Mac

Well if they have all our french neighbours are ignoring the law-no change there then!

I have not succeed in finding blocks of pastry-most of that found in supermarkets appears to be in rounds about 30cm across -not much good for cutting out small rounds for mince pies as there is a lot of wastage and I find it doesn'tcome together well after cutting some out so you cab re-roll it ( hope that makes sense!). Sable is a shortcrust, sucre is a sweet pastry. Feuilletee is a flaky type pastry but not like in the UK. Try googling Delia Smith's recipe for Quick Flaky Pastry-it's made by grating frozen hard margerine so no rubbing in ot Rick Stein has a recipe for sweet pastry like thst used in french tarts which is very good - it's in his French Odyssey cook book and is very easy.

It's not just an EU ruling -it's an international one that comes into force in the next couple of years. The EU are just implementing it slightly earlier. All shipping across the world will have to comply.

We are also in the process of changing our insurance. About 3 years ago we had an accident -also not our fault. The agent did ask about accidents in the last 5 years I think. We told her about this one and when we explained what happened she said that as it was 3 years ago and not our fault it would be discounted. Best to tell them I think-you may find it makes no difference at all but better safe than sorry.

You can also get a 4 bladed fan-which I am told is better (although dearer) We have one similar to the picture and I think it makes a difference although we also haven't had the fire on that much. I am considering investing in a 4 blade one.

We have a Pure wifi radio (other brands are available!) It links to the orange box and you get hundreds of stations- no need to log on through a computer. Costs about £80 when we bought ours but worth every penny.

Thank you for the info. I have checked the colissino website thanks. I have a return label sent by Amazon to return the item which has a barcode on-can I use that on a colissimo parcel? If not-can I insure a parcel that is not in a colissimo box?

I have to return my tablet to the UK supplier -what is the best way to do this? I still have the original box (it's only 6 weeks old and gone wrong already!). Can I pack it securely in that and strong brown paper? Is there an international registered postage scheme? Thanks.

What details do you need to give? Bank name,sort code, address? Thanks

Already have to do this for my UK bank if I phone them (not the full security number though-just selected digits) and have never had a problem or anyone trying to access my account fraudulently. Maybe I am too trusting? I suppose if you have never had a problem you assume that you are not going to have one.

As one Lincolnshire yellowbelly to another-apology accepted!!. Looking back at my post I see how it could have read that way- might have bees better if I had put one of those smily face things but my computer skills are pretty basic. If you get chance to attend the Rememberance ceremonies it's very interesting.

I certainly meant it the way you have read it Catalpa. I think it's wonderful that this ceremony takes priority over the traffic. We have attended for the last 3 years since we moved here (and have been priviledged to attend the repas afterward once) Considering the problems some veterans find in arranging marches ect in the UK (it would cause traffic problems ect) I think it's great.

Is it a wireless mouse-if so it might need new batteries. After that I'm out of ideas!

We had a cheque this year for a refund on last years tax.

"Jazzer"]Just caught up with this thread. I don't feel I have sufficient knowledge to comment on the best novel. Phillipe Delerm is an author I think very much under rated- I have several of his books. A good starter is "La prèmiere gorgée de bière( et autres plaisirs miniscules).The stories are short-normally 2- 3 pages, sufficient to hold attention,learn about everyday French life and get to grips with the language.The title story makes me thirsty thinking of it- and ready to taste the delights if "Le paquet de gâteaux du dimanche matin"Thanks for this recommendation. I bought it on my Kindle and I'm enjoying it. Just the right length of story if your french isn't fluent and the vocab is easy enough for you to get the gist but difficult enough in place to stretch you.Not so difficult as to be off-putting though. Thanks.

I'm a good 30 years(nearly) younger than David Jacobs but I loved his Sunday night programme on Radio 2-such relaxing music to listen to when dozing off. Although I didn't know a lot of the stuff 'first hand' so to speak I remember my Dad singing lots of the songs to me that DJ played. He will be sadly missed.

We have heard plenty of tree frogs this year-although less in this very dry hot weather.I always think they soung like The Clangers!!!

But wouldn't you have to have the TV on all the time or you would miss the calls.Or maybe you set your alarm to remind you to switch the TV on-in which case why not just cut out the middle man and set the alarm to remind you to pray???

Forgive me if this is wrong-but if you have a NHS pension don't you HAVE to pay tax on that in the UK and not in France as it is a government pension?

Have you rung and spoken to a Technical Advisor at HMRC? I have always found them exceptionally helpful. There should be a number specifically for overseas residents.Unfortunatly I don't have it to hand but the UGov site should have it. Don't forget though it's a Bank Holiday in the UK tomorrow. IMO- you answer yes to 2 parts of the statement.. You do own property in the UK and you do rent it out. I would answer yes and add additional information on a seperate sheet of paper ( Company name and details ect). But that's only my take and I would suggest you ring HMRC.

Just bought this while in the UK and looking forward to reading it!

[quote user="NormanH"]Social charges are payable if you are covered by the French for health assurance, but not if you are under an S1 form as a person in receipt of an OAP fom the UK would normally be.[/quote] So are you liable for social charges if you are in receipt of a private pension,not covered by an S1(too young) and paying a private health insurance(not been in France long enough to be eligable to cover)? There seem to be so many permutations-as in any tax system. And do you have to indicate on your form anywhere if you have private health cover and don't rely on France/UK paying your costs?

Our refund went straight into our UK bank account. There was a space on the form to ask where you wanted refunds to go.

When we took our forms to the tax office in Nontron (24) in 2011 they were returned to us stamped and signed within a week and we posted them off to Cardiff ourselves. This system seems to work quicker as we received all our UK tax back within a couple of months.

[quote user="sid"]It's best to turn off the Wi-Fi when you don't need it (Select "Aeroplane Mode" from the main menu) otherwise the battery charge runs down a lot quicker. I only turn mine on when I've ordered something, then switch it off again. [/quote] Mine doesn't say 'Aeroplane Mode'-I just go onto the menu and it say 'wi-fi on/off' Maybe yours is a newer (or older) model than mine. Just thought I'd mention it in case someone is looking for Aeroplane Mode and can't find it.