Join us for the best party ever in London! Get your party shoes ready for a fun night of celebration, drinking and a chance to win hundreds of free giveaways! Plus take advantage of some ridiculous discounts of up to 60% off and be amongst hundreds of lucky winners to receive free tours and flight tickets! Oh, did we mention the champagne on arrival, drink specials, belly dance show, free goodies & surprises!? So make sure you pencil it in your diaries now – Thursday 8^th December 8pm, Walkabout Shepherds Bush. C’ya there!!

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1:STAY HEALTHY

A strong immune system and healthy body does wonders to keep you warm during the cold winter months. If you haven’t had the flu jab yet this season, pop into the 1st Contact Travel Clinic soon and get yours with their £15 Flu Jab Offer. If you’re a smoker, now is the time to stop! Not only will the ban drive you into the cold for your fix, but your immune system is also affected by your smoking. Try to eat 5 fresh fruit or vegetables daily and avoid cold convenience food! Exercise has many health benefits and helps to increase your body temperature. Even a quick walk or 20 minutes of cycling will do wonders for you…

2:WEAR LAYERS

Wearing several thin layers keeps you insulated far better than one or two bulky items. Thermal underwear also helps, as do two pairs of wool socks or a pair of thick pantyhose. A lot of heat tends to escape through the head, which is why a beanie or warm hat is a good idea… Scarves, gloves and a good pair of warm insulated boots are also essential.

3:EAT HOT FOOD

Warm meals like stews, curries and soups will help to increase your internal temperature, as will warm drinks like coffee, tea and hot malt drinks. Green tea with a bit of fresh ginger and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice will not only keep you warm, it will also boost your immune system.

4:WARM YOUR HOME

• Try to keep your main living room at around 18-21 degrees and the rest of the house at around 16 degrees.
• Insulate your home properly! One way is by fitting aluminium foil behind your radiators and cling film to your windows. – Make sure all wall cavities are insulated and ensure that no cold draughts can enter through gaps under your doors by placing a towel across the bottom of the door. Insulate your hot water cylinder and pipes.
• Keep unused rooms closed to allow heat to be contained in areas you are using.
• Anthrax will ensure maximum heat from your fireplace for longer. If you are not using your fireplace, insulate it with plastic sheeting so that the cold doesn’t come in through the fireplace.
• If you are baking or roasting in your oven, leave the oven door open afterwards, to add a little warmth to your kitchen.
• If you are older than 60, disabled or on a low income you may be able to get financial help with heating your home, or benefits for making home improvements like adding insulation. Check if you are eligible for government heating support, by visiting the following link: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/InYourHome/SupportAtHome/DG_10026850

5:SLEEP TIGHT

If using an electric blanket, have it checked regularly to ensure it’s not faulty and dangerous! Switch it on half an hour before you get into bed, take a hot water bottle to bed with you and switch the blanket off! If you don’t have an electric blanket, invest in a big hot water bottle and let it warm your sheets for half an hour before you go to bed.

We hope you find these tips useful and that you stay warm and healthy during the winter months.

For health advice, flu jabs, travel vaccinations and more, visit the 1st Contact London Travel Clinic at Castlewood House, 77-91 New Oxford Street, or call 0808 141 5506 (UK Free call) for more information about any of our services.

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Where did you move from?

Malmesbury in Cape Town, South Africa.

Where did you move to and when?

To Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, in February 2007. Toowoomba is a wonderful city!

What was your reason for leaving your home country?

My sister and her family moved to Cairns in 2005 and loved it. That’s what sparked the interest. We also heard there was great opportunity there in our fields – my husband is a University professor and I was a qualified Nursing Sister. In South Africa he had to commute and was being paid peanuts and I couldn’t take working in a State Hospital anymore! It was soul destroying. So I resigned and started a home business in textiles. I missed the work, but not the conditions. We started to talk about being able to do our work in GREAT conditions in Australia. My sister was also very convincing and she did a lot of research for us. We finally decided when our house got broken into for the third time in 2 years that we needed to get our of South Africa.

What is the best thing about your new country?

The fact that we are both appreciated for the work we do and the skills and experience we have. I have never loved my job as much and neither has my husband. He got a great job at a local University (Toowoomba has many universities and schools, so it was a perfect fit for us) and I work at a clinic.

What do you miss the most about your home country?

I miss my other sister and the friends we had in Cape Town. Honestly, that’s about all I miss. Ok, maybe table Mountain and the soapies I watched in SA!

Anything you struggled to get used to in your new country?

