Logan

Nigel and Nippy are selling up. http://www.frenchentree-property.com/9377/Rhone-Alpes/Ardèche-07/Nigels-restored-Ardeche-farmhouse

Well if the post was genuine as seems the concensus here, I apologise to Bones for misinterpreting his sense of humour.

Quillan. I think this original poster was quite plainly trying to extract a large dose of 'micky' from forum members. I personally feel posts such as these should be removed. Why? Because the forum can potentially lose it's credibility. There are many people who rely on the advice and suggestions freely given by well intentioned forum members. If trivia is allowed to creep in without sanction LF will loose that credibility. Also  members trying to genuinely help others can be ridiculed. I agree that humour has a place but this post is neither amusing or credible.   I ask what is the point of moderators?  I would suggest it is to police the code of conduct published in the forum charter. You seem to be sitting on your hands. 

I suspect that with your particular bank Lori the management exercise a large dose of practical common sense. However the French central bank have issued directions that all large incoming credits to French bank accounts must be investigated andthe source sanctioned. This is part of the control of funds suspected to be crime proceeds and terrorism funding. Its also an EU directive so all other EU banks in theory should follow the same practice.  However in reality individual management do their own thing. Very typically French!

Perhaps the best idea is to think very hard and recall all the reasons you left UK in the first place. Then follow with the realisation that all those things await you on or return. They may even have got worse. What also may have changed in the iterim is your ability to tollerate them.

In answer to your 2 questions there is no limit to the amount you can transfer into your account from any source. The bank will however ask you to justify its source before they will credit the money to your account. My banks limit is 6000 euros before they contact me and require documentary proof of the source. The funds transferred should not attract any tax unless it is used for income purposes. eg. investment income. I think I might change my bank to that of Lori. Who are they Lori?

Over the 20 odd years I have been a resident of France I have noticed most Brits who come to live here remain on average between 2-3 years before returning. The principle cause of such returns seems to be the inability to make a decent living in a country which is relatively expensive to live. Those who remain are usually the retired with pensions or private means. I guess these returnees have the experience of living in another country but they also have to start all over again within the UK economic system which is ever changing. A big hole in a CV is not always looked upon with favour in a competitive environment. The going could be just as tough as the one you are leaving. Good luck.

Read the latest on this link. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4723305.stm

In the department of Tarn (81) this week locusts have arrived in huge swarms and are feeding off the local produce, mainly maize. The current hot and humid climate has encouraged them to fly across from Africa. The authorities are baffled as to how to get rid of them so the have formed a committee to discuss the problem. By the time they agree a solution it may well be too late. Climate change experts have said the southerly French departments south of the Loire Valley are likely to have more hot dry summers and minimal rainfall in winter. Southern Spain will become an extension of the Sahara desert and uninhabitable. Meanwhile a group of Politicians have decided that the best way to deal with climate change is not to limit the burning of fossil fuels but in technology to reduce emissions. Guess who has this technology for sale? Yes, it's the USA. The Bush administration has refused any voluntary or mandatory agreements to limit their countries carbon emissions. They say technology can deal with it! Well they would say that. What about the emerging industrialised nations who can't afford the technology? In the interim here in France the canicule and the locusts reek havoc.

We live with the fear of fire every summer. Our house is surrounded by dense woodland which is tinder dry. All fires are interdit in most departments south of the Loire divide. Penalties are severe if you are deemed responsible for fire damage. Please folks do not even light barbecues. They are a considerable risk. Last week a group of young people in central Spain went on a camping trip and decided to light a barbecue. They went off to visit a nearby cave whilst waiting for the barbecue to heat up. Sparks ignited dry woodland and quickly got out of control. The result of their stupidity was the death of 15 fireman and 12,000 hectares of valuable, rare woodland destroyed. All fire during hot dry weather is potentially lethal.

I suppose self publicity has a place but not on a forum which is designed to help people and offer valuable advice.

You may as well eat soap! France is a country of 250 different cheeses. Live a little.

I can give you the benefit of our experiences. The French have an altogether different attitude to animal welfare than we Brits. It's a cultural thing. The French kennels in the north of France are usually cages with concrete floors. That's it. The idea that they would excercise the dogs is an anathema. The dogs will remain in the cage from the day you arrive to the day you collect them. The dogs may just be lucky and have the kennel cleaned during their stay but don't assume they will. To the French they are animals and will be treated as such. Fed once a day from dried dog food and water if lucky, then ignored to bark all day and night.  I have tried many different French kennels over the years I have lived in France and travelled back to UK. I have always been disappointed by the conditions. I no longer will subject my dogs to this basic treatment. As a result I don't travel back so much, our dogs to us are family. As for costs be prepared to pay as much or more as UK kennels without the comforts.

French utilities are generally a law unto themselves. Card payments are accepted everywhere but utility bills usually are an exception. You could of course pay cash personally at the offices of Saur.

They will not accept any of the methods of payment you suggest. I advise telephoning the company to obtain their bank account details including their IBAN code. They may or may not co-operate. Then ask your bank in UK to send the money by direct transfer (SWIFT.)

Parking is generally very good at Bordeaux with I believe a special one for longish stays. From memory 2 weeks should cost no more than 20 euros. This costs was a year ago.

I have owned a 265GLE estate from new in 1882! Still runs as sweet as the day she was born. The problem you have is quite common. From time to time the distributor cap gets a hair line crack due to it's awkward position against the engine bulkhead. I think a 940 is similar. Humidity gets into the works and the engine lumpy. The crack is not easily visible to the naked eye. Replace the cap and your problem should be solved. I am on cap number 4.

