Redcap

I don't know how civil servants pensions are run, mine, a police pension is an occupational pension scheme. I pay 11% of my salary every 4 weeks called 'superannuation', it is not taxed at this point. Then on retirement I have the choice of commuting part of my pension and taking a tax free lump sum, I then receive a monthly pension on which I pay tax in the UK, I cannot opt to pay tax anywhere else. It is this tax free lump sum that worries me regarding the French tax authorities, even though I will not be resident when I receive it. There must be some people out there on the forum who have retired with a tax free lump sum, how did it go for you? PM me if you don't want to 'come out', thanks. Penny, I've sent you a PM, & thanks. Regards, Bob

[quote]Hi, I've just recieved my civl service lump sum too - it had already been taxed in the UK, so as I understand it (as an ex-UK taxman!!!) it is not taxable in France. However, if you can hang on a cou...[/quote] Hello Penny, Were you in the UK when you received your lump sum pension payment, or in France?  You say it had already been taxed in the UK, I thought the commutation was tax free? How about calling your newest friend and going for a drink earlier! I've about 4 weeks until my actual date for retirement from the police, so I'm a little bit concerned about this, part of me says that what 'Dreamers' says makes sense and is probably right but another part (the worrying part) says be careful! Regards, Bob

Hi, We had a Glow worm combi boiler which heated a 3 bed semi and we also ran a mixer shower above the bath which provided quite a good shower.   We also had B/Gas service plan, they 'serviced' it over the 3 years we had them. Each time I complained that when the hot water was on the boiler made a very loud 'whooshing' noise, to which the engineer said was normal with these type of boilers.  Finally, when the shower began to fluctuate in temperature, I called a local plumber(recommended) who came out took one look (listen), and said it was the inflow valve. He fixed it in 20 minutes, it had been turned to almost closed position! So much for B/Gas and their laptops that they bring with them!! Go for the local guy, if you can get him. We've got to sort out how to work our heating at the French house next month, it's that Geothermic system so I assume it's run on electric, but we could not figure out how to have just the hot water on last time we were there! Regards, Bob  

Hi, I seem to recall reading in a book (David Hampshire?) that if a person is resident in France and receives a lump sum from the pension it could be taxed by the French. This is something to do with them not having such a thing as a tax free commutation in France.  It was suggested that you make sure you take the commutation prior to becoming a French resident, though how you can become a French resident before retiring and getting your lump sum, I don't know.  In under 4 weeks, I will be in the same boat! Regards, Bob

[quote]Bob, for some reason the quote doesn't show on the screen until you use the preview (or post) facility. I must admit having pressed 'quote' I expected to see the quote and to be able to edit it. I d...[/quote] Well I pressed 'quote', now let's see what happens! Checked preview, it works!  Thanks M/Monkey Bob

Hi, Yes, that's what we'll do once we're settled pop along and find out, no mad rush I suppose. She's fluent French speaker having lived many years in France and has some good indications already regarding work, also she's fully up to date re full NI contributions, what I was hoping to find out though, is if she's a French resident at time of pension and has worked and paid etc, is there a choice of who will pay her pension? Regards, Bob

Hello, We actually did whittle down all the stuff we had, when we moved into rented. Trouble is, with all the time on our hands spent waiting for the big day, we have accumulated more stuff! Well I thought what's the point of missing out on bargains here in the UK, and let's face it, shops are throwing stuff at you here now! Anyway, 7.5t it has to be, I will be printing out every page of the booking transaction to show that it allowed me to book the van within the dimensions on the form. Hopefully, if there are any objections at the ticket booth, this may help persuade her/him. I'll post how it went when (if) we get through! Regards, Bob

Tried to 'search' for the answer, but when I click quote, nothing happens.  Even if I hi-light text first. When I cut and paste, sometimes the text appears really large? What's happening?? Regards, Bob

