maude

In the last 4 years of being here,we have noticed a very ever so slight improvement in choice of supermarket produce.In the uk you can buy spanish,French,Italian,Bessarabian cheese etc.Apart from a little Italian cheese,it takes a lifetimes search to find any English cheese,and thats only a little cheddar.Why arent the other English cheeses found such as Lancashire,Leicester?Is it marketing ignorance,not new,or is it the usual protectionism.Funny when we are supposed to be a member of the E.U, but we notice, we can buy frogs legs imported from JAVA. and Snails from Thailand-Ugh!!!!The mind boggles.They must be very entrenched and shallow in the world ,and especially in the EU alternatives available.Just seems a shame.I think they are still under the myth about French being the be all and end all ! Disappointed thats all,     Maude. 

Didnt know about this one! Is the Cate updated automatically after a doctors visit or prescription claim?Thrown me ten left at the moment!    Maude

  Hi folks,after a minor car problem last week with my wife out on her own,we are considering a mobile for emergency use only, so dont want a fancy contract,never use it for anything other than emergency use.Can anyone recommend a simple solution? Thanks    Maude

Hi, I found a good booklet in Mr.Bricolage for about 5 euros,lighting,wiring,distribution boxes etc.A good eye openner-pity it hadnt been read by the previous owners(French) electrician!    Maude

Now we have the winter upon us,I am trying to find the correct way of operating our Godin woodburning foyer.We have two centre air vents into the ash box area,and two air inlet vents side bottom to allow air into the combustion box,and a butterfly type flue damper.Is it the correct way of operation to have the airvents open and use the flue damper to regulate how much heat goes up the flue and wasted,or to throttle down the air inlets and open the flue damper?Any suggestions welcome.   Maude Thanks Folks for any help

Can anyone please explain what this term means with regard to property sales and purchase?Thanks in anticipation,    maude

Hi ,anyone know how to try and track down local history,especially regarding houses or communes.We were told when we bought this house,2002,that there was no history prior to 1946!I believe ther is an archive dept somewher in La roche Sur Yon,but cant find it after searching.Considering that we were within the local coal fields and railway system,there must obviously been some considerable Occupation.Now do not obviously want to upset anyone locally,but to the French there does not seem to be any interest or concern over  about the local history.Our very close neighbour used to own and live in part of what is now our house,but when asked if she had any old photo,s or history just gave the standard Non and that was that.It also used to a cafe so there must be some records.Just for interest,the ex farm cottage attached still has an old rusty,flag pole holder in the wall.There is no way on earth that the peasant familly living there had anything whatsoever to celebrate with a flag,judging on the state of the place even now after being a maison secondaire for the past ten years.Considering also that the local forest has a very upsetting 1944 memorial to 7 executed   local men,there is a large amount of local history to be researched without upsetting local residents.We have noticed in the last 4 years that apart from the official celebrations such as Armistice day etc,there still seems to be a French parity with the N.Koreans who have "rewritten"history, in that it never happenned or has been pushed under the carpet.Just extremely curious and intersted for history sake.                 Maude 

Hi.so many different paints here,read the can to see what the dilution or thinning medium is -could be water, white spirit or special solvent.The sprayer instructions will also give a viscosity reading for the size of nozzle,and a small test pot to usually time a measured amount of the paint.It will have to be diluted to the sprayer makers figures, with the correct diluter.Gud Luk   Maude

Thanks Clare for the web info on your above earlier post.I was so irate,didnt manage to read thro the info!very good info considering the health aspects which my wife suffers from and now  made worse by this.All ammunition for us if needed.    Maude

You mean the French actually left light bulbs of more than 20 watt(ordinary) ?????    Maude

you have nothing compared to our recent situation. Last year after the owners death,the house some 800m away was sold-evidently to some local(next department) moron with over 12 chasse dogs.He moved the dogs into the empty barn-they dont yet live there,but the house was cheap(ruff condition) but has lots of land!!!!! This is France !The dogs have not yet been seen out whatsoever,but at midnight or thereabouts, 5a.m.. the howling ,barking etc is not even worth thinking about.during the daytime ,there is also an obviously small terrier thing which has a high pitched bark/howl which we have for hours.I was informed of this  possibility when the house was sold , but assured that the local French residents would be monitoring the situation ready to report to the Maire.So far, as far as I can find out,everyone is suddenly stumm, and very sheepish,with no complaints being made so far,and they live much closer than we do.It has almost made 2 bedrooms inhabitable as far as daughter and grandchildren visiting us  are concerned.Today I wrote formally to the Maire,but unfortunately too early for me to have received my recent Taxe D,Habitation.I am going to persue this with the utmost legal vigour,or will purchase a large extra strong cross-bow,not for the dogs but the owner!As I explained to the Maire,even though we are in a Commune Rurale, we came to France for peace and quiet, something the French are supposed to be proud of.Hate dogs,after owning 3 well looked after and behaved, but mainly  their irrisponsble owners.Got that off my chest for the time being!        Maude

As a simpleton re tax etc,I will be entitled to state pension in 18months time and due to taking early retiement, I will only have 96% full pension.looking at the amount due to buy back years,which amounts to aprox £1570,which equates to £3.5p a week increase.I think this would be better placed into a savings account just on the off chance I dont make it,as otherwise the additional paid in lump sum would be lost to the likes of Tony Blair. "Heaven" forbid the very notion of the matter.I would have to live another 8 years aprox just to break even -with no guarrantees as to future legislation/     Maude

