Logan

At dawn the ridge emerges massed and dun In the wild purple of the glowring sun, Smouldering through spouts of drifting smoke that shround The menacing scarred slope; and one by one, Tanks creep and topple forward to the wire. The barrage roars and lifts. Then, clumsily bowed With bombs and guns and shovels and battle-gear, Men jostle and climb to meet the brisling fire. Lines of grey muttering faces, masked with fear, They leave their trenches, going over the top, While time ticks blank and busy on their wrists, And hope, with furtive eyes and grappling fists, Flounders in mud. O Jesus, make it stop!   Siegfried Sassoon 1816 - 1967.

I would be interested to know from where the quote, " And in that dust a richer dust concealed" originates.

The percentage of dogs who carry the parasitic worm referred to previously is very low. Most pet owners as I have said before annually give their dogs tablets as a preventative measure, not because they have the worm. It is the same with the annual injection against distemper, rabies etc. French dog owners do it as a matter of course to keep their documentation up to date. There are of course exceptions. Even farmers worm their cattle regularly so I assume they will also treat their dogs. Point is Russethouse the risk to children is relatively very low in real terms. I accept some people (especially the British) find dog excrement offensive. The last time I was in Britain I was surprised to see so many signs everywhere threatening prosecution and fines if your dog fouled in the street. Neighbours inform on neighbours and the dog***** police come around. This is not a joke this actually happens. Therefore I am not being disingenuous in saying the British have more of a problem with this subject than the French. If you think Russethouse that I inhabit a lofty perch perhaps you should consider climbing up there since it might give you clearer view. However strangely I find my feet are firmly rooted on the ground.

This threat of disease is a bit of a red herring although I accept the scientfic basis. Most responsible or even irresponsible dog owners worm their dogs annually. Once treated the infected dog no longer excreates the worm. To suggest all dog feces are a threat is misleading. It is also misleading to suggest most dogs carry the worms. Mine certainly don't and in the locale where I live I have not noticed other dogs with the problem. If you examine closely dog feces you can clearly see the thin white worm, rather like tiny noodles. Once excreated from the animal I believe the life of the worm is limited. 

I enjoy living in France for many reasons. One part of that is the relaxed attitude the French have to life in general. They have a system of priorities. A inherent philosophy of what is important and what is not. It's the way you live your life and your attitude to those around you which is important. I don't think the French think that dog poo is any more pleasant than Brits do. The difference is in their attitude to it and the scale of importance in the scheme of things. The Brits come to live in France because they sense a more tolerant and relaxed society. It's possible that tolerance comes with more personal space and the fact that folks don't live on top of each other. However once here they seem to want to impose their own cultural values and scales of importance. In shorthand there's a desire to make France more like Britain. This can of course never happen but the British it seems to me are in danger of trying to tear down the very thing they came to France to seek. This thread is about doggy poo but I suspect it's really about much more than that.

The best coverage of Le Tour is on Eurosport. I keep an old Pace analog box and dish just for the purpose because it's free to air. However it is also on Sky digital satellite if you pay a subscription. I hope David Duffield is commentating this year. Duffers rocks!

This aversion to merde by the Brits must have something to do with your victorian ancestors who built all those wonderful sewage systems in British cities. Excrement is something unspeakable and never to be seen. It belongs in some subterranean world where lies everything dark threatening and foreboding.  I would not recommend speaking to your neighbours about the subject unless you want to attract incredulious derision. It's true some French regard it as good luck. I remember as a child being told the same when I bird dumped on my shoulder. You could of course volunteer to clean the school playground every day and be regarded as an eccentric Brit who is slightly off her rocker. Otherwise, may I suggest you accept France as it is, merde and all.

It is a very British thing, worrying about excrement. The French have an altogether different view of it. It is considered a more natural thing to leave poo on the ground and allow nature to fertilise the earth, be it animal or human. They simply don't notice it and if they had it pointed out to them a gallic shrug would ensue. Cultural differences again. After all animal waste does have a beneficial role in the process of nature.  

Here is a tip which saves money. I do it often. Open a deposit account with La Poste. (Compte de Livret). Pay in sterling cheques by sending them to Bordeaux by post. (free envelope). Wait 3 weeks on average. You will find your account is credited in full without charge and at the commercial rates of the day. Simple. PS Don't tell everyone or they will change the rules!!

