Rita

 Have just been told by an artisan who is quoting for our renovation that the 5.5% has been extended until the end of 2006 however he has been informed that is probable that this rate will be indefinately! Thank goodness for that as we have loads of work and the thought of having to pay the higher rate really meant we had to re-think what we would do first. Hope this helps, at least some good news for those of us who have yet to finish their renovations. Rita

Hi Lynda, Congratulations on your new addition. I have had a GSD for just over 7 years now, although he thinks he is only 7weeks old. He is also a long coat, my favourite on a GSD personally! I have always fed him on dry dog food although not the cheaper varieties, either Eukanuba or Science Plan and since we have been in France on Royal Canin. Everyone comments on how shiny his coat is, the only other thing he has other than the dry food is a couple of bonio's (macinas over here, well I think thats what their called) and a drink of milk for his breakfast. I certainly do not give him extra vitamins and my vet in the UK and here have always advised against it. Another thing I would suggest regarding keeping his coat in good conditon is plenty of excercise and boy do they love that and also a good brush at least everyother day if not everyday. Hope that is of some help and I wish you all the best with your new pet, you will soon learn how loyal and trusting GSD's are. Happy walking, Regards Rita

I have searched previous posts but have been unable to find anything specific to these topics. So If there is and I have missed it I apologise in advance. Has anyone installed a combination of Wind and Solar power to run Electrics, Heating and Hot Water? If so how easy was it? who did it? and how much did it cost, are there any grants available?  And have you found it beneficial? We have looked at Geotherm, however it is quite expensive to install and will take approx 10-20yrs to recoup the cost.  We have 4 hectares so plenty of land to install alternative power sources but wondering which is best and the cost implications. Thanks in advance for any help. Regards Rita

Hi Emma, Please see your e-mail. Thanks Rita

Hi there all those in dept 72 or nearby. Can anyone recommend a builder, electrician and plumber please!!!!!! Have contacted local Artisans that have had their names  given to us however their devis have now come in and boy oh boy! they are bigger than we thought. Even the French people we have spoken to that gave us their names in the first place think they are too much. They think that it may be that the Artisans don't want to do the job or perhaps they think us expats have loads of money (which we don't) We know that we won't get any joy now until Sept but just want to be ready to contact people and get more devis' Any help would be greatly appreciated. Don't know if the moderators will allow you to post your recommendations so here is my e-mail address so anyone can e-mail me direct. [email protected] Thanking you in advance for any help. Rita    

Like it!!! Our German Shepherd also sleeps on his back (I reckon he must have been in the oldest industry in the world in his last life!!)   Rita ps Can someone please tell me how to change this flippin font and colour permanently. I have to keep changing every time I post! Thanks (It has a default font and colour, Rita. Sorry, but it will revert back to that. If I can find out any different, I will let you know! Belinda - Moderator)

  Hi, Try this website: http://www.poolstore.co.uk Possibly the Eva Sunlounger £179.00 for one or £300.00 for Two or the Carmen Sunlounger £195.00 for one or £350.00 for Two I know these are not cheap however they are of Highest quality resin and fabric lounger as seen in the best hotels and cruise liners. The luxurious Queen Mary 2 has Eva sunloungers on its decks. I am in no way affiliated with this company however I know of these sun loungers. Hope this helps, Rita Sorry about the flippin colour cannot seem to get it right (if anyone knows please help!)

