naps

Me again - one of the houses which we're viewing next week is in La Creche. I think it's difficult to get a real feel for a place when it's just a rushed viewing - but we're under pressure to find something so my OH can begin work at the French office, so I was wondering if there's any member who is either living in La Creche, or nearby who would be willing to share their opinion of it. Good or bad, we'd like to know.  Thanks.

Things are finally moving for us (a little too fast now!). We've been asked to pop down to France this coming week to look at some available houses.  My OH's company are happy enough to put us up in a hotel, but with two kids under 4 years old I'd rather stay somewhere with a little more space than a hotel room.  Anywhere considered - gite, B&B, etc. Is there anyone out there who has space for 3 adults and two kids from Wednesday 11th May to Wednesday 18th May in the Deux Sevres region (as near to Niort/La Creche as possible - although I do realise that beggars can't be choosers, so we'll consider anything available). Thanks

  Things are finally moving for us (a little too fast now!). We've been asked to pop down to France this coming week to look at some available houses.  My OH's company are happy enough to put us up in a hotel, but with two kids under 4 years old I'd rather stay somewhere with a little more space than a hotel room.  Anywhere considered - gite, B&B, etc. Is there anyone out there who has space for 3 adults and two kids from Wednesday 11th May to Wednesday 18th May in the Deux Sevres region (as near to Niort/La Creche as possible - although I do realise that beggars can't be choosers, so we'll consider anything available).  

Thank you  - I understand the problem now.  All I have to do is figure out which of the advertised houses fall under this law and which don't as it doesn't state it. 

Thanks for the tip - I know of Franglais, so if I don't understand, I'll pass the question on.  Beginning to wonder if there's anyone who doesn't know Franglais! Thanks once again  

Hi, Is there anyone who can explain simply what Loi Besson is?  We're looking to rent a house in Deux Sevres and received the following reply from our contact there regarding some of the houses which we found and passed on to her to arrange viewing... "Certaines maisons sont régies par la  "LOI BESSON" ce qui veut dire qu'il ne faut pas dépasser un certain revenu pour pouvoir les louer, c'est pourquoi je ne peux pas les visiter." I've translated it that because of Loi Besson she cannot visit them - but I still don't understand why, or if we are in fact able to visit them when we are in the area. Any help appreaciated! Thanks

Thanks for the tip Lorna, but there's little chance of me seeing the scraps from the kids plates, what they don't eat goes to our 4 legged friend - she's a Rhodesian Ridgeback so has a healthy appetite and has yet to turn her nose up at anything they leave. Excercise DVD?  Oh no, this is real competition - better go and wipe the dust off mine!

Lorna - I'm up for it, perhaps it's what I need to keep me going over the next two weeks - and what a tough two weeks...  it's my birthday on Saturday and Mother's Day on Sunday.  If that wasn't enough, my sister (who's a cook) arrives Sunday for the week, and when she leaves we're heading down to France to househunt - so much temptation! But I like the idea of having a goal which is only a couple of weeks away - it takes the ouch factor out of dieting. I sneaked a weigh-in this morning (had to see if this diet had started working!) and it was good news, currently at 78.2kgs.

Lorna, it sounds like you and I have the same problem - I eat when I'm worried, and for the past 8-10 weeks it's been stress-city here (then again, I eat when I'm sad, angry, pre-menstural - you name it). We're moving to France with my husband's job in the coming months, but we've to rent out our home here and find somewhere there.  He actually started the new job yesterday and will have to begin commuting soon if we don't get the housing problem sorted.  So for the past 8+ weeks I've ate everything I wanted, plus much more.  If I didn't have something in the house I fancied eating, I'd bake (on the pretence it was for the kids), then I'd indulge. However it's not all doom and gloom, I've finally got back on track Sunday morning when I weighed in at 80.6 kgs (12 st 9 1/2 lbs)!!!! It's too soon to weigh in, but I'll be back next week to confess or celebrate.

That sounds horrific, but being realistic, if the overweight people who are like to suffer from senile dementia is 1 in say 5000, then a 200% increase for overweight women is only 3 in 5000. That's my excuse for failing to diet! p.s. there was also a report that meat-eaters are more likely to suffer from senile dementia, so what happens if you're a woman who loses weight by the Atkins method, is this a no win situation?  

Hi - I haven't admitted my failings since joining two weeks ago.  I was totally committed for the first 3 days then blew it and ended up weighing in 2 lbs heavier after one week and even heavier this week. I too eat when I'm bored and/or stressed.  Even though I need to stop, my willpower is at an all time low. The kids go to bed and I begin snacking, it only stops when I go to bed myself.  Short of having my hands tied behind my back or my jaws wired I just don't know how I'm going to do it!

To be more specific.... My Barclays current account - no problem, they automatically started to pay interest without a tax deduction My husband's NatWest current account - no problem either, however they didn't arrange payment of interest without tax, it we ever were to follow it up, the taxman owes us around 20p! Our Newcastle Building Society - we didn't bother to inform, as we didn't see the need, we've since closed the account in person. My Egg credit card - likewise, it's an internet account so what difference does it make?  I reverted to my parents address, so they had an UK account, but all statements come by e-mail. MBNA credit card - no problem. NatWest Gold Card - no problem I think it was the Associates who said any outstanding debt would have to be cleared prior to an address change, so surprise, suprise our move was delayed a couple of months   and then we informed them that we moved. We moved out of the UK in 2001. Hope this helps a little.    

