Squarepeg - my dog is used to daily weeks on the beach and also comes out running with me, so it would be a great shock for him. It would kill me to leave him and also the children would be mortified. I am also used to a very outdoor life and going from one air conditioned place to another would be difficult. I am talking myself out of this nicely! However there must be positives, such as the salary we will be on will make a huge difference to us in later years, the cultural experience would be a positive for us all. I don't know which way this will go, I will not come out without securing school places and having a visit first. A friend has already volunteered to come with me for a few days!

Thanks again everyone for your posts. Much appreciated.