Deimos

One aspect though is that whilst Blair is going on about the 40% of the budget going on CAP, he is omitting to tell everybody that, without him having done anything the 2007 to 2013 budget has only 29% of the EU budget on CAP – thus I interpret that 40% to 29% is a drop. It always worries me with Blair (and Straw as well) that they are only telling people those aspects that back whatever it is they are trying to achieve and omit relevant facts (e.g. dropping to 29% 2007-2013) that don’t suit them. Also, it isn’t only the French saying the rebate is no longer justified – but virtually every other EU member country. UK is pretty alone. Maybe the French are being “sanctimonious” but the same feelings are widespread across Europe. Last night at agility club, through discussing how I need to pay for my agility license, the subject of reimbursements came up. Predictable reaction with me being the only Brit there, but people were saying that this time Tony Blair had had his fingers burnt (using the past tense). They obviously considered the current discussions a foregone conclusion. I was asked if I was for “Les Anglais” OR for Europe – phrased as an either or question. CAP was “reformed” only a couple of years ago. I don’t know the rights and wrongs, but if according to Blair it is so wrong, why did they not do something about it then. This was not a private agreement between Germany and France (as some would suggest) but the June 2003 “fundamental reform” agreed by EU Farm Ministers (including the UK).

I’m sure you have made the right decision and will succeed. In my (limited) experience most French people would love to hear you destroy their language rather than speak English. When I have my piano lessons, occasionally my teacher will use a few words of English (where she can) and I always reply in what I call French. Whilst what I say probably does not resemble the French language very well, I have found out that my efforts are really appreciated. Ian

Re: Rogue Spyware Detectors and Removal Software. Christine, you are right to question much of the software on offer. There is quite a lot of bad software/”sharp practice” going on. False positives then you need to purchase to get rid of said non-existent spyware, even some accusations about some detectors actually installing their own spyware and/or removing other spyware protection when you install them. There is a review/list of the bad stuff (with reasons why its bad) at http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm#products which is probably not complete as it’s a continually moving target. However, software listed there may easily be questionable (and I note that as far as I can see, they are not offering their own software so they probably don’t have too much of a “vested interest”). Regards Ian

Southern corner of 72 (borders with 37) and my mini dish works file. Both signal quality and signal strength three quarters of max (better than I got in the UK) with virtually no “drop-outs” in the last year and a half.

This PDF gives fairly detailed info (though check the date at the top to see how recent it is). http://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/0_tableau_arretes.pdf

I guess different people will have different attitudes to Blair’s current insistence about Britain’s rebate.  However, to me it seems he is insisting that the Agricultural subsidies are “reviewed” despite them being agreed in 2002.  After all, TB might be raising it now, but there was also a “radical reform” agreed only in June 2003 – yet he feels we need another one now (http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/agriculture/capreform/index_en.htm)   Proposals for 2007-2013 budget already propose the Agriculture contribution of only 29% - though I cannot remember seeing Tony Blair, Jack straw, etc. making this too clear (http://www.europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/389&format).   It is interesting how other European countries newspapers are portraying Mr. Blair/UK in this “struggle” about the rebate http://www.guardian.co.uk/eu/story/0,7369,1506737,00.html   Maybe I’ve mis-interpreted things but it seems that once again the UK is isolating itself from the rest of Europe.   Ian

I did see a site mentioned somewhere that covered all France (and probably made little allowance for local conditions). I would ask at your Marie or Prefecture as they would be the ones who know for your locality. Some people have said the Prefecture is better. Ian.

This may sound like a really daft idea (so ignore it if it is) but I seem to remember that somewhere in another post you mentioned you had a setter which you enjoyed walking. One thing I have found helps get me “out-of-the-house” and meeting others is taking one of my dogs to agility (the thing where the dog rushes around leaping over, under, through, etc. obstacles). I go to my club once a week for a couple of house. Its all French people (who don’t speak English) and I speak virtually no French, but they are nice people, we manage and its great fun. The costs vary. You normally join the club for a year and then just go alone for free (i.e. you’ve paid your membership). I think mine was a little more expensive in the first year and the 2nd year was around €90 (from memory), but clubs will vary. Most will let you go along (with your dog) to meet everybody, have a go and see how you get on, etc. without having to pay. You then join if you think its something you want to continue. I believe there is a club at Amboise (Mme Nathalie Beauvais 02.47.57.49.14), but there are others around. If you want to have a go but Amboise is no good. Let me know and I will try to turn out some more. I’m not trying to convince you that agility with your dog is great, but rather I find it a great reason to get out and meet others who are friendly. Whilst sometimes I find it “a bit of an effort” to go, I do tend to leave with lifted spirits (and the dog I take really loves it). Only one idea and not the solution to everything but hope it helps a bit. Ian

I tend to find the winters difficult. Both winters I’ve been here in France, whilst I am happy, my thoughts do tend to start to consider other (usually warmer tropical countries) that I should maybe move to. Then the summer comes and those plans get delayed (until maybe next winter when they start being considered again). Not for me to say really but, is your partner aware of your feeling and thoughts. If not, maybe discuss them and see how he feels, etc. Everybody’s situation, aims and desires, what they are seeking from life, etc. is different. Moving to any new area can be difficult. When it’s a foreign country, that can be much harder, and it can take longer to settle in. I cannot say “stay” or “go”, only that living here is a great opportunity and it is bound to take a long time to settle in, make friends, etc. so maybe give it time.

Do people have any opinions about what is likely to happen to the £/€ exchange rate over the next couple of months ? (i.e. should I buy €s now or can I wait for a bit and maybe get the same or better rate) ?

