alnmike
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Posts posted by alnmike
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When you send the payment and invoice slip I suggest you send itInternational Signed-for' as sometimes things do not seem to getreceived by French Offices!!
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For large anounnts €5000 plus we use HIFX, for less Moneybookers.com. But I'm sure there will be other recommendations!
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wonderful!! [:D]
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You could use one of the Foreigh Exchange companies, we have used HIFX, and they will allow you to forward buy at a know rate for only a 10% (I think deposit). So you can keep your money in the UK but know what your final cost will be. Just a thought.
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Marvellous - thanks!![:D]
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Please forgive my ignorance - do you mean Villedieu les Poeles? Thanks
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PunLovely idea - I think we may have some suitable snaps.thanks all - great suggestions!!
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We are on heures creuses (sp) and for a week in February this year the electricity bill was €100. (When we are not there with heating on frost setting it was €20 for a month). And they used loads of wood. Am dreading the price of a cord of bois de chauffage this autumn!!
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The main request I get is for broadband/line for internet access, rather than calls. I know - why when on holiday do they need email?? But in fairness it could be researching the local area [:)]So if your second building is close to your home, perhaps you could get wireless broadband? I don't think it is widely expected tho!!
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Kim - as Mark said, often the 2 taxes are about the same as UK Council tax. But . . . you may have to pay extra for refuse collection - each departement in France seems to have different rules. After renovations the taxes may increase as your property is now improved - bit like the old 'rateable value' being linked to potential rental income.Another consideration is utility charges - we have been in owners in France for 2 years and the fuel bills (especially wood and electricity) are much higher than in the UK.Do a search on Taxe Locale D'Equipement as another chain which might be of interest.BUT - it is great fun, the people we have met are now firm friends and I hate the time we are not in France, and have butterflies today as we are going on Monday. It may not be as 'cheap' as some hoped, but I feel it is good value for money!! [:D]
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Llwyncelyn - did you get a letter from them a couple of weeks ago, which after assistance from the forum, I confirmed meant the tax office was moving late August? If you did then at least they know about you!![;-)]Have you filled a return in before?
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Fair!!! In fact, for my little bit of income/tax I'll try and go it alone next year. (then they'll change the rules, but hey-ho!) Am now wondering how cheeky it would be to ask for monthly payments next year, and whether there is a minimum they allow [:)]
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Ha!! I knew I should have waited one more day. Today it's arrived - bur they want slightly less tax than I put on my UK form, oh dear!!!Thanks for the answers.
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Will - you are right, the Portbail restaurant is lovely, in fact I celebrated my birthday their earlier the year. Much to my surprise/embarrassment a cake with candles was produced, and everyone sang . . . (I'm hoping it was 'Happy Birthday' . . . . . ) [:$]. Thanks for this.Llwyncelyn - living in South Dorset, I've got used to the idea of the power station!! I'd forgotten the Semaphore but have heard of it before. Many thanks for the reminder. More in your neck of the woods, we have been to the Manoir de la Drome at Balleroy - fantastic but a bit pricey, one of those for a treat perhaps? Thanks.
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Ah - thanks for tip, I don't want them thinking they owe me!!Great stuff - I'd thought of sherry, but Ginger wine is a much better idea. And the oven gloves and Duchy things - being Cornish I feel an obscure affinity!!Thank you all.[:D]
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As ever - many thanks for prompt responses!!I'll keep on the lookout!! (And won't spend the money on handbags or the suchlike quite yet!!)
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I've had a look at Via Michelin, but wondered if any of you have a great little restaurant you could suggest in Manche, up to 20km from La Haye du Puits? (50250) Many thanks
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Advice please - we get loads of support and assitance from the elderly couple whom we bought our cottage from. I would like to take them some gifts as a thank-you. I had thought of something 'English' but have no real idea. Any thoughts? Thanks [8-)]
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Hi!Hopefully my first tax return was received in Paris before the end of May. I am now wondering when I will hear how much tax I have to pay, and when I will have to pay it for?In addition, I completed a UK tax form with the pages for overseas income and I entered the amount of tax paid that my financial advisor said I would pay - 'micro' regime - but now I'm wondering if that was correct, as the UK return was for 2005/6 and I hadn't actually paid any tax in France?
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Excluding ferry crossings, the £5k for a small place, not heated in winter, is fine. If you are going to use in winter and have electric heating be prepared for a huge bill. We normally pay €20 per month, let the SIL and kids have in February and ended up with a €100 bill for 2 months. That said - you do also need a sum for contingency - cooker stops working, fosse needs emptying etc. I think that considering speedferries is a great idea - we live in Dorset and Manche and excluding wear and tear on the the car, can make the trip via Speedferries for half the BF price (unless we get vouchers from the local paper) and only 2 hours more. (so if an overnight crossing, driving is cheaper)Another possible factor is tax - if you let others use the cottage, even if they do not pay cash, but in kind - you may be liable for income tax. BUT it is great fun and whilst I suspect we will not make any profit our of our property (and didn't buy it to do so) we have had so much fun and met so many lovely people it is worth it!! Sticking the money in an annuity might be the grown up thing to do - but who want's to be grown up! Good Luck [;-)]
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For me, it is not any price difference that prompted my enquiry, but solely the difference in quality!! The observation about water based paint I found interesting, as it is emulsion that I wanted to take over - and only 10l at that. So I will be carrying it next week on the Barfleur . . . in a couple of hole-less carry bags!!! [:D]
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We have a couple of adult bikes and these seem to be well used. We don't charge for them - they are included in the cottage rental. I do have concerns over the 'risk' aspect especially where children are concerned, so apart from some (hopefully) safe games - plastic boule, skittles etc, I do not have any play equipment for children. Equally, and I know this is slightly off-post, I don't have a stair gate. I don't because I was concerned that if I had one, and it wasn't used correctly and an accident occured, I would be responsible? I have no idea if I'm right - it is a bit of a worry.
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I'm sure some of you on the forum are psychic as I was only talking about this to friends yesterday!! My broher in law observed that dogs would probably cause less destruction that his 5 children - I couldn't possibly comment. But it did set me thinking as we too do not allow pets. And I was wondering if we would get more bookings out of the main season if we did accept? Perhaps someone who does accept pets could comment? I think the points made above are spot-on, as it only takes one bad experience/inconsiderate owner to spoil things for others.
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On browser - I like/use Firefox, partly my attempt not to let Mr Gates rule my life, mind you he's retired now or something !!I did ask the BF, who said it was a bit of a grey area and suggested that I may not wish to ask any more questions (bit like keeping the lawnmowers minus petrol out of sight I guess). Where my attempt with google fell down was that I could not remember that tricky word 'hazardous' as 'paint' and 'ferry' bought up some quite interesting links that I read for so long I forgot what I was looking for. BF did mention 'hazardous' regulations would apply, but I just wanted some coalface views. Thanks all!And I'm particularly pleased to be able to feel that I've been party to the creation of a new job role . . . that of 'drink taster' !! [:)]
£2000 Booking Lost
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