Phoned BF Freight, £294 +vat each way, = £690 !! OK this includes meals and berths, but this is ridiculous. Quote for same van on website comes in at £347 return, including 4 berth cabin. I will definately be arguing my case with them! Regards, Bob

Re % pension paid, at 49 (next), according to my forecast, I've got at present about £50 +, of a max £78pw pension, I can't see me paying £30pm for the next 10-15 years, into something that 's not really guaranteed anymore.   Paying in for 15 yrs @ about £30pm = about £5400 (todays rates) what would the return on that be over 15yrs if invested? Does anyone know how it will work for my wife, hopefully she will get a job at some stage in the future, that being the case, if she's paying into the French system am I right in saying she should not need to pay class 3 contributions as her contributions in France will cover her?  Or is the other way round, as we will not be returning to UK, once she reaches retirement age in France, will the French pay her pension based on previous contributions in UK and France? Regards, Bob

I'm told the French car auctions are a good bet, apparently they give a 6 month guarantee, & also it's MOT'd.  I intend to have a look before I decide. Regards, Bob

It may not be worth continuing with class 3 contributions once you get to a certain age (assuming fully up to date), particularly 60yrs, as you don't get the last 5 years covered by social security if you live outside UK. There comes a point when it's just not worth £30 a month for an extra few quid on your pension. Get a pension forecast, you'll see what I mean. Regards, Bob

Hi, Is it new cars as well as 2nd hand that are more expensive in France? If I was looking for a 2 year old car, would I be better spending a little more for a new one? Regards, Bob

Hi again Nick, About the same with us, £560 for van, brand new from Ryder, coming up at present £347 for ferry, I'd allowed for about 18mpg, perhaps a little generous? Is 12mpg what you worked out following the journey? We will be near Loudeac, about 3km away. So, basically the only documentation you had was the e-mail with reference number on, correct? Did you use a tachograph, what did your hire company advise re this(if anything)? I'm going to call BF tomorrow for a quote on the freight tariff. (though doubt I'll go freight!) Regards, Bob

"The problem is if you often move between countries and stay for a few months in each then routine treatment is not allowed under the current rules. " But then you need to look at the rules regarding residency/domicile, if you are doing as you say skipping from one country to the other, you will need to be resident in one of them, and therefore pay into that countries system. That's how it seems to me. Face it, if you are living in France and want to be legal etc, unless you have e121 or 106, then you cough up the 8%! Regards, Bob

Hi there, I really doubt that you will find a one way rental, I spent some time looking in my area. Just think about the logistics, where would you drop it off? How many outlets in your area in France for the company? It just wouldn't work, which is probably why there are no one way rentals. Looks like my mates are driving for me (no payment) it gives them a chance to load up on beer for xmas! That's whats in it for them!  This means not having to come all the way back and then catching flight back to France. Regards, Bob

Hi Nick, How long ago did you travel with BF with the van?  Also, when you booked by 'phone, what did you get from BF by way of documentation (or anything else) that states you would be normal passenger as opposed to freight.  I'm thinking that if I've booked online  which it accepts, as under 8m length, I will still get same documentation through? Did you have any problems at the ticket kiosk? Thanks also,Boris. Regards,   Bob (nearly 22!)

Hi, me again still harping on about 7.5t trucks! I thought I had it all sorted, I'd punched in me dates and details for the Portsmouth - St Malo crossing on the website for Brittany ferrys for the 7.5t, which it accepts. However, I decided to read through the small print where it states, 'vehicles exceeding 6.5m not specifically constructed/ adapted for passengers are subject to freight tarrifs'. I carried out a search of the forum  !  Only found 1 post on this, which seemed to suggest that if moving your own stuff, not hire/reward, you may get on under normal tarrif as you can book vans up to 8m long. Have any forum members had any recent experience of this? Has anyone travelled with BF in 7.5t and got on non freight?  If I had not taken the time to reag the small print, I would have booked my van on anyway as it comes within the measurements. I'm still tempted to book online and just tun up (with some extra dosh just in case!). What do you think? Regards, Bob (5 weeks!)

