receive free treatment until you are registered or included on your GP’s ‘list’. When you register at your local GP you will also be registered with the NHS and receive an NHS medical card in the mail shortly after. 

If you are sick on the weekend and your GP is closed call the NHS direct on: 0845 4647 who will be able to advise you on what to do. Note: Private Health Insurance is strongly advised for those visitors staying in the UK for less than 6 months.