JaneT

Hi there! First, apologies if this is in the wrong forum, but I am a bit pressed for time as using our friend's computer (and this French keyboard takes some getting used to!) We have just completed the cooling off period for our farm in the Charente (house + buildings + 30 hectares) and were thinking we had covered everything, largely thanks to help from this forum. We have now heard that SAFER is making things difficult for those who want to RESELL farms within 10 years of purchase. We hope that we will be here for many years, but at the very least want to know what we are letting ourselves in for. We have an appointment with the notaire on Thursday and will certainly discuss this, but I just wondered if anyone had heard of this?

Can anyone suggest a good vet (doesn't have to be English-speaking) in the Vimoutiers area? We have been advised to get heartworm treatment for mutt and this is our first stop. Is there anything else we should dose him up with. He has just had all his usual UK boosters and a rabies booster (rabies because he was initially vaccinated in October 2002 and we wanted to ensure that the French authorities don't say the validity has expired) and we keep tick/flea + worming up to date anyway.

I knew this would happen - limited to no access to phone and internet and we have to send money quickly. So - 150,000 to transfer into euros and send to French account (already established), how would you do it in the most efficient/time saving manner? Good rate would be preferrable, and we do not want to take risks as this is all our cash! I have considered Moneybookers, Currencies Direct and HIFX, I don't think Moneybookers will be any good due to a low limit. Your advise please! Also any views on sending jointly owned funds temporarily to an account held in name of one partner only (other than the obvious one that lucky account holder will then do a runner - I'll put him on a short lead!)? We will then set up a joint account and transfer money, or (if they'll do it) change the single account to joint account??? Any adverse implications re tax etc????

Can anyone help? We are planning to become gypsies soon while we search for our ideal home in France. We have car and caravan insurance sorted, I am in the process of sorting out our personal travel insurance, but what do I do about our four-legged friend (rescue mongrel)? I called the company that I am planning to take out our long-stay travel insurance with to see if the personal liability that they offer will extend to accidents caused by dogs, but it doesn't (we are selling our UK home so won't have any house/contents insurance here). We have friends in France who probably wouldn't mind if we took out French pet insurance and used their address, but all I can find on the French insurance websites are policies for pet health insurance - we don't want that, just accident cover. Any ideas?

Does anyone have any advice about where to put the proceeds of our house sale? I know ING Direct is offering a good rate, but some time ago I seem to remember someone recommended off-shore euro accounts, which would seem a good idea for at least part of our cash. We would not want to have any very strict conditions as we need to be able to access the money easily and quickly. Many thanks!

Thanks Kent - we are just (hopefully?!) about to sell up here and head off to look for our dream house. I never thought when the day finally approached that I would be this nervous, but I suppose giving up two steady, fairly well-paid jobs and a house we love to become unemployed and homeless is a bit of a leap in the dark. However I know that we won't regret it, and it is reassuring to read your post. All the very best with your new venture!

I am something of a novice as I have managed to avoid owning one of these things so far. HOWEVER it looks as if we won't get away with it in France as we will be househunting and need to keep in touch with agents etc. Can anyone advise on the most reasonable pay-as-you-go package which gives the best coverage over the widest area? - we still aren't sure in which area we will be concentrating our search and intend to keep use of the phone to an absolute minimum.