Hi, I tried 'Pets' but got no joy, so thought I'd start a new message in this section. Does anyone know of dog kennels in the region - anywhere between Niort and La Rochelle, or Niort and Poitiers would be brilliant.  Also, we're going to need a good vet somewhere near Niort. Any help would be welcome.

Making the most of our high speed cable, I thought I'd look it up for you (perhaps when we get to France and I'm possibly restricted by connection speed someone will do the same for me?) Sorry to say the answer is no, Flybe can't carry animals on international flights. Info. from their website... Answer : Flybe. will only accept domestic cats and dogs on it's domestic services, which must travel as cargo. Unfortunately we are not permitted to carry animals on any International flight.  

Same here, it was no problem when leaving the UK to change most financial things to an address abroad.  We did have one credit card that said they'd need the balance at zero to do it, and a store card which said it was ok to keep the card but they couldn't mail us abroad, so if we made purchases while in the UK we had to clear the debt before we left.  It was still worthwhile as being a card holder gave you 5% discount, so we'd buy at the tills with the card, then walk through the store to accounts payable and pay them the cash less 5%.

Hi, I know it looks bad, but for how ever many years you and your husband have been living there without you working, you've had the benefit of a double tax allowance. As I understand it, all income for the household is added together and split by the number in the family unit - 1 husband, 1 wife and dependants counting as a half each.  You are then taxed on 1 unit, which is then multiplied by the number of units.    So it will still go that you're both entitled to 4,242 tax free, then you'll both be taxed onwards and upwards for the relevant bands/rates. I think overall it's a good system, it's just that it looks a bit depressing if, like yourself, you decide to get a job then realise that you'll pay tax on it. I could be wrong though - which no doubt another member/administrator will point out.  

Let's hope I can find kennels as quick as the person did in the Dordogne. Can anyone recommend kennels in Deux Sevres?  We need to find one soon to book early for the summer holidays. Thanks.

A few problems with this link, I tried to post to it and got... Stack Trace: [InvalidCastException: Cast from type 'DBNull' to type 'String' is not valid.] Microsoft.VisualBasic.CompilerServices.StringType.FromObject(Object Value) +616 InstantASP.InstantForum.Logic.SendEmailNotifications(Int32 TopicID, Int32 ForumID, Int32 UserID) +742 InstantASP.InstantForum.WebSite.post.AddPostBtn_onClick(Object sender, EventArgs e) System.Web.UI.WebControls.Button.OnClick(EventArgs e) +108 System.Web.UI.WebControls.Button.System.Web.UI.IPostBackEventHandler.RaisePostBackEvent(String eventArgument) +57 System.Web.UI.Page.RaisePostBackEvent(IPostBackEventHandler sourceControl, String eventArgument) +18 System.Web.UI.Page.RaisePostBackEvent(NameValueCollection postData) +33 System.Web.UI.Page.ProcessRequestMain() +1292 Hopefully this is of some sense to a whizz in your set-up? Also noted that all of the people who posted recently have experienced duplicate or triplicate postings.  

We'll be moving to Deux Sevres (79) very soon, within a daily commute of Niort. Would love to hear from any other English speaking locals. We're - me, OH, kids - 3 1/2 and almost 2 years  

You say your friend wants to stay with an English family, is she looking to do that in England, France or anywhere?  We're English and currently living in the Netherlands.   We're moving to France soon and I want to try and learn at least some French before the move.  If we're still here in July would she consider 3 weeks in the Netherlands?

Thank you - I'm doing calculations on worst case scenario as we're probably going to have to make a decision before we can get the real figures - that way I shouldn't be too disappointed.  We'll be using an accountant to calculate our tax return for here and France over the coming years so they no doubt they will work it out to something better than what I am anticipating.  

Why did I think it could be so straight forward.  The house I'm going to rent out isn't in the UK, so it looks like I'll have to look into it from this side, but thanks, at least I know that the income (although declared) won't be subject to French taxation as I'll already be taxed here.

I'll try to keep this short, in hope that there is a simple answer... We own a property here which we will have to rent out when we move to France.  The income is going to be an estimated 1000 euro's per month (providing we get a tennant of course) I've already read that ALL income is to be declared on the French tax forms, however for tax calculations would it then just be combined with our salaries and taxed at the relevant rate?  I.e. if it takes us into a higher band then this will be taxed at that rate.  Or is there a special way of taxing income from a property abroad? Finally would agent's fees, maintenance of the property be deductable?  We're not going to be running it as a business, just getting enough to cover the mortgage while we're away - and before I hear screams of don't do it - don't worry we do have a back up plan to cover the mortgage. Thanks.  

Is it safe to presume that when you say 'bikers' you're not referring to pedal power?  My OH has a Kawazaki 600 and we'll be moving to the region in the coming months and looking for someone mates with motorbikes. It's never as much fun alone.

Thanks - look forward to the first weigh in next Monday.  Fiona