Everything was an adjustment, but nothing was difficult to adjust to at all. The biggest change I saw was how different the kids are here. I find them outgoing, friendly and mature, but not precocious. They are treated like “little adults” and grow up really well adjusted, in my opinion.

Will you ever go back?

I don’t think so. As much as I love South Africa, Australia is out home and will always be our home.

Which country do you identify with most strongly now?

Australia. I love the country, the people and the energy. It’s not perfect by any means, but it feels better for me. Safer, cleaner, calmer, less aggressive.

Which country’s sports teams do you support?

We support Australia! We are here and we plan to stay here, so there’s no point hankering after South African teams and things.

How does the food compare?

The food is actually pretty similar – we eat much the same as we did back in South Africa. There are some weird and exotic fruits and meats and seafood, but we stick to barbecue, fish and chips, salads, take aways and the things we are used to!! I still haven’t had Kangaroo and I don’t think I ever will! The Australian wine is pretty good too!!

How has your life changed?

I now LOVE my job, for the first time ever, and I can say the same for my husband. We would never have felt safe enough to hang out in park in SA, but Toowoomba has so many parks and we literally find a new one every weekend and go and picnic. So we feel safer. We are more wealthy here because we are paid well for our skills and experience. We are genuinely happier than we were in SA. Which makes me sad, but that’s the way it is!

What advice would you give to others wanting to do the same?

If you are on the list of jobs in demand, it will definitely be easier for you! Whatever you do, don’t come to Australia on a 457 visa – it’s just too risky. Don’t bring your things with – sell everything and buy here! We made the mistake of trying to bring our furniture over and learnt the hard way! All the lugs have to be changed, it takes forever and it costs a fortune. Certain things may not be brought in – gas products, certain furniture like cane also can’t come in. Don’t waste your time – sell it and buy here. If you have kids, you should strongly consider coming to Australia. We don’t have kids, but we witnessed first hand how my sister’s children’s lives changed for the better! Also, Australia is HUGE and each place is different, so choose your city very carefully.

To find out how 1st Contact Visas can help you with your relocation plans, visit www.1stcontactvisas.com or call 0808 141 1664 (in the UK), 0800 003 163 (in South Africa) or 1800 039 300 (in Australia).

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Other winners included The Amazon, Halong Bay in Vietnam and the Komodo Island in Indonesia. While re-counting and verification still needs to take place, we are sure Table Mountain will remain as one of the Worlds 7 New Wonders of Nature.

For Capetonians, Table Mountain is a source of immense pride and enjoyment – from Cable Car trips to rock-climbing, amazing fauna and flora to incredible hikes, Table Mountain has it all.

Here are 10 Fun Facts About This Natural Wonder of the World.

1. Table Mountain is the only terrestrial feature in the world which has a constellation named after it. French astronomer Nicolas de Lacaille named the constellation Mensa (meaning table) during his stay in Cape Town in the eighteenth century. It can be seen in the Southern Hemisphere, below Orion, around midnight in July.
2. The floral world is divided into six distinct floral kingdoms, five of them encompassing several countries, and in some cases, several continents. The only exception is South Africa, which has a floral kingdom wholly contained within the country. The Cape Floral Kingdom has 9,600 plant species, 70% of which are not found anywhere else in the world. Table Mountain alone has over 1 500 species of plants, which is more than the entire United Kingdom!
3. According to the ancient Chinese philosophy of Feng Shui, Cape Town is the ultimate Feng Shui city, largely because it has Table Mountain to the rear and the ocean to the front. The city has the shape of an armchair, with protection from Table Mountain to the back and Lion’s Head and Devil’s Peak as the armrests. The city itself sits in an energy-filled “bowl” surrounded on three sides by mountain, while the wealth-creating properties of water are to the front – making for the perfect city!
4. Table Mountain is approximately 260 million years old. Compare this to the Andes – about 250-million years old, the Rockies – about 60-million years old, the Himalayas 40-million and the Alps around 32-million years old.
5. Most of the world’s caves and cave systems occur in limestone. Table Mountain is the unusual exception, with several large cave systems that have developed in sandstone.
6. The original table Mountain Cableway was completed in just two years and cost £60 000. It was officially opened on the 4th of October 1929 by the Mayor of Cape Town, Reverend AJS Lewis.
7. The latest cable cars (in operation since the 1997 upgrade) were imported from Switzerland. The floor of the cable car rotates, giving riders a 360 degree view on the way up and down. There are only 2 other cable cars like it in the world, one in Titlis in the Swiss Alps in Switzerland, and the other in Palm Springs in America.
8. The cables that make up the Cableway weigh 18 tonnes.
9. The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway has a proud track record of being totally accident-free.
10. Many famous people have taken the ride on the cable car to the top of table Mountain. These include Oprah Winfrey, Sting, Steffi Graf, Michael Schumacher, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Margaret Thatcher, Prince Andrew, Brooke Shields, Michael Buble, Jackie Chan, Dolores O’Riordan from The Cranberries, Tina Turner, Skin from Skunk Anansie and legendary DJ Paul Oakenfold.

