Keni

on the same vein - how about one for the Haute Vienne - does one exist? Thanks  

We have just had to purchase another bottle for the cooker - it was around 24 euros and has lasted a year - we are only over a few weeks a year at present. We also have another bottle in the kitchen - this heats our gas water heater, so that's two bottles in the kitchen! The water heater had to be replaced as it was too old - our plumber neighbour turned it off and would not let us light it as he aid it was 'explosive'! It cost around 500 euros to refit a new one, including digging through a metre thick wall twice to lay a vent tube to the outside world. The system is eay, but having had caravans and a camper you get used to the gas bottle idea. keni

on a friendly note -The last time I went to my Uk surgery i had to have another blood test - the medical insuranc guys were still trying to convince themselves i was alive - however i returned from that surgery with four nice plump partidges. Usually I leave with medicine or my daughters' epilepsy medication, it's not often ne gets given something from the receptionist ... keni

Sorry if i have caused confusion the reason I originally asked the question is because here in the Uk I am self-employed, but hubby is thinking along the lines of an early retirement. At that point we will retire (?) to France permanently, health and powers that be, willing. So I was asking about the E106 along the lines of yes, I would be permanent in France, having been self employed in the Uk. Hubby and I would be in our 50's and we are simply trying to do our homework first. Sorry if I have got you all stroppy, but I only asked what I thought was a simple question. Keni

Sorry if I have not read this thread correctly, and I am sure this has been covered before but if you have a 106 do you still have to pay to the French health service and/or have an insurance top up? I am self employed (female) and the OH has worked so far for 33 years from the same company (how I don't know). We are trying to work out from this thread if I can get five years and can he be my dependant? Then would he get the five years as well? Keni Keni & Chris  

Hi, Sorry, don't recognise the modern ones- what is it - it looks about what I might like to get again , just to ease me back into the saddle! Last one I had was a GPZ 550 - hubby bent that when I was pregnant some time ago, but being sensible am looking for a smaller one to the CB1100R I had to get back into the habit in France. Keni

Just to let you know we went on the site you recommended and we have just had out quote - the base level is around a thousand euros for  us both a year - that is for the hospital plan, then it goes up a bit (!) at a time for doctors' visits and other stages of the plan. I must say I think it is higher than we realised - although it is only one quote from one company. We will continue contacting insurance companies to see what they say. We though it would be around 50e a month for the two of us, but it is higher ! Keni & Chris

I know the feeling as I have said before, if it gives my OH and I some time together before we pop our clogs and that time is spent doing a little of what we want, albeit skint, then I will be happy. good luck to you - at present we are in Worcs. hoping to relocate some time to the Haute Vienne, but until then we keep an eye on this forum to remind us how life can be. Keni & Chris

Thank you Dogwood - I have no problem re height as I am still around five nine - but as the OH says, i have the strength of a junior aspirin. We were looking at maybe buying over here - but am I correct in saying it would be better to purchase in France or does anyone know if it is cheaper in the UK? Personally i would prefer a Harley, but that is being greedy.. Keni & Chris

In talking to them they meet most Sat's outside the restaurant at the top in the parking area and take a ride out from there, depending on who turns up..., They usually unfurl a small banner to advertise themselves and T-shirt wearing is usually in operation. Keni & Chris

Looking at your page three as I was, what about birds - do blokes like birds with their own choppers - no don't go there.... If anyone is in the Rochechouart area, there is a group meeting in the centre on Sat-'s Moto Bapteme? Just in case anyone is looking. Keni & Chris

In my yoof as a RAC/ACU instructor and laterly an BMF one, i had a CB1100, too big for city driving and as female with shaped upholstery, tank and riding position was crap. Now in my more sedate ? years we are thinking when we get over there of a Bonneville. Does anyone know what the latest models are like to handle? Obviously we'll upgrade slowly, but haven't seen many Triumphs over in the Charente/Haute Vienne area. Any help please? Keni & Chris

