Llantony

Now how on earth did that happen?  I swear I only clicked 'send' once. Anyway, just noticed that when I said we can go a week later, of course I meant we can't!

Help!  I've just found out Brum airport may be closed on several days end November - January.  Of course Boxing Day, which we have booked for via Flybe, is one of them.  So anyone planning to fly from Brum, or who has visitors planning to, should be a little concerned. Does anyone know what would happen if we couldn't fly due to this?  Cheapie (supposedly) airlines usually have a no money back clause in their small print. Obviously if we can't fly there, we can't use the return flight either (though Jan 1st isn't one of the days of possibly closure) As OH is a teacher, we can fly a week later.

Help!  I've just found out Brum airport may be closed on several days end November - January.  Of course Boxing Day, which we have booked for via Flybe, is one of them.  So anyone planning to fly from Brum, or who has visitors planning to, should be a little concerned. Does anyone know what would happen if we couldn't fly due to this?  Cheapie (supposedly) airlines usually have a no money back clause in their small print. Obviously if we can't fly there, we can't use the return flight either (though Jan 1st isn't one of the days of possibly closure) As OH is a teacher, we can fly a week later.

Help!  I've just found out Brum airport may be closed on several days end November - January.  Of course Boxing Day, which we have booked for via Flybe, is one of them.  So anyone planning to fly from Brum, or who has visitors planning to, should be a little concerned. Does anyone know what would happen if we couldn't fly due to this?  Cheapie (supposedly) airlines usually have a no money back clause in their small print. Obviously if we can't fly there, we can't use the return flight either (though Jan 1st isn't one of the days of possibly closure) As OH is a teacher, we can fly a week later.

[quote]Can anyone in the Toulouse area help? We are hoping to relocate to southern France in Summer 2006. We had hoped to be in the Herault (34) an area that we know quite well during all seasons, but cann...[/quote] I believe Toulouse is one of the warmest areas in France in the summer - heat seems to build up on that huge flat plain.  But in the winter it can be damp. We went once in Feb and it was cold and very damp but that was just one day. I don't think anywhere in France is warm and dry in the winter! Our house is about 60 miles N W of Toulouse and there are some pleasant hilly areas.   

[quote]And that's something to be proud of is it? Do we really need to know, I don't wish you any harm but can't you just live quietly and let us all carry on in our normal 'straight' world. This will prob...[/quote] And what if your grandchildren turn out to be gay, as any child could?  Will you reject them and tell them they aren't normal as they have a genetic defect?

[quote]We live in Charente but are planning a short getaway for the end of this month/beginning of October, to take in places like Agen, Toulouse, Montauban etc. Are there any "must sees" or upcoming unmiss...[/quote] A bit further afield: The Goufre de Padirac - big hole in ground and you go on boats through underground caves.  St Cirq Lapopie - v pretty, Rocamadour. Albi - stunning cathedral.  TheTarn bridge at Millau is stunning and very big.  Then go on the the vulture centre in the Gorge de la Jonte. Moissac itself has only the  cloisters.  Auvillar very attractive.  Puy l'Eveque is pretty.  Lauzerte nice for a quick visit.  The museum of hearses etc. nr Caze Mondenard is hilarious. Have a good time!  

[quote]I have been booking flights from toulouse to the south UK and back in August and have finally settled for BA toulouse-gatwick-toulouse, which are substantially cheaper than either Flybe(bristol) or Ea...[/quote] We were most disappointed when BMI Baby stopped flying East Midlands - Toulouse.  We are stuck with school holidays and last spring bank hol. found BA cheapest - but still dear!  However, the nightmare traffic on the M25 made us swear never to use Gatwick again, even tho we have friends nearby where we can leave the car and save parking charges. The extra travel and parking charges (friends dropped us at E Mids so no charges) make all trips more expensive for us.  Next time it will be Flybe from Brum to Bergerac.  Easter we'll go for 2 weeks and take the car on the £50 return.  It costs in petrol, but hiring a car for 2 weeks would be much more. Do let me know if you hear of any cheap(ish) flights to Toulouse or Bergerac! Maz

[quote]When we came her in december last year my mothers sister and her new husband came to visit and went on there own to the local bar when they left the other customers started shouting "cuckoo" to them a...[/quote] A French friend's emails start 'coucou' and I assumed this to mean an affectionat 'hi', a bit like cooee! when you pop into someone's house. Just goes to warn us all to check we know what was meant before we take offence at something said!