Still unsure if it is law, however I think for safety I will get some anyway ready for when we move. Although I agree with Dick it is a pain if you have to have one for everyone as we have volvo with the fold down seats in the rear! Thanks guys for your replies, Rita

8 Kidlets!!!!!!! Good grief, no wonder he needs all that space and all those properties. Most of us can only afford to bring up 1 or possibly 2, should have been born into a poor cobbling family! At least we now know that when we get there in the next couple of weeks where our taxes will be going to. Still looking forward to the big move though! Have a good day snow or shine, Rita  

Has anyone else heard about the new rule regarding having to keep a fluorescent jacket in your car in France? Have seen the following on another forum that someone at Le Havre has been fined because when stopped they did not have one of these in their car! Apparently www.autoindustry.co.uk, states Legislation threatens on-the-spot fines for failure to wear high visibility clothing A UK manufacturer of reflective safety clothing says the two million British motorists visiting France every year could face on-the-spot fines of up to €138 for not wearing high visibility clothing in the event of a breakdown, as legislation introduced in Italy and Spain earlier this year looks ready to be adopted by France and Germany in 2005. The Spanish legislation requires a reflective jacket or waistcoat to be worn if leaving an immobilised vehicle on the carriageway at night or in poor visibility. Viz Reflectives is the manufacturer of an award-winning reflective fluorescent safety vest for motorists which offers the same high visibility safety as those used by the emergency services.   Anyone know about this? Thanks Rita

Hi, Can't remember who recommended the following, however can tell you that we contacted them and they have just come in with a few quotes and they are all considerably lower than the ones we had personally received. In fact the one we are now going with through these people is actually saving us over £1,000 and they are a large well known and British regsitered removal Company. (Great how much wine will that buy! Hic!) We are not moving for a few weeks so once we have will let you all know how it went. The chap we have dealt with is brilliant his name is Peter Driscoll. Their website is:  http://www.etbrokers-removals.com. I would recommend anyone give this Removal Brokerage a go. Good Luck to everyone. Rita

Excellent news glad to hear someone actually saving a bit of money! What exchange rate did you get? Hope everything goes well for you, good luck. Rita

Hi PGA, Just a thought - You say you steam stripped the old paper off down to the cork tiling. Could this be your problem? as obviously cork holds water,damp etc. Did you allow the cork tiles to dry out sufficiently after using the steamer before re-papering? perhaps you could allow a while to ensure the cork tiles are completely dry prior to wallpapering again. Other than that possiblity I am afraid I am unable to offer any other help. Let us know how you get on and if you manage to solve the problem. Rita  

Hi, We have been using a guy called David McDonald regarding mortgages he has been absolutely brilliant he really knows his stuff. He is based in France and his contact numbers are: Mobile: +33 (0)6 63 89 06 18 (Best method of contact) Office Tel: +33 (0)4 93 00 01 13 Office Fax: +33 (0)4 93 00 01 14 e-mail address is:[email protected] Just contact him and tell him Rita says Hi! By the way I have no affiliation with him other than he helped us with our Mortgage and I do not gain anything by recommending him, however I know what a mine field this can be. Hope he can help, Good Luck. Rita

Hi Gay, Thanks for your idea of Auctioning our house here in England ia a good one and we are going to look into it.  Hi Outcast, Your idea of a Bridging loan was something we had thought of, however as this is not the first time our house sale has fallen through we are concerned that it may take some time to re-sell and as we have quite a lot of Equity in our house here we do not want to borrow more and pay interest etc without knowing when our house will finally complete a sale. Thanks for the thought though. Hi Rdkr, Thanks for that advice regarding advertising it ourselves, I have now put it on the net with a few different websites, so heres hoping. Hi Boiling a Frog, Your comment about England made the same as Scotland regarding a House sale is excellent put cannot see the Government doing that! You are quite right I don't know why we put up with a system that is so blatently open to abuse. Hi Di, I agree we should stop using the word "sold" until the completion, but I think there should be some sort of redress when people just decide not to proceed, can understand if they cannot get a Mortgage etc. Will try to stop feeling guilty regarding the French vendor however easy said than done, I suppose I am not the type of person that only thinks of myself. You are quite right though I have enough worries of my own so I will try!  Will try to keep my chin up, however it is not the Christmas we were expecting, perhaps 2005 will bring better luck. Thanks to all of you for your advice and concern. Have a great Christmas. Rita   outcast |