Now this could be really political. As a Londoner relocated at present to Worcs., we are in the middle of the so-called fruit basket of the Uk (apt sometimes that title), however around here everyone is losing jobs to - you guessed it - to those moving to the Uk to work the land - we have a rash of Polish, Lithuanian, Ukrainian cars and people here, all coming in to work on the salad packing places. They never integrate, mix only with themselves and do not spend anywhere, (apart from that very large supermarket chain in the newspapers, 'cos they have brought in a load of Polish foodstuffs). Our younger people here can not afford to purchase homes, because the likes of the upper class have all purchased second homes, pushing up the prices. The strangest thing I have heard recently, talking to one of our real gipsy families is that they have been hard pressed to find agricultural work, because of all the immigrants - this family are a hard-working bunch as well! So if they can not find work, then times must be hard. Now where have we heard that before? On another note do not come anywhere near Winchcombe in the Cotswolds this weekend as Liz Hurley is getting married and they are closing the town roads to allow the like of Elton & Posh to be able to come in to the town without any problems - forget the businesses trying to survive, or the people who are living there every day. It must be great to have money! Oh well, another day heading towards paradise. Keni

Sorry if I have seemingly started off another thread - unfortunately my thoughts of school compared to most are very different. I was in boarding school from the age of four, to sixteen, as my parents were working to keep me clothed. Unfortunately my father died when I was six and if it hadn't been for the freemasons, my education would have been very poor. As it is, I regard myself as having a first-rate education and compare my experiences to those of my friends' daughters. They fitted into the French system fairly quickly. They got extra tuition as needed to help them. They are not cripples from heavy book-carrying, they have a wide social section of friends who do not spit and swear in front of adults - especially when walking down a street in front of you (no I am not a misery, I just hate walking in spit and listening to words I know and wish the kids could read something to broaden their language, even if they could extend their range of swear words would be a start). My friends daughters are now in the state college system, the one learning languages is learning Japanese as one of her chosen languages, whilst the other is doing beauty therapy. Both prefer France to England and both admit their freedom is greater than living here in rural England. I see the problems the local schools are having daily and I would admit that if we could have moved quite a few years ago, I would have done so to help my daughter. The French in my friends' area help the newcomers and extra classes are available to all. Sorry if some of you are not getting this, but after my experiences, an early bus is far more welcome than not seeing your parents for twelve weeks!! I understand why it had to be like that for me, and the eduation was the best thing I got, but giving your children a better life is what we are seeking - what I do not agree with though is those who I know and have met, who have moved with their children about to start year 10 - the year they start forming the GCSE plans, the children are too old at that point to fit in and can not learn the language quick enough to qualify in France. Better then - say from age 12/13 to let the children stay in England with family, rather than the upheaval, simply to satisfy a parents' urge to move. Keni & Chris

Working on the same idea - but asking a question of a different ilk, can anyone give us a rough idea of what the costs would be for the insurance top-up fees that we should have. You are talking about two fairly healthy fifty-somethings living on a budget. Are there a scale of fees that the insurance companies apply? We are just trying to budget costs for the future and the two items we seem to have a stumbling block are with what our health costs could be and believe it or no,what our car insurance would be  - but that's another story. Is there a website where we could get rough information about the top-up insurance we are meant to get? Many thanks Keni & Chris

So I should just pull the wire a bit quicker then to stop the spark? No, turning the dial on the top either makes it blow colder or warmer. There is actually no other control on this fan heater! And it is placed a metre or so away from the shower and sink, on a wall with no water connections.  

I know that when our friends moved to the Charente, they had just started middle school - Worcs. We have a 3-tier schooling system here. Anyway, the two girls are eighteen months apart but were put together as their French was basic! They found the system a shock at first as the schooling was strict - blackboard erasers were still thrown by teachers, and they had to eat the food put in front of them - the food was different, but a three course meal every day, was good. Although they were held back a year, this helped them, they are now more French than English - six years later. The elder is at college in Limoges, whilst the younger at Language college in Angouleme. Don't worry about the system, just get them into the nearest school to mix with their friends - hopefully local, and they will amaze you. Most of the British children I have met, now grown up, are part of the French culture and are far more educated than ours over here. I find their French friends are more mannered, as are the girls.They even took their moped tests in school to make sure they were capable! I believe integration is important, if you are moving to France, they should be part of the local group. I know the school buses can be early and drop them off late, but the benefits are there for all to see - especially in the Charente/Limousin ares. Enjoy it - and make sure they pass on their French homework to you!  

