DaveLister

For a while I was in agreement with you until I realised you were talking about the biscuit.

Well done. Thanks for letting us know Norman.

Well I tell you what ALBF. It's been a while since I've been to Tours. How about I plan a visit in the next couple of months, try out the creperie, and ( if I get out alive ) let you know whether or not the galettes are worth donning the flak jackets for?

Then according to trip advisor you're missing out 😁

Don't worry, I get the general idea. Can you remember, was there anything special in the sauce or was it just a basic sugar syrup?

Well for me it's two reasons. One, I believe everyone should have the right to vote somewhere and two, I still have financial interests in the UK which are affected by the competence ( or lack of ) the incumbent government.

Now that does look more interesting. I'm not a fan of black garlic or chestnuts but, as I happen to have a pineapple to hand, I might try making the desert myself tonight.

Now ALBF, I can't let you get away with that. A cursory look at trip advisor and I've found 'Le Chaperon Rouge' in Avenue de Grammont, Tours which, amongst other things, has a children's menu for 10 euros which consists of a galette or steak hache/chips, a drink, and a crepe or an ice cream. Their most expensive galette which contains foie gras and smoked duck costs 18 euros. If your family of 5 contains three adults who all had the most expensive item on the menu you'd still have 26 euros left over for drinks.

When we caught the night sleeper from Euston to Scotland we ate at a pub/ restaurant in the station. The food was excellent again and no way near the prices of Normans overpriced tourist restaurant in Beziers. Well something's got to be good about Euston Station 🤣

They do have other dishes Mint 😁 Actually I've no recent experience of Carluccio's so I can't say how good or bad they are nowadays. I happened to be looking for somewhere to grab a bite to eat at St Pancras and a branch came up. When ALBF started talking about the costs of salads I was reminded of the menu.

Firstly I'm sorry for your loss. Tax d'habitation is levied on whoever is the occupier/owner of a property on the 1st of January each year. If you sold after that date I'm afraid you are still liable for the tax. Below is a link to a French Government website ( in English ) which explains how you can pay the bill as a non resident. https://www.impots.gouv.fr/international-particulier/questions/where-and-how-do-i-pay-my-taxes-non-resident

Oh you could if you wanted to 😉

I'm sorry ALBF. I know you love all things north of the Channel but I can't believe that you were able to get 'a proper posh hotel meal' for 14 pounds a head. The ingredients alone should cost more than that.

Story from the Guardian. Apparently today is the day.😁 https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/jan/16/britons-living-abroad-regain-right-to-vote-in-uk-elections-as-15-year-rule-ends

Actually Norman you've reminded me of something. Many years ago there was a weekday lifestyle programme on French TV that ended with the preparation of a celebrated regional dish of the day. After a couple of weeks it was clear that 99% of these dishes were just variations on the meat/fish stew. We used to call it the 'gloop' segment. Despite being a carnivore I would choose the second restaurant over the first ( although if I were god I would ban any Frenchman from touching a Caesar Salad🤯 ). It's telling though, I think, that at least four of the options are not French in origin.

Very nice Norman, and strikingly similar to the board outside a restaurant I know in a local town that has a reputation for serving 'real French food'. Fortunately few of it's clientele are up at 6:30 when the Brakes van delivers.

How do you upload a birth certificate?….if you can find it ? Lol You're not uploading it, you're sending a photocopy in the post with the form. I'm assuming you have a passport which, as I said, is acceptable. Go on ALBF, you know you want to 😁

OK Mr French. One David Lister has just gone through the motions of applying for a lost National Insurance number via this website. https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/fill-online/get-your-national-insurance-number-by-post I put in a French address and telephone number, my date of birth, and the fact that I was married. Apart from that the only information they wanted was a copy of a birth certificate, passport, or driving license. You fill out the form and post it to the address given along with the identity document. It might take some time but there's no reason it shouldn't work.

Never say never ALBF there's always a way. If you worked, you must have paid taxes. Someone will have your National Insurance no. somewhere.

As it did when I applied, only for me to receive a letter of rejection due to the 15 yr. rule. I'll take another look after the 16th to see if the process looks different.

Thanks Judith for the feedback. I certainly won't be making an expedition anytime soon. Sounds like a typically French operation.😀

I could say the same about most towns in the UK (in addition to the ubiquitous Thai).

I have neither. Are you saying you never worked in the UK?

If you look at the eligibility to vote you still need to have been a UK resident in the last 15 years.

Unfair Norman. The question was broad enough to generate a discussion which drifted, as these things do, to the merits of alcohol free drinks. So, to quote ALBF " I give it four stars ".