Ally

Can anyone help in the Saumur/Doue la Fontaine area, to recommend a French builder or a surveyor who knows really old properties, to look over a house we are proposing to purchase? English speaking would be helpful but not essential. Many thanks.

Thanks Norman - I am sure I have read somewhere that UK is proposing stopping S1 from April this year?

Thanks Sue - grateful for your reply .

Many thanks TB and for info sent. Food for thought and lots to digest.

Can anyone help pls? I have been trawling through lots of info on line and still confused! Me and OH are relocating this summer - currently in negotiation buying gite business, when we will be self-employed on arrival. I am 61 and have paid full N.I.,still working in UK, due to have UK state pension from Nov. this year. OH, househusband, has not been working for last three yrs age 62 state pension due Apr 2016. We have capital to survive but need to know how we fit into the health system. Have had a couple of on-line quotes which have been c. £6K p.a. Scary! this cannot be? Any advice/info/comments welcomed.

Kat, following on from my last msg just noticed u are going back on Bastille Day - so strongly suggest you book ahead which is presumably y u are asking now about it - we have stayed at the Campanile at Bethune on that date and the town has a festival atmosphere and is v. pleasant.

My suggestions would be if you want convenience the Campanile at Bethune which is right on the motorway exit only about an hour from the port. McDonalds is across the road (sorry!) and you can visit Decathlon next door which whiles away an hour before supper if u are eating at the Campanile which is perfectly adequate - the local Auchan is about a quarter of a mile down the road to stock up with wine before getting on the boat and filling up with fuel. If you want something slightly more interesting we have stayed in Ardres also fairly close many times at the Hotel Relais or another one at the other end of the town beginning with a 'C' I think which I can't remember the name of but which was v. good for an evening meal. Hope this helps. The Campanile chain seems to win hands down for sheer convenience most times, although we are trying to wean ourselves off them!.