If you’d like to call Cape Town home and have Table Mountain as part of your daily life, why not visit www.1stcontactvisas.com and find out more about immigrating to sunny South Africa?

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BALHAM– The Bedford, 77 Bedford Hill, Balham, London, SW12 9HD

A great pub you can drop in with your dog for a bite and a pint. There also happen to be three big commons nearby for dog-walking.

BARNES – The Brown Dog Bar & Dining Room, 28 Cross Street, Barnes, London. SW13 0AP

This pub was rated one of London’s six best gastro pubs by ‘Michelin’s Eating Out in Pubs Guide 2008′, but that’s not all we love about the place! Dog baskets, snacks and water are provided for your dog, while you can enjoy fantastic pub faire.

BATTERSEA – The Merchant, 23-25 Battersea Rise Battersea SW11 1HG

Walk your dog at Clapham Common nearby and then pop into The Merchant afterwards. Free dog treats and water are provided.

CHELSEA – The Cadogan Arms, 298 Kings Road Chelsea London SW3 5UG

A dog-friendly pub in the city, with friendly staff and a great atmosphere.

EALING – Rose and Crown, Church Place, Ealing, London, W5 4HN

The Rose and Crown is in a quiet street next to a church, with fantastic food and a large garden.

GREENWICH – The Plume of Feathers, 19, Park Vista, Greenwich, SE10 9LZ

Great food served from the pub, garden and restaurant. Dogs are welcome in the pub and garden, but not in the restaurant area.

HAMMERSMITH – The Black Lion, 2, South Black Lion Lane, Hammersmith, London, W6 9TJ

Situated right on the river, this is perfect for a long walk followed by a pub lunch! The staff are friendly and your pooch will be welcomed!

HAMPSTEAD – The Spaniard’s Inn, Spaniard’s Lane, Hampstead, London, NW3 7JJ

Right on the Heath, this famous old North London pub is the perfect place for a great meal after a long walk on Hampstead Heath.

POINT PLEASANT – The Cats Back, 86-88 Point Pleasant, London SW18 1NN

Close to Wandsworth Park, The Cat’s Back offers great traditional pub food and good old fashioned home cooking for you, while your dog relaxes after the walk.

SHEPHERDS BUSH – The Eagle, 215 Askew Road, Shepherds Bush, London, W12 9AZ

Close to Ravenscourt Park, The Eagle offers a friendly atmosphere, lovely food and great bar snacks!

Here are some great sites for dog owners in London:

• http://www.doggiepubs.org.uk
• www.yelp.co.uk
• www.discoverdogs.org.uk
• www.londondogforum.co.uk

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Tracy Lee

Where did you move from?

Initially, from Johannesburg, South Africa. Lived in London for 12 years and recently moved back to Cape Town, South Africa!

Where did you move to and when?

I moved to London and lived and worked there for 12 years. I met my husband there, got my British Passport, bought a property and worked in real estate. Last year, we moved back to South Africa and settled in Camps bay.

What was your reason for leaving your home country?

I left South Africa honestly just because of the crime. My sister was hijacked – she was fine, but the trauma took its toll on our family and her and I both moved to London. (She is still there) My reasons for coming back to SA were because I was missing the country terribly. I missed the beaches and the great weather – and felt a calling to come home.

Why did you choose the country you chose?

I chose London because of the opportunities. To be blunt, I wanted to make money and the opportunities there seemed great. I had so many friends that had gone over and made a success of themselves in the UK. I chose to come back to SA because it’s home!

What is the best thing about your new country?

I now consider SA my “new” country! The BEST thing about being here is the people, the friendliness, the nature, the great weekends away and all the fantastic places we can go on holiday.

What do you miss the most about your home country?

What do I miss about the UK? The wonderful friends I made, the public transport (I’m still getting used to all the driving here!) I also miss the socials – in London we had a lot of friends and we spent a lot of time at one another’s houses. I miss the markets and all the parks. And I guess I do miss the feeling of safety. I am looking over my shoulder a lot here, but I do feel pretty safe.

