Joanne

We moved to France last November with 3 daughters aged (at the time) 13, 10 & 9.  I think the 13 year old (now 14 born in 91) was the most nervous as the younger 2 are in a class together at the local school.  She attends a private college and generally has settled in very well.  Her french is now far better than her sisters but it has been a "sink or swim" situation.  Although most of the teachers were very nice to her and she was allowed to sit next to an English girl for the first couple of months (to translate) she was given a lot of hard homework from the first day and expected to sit examinations along with her french classmates.  A couple of the teachers have been very hard on her and continue to scream and shout until she is in tears, I think because she attended a rough senior school in the UK she is used to teachers losing their cool a fair bit.  She doesn't need any prompting to do her homework and she is happy to get up in the morning and go to school and always comes home in a good mood (none of which was usual in the UK) For us at the moment I would say the move has been easier than I expected for the children, but I can see how easily it might not have worked out (if that makes sense).  If she had more teachers that were very hard on her or if there were no english girls her age etc etc. Also because there were so many problems in her last school in the UK ( a girl in her year headbutted the headteacher and kicked him in the unmentionables just beacuse she wanted to get past!!) we know had we left her in that school her studies would have continued to suffer. What I'm really trying to say is because each child has different circumstances its very hard to predict if they will cope or not.  Anyway I hope it all works out for you.

As it looks like we are now finally on our way to France (fingers crossed) I am now allowing myself to think about the work that needs doing in the house.  We will need heating and a new kitchen and were thinking about an Aga etc to do both.  Does anyone have any tips on buying/installing etc? We wondered if it was better to buy here and have delivered in France or perhaps if they are all the rage over there and easy to get.  We would like one that allows water to be heated in the summer months without the heat escaping into the room as we will be living quite a long way south.  Anyway I'd be grateful for any advice at all as my kmowledge of range cookers wouldn't even fill a postage stamp!

We have just been told there is another delay on our property.  This time they are waiting for paperwork from another notaire stating there are no objections to the property being sold.  We started the buying process on this property in April and had originally had a completion date of 31st August.  Has anyone else had problems with this sort of thing? Shouldn't this have been sorted out months ago? I'm now pulling my hair out having told our landlord, childrens schools etc that we were leaving weeks ago.  We've even had our leaving party!!!!

Thanks for suggestions.  In the end we went for an "Allo Allo" theme, with an invite to "Cafe Rene" for the members of the resistance to say goodbye to Rene and Yvette! Lots of French maps and pictures up, red white and blue balloons, bunting etc and a huge inflatable bottle of champagne.  I (and many others) had far far too much to drink and we had loads of food left over so it was fairly usual for one of our parties!

Having hopefully sorted out the legal requirements to take out 4 cats to France (see last post) I'm now stuck on the practicalities.  As we are moving a long way south we would prefer to stop overnight halfway (as our removals man is going to do).  Has anybody done this with their animals? I've seen dogs in Etaps but then thats not quite the same as 4 cats!

Spoke to DEFRA yesterday they've said the rules change on October 1st.  As we are hoping to leave on 27th Sept we have the choice of the pet passport or getting the forms for the vet to sign saying the cats are fit to travel.  After 1/10 there will be no choice, passport only but they wont need to be seen by the vet prior to travel and providing they are chipped and have the rabies shot they dont need any other treatments (worming fleas etc).  Just thought I'd mention it.

Not sure if im posting this on the right section but I was wondering if any ex pats had a leaving party and could offer some suggestions.  Obviously we will be having a French theme but are stuck for ideas for food/decorations/fancy dress etc.  I think my husband would prefer a Moulin Rouge theme!

Does anyone have any experience of moving with an existing medical problem?  My daughter is registered disabled and has regular repeat prescriptions, hospital visits etc.  As my husband will still be working and paying tax in Britain im unsure what we do about her medical needs.  Do we continue to visit hospitals in Britain at least in the short term and take a few months supply of drugs with us? I'd be very grateful for any ideas!

Does anyone have any details of Alex or can suggest any removal companies for a move from Surrey to Gers? thanks

We are leaving for France (hopefully) in about a month. Asked the vet for advice re our 4 cats he said speak to Defra. They have said we only need microchipping and rabies vacinations. No other treatment required, no up to date yearly vacinations and no flea or worm treatments and no certificate to travel??? Does this sound right? seems a bit easy to me!!

We are moving to the Gers soon (hopefully!) after 3 property hunting trips. Everytime we go back it feels more like home and we see more that we like (if that makes sense). I am also looking for information on schools (primary and senior) does anyone have any experience of the schools in Condom and Lectoure? Good luck with your property search!

We are staying in France on yet another property finding trip at Easter and have booked with Gites de France. Does anyone know who lets with them or have used them if bedlinen is provided. I've had a look on the site but just cant seem to see anything! Thanks

Ive been reading the posts on buying and financing a gite business (some of them posted in the finance section). We are looking to buy a house in France (isn't everyone?!) and to eventually have a gite or two for family and friends to stay. As we might want to rent them out in the future I was wondering what would be considered a "bad area" We have seen a property we like but it is about 7km from a sensible sized village. Would that be too far? do most people prefer to be able to walk to a restaurant etc? would be grateful for any comments/advice

Having finally decided on an area to live we are looking for a senior school with an International section. Does anyone know of any in the southern part of Charente?