I am finding this one interesting as our bathroom heater - a convector - is just placed (hooked) on the wall and operates simply by plugging into a socket on the wall. There is a low to high setting, but no on or off. Some times when you unplug it, there is a small spark, but I find this seems normal in French homes. Is that correct? Keni & Chris

Not being an expert and still one of those waiting in the queue, like you, my wish would have been born, or had the ability to have a bit more cash so we could have made the move four years ago, but life's not like that. What area are you moving to? What work will you be lucky enough to find? Our area is so rural that there is not enough work really for the French, so I don't think they are too enamoured of the British invasion. I know I had recourse to point out to a French gentleman who was being rude in front of our insurance expert about us - the remark was, we have to be nice because of the entente cordial. My reply, thankfully in French, was, sorry Monsieur, I am Scottish, not English by my family, so I am afraid I have always adhered to the auld alliance. Monsieur L'Expert chuckled quite a bit at that one. But it made me see that not all the locals are too enamoured of us. Good luck though - please let us know about your plans. Keni (female) & Chris    

I know the village in France said in 2005 that it was the last Mechquie (can't spell that one pronounced mechwe), as all the old comrades were too old now - but that did not stop them holding another one in 2006! The New Year do in the Poly Salle was going on all night - I know that Montbron have some great 'dos' (is that a do + s' or do+'s?), and around our area fiddles, accordions and more go well. If you are in Upton on Severn in the UK around July they have the Jazz event but I think the Folk and Ceileidh weekend is before that - loads of fiddles there - all the music type as well!  

Love the pics D & O, when you are ready we have a small place that needs a lot doing to it - when you are not busy of course.....

Around the areas we have been, the Charente and Haute Vienne, there seems to be a lot of live music - both in the market squares and in the village halls. We have attended Halloween Parties, live bands, general parties - mostly French hosted, and all seems to be swinging. And, then winter hits. Time stands still it appears from early January to March/April, and off it goes again. I seem to attend more social dos' in France that England, and they seem to involve the whole area - not just a small group. I too remember the Barley Mow - also many others around Wimbledon through to Chertsey -I think I remember seeing the Wild Angels in Richmond once, and I know I just had Torque palying at our daughters' 18th last week - still deaf from that though. Keni (female)

I have been following the 15 pages or so, as usual. I know I have 'spoken' with many of you in the pst about various things.   We are still working out how we get to France permanently. We have the plans, which we are slowly putting together - why do we want to move because we have friends - English & french in France. We have the chance to have a bit of land, have some chickens, bees - honey - grow some vegetables and I hope that this will give my hubby a better life. After thirty odd years of working on the railway all he's looking at, for the present,  is a short retirement before death. I would like us to go for long walks, watch the logs in the fire, and all the other idylic things we dream of. Surely that is not too much to ask before we pop our clogs? Yes, the weather can be crap - as it is here today in England, people can be rude - yes, we have that here in England too, but whether it's France, Spain or whereever, I think we are all moving to France to have time together with our family. That to me is the main thing you all talk about - the OH and family. These threads from you all in France keep our spirits going when we can not be there,even if we fail and don't get there, we just want to be able to say we tried. Keep up the help and information, Keni & Chris

As I am either very dense, or just tired (both probably), can anyone actually explain in a paragraph how the changes will be implemented and how they will affect someone like me thinking about setting up a small perhaps part-time business across the water? Thanks to Cassis et al, I have sussed out the high social charges, does this mean they are coming down, and will it actually mean I have a small glimmer of starting up a business in France.  Thanks, Keni

Can anyone therefore tell us why second hand cars are so expensive in France - or so it appears to us. We have looked around the Charente/Dordogne and Limousin areas and it does seem that cars are very much more expensive than here in the UK. We have at present a Nissas Primera, whiich if i wanted to 'become French', I am told would take forever, being a British made (Sunderland) car. By the time I had tracked down all the necessary stuff it would be too old. We are therefore looking for either in the UK or france a second-hand small white van (well everyone else has one) or hatchback, but for an old model runabout as it were, prices seem really high.   Keni (female)