Anything you struggled to get used to in your new country?

When I got to London, I honestly couldn’t understand a word people were saying! I struggled to get used to people not talking to one another and I found Londoners quite rude! Back home now I’m struggling to get used to being so safety conscious and I’m more fearful of driving now than I ever was before I left.

Will you ever go back?

I don’t think so. I think Cape Town is my forever home! But I will definitely go back to the UK for holidays and to see my friends, although I have already had 4 sets of friends visit in Cape Town and another 2 sets are coming for the festive season.

Which country do you identify with most strongly now?

Definitely South Africa.

Which country’s sports teams do you support?

South Africa, although I do have a soft spot for the English teams too!

How does the food compare?

In the UK you can find pretty much any kind of food and if you’re prepared to spend a bit, you can have really amazing meals, but all in all the food in SA is much much better! I love the seafood here and you just can’t compare the meat!! The first thing I did when we got to SA was make my husband Karoo lamb chops on the braai.

Was it what you expected?

The UK was what I expected, but I had no idea the weather was going to be quite so different. Back in SA, I’m actually less fearful than I thought I was.

How has your life changed?

The quality of life in SA is, for me, just so much better. I love the beaches, and the sunshine. For some reason we were hesitant to have children in the UK, maybe because we were so focused on working. But now, we’re starting to feel more settled and we are talking about starting a family. So that’s changed. We spend so much time outdoors now. We’ve been camping, which we never did over there, we are gardening too. We are also so spoiled in SA with domestic help, which makes life a little easier too. I do miss being able to hop on and off the tube and spend the day moseying around. Here, it’s in and out of the car…

What advice would you give to others wanting to do the same?

If you can go to the UK and build up your nest egg, buy property etc. and then come back to South Africa, you really can propel your life and your finances. It’s not that easy for a young woman in South Africa to earn a fat salary and buy property while in her early 30’s. If you work hard over there you can reap the rewards and then come home to enjoy them!

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Doors open at 6.15pm and members and guests will be greeted with bubbly, some fantastic South African wines and a selection of the most delicious culinary fare consisting of an expansive selection of hot and cold canapés and bowl food.  This will be the perfect opportunity to enjoy excellent food and wine and to network with fellow members and newcomers.

At 8.00pm everyone will move into the theatre for a sit-down ceremony which will include fabulous entertainment followed by the awards.  These have been sponsored by some of our corporate members and include:

Business Leader of the Year – South African Airways
Entrepreneur of the Year – Trimega Laboratories
Charity of the Year – Reed Smith
Innovator of the Year – Nedbank
Rising Star of the Year – Sable Group
Woman in Business of the Year – Deloitte

The evening will be rounded off with a fantastic raffle prize – two Business Class tickets to South Africa sponsored by our corporate member, South African Airways, drawn by UK Head of SAA, Gary Kershaw.

The bar will then be open until 9.15pm for a last drink.

Tickets cost £40 for members and £45 for non-members.

Click here to book, looking forward to seeing you there

The 2011 SA Business Club Awards – Nominate Now!!

The competition is on!  Nominations are now being accepted for the 2011 SA Business Club Business Awards, so please start submitting your nominations right away.  Candidates will be accepted from members and non-members of the SA Business Club.  Members are able to put themselves forward as nominees.

Once a candidate is nominated, their profile will be displayed on the website.  Supporters are encouraged to add comments about nominees as comments will contribute towards 30% of the judges’ vote.

Terms & Conditions apply (click here for details). The judges’ decision is final.

Tickets at www.sabusinessclub.com

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Discover how to buy Australian property and hear the latest info about Australia’s resilient economy and enviable standard of living. Did you know Melbourne was just crowned the World’s Most Liveable City?

Moving to Australia? Aussie returning home? Overseas property investor?

Central Equity invites you to join them next week at the Sheraton Park Tower Hotel in Knightsbridge. Entry is free, but bookings are essential.

Hear from two guests direct from Melbourne: A solicitor specialising in migration and Australian property plus an independent finance broker will present information on financing an Australian property.

See our latest Melbourne releases:

• Landmark city apartments from A$429,000 (£281,000).
• Spectacular skyhomes from A$719,000 (£468,000)
• New land in a choice of locations from A$229,000 (£149,000)
• Modern house & land packages from A$439,000 (£288,000)

Featuring:
• Freehold title & approved for overseas purchasers
• Only 10% initial deposit and extended settlement
• Early purchasers may save tens of thousands in Stamp Duty
• Learn more at our free info sessions.