Can someone please explain the exemptions from taxe d,habitation for the over 60,s on low incomes (works pension)We are here "permanently" and this is the first bill we have received in 3 years even after querying this with the local Tresorie.Have this in writing.Also included is the audiovisuelle, for the first time.All our tax records have been entered on -line and we do not pay tax on our revenue.Many thanks for any replies .   Maude

Transmanche ferries  want to invest in a)towels and soap for the cabin showers,  b)a better extraction system for the galley.A month ago we all smelled like a chinese takeaway,and we didnt use the eating room. c)train the staff in manners and communication skills.We again had confusion at Newhaven as to whether the ferry(8am) had already sailed,world war 3 had started,"technical" problems,staff problems,seaproblems,etc.As it was,the ferry was 3 hours late in leaving Newhaven.No explanation from anyone.  Maude

Use a damp kitchen towel dipped into fine wood ash left over-no scratches,and CHEAP,non toxic.    Maude

We changed to French driving licenses,being "permanently" resident to avoid the problems associated with the address shown on the UK  EEC license which cannot be changed to the French address.Our close friend did have problems with the Gendarmerie after a routine stop,due to this anomaly and especially as we do not have the Carte de sejour issued anymore.The local S.Vendee sous prefecture would not issue me with the as reported letter of conformity.Now legal!    Maude

My maison ancienne has been covered as usual by crepe which is a very rough and sharp finish.It takes ages to paint the walls even using a "professional" roller and or brushes,and the loss of paint is not to be sneezed at!I would like to;  a) rustically skim over the crepe with external enduit so as to make it much easier to paint,or b) spray the walls with the latest gizmo type low pressure-high volume sprayers.Cant afford to waste the very abnormally expensive paint,so any advices or experiences very welcome.No,I am not going to remove the crepe and chaux point the walls-I do not have the expectation of life for this type of project.Many thanks, Maude 

DONT sell all!Replacing in France is generally much more difficult and expensive to replace all white goods etc.Sourcing is much more time consuming considering the distances involved and the somewhat slower marketing systems that the stores "offer"-deliveries are not usually as promised.Rent certainly,our mistake made in disposing of our house in UK then searching whilst also living in our caravan.We found that the areas we had earmarked,didnt come up to our expectations and were far too flat and rural for us,so moved again to an area we had visited the year before.Only wish we could have held onto the uk property and rented it out,especially in view of the house increases in Blighty.C,est la vie!!!!Hindsight is wonderfull,after the event.Still sort of looking for the more ideal house in the right area.We are both somewhat disappointed to find that the winter weather even in the Vendee is just as cold (-14oC) at times,wetter than  yorkshire,or at least far more humid, than anticipated,but at least the winters are shorter-allegedly.Not this last year anyway.good luck in your search,we are all looking for paradise!!! Maude 

Hi Folks can someone enlighten me on the correct use of a Godin foyer woodburner?the local agent said all 4 air vents should be shut once the burner is fired up and running as enough air gets in to complete the combustion process.However we seem to make much general house muck and very smoky glass,and although economic on wood(since hiked up in price this year) it doesnt seem to be satisfactory.Thanks, Maude[8-)]

During the last 4 years of living here " permanentlty" we are always amazed at the almost far eastern custom of swaddling children,with all disregard to the actual weather.Are they programmed body temperatuer wise different to us "hard" Brits?We often remark on the number of babies, toddlers in fleeces, wooly hats,thick trousers etc irrespective of the air temperature whenever ther is no glaring sun.Today shade temp in S.E Vendee 28oC and although at times a trifle dull,seen a number of small children wrapped up as though it was Bergen in november!In light of the thinking  about the possible causes of cot-deaths  being linked to overheating ,does anyone know of the numbers in FRance?In fact our own doctorif there is anything more than a fly fart of wind about,always says " be carefull"!The same babies mentioned are usually accompanied by their parents half undressed in the statutory casual gear.Just a concern we have voiced to each other in our ongoing curiosities of the country, in many areas. Puzzled.    Maude

We have a number of large,25mm long bodied striped spiders in our garden which we havent see in 4 years in the vendee.Can anyone direct us into their identification?Also what are the large centipede type insects we occasionally find inside or out.They resemble false eyelashes.Are they harmless or otherwise? Thanks ,Maude

I dont go in their ocean,they dont go in my bar!Its an ex navy philosophy i adhere to----Maude

Went to close up for the night and heard an almighty noise on the terrace!Investigated to be confronted by 2" (in old money) long black horned beetle armed with two engines and sidewinder missiles.Fair reared up at me and waved , great big front mounted pincers.Could have removed the shoes from a horse with them pincer things.Retired inside,and treble bolted the door just in case.I wondered then about the jurrassic park!!!!  Maude (shaking)!!!

We feel for you.We dont suck up or prescribe to the "aperitif" custom which seems to be so common.I dont drink early in the day myself so aint goin to start now especially if bribery or corruption is required.Personally,I have found that politeness,certainly courtecy and local tradition certainly helps, but morover perseverence to the Nth degree.Try faxes or hand written letter(but keep copy). On another tack,where are the so called internet cafes.Its easier in outer Mongolia,Morrocco,Uzbekistan to find one than in France.Obviously not invented by a Frenchman.Nuff said!!    Maude

Thanks Chris you are a wealth of knowledge about the wildlife.Yes we do have snakes,adders I have seen and the large grass snakes.