jen

Now OH has taken early retirement (61 years) we will be spending about 7 months in France.  Have been trying to research what we need to do regarding health cover and would welcome some advise please...... Will the EHIC cover us if we are in France, if not what should we do. We have also read that the EHIC is only valid for 2.5 years from ceasing of paying NI contributions.  What do others do for the period from then to claiming state pension. 

Our local supermarket has trays of duck joints and pieces for about 4 euros. The quantity I reckon would make a good couple of meals for us - anyone bought these and if so any good recipes please

Need breakdown cover but can't find one that does over 90 days a year - anyone know of a company that does this please

We brought a spare fridge over with us to but when we switched it on it did'n't work - guess the bumping about during travel messed it up, we weren't too happy after all the effort of getting it over there. Ended up buying basic budget white goods and after 3 years all are still going well. Did find out though from several stores that your guarantee is void if you lay item down in car when collecting, apparantly some manufacturers are putting that in the small print. We had to borrow mates trailer and store signed it as 'witnessed it was collected correctly'

we only use bottled water as we sometimes get brown water coming out of our taps ewwww!

thanks for replies - have got permission and not going to let them off till december for a special occasion. We live miles from anyone so won't be disturbing any neighbours.

Anyone know where you can buy fireworks from?

I've several recipes which use almond flour, I have read it maybe called franginpane but can't find it on my local supermarket shelf.  Anyone know if it goes by a diferent name ?

[quote user="ukhostland"]Hi, I am really puzzled by your request for no-flowering plants.....what's wrong with flowers? The more the merrier, as far as I am concerned. Technically of course, all plants have flowers, even things like Ivy, whose green, nectar-rich flowers encourage wasps. We have a rather lovely golden-leaved version of the Hop vine, whose flowers are also not obvious or bright. Actinidia (Kiwi) have big leaves for shade and flowers which are not a major feature. Colin [/quote] Thanks for the ideas, although i absolutely love flowers and like a colourful garden too, but we get absolutely plaqued with wasps and hornets and find it impossible to even relax and just sit and have a glass of wine in peace. Soooooooo definitely want a patio space without giving the little blighters anymore flowers and pollen to be attracted to.

Finally finished building the pergola - anyone suggest any climbing plants that are fast growers but non flowering please

When we have tried to do this before we just get a message pop up that says 'this card is not registered with the set box' ?

Just received the H1 form - anyone know if there is an english translation online. I am trying to decipher the accompanying letter and from what I can make out it would appear that we have been sent this following the recent renovations which we have been carrying out and that we have 90 days to complete form, even though work hasn't finished but form can be completed if the house is habitable. I also understand that this tax is calculated on the potential rental value of the property, and was wondering if we will get one of these forms each year - should I include additional bathrooms now even though they're not finished etc, and do they ever carry out property inspections to check you have declared all work? Also are the bands for the taxe fonciere published anywhere pnline

Have very large inglenook fireplace and are installing woodburner.

We have an oil boiler if anyone wants it. We haven't used it since buying house last year - we were assured by previous owners that it worked before they drained it and moved out. Please send me your email if you want pics of sytem or if anyone wants it and will be willing to collect and help me take it out We also have a few of the old cast iron radiators (the sort that takes 3 people to lift!) We're in 24 area

many thanks

we've just had a couple of quotes for similar work, and they're between 5500 - 6500 euro. We had a word with our neighbour and for one of those that quoted he raised his eyebrows and indicated that the chap although local to our village, wasn't very reliable - so I would advise not going purely on price.

can anyone let me know what the french word is for the metal fastening that fits on window/shutter to keep it open slightly and securely please

we fitted a charcoal filter on ours - available at most diy places which has helped with the smell.

anyone got a good potage recipe please?

anyone know where to buy size 12 or 13 mens shoes?

Thanks for all the replies, we just need internet to check the odd emails and are total novices.......we are also very rural the nearest mcdonalds etc is over an hour away,

Just seen that orange fr do various passes for wifi connection from an hour to a month for 19 euros, anyone used these - and are the hotspots easy to connect to?

thank you I'll have a look for that

we have taken our dog many times to France with us and it is great fun to have her with us, although it was a bit daunting first time - the only advice I would add to all the others is do check your paperwork and then double check to see that vet has put correct details and that you have everything with you when returning to UK - the times we have been at pets passport and witnessed distress etc when paperwork has either been left behind or vet has not entered dates/time correctly. Although dogs don't have to be checked going out of UK all vets we have used strongly advise that you treat your pet with a tick treatment before entering France to protect them We have managed to find an english speaking vet each time - but their worming treatments do vary - some prefer injections and others tablets. I know there are for and against of each type of treatment - but it really upset us the way our dog reacted to injection - she howled and cried for a good half hour, so we ensure that she is treated with tablet form.

As we're going to spend alot more time in France this year we want to get internet connected to be able to use skype to chat with kids. We're with france telecom secondaire ligne and have been on their site to check our phone number is possible to with internet and its showing - Orange TV via ADSL with satellite . The best option their site is showing us is 21euro a month. Can anyone advise - how easy it is to start and cancel this service. How easy it is to get connected and what sort of router do we need - total beginners here so please would appreciate really basic details. Many thanks