Honeydo

If you applied for your new European Health card and haven't received it yet it is worth checking with the Department.  Mine had not arrived, was done in February this year through the Post Office.  According to their records I was not on the system, I am now and should receive it in 7-10 days.  The number for the Uk is 0845 606 2030 make sure you have your National Insurance No in case you are not on the system . Remeber old E111 are no valid at year end. Hope this is useful

Just to let everybody know, I phoned my Tresor Public as per my last bill and they said it has not yet been sent and it will be sent at the end of the month.  Obviously they are a bit behind for some reason.  This year according to the government site there are two payment dates 15th November and 15th December.  Maybe they are behind because of the addition of the television licence being included.

Thanks guys, will call on Monday to put my mind at rest.  Thanks to everybody who has responded.

The forms were all filled in and a proper bill received in 2004 that is why I am a little worried haven't yet received this years. Also filled in the appropriate forms sent regarding TV. So far all communications have come to our UK address as requested.

I am slightly reassured.  Last year received and had paid by middle October.  Spoke to a fiend who lives in 17 as we do and he had received his. I have an apartment in Vaux sur mer and because my surname is almost at end of alphabet perhaps this is another reason. Thanks for responses

Do you llive in France or UK.  Should I assume it will be taken directly from account, as normally one has to sign the TIP and send back? I really do not want to be hit with a penalty charge when I thought that by setting up DD for the yearly amount everything would be hunky dorry.  I did not want to have to rely on french post. 

Live in UK, received and paid d'habitation in 2004.  However I have not yet received 2005 bill which I think I should have by now.  Has everybody else received theirs.  Comments gratefully received.  If no bill what do I do. Paid by direct debit last year.  Tax fonciere arrived 2005 no problem. Thanks  

Hi, I live in Berkshire, England and the shield bug is common in my area.  They do not seem to do much damage.  Very rarely see them on shrubs always on herbaceaous plants.

Would love to know which restaurant, will make sure I never visit. Have an apartment in Vaux-sur- mer but rarely eat in Royan. You must have nerves of steel, if somebody shouted at me like they did to you I probably would have been a coward and paid up. Good on you for standing your ground. 

The new E111 is available at the post office.  The back is filled in as before, but this is taken to the post office and they send it off.  In due course, sometime in 2005 you will then automatically be issued with a new European Health Card.  Along with the E111 is a sheet of paper(ask for it) that has to be filled in, which is stamped by post office and this will act as the temporary E111 until the new cards are issued next year. According to the form no E111 will be issued or utilised after December 31 2005, the date on which the European Health Insurance card will be distributed in all Member States.  I only found this out after standing behind somebody at the post office who got the new forms, which I now have.  We, as usual are far behind France in the issue of the health cards.  Hope this is useful to the people who have holiday homes. Honeydo

Have just returned from Vaux sur mer, surfers were using the nauzan beach and to the left and right of the headland No surfers at St Palais.

Having an apartment in the region I have seen surfers on the beach at Nauzan (Vaux sur Mer) and around the bay towards Royan. Lads in our block seem to regularly surf there. Next time I am there I will see if any use the St Palais beach.