4 days only – Nov 10 to 13 – Free Entry
Sheraton Park Tower, 101 Knightsbridge, London

Free Info Sessions:
Thur 10th Nov       12:30pm     6:30pm
Fri 11th Nov         12:30pm    6:30pm
Sat 12th Nov         11:00am    3:00pm
Sun 13th Nov         11:00am    3:00pm

To book your seat visit:
http://www.australianproperty.com/?id=82

Plus! Attend to receive one night complimentary accommodation in Melbourne** and a chance to win a free holiday with airfares to Melbourne and 7 nights accommodation.

Central Equity Melbourne Properties
UK Office: +44 207 235 2710

* Prices and exchange rate as at Oct 24th, 2011 and valid until sold.
** Conditions apply. Visit website for redemption process & conditions.

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With more than 50 000 TNT readers’ votes counted, the awards are a brilliant indication of how customers feel about different service providers in the travel industry today. Categories included airlines, tour operators, hostels and road trip providers, amongst many others.

1st Contact was invited to attend as one of 5 finalists in the “Best Support Service” category – and are pleased to announce that they were voted the winner in this category!

Reg Bramford, CEO of the 1st Contact Group, believes the votes were due to a group effort and a collective dedication to service excellence.

“Everything we do – how we answer the phone; how we speak to our clients; how quickly we process payslips, visas, refunds and transfers; how we deal with complaints and concerns – makes a difference. We have a large team of people who genuinely enjoy solving problems and making clients’ lives easier.”

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What’s your name?

Karol

Where did you move from?

I moved from Johannesburg (Greenside).

Where did you move to and when?

I moved to London in November 1998.

What was your reason for leaving your home country?

Actually I was only going to do a gap year in London! I matriculated and then did my CA in Johannesburg. Because I never did the travelling thing straight after school, I thought it would be nice to go to London and muck about for a year! My plan was to waitress and have fun and see as much of Europe as possible before coming home to embark on my career in accounting.  As it turned out, I landed an amazing job at an accounting firm within a couple of months. They managed most of the paperwork for me and before I knew it my plan had changed to staying for two years. By the time I was into my second year, I was making great money and great friends! I knew I was going to stay a while, but I never imagined I would still be there, officially a UK citizen 11 years later!

Why did you choose the country you chose?

It seemed like the most fun place to do my gap year.

What is the best thing about your new country?

I would have to say the friends I’ve made, and the fact that I can travel so freely! I love the parks and the socialising. I love being able to pop into my local pub and see friendly faces, I love all the parks and interesting things to see and do and I really love my job. I’m still with the same firm I started with.

What do you miss the most about your home country?

I don’t miss Johannesburg at all! My mom has since moved to the UK and so has my sister – we all live about 20 km from one another. I think the only thing I really miss is the sunshine, but I get that when I go on holiday and the cold weather here has never really bothered me.

Anything you struggled to get used to in your new country?

No – I must have lived here in a previous life, because London was “familiar” to me the day I stepped off the plane!

Will you ever go back?

Yes! I got married to a Frenchman four years ago and we have a beautiful son aged 2.  We plan to have our next within the next year or so, and then my husband wants to buy a wine farm in the Cape. We visited South Africa just before my son was born and fell in love with the Winelands (which I had never seen when I lived in SA!)

Which country do you identify with most strongly now?

I have to say Britain, then South Africa, and then France. I might even have a slight accent!

Which country’s sports teams do you support?

I love rugby and always support the Lions… unless they’re playing the Springboks, then I can’t help shouting for South Africa. When it comes to cricket, I somehow have to support the English team.

How does the food compare?

Luckily my husband and I both enjoy cooking, so we can’t complain!

Was it what you expected?

I never expected my plans to turn out this way at all. But I think for the most part London was what I expected. I had so many friends who had been to London and heard all the stories, so I think I knew what to expect, more or less.

How has your life changed?

I would never have been in the financial situation I’m in now if I had pursued my career back in South Africa. I would never have met my hubby. And I would never have been able to see so much of the world!

What advice would you give to others wanting to do the same?

I would advise you visit London first and see if it’s your kind of place. I know many South Africans who have hated it, and just as many who absolutely love their lives here.  I do believe that nowadays it’s not nearly as easy to get in. So I would say – Do research and prepare for a lot of paperwork. If you can confirm a job first, all the better.

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