[quote]Cultural things, that is, at any level you choose to understand it. Apart from eating and drinking, of course! What do you do that is very French, that you really couldn't do in the UK? Watch b...[/quote] Just realised that none of my list is cultural!  Did go to a village fete, very entertaining, cultural in the broad sense, also open air Shakespeare in the village square (Hampstead Players) art exhibitions in the Hotel de Ville and concert in church - 5 minutes walk away.  Vide greniers, Emauss & brocantes?

[quote]Cultural things, that is, at any level you choose to understand it. Apart from eating and drinking, of course! What do you do that is very French, that you really couldn't do in the UK? Watch b...[/quote] Eat fresh melons & peaches, picked this morning.  Browse markets where people sell produce they actually produce themselves.  Go to a truffle market.  Yes, alright, buy much cheaper wine and therefore drink more of it but not to excess. Watch tourists go past our window.  Help paralytic neighbour home, be kept awake by neighbours on all night drinking binge, have to ask young neighbour to turn down club level hifi music (with window open) in little street (in UK live in leafy suburb & not had these problems).  On the plus side: be given a bottle of champagne by a neighbour who's nephew produces it, melons from another who's brother has a farm, wood from another. Sit out on our terrace (made with huge effort as only accessed by 32 steps up beside the house) admiring the view and waiting for the first star & bat (very little light pollution).  In the daytime watching lizards, evening looking for Douglas the toad. Say hello to everyone we pass in the street and to other customers in local shops.  Eating outside a cafe in October and in February.  No traffic jams unless we go to a big town.  Being kissed in greeting by estate agent when we arrive to sign the acte de vente. Must be loads more...

[quote]I know nice people and nice places in both countries. I couldn't say one was 'nicer' than the other, they are different that is all. My very very old aunt spoke to me on the phone the other day and s...[/quote] Does that mean you come from the East Midlands Teamed Up?  We hoping to move in the opposite direction next year - but I'm wary of 'burning our boats' so we could never afford to return.  I'm just saying we'll try it for a year or 2.

[quote]Hi, I'm in the process of registering a 1995 Mk I Renault Cleo - well that's not going to have an 'E' number, is it, But I'm also re-plating a 1998 Citroen Relay van (which would be a 'Jumper' over h...[/quote] I had an idea the VIN (vehicle identification number?) was on the engine or somewhere inaccessible to make it hard to sell on stolen cars by just changing number plates.  May be completely wrong of course!

[quote]If parking is scarce in your bastide then the garage will probably sell anyway. What you have to ask yourselves is "if the garage had been put on the market at 1,000€ more than it was, would you still...[/quote] Yes, I think we may buy anyway as there won't be another - and if we come to sell the house a garage would be a big plus.  The seller won't reduce the price tho and we'll have to get a loan for it. A bit worried as have heard nothing for quite a while, the notaire said he'd send a copy of the report and the termite man said he'd get a specialist termite treater to fax an estimate.  Nothing.  They don't answer emails either!    

[quote]I assume you mean outdoor ceramic tiles. If so as long as your concrete pad is level tiles are much easier than slabs (and cheaper). I would recommend buying good quality tile adhesive (on the back of...[/quote] Thanks for such a helpful response.  It would be easier if the terrace area were nice and square;  it is probably abour 40sq m.m I thought concrete slabs were cheaper!  Tiles come in a range of prices from very cheap (and quite thin) to rather expensive.  We were hoping it won't be horrendously expensive..