Great! Thanks everyone for the info, hopefully I won't have to scrap the kitchen and start again.  That will leave me more time to paint the outside of the house 'cause I don't think I'll be accepting the local decorator's devis of almost 7000€! Regards, Bob  

If you have a computer, I have seen mention of a thingy called 'SKYPE'. It allows you to use the PC as a phone, and if talking to another PC user say in the UK (who also has SKYPE) it's free! You can also use it to call landline & mobile at a cost of pennies. Don't know if you have to be on broadband though. Regards, Bob

Our house in 22 built about 1982 has a very good quality kitchen.  However,it needs modifying(expanding) to our requirements and I would prefer not to do away with the existing units. We would need some extra units, and I doubt if we would still find matching cupboard doors  (typical French dark farmhouse style).  I thought maybe we could replace just the doors etc,and buy a few extra units as well. We did this in the UK using B&Q mix and match, where you buy the carcass units and choose your own doors & drawers etc, or just buy the doors etc. I replaced all the cupboard & drawer fronts, keeping the carcasses. So.....has anyone else done this in France, does anyone have knowledge of outlets that will sell doors/drawerfronts etc. I really don't want to start a new kitchen from scratch, I have tried a search but did not answer my specific question. Regards Bob

[quote]Are you trying to tell me that I can't, after being reasonable about it and go and say to my french bank, "next week I need several thousand euros in cash" and they won't be able to give it to me if t...[/quote] I find this hard to believe! If we have several thousand € in our account, and want to draw out a few thousand, are you all saying we can't?  Surely if notice is given, it's our money they have to give it to you? We will be in this position at the end of next month, we will be buying various items for the house etc, and whilst we can no doubt pay by cheque or debit card, we may need cash and probably more than 200-300€! Is this just CA Britline, or are all banks like it? Regards, Bob

Hi again, I'm not sure that I'd like to take on someone on the black, but no way can I justify paying those sort of charges, I know that artisans have to make a living.  To be honest, I have only ever paid anyone to do work for me that was totally out of my league such as some electrics although I've done most of that my self (in UK), washing machines, who knows about them!  I did once change some bearings on one, took me about 3 hours and had to hire special tool that cost £20!  It may take me ten times longer to complete the job but I don't have the luxury of paying that sort of money and what satisfaction! I think the artisan has seen that we have bought this big house in the village and maybe thinks we are loaded, maybe at the moment I am, but it's got to last, I've only one more good paycheck then it's tighten belt time!!  Whers that paint roller! Regards, Bob

[quote]I found only 2 companies when I was looking for a Luton to go abroad. One of them had a charge based on mileage, which soon took it out of price range. I was stuck with using Budget, who charged a fla...[/quote] I am going to be using Ryder, they are not in Notts unfortunately but just to say that £100 per day with budget is about normal. Bear in mind that they have to cover insurance for france and continental breakdown insurance, make sure all this is included in the cost though.  Go and have a look at the vans too, make sure they are new, and have rails along the sides, start collecting loads of cardboard boxes not only for packing but to use as padding around and behind items such as freezers.  Don't forget plenty of good rope, or you can buy those special straps with buckle fasteners. Regards, Bob

Hi All, Well we had our first devis from the local decorator for painting the exterior of our house near Loudeac. It's a fairly large neo-breton style house about 22 years old.  It needs some filling of a few cracks etc, and usual preparation. We have just received a quote for 6,872€ (over £4000). Now I had no idea what the cost would be having never used such a service, but there is no way we can afford that, so looks like I'll have to tackle it.  I know it is said that artisans are expensive in france for various reasons, but £4000 to paint a house?  We will get another quote just to see but I don't hold out much hope! Regards,   Bob (5.3 weeks and counting..........)