Redcap

Personally I like it, however, you should have at least mentioned that it contained such scenes.  My young lad was watching and whilst initially it looked harmless, the 'punishment' dished out to the hunter is strictly for adults. Don't be surprised if it's pulled. (The post that is!) Regards, Bob

Hi! I had a quote from Alex Day, can't find his number at the moment. He seemed a very pleasent and helpful bloke, however, hw can't really come around to your house and assess what's required.  I would suggest that if you have a normal 3 bed semi to move he would not be any use to you, as he has a long base van and large box trailer.  If you are confident that the van & trailer will suffice, give him a call (if you get his number!) He also seems to be very flexible and will try to fit in with your plans. Regards, Bob

Total download & install time took 3 hours, and I'm on broadband! Bob

Thanks all for your responses. I shall ask hire company about VE103 etc, thanks Paul.  Kerbut, I seem to remember that quite some years ago the UK changed over to a new style(pink) driving licence and all the codes were revamped, I think this was when the 7.5t on normal car licence came in. (I may be wrong on this but something in the back of my mind) It would seem to be a bit of a grey area, and in the UK the authorities seem to go along with the fact that private, not for hire/reward is OK on full car licence subject to age and when passed test (pre '97).  The same seems to apply with the tacho.  I have no experience of how it is in France, hence my starting this post.  I think I will actually use a chart to be on the safe side.  I understand that if I change my UK licence to a French one, I will lose my entitlement to drive 7.5t (So I won't be changing it,unless forced to by points etc!) Finally, Kerbut you say you had to study etc before operating lorries, 100 was it?  Well quite right if you were operating as a professional driver, come on, a 7.5t truck, it's nothing these days compared with the skyscapers on wheels we see now! Regards, Bob  

Penny, I agree with you, up to now this forum has been a godsend to me. I know there are now other forums and I do like dipping into them, but this was my first and I'll always keep coming back!  I think I must have been here for almost 4 years now, and in a few weeks we are really, actually, truly, finally, real life, no going back gonna be in France for good. I hope the other good things will be such things as our neighbours, locals etc too! My neighbour in the hutch across the road has just turned his stereo down at last,....can't wait 'till October!! Bob

Hi, Try using the search tool, I think this has been discussed  a number of times and not that long ago, so hopefully you should find some info. Also try googling TEFL, should get enough to keep you going! Regards, Bob

I would imagine that it is the same as in the UK, that is if you have any sort of TV receiver, you must have a licence. This is regardless of whether you actually use the TV. There has been lots of discussion on this elswhere in the past in the UK, where people have beleived that because they don't watch BBC, then they reckoned that they should not be paying the licence fee, whether we agree or not, the law is, own a TV, must have a licence! I expect you will find it the same in France. Regards, Bob  

Hi Beani! I replied to the PM you sent me, as I said, don't know why it was sent to me? Did you press the wrong button? As I said also, try to learn how to use the search option, it will save you a lot of time, and posts such as above, however well meaning have been asked so many times, that frankly, I doubt anyone will reply. Please don't take offence, just advice, try the search options, and take some time to get used to the forum.   Best wishes, Bob

On the face of it you don't seem like fools, you appear to have done your homework, you are studying the language and you have survived the minefield of buying a house!  Do you have a means of supporting yourselves, other than B&B?Gites etc?  I think this seems to be the main sticking point. Good luck anyway! I think that the people mentioned that are on this program, is the 'Get a New Life' or something like that? According to the TV mag here in UK, it's on next week for 3 programmes each 1 hour long, so the one last week was'nt a one off. Regards, Bob Edited this as my TV mag was totally wrong, it's about Goa!

 I had a lot of posts bookmarked for future reference, these seem to have gone walkabouts also! I think it would have been nice if forum admin had given us some advice prior to changing over, I had printed a lot of the pages for reference and had intended to print a lot more of the pages, and kept them in the bookmark until I had time to do so. Same goes for my inbox,Not the end of the world I know....  

[quote]It is not quite so simple as just looking at income liable for tax in France, as we discovered today when visiting the tax office for an explanation of our tax bill this year. When you fill in your t...[/quote] <Hope this has not totally confused you!> Yup, It has!!: I think if I leave everything taxed in the UK, then I should have a nil tax bill in France, except 10% social charges. Am I correct that this 10% is not on my occupational pension but it is on savings interest? Regards, Bob P.S I've edited, to say that I don't know how the above quote(in the box) got there!  I tried to put the quote between the arrows using the 'quote button' but it did'nt work!  Just to add more confusion !!    

Thanks Mr O, I agree with you about the photocopy, all veh docs have to be originals, also in France unlike UK you have to carry all veh docs and that includes the log book, am I right?  I don't recall when I've hired cars before in France that they gave us the log book, so what is the situation if I'm stopped in a hire veh and I don't have this, thinking about it you don't have an insurance doc either, or is the hire agreement sufficient. So I'm a bit confused now about the document side of things, should I insist that I get the veh log book to take with me, I can't see them handing it over though! Regards, Bob

I need to refresh my memory here! I know I will be paying tax at source on my Police pension in UK which is fine as I din't think it will be as  much as what I would pay in French tax, (am I right?).  The only other income I will have will be interest from savings in UK societies, and will certainly be under the 4,262€ (about £2939) lower tax threshold (2003)where I believe no tax is payable on income below that. So if I use form R105 to apply to have my savings interest paid gross of tax in UK, what tax will I pay on it in France? I've read about social charges of 10%, will that be the only tax or have I got it all totally wrong?  Perhaps if I'd been self employed I might have a better understanding of all this, trouble is all I've done through my working life is collect my payslip and leave it all to the finance office to sort out!! Regards, Bob

