jen

anyone know if you can get postcrete or similar in france.

doh!!!! should have thought of that, bit cloudy headed - too much red!

ooops should have said, we're in middlesex and moving to France.

We're going to have to buy furniture for our new house at the end of month. When we have looked round in the area at furniture stores and local Troc we found the furniture very expensive. Now wondering whether if we buy everything here and hire van would it work out cheaper. Would love to hear from other members what they have done.

Anyone tell me how much notice you were given on date for signing final contract please? There was a mention of 2 dates in January in compris but not sure what this means would like to take advantage of forward currency rates, do you think it would be OK to contact notaire for provisional dates?

The property we have just bought needs lots of buidling work, but due to work committments can't be there much of the time to oversee the work. Has anyone advise on how to manage the artisans in these circumstances.

Still in a state of unbelief that we will soon be owning a tiny bit of France! Really excited but terribly scared at the same time. The immobilier has provided us with a general translation of most parts pf the compromis but should we find a translator to read it through for with us and is there anything wlse we need to be aware of? The electricity and water was cut off a year ago - how much notice do we have to give the companies to have it reconnected.

1. Whan making the initial offer we have been told it should be in writing - do we need to put any conditions in at this time, or do we wait for the compris. 2. Whats rule on rights of way? 3. The house needs a lot of work and has been empty a long time - what are the usual type of clauses that are often included.

We have a spaniel and have travelled many times down to Lot and Dordogne in one hit. crossing with Shuttle. When using ferries we use small chambre d'hotes and have found that most welcome dogs, in fact they absolutely spoil them. We stop every 3/4 hours when travelling, have a coffee and give her a good run and excercise with ball. We usually stop at the aires as we find they are quieter and have more room for dog to run around. As to the passport its quite straight forward and visit the vets near where we stay for tick and worming treatment rather then mess about at Calais. As long as treatment is done 24 - 48 hours of crossing you are OK. Just make sure that you check the time and date on your passport is correct after visiting vet Have also found DAP spray is good for our dog as she gets a little agitated on train with noise The only thing that customs need is your Pets Passport and crossing details. Please do not worrry as has already been said its quite a quick and straight forward procedure and its fantastic having your dog with you on holiday.

Thanks for your advice, how is the best way to find a surveyor in France ?

not sure if pics are showing up they do appear in preview but disappear when I try to view after posting??????

Thanks for info of how to attach pics

Am being totally cheeky but is there anyone out there that I could email a pic of house we are interested in, as we have a question regarding the building. Many thanks

We have just returned home from house hunting trip and think we have found the place for us but our brains are overloaded and confused, so decided to come home to complete our research and would appreciate a bit of advice on house buying

gardengirl....... do they charge any additional amount for using it in vinci parks?

Thanks clair,

We have received our doofa for the peages, but today received invoice from them for the 30 euros deposit, which I understood we would have to pay but there is also another item for 4.18 euro 'frais de ports', not sure what this is for - anyone enlighten me on that. Many thanks

We are visiting limousin with family in May and If anyone knows of nice 4 bed accomodation for 2 weeks rental  I would be grateful if they would email me.    Many thanks

Not long now before and we're off to Dordogne for Christmas.......just a few questions about Christmas dinner - is Turkey, cranberry, christmas pudding and stuffing, available? Also when our shops open over Christmas period?

We had the same problem - had a word with them and they are releasing crossings gradually, they told me to try later in th week and last night they suddenly appeared for 29/30th December back to UK.  So we are all booked up now.  Keep checking and they will gradually appear....crazy system!

After spending lots of time in France house hunting/holidays in various times from May - October.  We are going over to Dordogne, near Perigueux for Christmas.  Really looking forward to seeing it in a different time of year, any advice or tips for taking a break during this time of year?

Can anyone tell me whether the last section of A89 Brive to Perigueux open yet? 

Ooops posted in wrong section but wont let me delete

After several years of searching we found our ideal location to relocate to, and have spent the past 3 summers house hunting in the Dordogne, staying in a tiny hamlet for several weeks.  Absolutely idyllic! That is until this year, we have just returned and our totally dismayed with things.  The peace and quiet we have grown to love was shattered most evenings my youths on motorbikes continually driving round or cars with boom boxes tearing through the area in the early hours.......... and on six evenings we were kept awake till 4 or 5 a.m. by local parties - we enjoy parties and having a good time, but it was continual shouting and screaming and deafening music which must have woke the whole valley.  On driving round we also noticed that several of these tiny hamlets had introduced speed humps, hmmmm?  We have always been so impressed with the French way of life but are wondering if  this was just an isolated problem to the area we were in or is France changing?   

Have been thinking of buying a plot of land with the intention of building a house in the future - just wondering if it would be possible to site a caravan on the land for a few weeks of the year - or would that need planning permission?