maude

take off the agency fees-gulp up to 8/9%!!!!!! Then the notaire fees of aprox6.3%+1200euros.thats the aprox net venders price!Expensive aint it! Maude

Hi Folks.I have a couple of concerns even after 6 years here,and wondered what other people have experienced.Following a sat morning doctors visit ,and diagnosed with a painfull but non serious fracture.I was prescribed 2 sets of tablets for pain relief and anti inflamation.So far-so good.This time however it was the first time on my infrequent visits that the doc didnt take my blood pressure routinely or ask about any other health problems or allergies to any drugs.This afternoon after just one days treatment, I had a very uncomfortable reaction-presumably to one of the drugs prescribed.On searching google for the drug side effects,one in particular sounds to have the possibility of very serious side effects-all reported to have occurred in France.This particular drug could not get its license for the USA due to these effects.My concern here is that neither of us here in France have ever been quizzed on any family related illnesses or reactions to treatment such as allergies to penicillin etc,and in fact our English medical records which we paid for and brought out have always been more or less poo-pooed as a waste of time!Now with some form of family history ,there is usually more screening for related medical prblems such as diabetes,prostate cancer,cervical cancer,blood pressure,heart disease etc.It seems to be a failure of trust somewhere along the way. Meanwhile,I have ceased taking the tablets and will phone the doc in the morning.Just a thought that concerns us and wondered what other forum members experiences have been.(Blood pressure lowered after writing this)                    Maude

cost in Vendee area-450euros. Maude Edited.This is for the survey only and not the 200 quoted by Clare.Obviously the installation cost is another matter! Maude Hope this clarifies this.

what is the position in the French rental world,on such things as internal decorations etc.Knowing the local taste or lack of of same re wall paper etc.A possible 3 year rental agreement to have to suffer some of the abominable decor frightens me.The idea sounds good but dont want to shoot myself in the foot -again!     maude

The temperature has been in the mid sixties for the last few days-so good to feel some warmth.However I  am intrigued by the local French when I see them trussed up in thick thick coats and fleeces fully zipped up,boots and hats on,not to mention the little babies puce coloured and overheating especially in supermarkets.It must be something to do with the prefectures not declaring spring yet,as they  do to declare when sales can be held!!!I used to wonder why our local GP always used to say" be carefull" with regards to any breezes!Now I know that the locals do not differentiate the weather according to temperature and conditions but only on date!Hence the anorak wearers appear beginning of september.OO la la the mind boggles!Wonder what infant mortality figures are due to overheating.   Just a thought    ( a tongue in cheek observation)            Maude

As the local Health bods will not accept sang anglais,for fear of mad cow disease and (and an infusion of some common sense) it seems doubtfull that organs will be accepted.I may be wrong but----   Maude

As far as I am aware,since last year this is supposed to be part of the sellers obligation-according to the local agents we have discussed our pending house sake with-BUT they are French!!!   Maude

My caravan is not insured with the car insure and is legal.I also used FFICC for the insurance -about 120euros.Mind you the caravan is dated 1992!!!!!And is English,reregisterd here.Maude

Hi folks.We have a 12 year old Godin insert.Gives good heat on good woood but mais oui does it give out some filth.Even with the flue damper fully open,the door openned very gently,when we load up the fire-there is always a puther out of smoke and very fine ash.Every morning we have to wipe round the mantle,vacuum lampshades etc.It does not seem to be a very healthy way of keeping the house warm.Anyone any ideas or is this the norm.Do free standing wood burners give out the same filth? Any ideas more than welcome. Maude

It must be a French thing-ours comes at 5am now stops outside bedroom window-flashing orange light et -al,collects 3 houses bins which are noisy being rolled and emptied.This is every week-one week rubbish,next weel plastic bottles.It even wakes up the cockrel acroos the road -bless it.Now we may as well delete sunday night/monday mornings from the calendar!!! Maude

Yep, sure does.Still working on the resolution bit that keeps changing, Maude

Dont know the answer- but the lightweight metal framing for studwork is cheaper and does not support unwanted wildlife! Also quicker to erect.   Maude