Forum admin. Please delete these troll posters. It brings a serious forum into disrepute.

If he declares himself bankrupt the first step the court will demand is an asset list. He will have to list the French property and the value of his share. Failure to do so is a criminal offence. The court can if it thinks fit issue a seizure order on the property through the French courts. However, the court will take into account the size of the total debt and all the circumstances in which it arose. ie: recklessness, any dishonesty etc. If the court suspect your OH shifted assets abroad to escape his creditors they will be more inclined to act. Having said that the legal costs involved will be considerable and the court and creditors may take the view that it's not worth the candle. Especially if the debts were just bad business luck. I would say it is crucial you prove that it was your money which purchased the French property. That's the first thing a lawyer will ask you to do. You should be able to do it from your own bank records, money transfers etc. and from the Notaries records. If the debts are not substantial and unsecured and at a level of bad debt acceptance which most lenders have the Bank may just write it off after giving you some hassle. Your OH should come clean with his creditors and put his hands up. It may help him in the long run.

Life for wigblue in the UK seems deeply unsatisfying and not fulfilling potential for whatever reason. I wonder why France among all the countries of the world is the chosen place to try and find a more satisfying life. Perhaps its the possibility of buying a cheaper home. However remember houses are cheaper in rural France for a reason. The economy is depressed, incomes are low. The properties advertised as 'habitable' usually require either complete modernisation or at best updating substantially. This will be a major financial drain unless you can do all the work yourself. Even then materials are expensive and come with TVA at 19.6%. These old houses are expensive to heat and France has cold wet winters of 5 months. Rural France virtually shuts down for that time. There is practically no social life, long dark isolated evenings and I suspect wigblue will gratefully turn once more to the awfully telly. If you exclude mortgage repayments France costs the same to live as UK plus more for healthcare. Ask yourself if you will have sufficient income to sustain you and yours for at least 2 years from your own resources. It could well take that long to find work. These are some of the realities. I have lived in France over 20 years and would never now consider living anywhere else. However, having lived through all the problems I described can speak from experience. Believe us wigblue you face a tough time. I wish you lots of luck. You will certainly need it. 

You will always receive the current bank rate of the day with interbank transfers, not the tourist rates. I have never been charged to receive a euro credit transfer by La Poste. It's the forwarding bank that usually imposes a charge.

[quote]Our area of the Limousin is still good for the odd bargain - plenty in certain parts around your budget. Lots of young families are here and arriving. At my son's school there will be 10 english kid...[/quote] I would be most interested to know how these families you speak of are earning a living. In my part of 24 French people who have lived here all their lives cannot find work. Many are highly qualified and willing to do almost anything. Yet unless they are prepared to move away to the major population centers they remain unemployed many for years. The system here in France is simply not either business or employment friendly. The small rural towns and villages are in serious decline with businesses closing almost every week. I now have to drive 8km to buy a loaf of bread, unheard of a few years ago. Unless the government urgently implements sweeping reforms to their political and economic system this decline will only continue. Unemployment continues to rise because France is unable to compete in the modern world. The problem is that there is simply not the political will to change anything. There are to many vested interest groups with the power to stop it happening. Young people with young families do not have a future living in rural France unless it is one of subsistence living on benefits and handouts. You also cannot live from gites and growing vegetables alone. It is completely unrealistic. Even with a skill such as plumbing or building experience you will find it very difficult to get established and the social charges horrendous. Any other skill needs to be recognisable and qualified in France. My plea to anyone thinking of moving here without a sustainable income or fluency in the language is please don't. You face years of hardship and misery.

In recent months I have had this most dreadful feeling that France as a nation is in deep trouble both politically and socially. Loosing the 2012 games is just one more nail in a very big coffin. I hate to be so pessimistic about about a country I have made my home and have loved most of my life. The problem as I see it is that France is rather like an elderly relative or an old uncle who once had an interesting, prosperous and glorious past. Once young and vigorous he prospered despite severe set backs such as war, occupation and economic set backs and the humiliation of other relatives rescuing him from evil predators. The problem now for this relative is that the world has moved on, dynamic forces prevail and prosperity is to be found in new places. My relative is not so flexible because he believes in a social model of the previous century and has no incentive or inclination to change. The burden of this model is such a problem to him because to change it needs political courage and vision. The rest of his relatives see no reason to change because they can have a nice life from the burden he carries. My uncle does not want a fight he is old and happy to coast along towards the end of his days hoping for better times. An upstart young sprog distantly related called Tony Blair wants to turn this comfortable moribund existence upside down and upset the whole family. He says it's for the better, for the benefit of future generations. Our beloved uncle will have none of it. He knows what was good for him is good for everyone. After all my uncle reflects what does Tony know about cooking! No, my relative will stand fast whilst all around him declines until released from the burden he can shuffle off to his chateau in the Correze safe in the knowledge that he has held the line for his  grandfather Charles de Gaulle. God bless him.

                          Anthem for Doomed Youth.   What passing- bells for those who die as cattle?    Only the monstrous anger of the guns.    Only the stuttering rifles rapid rattle Can patter out their hasty orisons. No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells,    Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,- The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;    And bugles calling for them from sad shires.       What candles may be held to speed them all?    Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes Shall shine the holy glimmers of good-byes.    The pallor of girls brows shall be their pall; Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds, And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.   Wilfred Owen.  1893 – 1918.  

Siegfried Sassoon. 1886 - 1967. His other poetry from The First World War is worth reading.