We are hoping to tile our terrace this summer.  It will be a difficult job as the only access is up 32 narrow steps.  We thought tiles would be more attractive (and easier to carry) than big concrete slabs.  Wondering whether we can manage it ourselves or have to get a professional.  (Other half does most DIY work with me as builder's labourer.) Any advice?  He swears he's never seen grouting on sale in France but we have floor & wall tiles in the house so it must exist!  Mastic in French? B & Q man said we'd have to set tiles in concrete.  (My heart sank as last summer's job was the concreting and that was the hardest I've ever worked - carting buckets of sand and gravel up those steps!)  French friend says not necessary - just dot cement and stick them on the concrete terrace.   

[quote]We found a superb house that was just what we wanted - except for the termites. Vendor would not treat the infestation nor accept an offer. Total cost was some £700 for the treatment and a further £15...[/quote] 'Forget that house' I don't think you read my post - it's not a house, it's a garage and we're very unlikely to find another one in a hill village with very few garages and limited parking.

We are hoping to buy a garage (parking in our bastide village is v scarce).  The notaire tells me there are traces of the passage of termites in the beams/floor. It would not be too worrying - but the car would go upstairs (very steep our village) with storage below.  So the floor needs to be pretty strong. I phoned the termite inspector who says we should get someone to treat the wood and it will last 10 years.  He said it may cost 10,000francs!   Is this about £700?  Seems a lot and the seller won't reduce the price or get the treatment done. Any thoughts?  

[quote]So Living France Mag and his competitors (French property news for instance) seems to be the right places for your friend to advertise on his own. Lot of my clients has found their properties by this ...[/quote] Slight side issue: sometimes books/articles suggest going to a notaire rather than an estate agent.  Do they also charge commission?  Is it less than estate agents?  Why would sellers use a notaire as they don't pay the commission anyway - the buyer does? I know you can't legally buy without a notaire and he will naturally charge fees as well as collect the required tax from you.  

[quote]Dear All,I have an opportunity of Working in Nice, France, can anybody give me an idea of the typical monthly expenses including everything for a family of two assuming that the living is done a trifl...[/quote] Perhaps you could look at a map - Nice is in the south east so it isn't much use posting a message in the South West section. Having said that, I believe Nice is in the most expensive area (outside Paris) so I hope the job pays well! Good luck if you take it.

Slightly off topic, but there is the problem of some places, particularly petrol stations, not accepting UK credit cards in card paying pumps.  We were travelling in the south, needing petrol after 12 noon.  Supermarkets were closed for 2-3 hours but advertised 24 hour petrol - not for people with British credit cards!  Most frustrating as the small garages were all closed for lunch too.

[quote]I certainly intend to get a job first, but I only want to move the family to France if it's going to improve our standard of living. If we're not going to be able to get a bigger property than we hav...[/quote] You won't get a lower cost of living, most people think it's about the same, electricity and water being more expensive. Do you love France?  Do you speak fluent French?  Otherwise unlikely to get a job, and many jobs are lower paid than in the UK.  Even with French, chances of getting a job in the countryside are low, unemployment high.  Perhaps a small town?  Good luck if you decide to try, but remember if UK house prices take another leap you might not be able to afford to move back.

[quote]Same here, it was no problem when leaving the UK to change most financial things to an address abroad. We did have one credit card that said they'd need the balance at zero to do it, and a store card...[/quote] The problem for people who haven't got/dont want to bother family members is whether banks will send new cards to foreign addresses. I was planning to keep Smile because it's easy to bank online, also Nationwide because they seem to have the lowest charges for withdrawing cash abroad as well as for their credit card.

We bought in July 2003 and have had no bill for taxe d'habitation for our little 2nd home, but have had and paid taxe fonciere.  They seem to be totally separate. I went to the tresor public with a friend who speaks no French.  He'd had a final reminder for non payment of td but had received no bill because they'd sent it to Australia where he used to live! No problem with TF.  The bill went from a local town but the reminder from the village.  I pointed out I'd not been billed for td and asked what I should do about it.  The official looked at his computer, found us, and just shrugged.  So I wonder if we're going to get a very big bill one day?

Better check out the local competition!  Lots of French people sell their goats' cheese on local markets in the south west.  Perhaps you could check it out with the equivalent of the Min of Ag? PS Which direction from Toulouse? Good luck