Dublin_Annie

Anyone been there?  We've been to the UK ones and though we'd give the Normandy one (near Caen I think) a go.  Just a midweek break, kids would love the pool etc and since we'll be in France for 2 months it seems like a good plan.  A lot nearer than Euro Disney! Any insider info welcome.

Finally we have more routes to Brittany. Ryanair and Aer Lingus are starting new routes to La Rochelle and Nantes (Ruinair) and Rennes (aer Fungus). NO MORE stopovers at Luton/Stanstead

Both Ryanair and Aer Lingus are starting new routes to Brittany.  Ryanair to La Rochelle and Nantes and Aer Lingus to Rennes. No more stopovers at Luton/Stanstead :)

PS he has also just started learning to play guitar and is the proud owner of an electric guitar. And on the quieter side is into drawing and painting (blessed relief from rock music!)

correct, we're living in Dublin. Primary schools here finish 30 June and return 1 September Next year our older son will be in secondary school and will finish at the end of may/first week in June.......   Alexis Any appropriate activites, he'll have a bike, loves the water, the aformentioned martial arts (currently Ju Jitsu and Kempo but willing to try all) and is also addited to computer games and tv!!  The latter I'm not so keen on.  Footie, tennis (not much practice but keen) and basketball.   We're happy to drive him around a bit. Ta  

Thanks Alexis, any info would be great. When do they finish school then?  Early June? We won't be over until the beginning of July as they dont' break until 30 June here.  

Not sure where you are but we have a great caretaker in 22. PM me and I'll send you the details

Hi We are planning to spend the summer in our house in St Vran, near Merdrignac.  We have 2 sons, 12 and 7.  The older on is concerned about the prospect of hanging out with mum or Dad all summer.  I think it's a teenage thing, hope so anyway!  More to the point Mum might not be there and Dad will be busy working most of the time. We saw lots of French kids attending sailing classes etc at the lake near us. Anyone know where we can find out more about these?  Also he's into martial arts.  Any clubs around where he can attend classes and hopefully make a few friends.  His French is pretty poor but he's keen to improve so English and or French kids. We'll be over in March so can have a better look around then. thanks

They look great, we've actually stayed in a couple of their places.  I like hte idea of the 'exchanges' if you fancy a change.

Are these for real?  We looked at one or two last year (well looked at the brochures) and it seemed that for 20k or so we'd get an appartment, leased out for the next 10 years after which it'd be ours.  IE we repaid the loan of 20k over 10 years (or more presumably!) and ended up with a property worth 150k.  Now this sounds like a sure thing but are there any drawbacks? The rental income is guaranteed so it seems like no risk. 

We opened one with CABritline. They wanted endless quantities of paper. We weren't looking for a mortgage or credit cards or a loan but they still wanted proof of income, the ususal proof of address (here & France).  I know a lot about the money laundering regulations so most of it is standard however the (seemingly) endless calls about income drove me mad.  Since we weren't moving to France and hod no plans to borrow it seemed unnecessary and they never knew why they were asking all these questions. I'd suggest you call them or look at the website and see what they want.  That might give you some ideas of what to bring when you go to open an account. 

Leeds v's West Ham I think kick-off will be 20:45 French time Any bars around with sky sports?  We'll be near Merdrignac but I suspect he'd travel a long way to watch the match

Looks like they are going to axe the Rosslare/Cherbourg route.  Nothing on the website and no mention of the Rosslare/Roscoff route or was that P&O.... can't remember now but it was a crappy boat.

It's still available.  I managed to get some free flights from Luton to Dinard, and even one free one from Dublin to Luton.  Had to pay from Luton back to Dublin though.  Still pretty good, shame about all those taxes.

I've only ever had cold fill washing machines (Ireland & UK).  However I've been looking at the spec for some french ones.  Do ANY of them have a decent spin cycle?  Mine at home has a 10kg drum and a 1200 spin.  I'm not too worried about load size, although the larger the better but I can't find many with a spin above 600, one or two with 800. We've used these on holidays and the clothes come out still dripping.  Or is it possible to buy a spin dryer in France.