Jude

Russethouse, you are obviously very fortunate to live in an area which has got a good NHS service, not to mention how fortunate you are in being able to see an NHS dentist. Where we moved out from, the N.E of UK, it was just about impossible to find even a private dentist who would take you on. I also question the waste of public money in chauffering around doctors who are on call, why can't they drive themselves? Do you actually believe Russethouse, that this is public money put to good use??? Generally speaking, the NHS services in the UK have certainly deteriorated in the last 20 years at least. Standards have dropped. However I do acknowledge that belated efforts have and are being made to improve things, but not before many hundreds of people have suffered. You are obviously one of few lucky ones Russethouse, sadly there are many parts of the UK that are not so blessed, so perhaps you should take that into consideration whilst being so pleased with your own situation. Jude

Ron A. I agree with you. I have been following this thread with interest. I too would like to know how long some of the posters on this forum who support the UK health system have been living outside of the UK? Too long I feel, as they don't seem to have a real picture of the way things are at all. I am relatively new to France, well, nearly a year here. So still quite well informed with how things are in the UK concerning the National Health system. Mostly very bad actually, of course if you really try hard you can always find a good example! Standards of cleanliness have fallen hugely, it doesn't seem to count anymore if there is blood spattered onto the public telephone in A&E, or filthy toilets, or unmentionable dirt under patients beds, or an old lady wanting to go to the toilet is ignored, but finally dragged there and left by an impatient immigrant male nurse. These are just things I have encountered. You can quote all the numbers you like re wages etc., but 'nursing' in the UK is not what it used to be. Jude

Missyesbut, thanks so much for that suggestion, I will have a look for Prunogel, sounds like very good stuff. Jude

Thank you all very much for helpful suggestions. I will go and look for the squares of fruit roughage which sound like a similar sort of thing. And probably works the same way. Fybogel is made from Isphagula husks which I guess is nut shells! and is very good if one suffers from IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). Jude

Please does anyone know if Fybogel (or Senokot hi-fibre orange drink as it is now known) is available in France, or is there an equivalent under a different name available from French pharmacies? Jude

tourangelle, I don't think there was a 'misunderstanding' at the beginning, iceni or john whatever did suggest that cats, kittens should be obliterated or eaten by the starving masses (actually Johny, dogs are eaten in the Far East, does that please you perhaps??) Get real tourangelle, Johny was being a little obnoxious - at least as far as us cat people are concerned. I wasn't 'squabbling' - having only posted one reply is hardly that tourangelle, is it? This is a Forum, where we can say what we think, (as long as we are not swearing or being racist) and I think iceni or Johny whichever, was being rather disgusting - as I place my cats standing in the world on a level to people like him and they have as much right to exist as he does, and he is obviously a clever chap (I did peep at his business site) so why does he despise cats so much - is he scared of them maybe? I find his statement rather extreme and unpleasant and think he should take it back.

Iceni or John, whichever - I find your attitude very sad - who are you trying to impress. How can you suggest that cats, kittens should be obliterated - they are all Gods creatures and have as much right on this planet as small minded bigots like you. I have four cats and find them much better company than most humans I know (and some I don't want to know). Tiffany - I am with you on this, think you are very good to try to rehome these little animals. Agree with you about pompous Brits, there are lots of them around. Best wishes to you in the work you do. from Jude

We moved out to Normandy last September, and we find, generally speaking, that life is cheaper here, at least concerning what you spend each week in the supermarket, cost of wine (if you drink plenty like we do), fruit and veg. are a lot cheaper (generally), at first I used to keep my supermarket receipts and work out what my weekly shop would have cost me in the UK, and it always worked out at about 1/3 more expensive had I bought the same stuff in England. Plus there is not that difficulty in trying to find £110 approx per month as in the UK, to pay expensive council tax, as here in France it is much cheaper, a once a year payment of less than a 1/4 of what we payed in the north of UK. Like people have mentioned, we find that our most expensive item during our first winter in France has been heating costs, we have two wood burning stoves and I think these have been quite expensive to run. Apart from that, it really depends upon your life style. If you want to have a big social whirl, entertain a lot, and eat out often then it will work out expensive, but if you are happy just to be in France, living a very nice laid back existence (after you have finished renovating your house that is) - and just eating out perhaps once or twice a month, then you can live cheaper in France that in the UK. Plus the quality of life in France is much better than in the UK anyhow and thats worth a lot! Good luck to you anyhow, but the best way to find out is to take the plunge and come out here.

Thanks everyone for replies, good idea re asking gite owner, will try that. Nick, regarding stuffed cats, if you go to the But furniture shop in St. Lo, there are lots of what look like real cats that have been stuffed, used as decoration on beds, chairs etc., they even sell them!! I would rather have the real thing, I have three cats, though one has been nearly stuffed several times especially when she puked up into one of my slippers!

Does anyone know if it is possible to hire a cot for a few days. My two grandchildren are visiting over Christmas and one is still cot size. I am in the St. Lo/Vire area. Any info will be gratefully received. Judy

Thanks for useful replies, thats a good idea to leave stumps as part of fencing or to grow climbing plants on. The three pine trees in question are standing on a sloping garden, so I guess we need to leave the roots in anyway to support the slope if necessary. The garden is very overgrown and removing the three trees is just beginning of lots of work! it is a terraced layout which has been neglected so we are also thinking of putting decking on a couple of the terraces to level the areas out, as one slopes so much I almost somersaulted into the chicken run the other day!

Anyone know of someone experienced in chopping down trees in Vire region? We have three pine trees which are spoiling view and taking up lots of garden space - any advice gratefully received. Jude