Graham & Brenda

We both find ourselves doing it a lot. I think it is because  having used words all the time in French conversation whether with friends or in shops it is at the front of your mind and you have to think to translate it back into English. The trouble is, in English company it can seem poseur if it takes a few seconds to recall the English word! An example is going to the déchetterie but there are many others. Hopefully it just means we are learning more French.

I can tell you that, although I was asked to complete the abovementioned form, I have been completing tax forms since I arrived 3 years ago and I pay my assessed cotisations via URSSAF (just in case anyone thinks it was because I have been avoiding my obligations). I would prefer to keep paying and to stay in the system. We could pay the same as the "average Frenchman" if they wish, although that could be less than we are paying now!! IF the 5 year rule subsequently is allowed, there will have been a cost to "the system" of booting us out and then re-registering us. Crazy.

SD thanks for explaining the titre rules. Mine says  "Pensionne DIR. No 90.365 DU 28 JUIN 1990" I presume that this is the same as Retraite. Although I haven't got 5 years yet  it would help to know.   Thanks,  

Went to CPAM Angouleme this morning with my "reminder letter". They had received my original documents. After speaking to 2 colleagues the lady copied a form for us to fill in (new procedure). We had to answer the following 6 questions yes or no and sign the form.     Nom :                                                                                      Prénom :   Date de naissance                                                               Nationalité   Adresse en France:     1. Exercez-vous une activité salariée dans un Etat de l’Union Européenne ?    2. Exercez-vous une activité salariée en France ? (Exemple traduction, rédaction d'article de presse, télétravail   Nature de I'activité exercée :    3. Exercez-vous une activité non salariée en France ? (Exemple : location de gîte, chambres d'hôtes)   4. Exercez-vous une activité en France pour le compte d’un employeur étranger en tant que travailleur détaché ?   5. Percevez-vous une indemnisation des ASSEDIC ?   6. Percevez-vous des allocations familiales, le RMI, une allocation adulte handicapé, une allocation de parent isolé ?     We were then told we'd hear something in approx 3 weeks time

Same here. Posted my documents on 3 September and received the reminder letter yesterday.

Thanks for the replies. We'll see what happens next spring!

Our plant has just come into flower, whereas the garden books suggest late spring is the norm (it didn't flower then). It has been in the ground at least 2 years. Does anyone else have one and when does it flower?

Some friends have recently put their house on the market, using both English and French agents. I have no idea how they arrive at their valuations but, looking at their websites, many houses are on at exactly the same price but strangely what they offer does not seem to me to be comparable. I would therefore do some "homework" first to get your own view of a fair price for comparable properties.

If you have to use the envelope and postbox method, I recommend that you look into the chute to ensure your envelope disappears and does not get stuck - as mine once did. For that reason I now only use this system during banking hours so I can grab an assistant if necessary. Of course, it's not happened again since then!

Because they can

Super U give points that you can change for gifts or use to "buy" a bon d'achat of various values. If you do this keep the bit stapled to the bon - it has the validation  code for the cashier. Auchan points can be used as a cash deduction at the checkout, however I think they expire once a year (end Dec or Jan?)but they do give you notice.

I have a modem from Wanadoo (now Orange) connected by USB. It connects straight away, no problem. I am not techy enough to explain why yours doesn't but just wish to reassure you until someone can explain it better.

The only change seems to be if you take cash out on their credit card.The debit card remains free.

We've had a compliant pool for over 3 years (security cover). No-one has checked - but if it is a workable law one has to ask WHY hasn't it been checked? Who is responsible and why aren't they doing their job? (I am directing this comment at private usage not including gites/multiple users).    

I have a Metronic box - but a different type, Oursalis Tiny. After about 3 years it wouldn't search for new programmes and I'd lost radio etc. I found an option in the instructions to "Reinitialiser le terminal" Basically it wipes the memory and goes back to the initial setup stage. It means you have to reset any parameters you have changed but it searched and found all the channels again.

We are in fairly rural Charente and have had ADSL (512k - ish I think) for about 2 years. There was an article in the local rag recently Saying that most places in the area can get ADSL with just a few isolated pockets not being served. If you ask at the local Mairie when you are househunting, they should know.

Try a search of this forum - just bear in mind all the results are not necessarily recent. We use the Parisiana near the Gare de L'Est  http://www.parisiana-hotel.com/ .

Yes, there has been a thread about this in the past. Always check your bill before you leave and go to the Acceuil with any problems not the cashier who served you. I won't bore you with details but we have had several errors at different supermarkets - the most recent was the double counting of an item at Super U yesterday I don't consider it a scam but usually human error and it is just as common in the UK.

To be fair Georgina, many places only give credit notes. This does not condone rudeness of course, which, as you say also risks their client relationship. The manager of our local M. Bricolage in Cognac greets me so warmly that a) he has mistaken me for someone else or b) he treats everyone like that!  

On the topic of Super U loyalty cards here's a cautionary tale I have previously posted in another forum: I exchanged points on my card for a €30 bon d'achat. The bon looks a bit like a cheque. The hotesse stapled my receipt to it and handed it over. Having read the bit on the receipt saying what you could and couldn't use it for I chucked the receipt and pocketed the bon. When I came to use it the hotesse at the till said Non - as I didn't have the receipt which had the activation code on it! After grovelling at the accueil I got a new code - eventually, plus a lecture on not detaching that which she (who must be obeyed) had stapled. Needless to say there is nothing on the receipt or the bon saying a code is needed - but as she gave me a new code I thought it best not to mention that and bit my tongue accordingly.

To create a button on the toolbar for a folder of choice, when the folder is open, just click and hold the icon at the left hand end ot the address and drag it to the toolbar and release it.

Just to contribute my 2 pennyworth. Our salt pool is coming up to 3 years old and it couldn't be easier to run. After testing I did not add salt this spring, just some ph+. We have a bidon of liquid ph- conected for auto - adjustment but I turn it off for half an hour or so after cleaning the filter or it can get confused into adding ph- when it is not needed. Other than cleaning the filter and adding ph+ if indicated on the doofer that's it. Lovely clean, odour free water.

When we are travelling in France we usually stop overnight in one of the B&B chain of hotels. Does anyone know of any similar sort of hotel/motel chains in Spain please?   Thanks,  

I asked a neighbour for a recommendation and we were lucky with the result. He always runs late but always has time for you - so I usually go for an early appointment! I don't really think the method of choosing is any different to how one would do it in the UK - and, as has been said above, you can change if you want to.

I need to have some charms on my wife's charm bracelet silver-soldered. Is this something undertaken by most jewellers or is it a specialist job? (Knowing how the French love their specialisations!) Also is it "souder d'argent" or does it have another name? Thanks,