Southern Spain or the Algarve region of Portugal is the place to be for warm weather in the winter. Average temperature around 15C in January. There are many letting agents on the web based in UK. Try 'Owners Abroad' in your search engine. There are so many available properties to rent in the winter it's a buyers market.

I assume Royston is targeting his business at professional couples without kids who like to fish. I am an early retired professional without kids who travels at lot. My wife smokes and we have two well behaved healthy labradors whom we regard as family. My wife always smokes outside, even at home. Our dogs never smell, are very clean and have regular baths. We travel with transport which provides accomodation for our dogs. (People carrier). One of the joys of travelling in France is all hotels allow our dogs to stay both in the rooms and in public areas without any hassle. I also stay regulary in a hotel chain in Spain which allows dogs in the hotel. Unusual for Spain but increasingly common. I also rent villas in southern europe during the winter which allows for our dogs and my wife to smoke. The point I am making Royston is with your red lines you are choking off business and narrowing your market opportunity even further. There are oodles of nice places to stay in France where red lines don't exist.

I personally would never stay anywhere that said 'unsuitable for children, pets and smokers.' It sends a message of rigidity and unfriendliness. Add to that a ban on night fishing and it begins to sound like a reform school not a friendly holiday destination. Sorry but you did ask.

With only £55K for a property I suggest you try the Correze. Its a beautiful unspoilt region very quiet, very rural. 'France Profund' as Mr Chirac tells us. He should know he has a Chateau in the region. You will be able to find something needing work for that. Problem is if you need employment you have no hope. That is also true of most of France. Unless you have the business capital to set up an income stream do not come to France unless you have (a) skills the French want and will pay for or (b) a pension. Sorry to be brutal but its the way it is.

Travel also teaches you tolerance of others, less able than yourself and an understanding of the human condition and its weaknesses. With this broader understanding follows perhaps a realisation that rules, laws and beliefs are just there to to be broken, used or exploited. 

I do believe in some sensible speed limits where the prevailing road and environment conditions demand it. My point has always been that most of the speed limits in France have no sensible logic. (Built up/residential areas apart). The French do tend to drive fast but in my experience they are seldom reckless in general. I know there are always exceptions and I repeat I am generalising but contempt for the speed limits of France is a national sport. Why? Because the laws and restrictions are daft. I happen to believe that less government is good government. Why? Because most societies police/govern themselves.

[quote]Not questioning the law makers and blind deference to authority gave us Hitler and all his works. What rubbish!!! War reparations, high unemployment, hyperinflation, and general poverty and desper...[/quote] Oh dear Saligo Bay a history debate was not intended. Perhaps I should have used the word 'contributed' instead of 'gave'. But lets not indulge in semantics. Stupid and unnecessary laws like making it an offence to warn other motorists of speed traps ahead seem to me to have the hall marks of  overbearing and dictatorial government. The way the ordinary man can fight back in my opinion is make such silly laws unenforceable. Hunting in the UK is a recent example. I believe the majority of people are responsible drivers and use speed in a responsible way. To legislate with a heavy hand only provokes resentment and encouragement to circumvent such laws. Hence the flashing to warn of speed traps. One thing begets the other.

[quote]You will probably want to call me a hypocrite at the end of this because I do not always obey the speed limits. BUT, I do get annoyed by people who whinge about not being allowed to drive at the speed...[/quote] So we should defer to "the powers that be" for they know what's good for us and trust in authority for they are always right and to question that authority's motives in the laws they pass is nothing short of sedition for we live with others, so our rights to think and act independently are forfeit. I would ask what planet this contributor is living on. Not questioning the law makers and blind deference to authority gave us Hitler and all his works. All governments make stupid laws and its up to us the people to prevent them getting too big for their boots. "All it takes for evil to thrive is men of good will to do nothing". (can't remember who wrote it)    

Gross income is what you earn before any deductions and the figure you will declare to the French revenue each year in March for the previous tax year. As a resident you are obliged to declare your global income and will receive a tax bill in the following September based on that declaration.. 