We are using them, we opened our account prior to finding the house, I have to say you'd think I was applying for the job of President of France the amount of forms and references etc we had to complete!  Apart from that, so far they have been very good.  We took our house insurance through them having had a quote of over £300 from HIFX, I think we paid about £156 inc contents for 5 piece house.  I shall reserve my judgement until we are resident full time very soon!   Regards,   Bob

Hello All Welcome back! Re the Tacograph question, most that have replied seem to think it OK without one, I think this will be the case in UK, although from what I have read vehicles over 3.5t should have one regardless, but is not enforced if not for hire/reward.  However, in France it seems to be a different story, where if you get the wrong Gendarme it will be enforced. I have also been advised to get a copy of the vehicle log book from the hire company, as well as a letter authorising named drivers. So, to be on the safe side, I am going to stick a chart in the tacho, it's not as if it's difficult, even though the hire company(Ryder) still insist I do not need to! I got a reasonable quote from Alec Day, but I told him we decided to do it ourselves.  He was very good and spent some time giving me advice as well as telling me to call him if I needed any further advice or help.  Seemed like a good guy! Regards,   Bob (7.1: weeks and counting!)

Hi! Loads of info re this on here, some very recent involving myself. Do a search using the search icon at the top, you should get a lot of info, then if you have any specific questions ask away. Good luck. Bob

Hello all, I've been considering for some time now, moving our contents over to Brittany using hire van. I started out with intention of 7 ton, then we have whittled the house contents down quite a bit, so thought 3 1/2 ton would do. Now we're back to the 7 1/2 toner as we have purchased new settee etc. I have been given what seems to be reasonable quote from Ryder at 402 for the 3 days fully inclusive insurance/breakdown, and brand new vehicles. Whilst checking through the archives on the subject, I saw some posts that reckoned you need a tachograph and 'O' type licence for 7 tonner even for private use. I have to say that I have never come across this before, I checked with the hire company, who are National and well known and they insist that this is not the case. All of their leaflets etc, state that it is for business use only. I will make some other enquiries at work as I don't want to be on the wrong side of the law! By the way, I am also awaiting a quote from someone mentioned on this forum some time ago to move the contents by the name of Alex Day. Anyone used him recently, and happy? I think if so, you now have to send private message! Regards, Bob

I have been through the archives, this topic has not been discussed for some time to my knowledge, about 18 months ago now. Now that we have finally got our house sorted, last Friday, no problems and it's now ours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have been thinking about the previous discussions on French paint quality to that of UK. Has peoples experiences changed or is it the same, that generally UK paint is better by far? I have read about Farrow & Ball who have stockists in France, but have no experience of them, are they really top notch expensive? We don't want fancy colours, mostly white emulsion and light shades. Would we be better bringing out with us a load of white emulsion with a view to using French mixer tubes for colour? I must admit, I don't like the idea of transporting loads of paint, but it does appear to be so expensive in France. Appreciate your views and experience in this. Regards, Bob

Hi All! As some of you may be aware Ann & I will be signing the Acte De Vente on Friday. We have arranged to change marriage regime to that of CU. What would be the situation should the worst happen after we have signed (hopefully not straight after!), that is we both died before we have had a chance to sort out some other arrangement for the children? We had hoped to arrange for us both to adopt each others children as apparently, and I know no more that that, this would bring the stepchildren into the realms of 'blood relations' and therefore not be liable to the dreaded 60% tax. But assuming all we have done is change our marriage regime, how would the property be divided, Ann has 3 children & I have 2, we have none between us. Funny what you think of laying awake at 3 o'clock in the morning! Look forward you your views, Regards, Bob, & Ann (cos she's interested in this one!)

Evianers, For your info, we have just been faxed the amount for change of our marriage regime to CU, 290. Bear in mind that this price is for doing it at the time of buying and not after where it would probably cost a bit more. So not too bad really. Roll on Fri 13th!! Regards, Bob

With the imminent final signing next week, I have been sorting out house insurance. As I have been happy with the services of HIFX I decided to call them as they are now offering house insurance. They called back with a quote of 336p.a. for 5 piece house! Contacted Britline and they quote about 153. From what I can see the cover seems adequate for our needs, but what a huge difference. Anyone using HIFX for insurance? Regards, Bob

Hello All!, Going over to sign for the house next week, have got 50 return with Speeferries, so it's Dover - Boulogne. Looking at the map it seems to me that the following might be OK? Boulogne > A16 > Abbville > A28 > Rouen joining A13 > Caen >A84 > Avranches > Rennes > N12 then onto N164. OR Would I be better continuing from the A28 (past Neufchatel en Bray) at J11 onto A29 > Le Havre over the lovely big bridge and joing up with the A13 east of Caen? Having never done this route before(except Le Havre to Chef Du Pont), I value your opinions. Regards, Bob

Hi, I think (note I said think, not know!), that you can, it's just that you could face the prospect of the kids making a claim that they were cut out of their inheritance. I've read that some Notaires don't like the possibility of being implicated. Regards, Bob

Hi Rosyposi! Do you mean you used the Communaute Universelle? Also where abouts is your Notaire? Anywhere near Pontivy? Best wishes, Bob

Looks to me like lack of calcium. Have tried a good chicken site called 'Backyard Chickens' Put it into Google, in fact you'll probably come up with loads of other chicken related site. Regards, Bob