Yvonne

Hi, Yes it is french plated. Yvonne

Hi I have a car which i need to scrap urgently, Can i just turn up to a scrap yard hoping they will take it or will i need to inform them in advance? its a right hand drive , also what paper work will i need if any??, Thanks Yvonne

Hi I have a car which i need to scrap urgently, Can i just turn up to a scrap yard hoping they will take it or will i need to inform them in advance? its a right hand drive, Thanks Yvonne

Hi, I'm looking for a fairly basic booking system that I can use on the PC (not necessarily on line). One that'll show booings with extra 'drill down' info ie. deposits, extra beds needed etc. Does anyone have any recommended packages to purchase? I have been recommended 'bookingboard' but I dont seem to be able to get anyone to reply to my enquiries! Thanks! Yvonne

Hi, Has anyone experience of using any company for transporting small animals (cats) between France and the UK? If so, who? Thanks, Yvonne

Hi, thanks for the information. Sorry, I didnt make myself very clear. WHat I am wondering is what, if anything, I have to do French side? How does it work in the Uk then when I get off the ferry??

Hi Can anyone tell me if i require any documents to take my car back to the UK. The car was bought in the UK and registered in France 3 years ago, i am returning and need to known who needs to know apart from my insurer. Thanks

Ski bunny, All of your questions are best and probably only can be answered by a local notaire, they'll even know what the market is doing in your area. I can, however, answer no. 3, (I think!) the buyer does always pay notaire fee's. Apparently if they appoint a 2nd notaire the fee is shared between notaires and still paid by the buyer. yvonne

Hi Chris What does the beetle look like? It must be huge!

Here it is, I hope! [IMG]http://i749.photobucket.com/albums/xx140/berko27/P1010540-1.jpg[/IMG]

Hi Cat, No - it wasn't one of these. It was definately dark brown / grey and had defined 'feet' like suckers in the middle of the underbelly and 'thorn' like sticky out bits at each end.....??? I have a photo but dont now how to attach!

We just found (well our cat did actually) a very large grub / caterpillar in our garden. It's about 12cm long and 3 cm diameter. Its grey / brown with black markings that look like big eyes! It looks just like the wichitty (?) grubs they eat on 'I'm a celebrity....'.! Does anyone know what it is??

Fantastic! Thanks Clair, what a great website. Yvonne

I revently saw the two fat ladies cook swiss chard as a veg using anchovies and garlic (amongst other things). I cant find the recipe on line does anyone happen to know it? They served it with beef wellington. Yvonne

Thanks for everyones advise. I had thought about chambres d'hotes but we dont want to stray too far from the motorway, I'll have a look at the site. In the meantime we'll consider the other options, someone also suggested interhotel group? In the meantime I'll look forward to the day premier inn cross the channel! Thanks, Yvonne

Has anyone found a good quality hotel for stop offs when travelling north to Calais with a baby in tow? We've tried Campanile, Kyriad, etc etc and they vary so much I dread arriving at them now as you never know what to expect. I presume this is because they tend to be franchised? Premier Inn in the Uk takes some beating so we've been spoiled! Does anyone know the French equivalent or even if it exists?? We need something near Rouen and near Orleans, not far from the motorway. Hopefully, Yvonne

We have just agreed a sale on our property. The purchasers need to secure a mortgage in order to buy. Apparently we must sign the compromis de vente with a clause suspensive 'subject to loan'. As the seller this concerns us a lot as, if they dont get a mortgage they pull out and take their 10% deposit with them! Apparently they have a loan in 'principle' and it is simply subject to a valuation which, apparently, the banks won't do without compromis being signed (?) Is it reasonable to request written proof from the bank / lender that this loan is agreed in principle? The notaire has asked the purchasers to state name of lender, amount, duration etc but we'd feel happier if this came directly from the bank? We're very nervous about this situation... is it 'normal'??

Great, thanks! Yvonne

Hi, Can anyone advise the shortest and clearest way to say (in french!) that clients cannot combine more than one promotional offer please? Cheers Yvonne

Catalpa......sometimes it's best not to assume anything  -they aren't French. 'Unreasonable' relates to their abusive, aggressive phone calls ....several from different family members within the space of 1 or 2  hours. And their unwillingness that, due to an unforeseen family 'issue', we cannot under any circumstances be here. I think, if you were a witness to this situation you would not be describing me as 'unkind'. It's nothing to do with nationalities. If it were about nationality then there are plenty of French people (and other nationalities) who let us British owners down all the time. If they want to go off and criticise British owned b&b's then let them. Frankly I wouldn't wish these type of people (whatever nationality) on any of my fellow British or French b&b owners. I've been more than willing to help them but there are some people who would rather try to kick up a fuss rather than be helped. They're wasting their time because we are unable to accomodate them regardless of threats, swearing etc etc. I've paid them back double their money and as far as I'm concerned the matter is now closed. Nobody , French or english deserves that. It's life......things happen that are out of our control. Abi

I couldn't agree more Lizzy! I've offered to book a them local hotel but they are just insistant on staying here....I dont know what they expect me to do. Imagine if we all threatened legal action to every client that cancelled becasue it was raining or because gret aunt bessy has just died?! What i've done, to get them off my back, is hinoured my side of the law and sent them double the amount of 'arrhes' - as outlined in Clairs link. Thanks for that Clair, I've saved it. It may well come in handy next time the reverse happens; ie. I need to cancel and I want my deposit back......! Sometimes I think there are definately easier ways to earn a living!! Thanks Abi

Hi, I always seem to have a query about 'arrhes'!! We have taken a booking (booked in March) for a 1 night stay 1/2 board for 2 people towards the end of August. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen family reasons we cannot honour the booking as we won't be in this country. I have telephoned the guest to apologise, explain and offer alternative dates. They are very unhappy, will not accept alternative dates, tell me I HAVE to accept them (even it means a friend comes in and opens up our house for them?!) and are now threatening us with legal action....... This is exhausting and not want we need. I am giving them almost 3 months notice that I have to cancel their booking (I'm offering alternatives that they refuse to accept). They have sent a deposit cheque which I have not cashed yet.....where do we stand? The reason, I think, they a getting so shirty is because they booked via SMARTBOX (who allows us to accept bookings under our own terms & conditions) and I presume other places locally are full. This is also why the cheque isnt cashed.   My letter to them confirms their booking and 'arrhes' their letter to me confirms they have sent a 'caution'. I think that if I confirm 'arrhes' then I am legally obliged to pay back double the amount, is that correct? I presume that I am not obliged to be here and welcome them into my home regardless of circumstance? There must be provision in the law for unforeseen circumstances like this?? Thanks for any advise. Abi   

Great -thanks to you both. Fingers crossed that the idea of a financial penalty will make people stop & think before they light up!    

Hi Carmelle, Thanks for the suggestion. I'm a bit confused too, how does it translate exactly? Thanks again, Abi  

Hi, Can anyone tell me how we go about changing our GP? I'm not happy with our 'nominated' GP and have been recommended somebody else. Can I just make an appointment with the 'new' GP or is there paperwork involved first? Thanks Abi