Lene

Hello Folks, What a nice surprise to get a reply after all these years!!  [:D] Yes, we moved in 6 years ago.  I think at the time I realised that I'd posted in the wrong place and tried again in Northwestern France.  Confusing isn't it?! I did have a couple of replies and met up with some people, but we had some family problems and illness and we lost touch.  Was hoping to make contact again but what with one thing and another plus loss of phone numbers etc ... We've been very happy in our house and make it over there on average for a week once a month.  We'd like to spend more time there but commitments in England don't always allow.  One day we'll make it for Christmas as we'd always planned, but at least this year we'll be there on New Years Eve - hence making my way to this site, which I don't do often, to check out any New Years Eve celebrations. Teresa, especially nice to hear from you as you're not far from us. Hope everyone had a good Christmas and here's best wishes for a fab 2008. Jacquie

Hi Angela, Sorry for delay I've been in France and then had problems finding this thread. Here's the directions for Emmaus at Bethune: Come off the St Omer to Bethune motorway and follow the signs to Bruay.  It's a bit confusing.  What you actually want is Gosnay.  To help go to  http://www.viamichelin.com/viamichelin/gbr/dyn/controller/mapPerformPage?strLocation=Gosnay&strCountry=eur&google=1 and this will bring up a map of the area. On the map you'll see a blue circle over Gosnay.  This is where it's confusing. On the Bruay road Gosnay is the first turning on the right after the roundabout, but you can't read the signpost from that direction, so take the road and check the signpost.  Follow the signs to Gosnay, once in the village  the road bears left by the restaurant, and then right (I think).  You'll go past some quite small terraced houses/bungalows on the right and then I can't remember whether there's a junction or not but the road goes to the left and the right (might be a T-junction), and in front of you will be a small road which goes under a bridge.  Take this road under the bridge. Emmaus is up there on the left.  It's quite a way though so don't think you've passed it and before it there looks like a deserted convent type building (quite big).  I hope you find it all right.  I've only been there a couple of times and I got lost the first time I went.  If you head for Gosnay and make sure you take the small road that goes under the bridge you should be okay.  It's well worth a visit as its massive!  I'm not sure on opening times during the week but on Saturday's they close for lunch 12-2.  There are loos there and a coffee shop for which you give whatever you think the coffee's worth.  (Personally I'd go elsewhere for coffee!)  Leave plenty of time as there's loads to see. Let me know how you get on. Cheers, Jacquie  [:)]

Hi, Does anyone know Lesley1952? I've been trying to get in touch with her to say that I'm going to France tomorrow (28 Nov) until Saturday and would like to arrange to meet up? Unfortunately, I won't be able to check my email after this, but if anyone knows her, can they please ask her to get in touch with Jacquie. I know that she's in France at the moment, but the telephone number I've got keeps going through to her fax machine. Hoping that someone can help. If th do know her please tell her that I've sent her a private message with my french telephone number. Thanks, Jacquie

Just spent a very interesting Saturday afternoon at Emmaus near Bethune. They've got some good bargains there. I've been trying to find a second-hand cutlery basket for my dishwasher for ages and I found one. Instead of paying out £18 for a new basket they charged me one euro. We have an Emmaus near Bedford. They do superb lunches and make the biggest, delicious pavlova I've ever seen!

Thank you, much appreciated!

Today I've received the Taxes Foncieres. I've read it but I can't see who I make the cheque payable to. Does anyone know?

Thanks for that, Angela, I've been once before but we got lost last time so I didn't think I had a hope of finding it again. I know my Mother will love it! Jacquie

Hi Angela, How fortuitous that you mentioned Emmaus at Bailleul/Nieppe. I want to take my Mother there when we're over at the end of August, but I can't remember where it is. Any chance you can give me directions? Thanks, Jacquie

Hi Lesley, I've sent a private message to your email address. Jacquie

Hi Angela, Yes, we did manage to meet up as planned and spent a very pleasant couple of hours chatting. We ought to organise another date to meet up in the summer, when hopefully a few more will be able to join us. Jacquie

Hi Lesley, As Pierre rightly says, our house isn't far from you. We're in a small village called Acquin Westbecourt, which is north of Lumbres. Very nice to hear that you won't be far from us as we haven't come across any other english with a house in our area. Do you plan to live in France or is your house a maison secondaire like ours? We usually manage to get to Acquin every month for a few days. It would be good to meet you, and we'll definitely be over in June for the St Omer golf tournament, which I think starts on 12th June. So if you're planning a house warming .... Graham and Jacquie

Hello again, We'll definitely be there on Saturday. Looking forward to meeting you all. Graham and Jacquie

Hi, I'm sure Sat 26 March at 18:00 is okay for us, but Graham's playing golf at the moment and I need to check with him. I'll confirm again later this afternoon. Pierre - I've sent you a private message. Jacquie

Hi, We'll be in France for Easter - 24-28 March.

Hi Everyone, What a pleasure it is to find others with a house in Pas-de-Calais. Our house is in Acquin Westbecourt, which is 15 kms west of St Omer. We thought we were the only British in Pas-de-Calais as we haven't come across any others. We bought our house three years ago. We only manage to get over once a month, but hope this may change in the future, though not very likely this year as my partner is captain of the seniors at his golf club. We've been coming over on the 5-day eurotunnel property owners club trips. It's a shame that they've disbanded but it actually makes it a bit easier for us as it means that we can come over in the evening instead of wasting a day. Our next trip is planned for Easter. If any of you are planning to meet up, then we'd be interested. Hope to meet you in the future. Jacquie

Many thanks to all those who replied to my question. The info has been very helpful. We aren't that worried whether we get all the Sky channels as long as we get some British TV. We've been without TV in France for 3 years now and another winter of playing scrabble (and losing to my other half) has stopped filling me with excitement!

I'm sorry, I'm sure this has been asked before but I've searched the archives and I can't see an answer to my question. I have a second digital box and satellite dish that I'm planning to take over to our holiday home in Pas de Calais. I had intended to take my sky viewing card with me every time I went but I've been reading through the archives and am now a bit worried. I've read that the sky viewing card doesn't always work for a few hours or even up to a couple of days if it's removed from the box. As we usually only go for five days at a time this could cause a problem. Also, I don't think my partner would be too pleased if he couldn't watch his favourite sports channel on our return. Has anybody come across this problem or is there someone who can put my mind at rest? Lene