Diana

Is there a strong, capable and willing builders mate looking for some work, probably for 3 weeks in May in the Sainte Mere Eglise region. Thanks Diana

I have been give the name and number of a cattery in Montbourg, (south of Cherbourg) I have spent the last week phoning but there is always an answer phone. I have left messages in French and English but nobody gets back to me. Does anyone know if this cattery exists or is there another one in the area you can recommend. Thanks Diana

Thanks everyone. I'm not going to sedate him, Battypus has the right attitude. If i'm not stressed nobody else will be! Diana

I think the are dehumidifiers. The only time I have encountered them in the UK is in the camper-van and caravan world. People would leave them in their unused campers throughout the winter, I think modern campers and caravans are now much better made and insulated that excess moisture is no longer a problem. I think the same goes for modern houses, while they might lack the charm of our rambling piles of French stone they do have cavity wall insulation, double glasing and central heating. Diana

I'm sory I have not any suggestions. Why don't you look at the menues outside several local resturants and see what dishes are described as local and then do a search on the web for the recipies. Just a thought Diana

[quote]I can't really help and have to say that I was disappointed - being initially intrigued by the title of this piece (please check it again!) I was expecting some other-wordly posting ... disappointed t...[/quote] Hindsight is a great attribute, if only I would remember to read what I have typed before hitting send. Diana

Through the winter our house has been mainly unoccupied and unheated. Now much of the loverly old stained and varnished wood has a white film of what looks like mildew over it. How should I clean this without effecting the finish of the wood. Thanks Diana

Are all you folks saying that AOL, Wanadoo etc when they say they don't support apple wireless they mean that they don't offer any technicle help? not that it won't work with an Apple? I checked out the site which tells you who supplies broadband in this area, it seems Tiscali offer 1mb and someone else who I can't remember 4mb. I would think we would need to have new phone lines installed to replace the old 30 + year ones we have at present to make 4mb worthwhile. When I do finally get to the bottom of this I will tell you what has worked. Thanks Diana

Richard L192 is on a par with a good GCSE, the next course is similar to an full A level, so I would imagine you will need the course after that, sorry but I don't have any of their info to hand. Have a look on the OUs web site. After my inital grumblings abouut the course material I now think it is very good. When you condider they have to give you everything for you to be able to complete it by yourself it has to be thorough. Another good thing is it is designed for adults so the topics are more relevant than a course designed for school age students. Diana

Before we set sail for France we will put our cat in the local UK cattery for a few days while the removal men empty the house. The cat is a highly strung siamese who is always in a bit of a state when he gets back from the cattery. Approx timings for our journey are: 09.00 pick cat up from cattery and drive to the docks to catch 13.00 sailing, 18.00 arrive France, 19.00 arrive at our house. So his journey will last for 10 hours, has anyone any thoughts on getting some knock out drops from the vet and asking the cattery to give them to him first thing in the morning. Thanks Diana

I am thinking of getting the facilities to take credit/debit cards. Do the different french banks offer different deals on these. We are currently with CA. The plus point is instant payment but the downside is the service charge, does anyone know what the charges are. Thanks Diana

So who ar you guys with, go on make my life a bit easier! Diana

Le Jars I have just checked with the technical department (my son) and yes it does have an Airport card. 15” Powerbook running 10.3. For the UK I bought a Netgear router and Zen provide the service and everything works very nicely. Just want the same in France so any any advice you can give I will appreciate. Thanks Diana

The first 2 TMAs went well and I am waiting for the results of the third. After my initial doubts about the material I now think it is well presented and I have unnderstood all the points they make. Remembering it is quite another matter, in one ear and out of the other. I would really appreciate being in a room with other students and having a good natter about it. I have only managed to attend 3 turorials so far and as we are just about to set sail I won't be able to attend any more. I'm not sure what I will do about the final assessment, maybe I will have to come back to the UK to take it. Diana

I am still going round in circles trying to get a wireless broadband connection for my Apple laptop. Can anyone please suggest a French provider? Our phone line is good for broadband but as soon as I mention Apple they just go non, non, non. Thanks Diana

I'm a bit stressed out at the moment with the move to France and setting up 2 businesses and have not had a good laugh for a long time. When I read this I just creased up, it was just what I needed, especially the picture of the poor 'bog brush'. We have had Persians, two in particular would often need a bath, one a female blue had never learnt the meaning of personal hygiene and would often need to be bathed. A sadder and more bedraggled creature it is hard to imagine. The second was our first ever off-white persian who managed to climb up the inside of a chimney, when we finally got her down she was black. We tried to bathe her very gently in the sink but she went mad and lacerated my husbands arm. He was fearful of any infection he might pick up so took himself off to the local casualty department. The nurse enquired what had attacked him and when he replied the pet cat she broke down in laughter, my husband was highly embarrassed that he could not defend himself against a pussy cat! Diana

After munch deliberation I have decided not to sell my UK VW camper but take it with us to France in April. Option 1: The camper will be 3 years old this May so will need its first MOT before we set sail. Our UK camper insurance will cover it for being out of the UK for 365 days a year. As we are keeping a UK property it can be registered at that address. It is taxed until June and I will simply retax it in the UK. Option 2 Take it to France and get it into the French system, how does the Control Technique work? At what age does a vehicle need its first one. Will I be able to keep the UK insurance until the end of the year, it is a good policy with lots of additional perks. What comes first getting it French registered or the Control Technique. If I immediately start to get it into the French system am I given any leeway over the fact it does not have a MOT? Thanks Diana

We will be registering our business to start trading for the begining of May, but as this can not be done more than 30 days inadvance we currently do not have any official business standing in France. I want to be able to visit our nearest Metro cash and carry in Caen to see what on my very long shopping list they stock and compare prices, quality etc but without any business documentation or our TVA number I do not think this is possible (or is it?). Will they let me in to look arround but not buy without any proof of having a legitimate French business. In the UK we are a registered business and have a VAT number, is it true the the UK Makro is a sister company to the French Metro. And if so will my UK Makro card let me onto the Metro premisses and better still allow me to buy equipment before getting all our French business affairs in order. Ever hopeful of outwitting French bureaucracy Diana

Anyone know of a french company who has a website for mail order garden sheds, arbours etc. Thanks Diana

Anyone know of a french company who has a website for mail order garden sheds, arbours etc. Thanks Diana

I'm so glad he is on the mend, our animals are our loves and lives. Diana

Depends where you go, the last hospital I was in the UK, the food was better than the average resturant and the wine list quite aceptable. And as for the full English breakfast in the morning, I'm just glad they had starved me all the prevous day as I was ravenous and it was delicious. Diana

Thank you, Bailly's is just what we were looking for, we will phone them in the morning. This is what makes this site so good, you can ask an obscure question and get a direct answer. Now who can suggest an UK or French company who will insure modern UK cars to spend more than 30 days outside the UK in France, idealy 90 days plus. Thanks Diana

Katie Thank you for suggesting Bailly but the web link does not work. Do you have a phone number or address. Thanks Diana

Does anyone have experience of CGA - Centre de Gestion Agree, to be found in every Chamber of Commerce? I understand that if you choose to join and run your busisness accounding to their guidelines (basicly good accounting practice) you automaticaly gain an abatement of 20% on the first €113,900 annual profits (I should be so lucky!) You must register by 31st March and it costs between €120 - 200. Diana