Thanks Clair-superb and so quick.You are a STAR!! Maude

 Hi folks -I,m looking for help!I cannot access the Windows Help and support from my start menu.It kkeps telling me that this cannot be openned " because a system service is not running-start the service named help and Support"! Not a clue to what this means.I am trying to trouble shoot as the screen resolution keeps going to minimum whenever i try and look at a web page etc.I keep resetting this to highest and applying but the next time-back to minimum.I sure am kerfluffed!     Maude

Well said Steve!  If you wanted an argument you could have gone out in the uk on a friday or saturday night late!    Maude

we have a self contained macerator,bought from Castorama.Only does the wc though.Noisy it certainly is,with the suction effect powerfull enough to pull a huge bum down the pan if  of a tight fit.Would not have one again!!!Sounds like the one on aircraft and ferries.Doesnt give much privacy in downstairs rooms.  Maude

About the same as me and we are on 12kw.No problems tripping out.    Maude

Fully agree-we were quoted 750 euros for one garage wall and the garden wall!600 for cash!Cost 12 euros for a barge full of water soluble anti mousse which I sprayed on-end of problem !It is some kind of rosea champignon,but I have only seen it here in France!  Maude

In our case,in 2002,we contacted EDF before we moved in on completion.However ensure you take the readings,as we did and both us and the previous owner signed a self declaration.Same as water,and or any other metered service you may have.   Maude

can anyone recommend or give suggestions as to costs of complimentary healt costs for a 64 and 63 year old couple.Only need the base cover for hospitalisation/surgery/prescriptions. The costs Ive been offered so far are very high-115 euros per month plus.certainly not spent this in 5 years as our percentage not reimbursed by the CPAM.     maude

Also in the s.Vendee.Dimanche seems to be chainsaw day here!     Maude

Does anyone know if 150cm wide beds are available in France?We are needing a new bed to replace the uk 5ft bed and dont want to change oodles of bedding for French-dont like the quality and or cost,and we have plenty to use!Just a thought    Maude

After over 5 years here,I myself am extremely disturbed by the numbers of death figures displayed all over France,usually on straight roads!!!In my expereince/observation,the French do not seem to have any spacial awareness,hence trolleys and "natterers" in supermarkets and shops,car parks with pedestrians unaware of moving traffic.They seem oblivious to the potential hazards.Although generally not agressive whilst driving,indicating and or following on from the indicated direction seems to be unheard of.As for overtaking,many times we have been tailgated for miles,and although the road ahead is clear,they wait for the next village preferably with a blind bend or brow of a hill and then overtake!Completly beats me-so I put it down to either moule poisonning or again this lack of spacial awareness.I have even slowed right down to allow safe overtakers and on one occasion even stopped on a straight clear road,when the fellow behind also stopped !    C,est la vie-or the end of it!!!! Maude

not gone down this road after all.Decided that ,a)pellet boilers are ,orrible to look at,are big in size with the associated hopper,expensive fuel.decided to live with the present insert which warms downstairs and upstairs with electric oil filled heaters as back-up for early mornings.looked into costs of oil fired and propane central heating systems and to me at my age are not cost effective when I look at the capital costs even installing myself.Loads of Brits locally cant afford to run the oil fired systems as it is,and oil aint getting any cheaper.Conversley,wood also is not cheap in our area,but cheaper than the other systems apart from the minor inconvenience of firing up on a very cold morning!Coffee with a dose or two of calvados helps the early morning pain though! Maude

On the same subject.Our windows although in good condition spoiled by the old previous owner varnishing before the putty was weathered leaving a ,orrible wrinkly finish,are not double glazed.I have perused secondary glazing-expensive and ugly.Does anyone know of the practicalities of having replacement openners made but double glazed.I do not want to replace the whole frame if possible due to access.I asked the local manuisier who looke askance and then tried to flog me with white upvc!I do not like this at all especially on older properties.Maude