[quote]I'd rather be relieved of my cash by a gendarme than be relieved of my life by some idiot overtaking on a bend at 90kph. Sorry, but anarchy on the roads is not my idea of fun. There are too many li...[/quote] What I find very irritating about modern life is the way governments attempt to take away personal responsibility from you. The majority of drivers including bikers know perfectly well their responsibilities and personal limits. There is of course a very small section of all societies who do not have any personal responsibilities and behave recklessly to the detriment of others. The rest of us have to pay a cost for their behaviour and our personal freedoms are restricted as a result. The daft thing is that the bad guys are never effected by laws they carry on regardless. The daft laws only effect those who are responsible and conform..... Here endeth the lesson!!

[quote]Could you please clarify - you say that contributions are 8 per cent of gross income, but if your income is very low does this still apply? Thanks.[/quote] I believe that if your income is below or at the threshold of the SMIC rate (income support) then you will receive 100% medical care costs from the state. This is the total costs of any medical care and not the mutuelle definition of 100% which is a different interpretation and very confusing. I have no idea what this income threshold currently is but I am sure it is very low and dependant on your financial and family circumstances. Like any means test it will involve masses of paperwork, form filling, sitting around in offices and grovelling to officials.

What are headlamp flashers fitted to cars for if not to warn other drivers of hazards ahead. A Policeman bent on relieving you of your hard earned cash and endorsing your licence is a hazard by any interpretation. The speed limits imposed in France are daft in many places just as they are in UK. Just more of the 'nanny knows best' brand of government.

If you both have a UK passport then you will be considered EU citizens and have a right of residence in any EU country. It is longer a requirement for EU citizens to apply for a residence permit. (Carte de Sejour). The previous posts are correct in that you will be obliged to register and contribute to the French health service and the cost is around 8% of your gross income. You will then receive the same benefits as French people and receive a state contribution to your costs of up to 70% generally and more under certain circumstances which are complex. You will then also have the opportunity to take out a top up mutuelle or  cover with a commercial insurer. This debate has been recently discussed on the forum. I personally believe that mutuelles are not good value for money and commercial insurers offer a better product for hospital top up costs. The remaining costs such as 30% of pharmacy and other none hospital care can be funded by yourself comparatively economically.

As none EU citizens you will first need to apply for permission to live in France before you can enter the French medical system. This can be done at the Prefecture of the Department where you intend to settle. You will need to provide evidence that you can support yourselves comfortably. You will be taking an enormous financial risk if you don't have any hospital insurance. The rest you can finance yourself without bankruptcy but it still ain't cheap. I would advise some sort of external private medical insurance contract with european cover.

I think you are being slightly disingenuous in linking my previous discussions of French hypochondria to folks wanting extended mutuelle cover. I am simply pointing out that a mutuelle is not an inevitable or required cost to living in France. There are alternatives and the availability of choice for many Brits coming to live in France is not always publicised. If people require a 'feel good factor' or as you describe it "peace of mind" then fine. Pays yer money, takes yer choice.

Peter. We seem to occupy almost common ground on this subject. However I disagree that the differences are not that great between a commercial insurer and the mutuelles. As a matter of interest the difference in financial terms between an average mutuelle and my current hospital only full costs contract is about 850 euros per year. That difference will go a long way in financing my average 30% personal costs for out patient care. Examples: Laboratory blood tests costs about 75 euros and 70% refunded - cost to me is 22.50 euros. Visit to doctor cost 20 euros and 70% refunded - cost to me 6 euros. Specialist heart consultant cost 30 euros and 70% refunded -  cost to me 9 euros. I could go on. Total cost to me 37.50. Even if I was doing this every month of the year, (which I am most certainly not) I would be still 400 euros a year better off. I occasionally go to the pharmacy and generally strike out three quarters of the drugs the doctor will prescribe. Its not that I think I know more than the doctor, I don't, its just that I apply a little common sense and logic and not blind deference to medicos. When you are paying some of the costs yourself there is a motive to question a little more. I often wonder if the real reason the French overburden their system is because they feel they are getting something for their monthly mutuelle payment and it makes them feel better to have cupboards stacked to the gunnels with drugs.