Chirac slaps Blair across the face:     (http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Politics/Pix/pictures/2005/06/14/blairchiracAP372.jpg)   (Well actually the real story is http://www.guardian.co.uk/eu/story/0,7369,1506174,00.html?gusrc=rss which is a bit more predictable (I just found the picture amusing).   I hope I have not broken any forum rules - the picture is from the Guardian and is linked to directly on their site. Ian

You are presumably using an ISP to get on the Internet. Some (don’t know about proportion, though all that I have ever taken out contracts with) include web space as part of what they provide under their being your ISP (e.g. as part of your however many euros per month). Maybe check with your ISP. Some have free web tools that help you upload to “your site”, document how to do it, etc. If you get your own domain name you can generally divert these (hidden) to your ISP web site so people don’t have to browse to some horrible difficult “mywebsite.com/me/myname/etc…”.

The Pet Passport scheme allows booster rabies vaccinations to be as stated in the “Valid To” date in the Pet Passport (i.e. as stated by DEFRA: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/procedures/support-info/vacci.htm). If the vet puts a longer date than one year I reckon that’s fine by DEFRA – see “Boosters” section on URL above). I may be wrong but I was not aware of any difference in the regulations for entry to UK for British and non-British resident dogs. Although booster vaccinations in the UK tend to be treated as being valid for 2 years, in France booster vaccinations tend to be valid for only one year. At least that is my experience and understanding. My UK dog was vaccinated with the same vaccine in the UK and France (Rabisin) yet the UK said every two years but my French vet says every year. When my French vet filled in the Pet Passport “valid to” date, he gave it 1 year. Maybe other French vets give longer but my understanding is that they still rate it as only good for 1 year. Ian

Tick and tapeworm treatment can probably be a range of different things (DEFRA specify the active ingredients required). In practice my vet uses Frontline for ticks and has on one occasion given an injection for worms and another time Drontal pills (as I used to use in the UK). Must be done by a vet who then completes the paperwork, signs, etc.

[quote]Wow - thanks for that! Lola had her rabies shot last august and it doesn't run out until 2007. There's nothing on the passport to state that she needs a booster prior to 2007 but I'll check the links...[/quote] Don’t forget the blood test and 6 month wait – not needed to depart the UK but needed to get back in. In France rabies vaccinations are each year. Despite what your Pet Passport may say, you may find it easier (though maybe not absolutely necessary) to get the rabies done each year (which is what the French expect). If your dog is in France for more than 3 months he/she becomes a French Resident and must be registered with the SCC (microchip/tattoo database). When you get your dog rabies vaccinated in France you get a certificate (blue one first year then red ones in subsequent years). One of my dogs is from the UK and when I went to get the paperwork for my last visit to the UK, the vet took 4 hours trying to get to grips with his UK vaccination record so he could trace it back to the blood test (despite the fact that he had always been vaccinated each year, already had a Pet Passport and UK PETS forms). I was advised by the President of the dog club I’m a member of that I should carry my dog’s rabies vaccination certificate around with me when with the dog (not a requirement, just a good idea, though this was during the rabies incident last year). Apparently, if your dog is arrested (or goes off and is found or passed to the Police), having a French rabies vaccination certificate can be a great help (just what I’ve been told – no experience

With Dell, I think many people like them until “things don’t work properly”. When things don’t go right then seem to go really wrong and Dell are pretty incapable of resolving these things to peoples satisfaction. Whilst things normally go fine, one experience when things don’t tends to put people off for life. Ian

Quote: “Cheap French ones frequently dribble, which you would not notice, except that it triggers the bruyer (or "macerator", to be pedantic). We had 2 that did this, until we fitted decent flush mechanisms.” I have the impression it is pretty standard for French flush mechanisms and filler shut-off values to go wrong. My local supermarket even sells replacements. I purchase my timber at the local builders merchants (not Point P who I found quite expensive). I got on their trade pricing pretty easily yet am not (nor presented myself) as a company. They also deliver pretty quickly at reasonable cost. However, they do not look after the timber in their yard so be careful in winter as that can delivery stuff that is “dripping wet” (i.e. left outside). My own experience is that planed timber is very expensive whereas sawn timber fairly reasonable (though it is a long time since I purchased any in the UK so don’t have much of a comparison).

For entry into France (and most other EEC countries) you need only a rabies vaccination and a Pet Passport (plus 1 month wait after the 1st rabies vaccination). However, for the UK you need: 1. Microchip 2. Rabies vaccination (possibly two one month apart, 2nd just improves the “pass rate” on the blood test) 3. Blood test (approx 1 month after last rabies vaccination) If blood test shows INADEQUATE rabies immunity (antibodies) FAIL, then re-vaccinate, re-blood test until adequate levels of antibody. Most dogs “pass” 1st time. 4. 6 months after successful blood sample was taken you are OK to enter UK. Between 24 and 48 hours of check-in for departure to UK dog must be treated for tick and tapeworms by a vet. Everything must be recorded in the Pet Passport by a vet (rabies vaccinations, blood test info, “tick & tapeworm” treatment). Make sure the time of day is included for the tick and tapeworm treatment not just the date as its between 24hrs and 48hrs (not just “a day or two”). Although blood test is a UK regulation, everything can be done in France (i.e. they are set-up to provide the rabies immunity test with indications for PASS or FAIL for entry to UK). Pet Passport has entries under the rabies vaccination bit for “Valid until” and provided you do not miss and are not late with the rabies booster vaccinations (i.e. you keep the sequence running), then you do not need to re-blood test, etc. If miss or are late with a rabies vaccination then re-blood test, re-wait 6 months, etc. Tick and tapeworm needs to be done on each entry to UK. For French dogs tattooed, there are special regs. allowing him/her to be microchipped later in the “sequence” Check all the paperwork the vet fills in as there is no flexibility in the case of errors. Sounds a real hassle but its actually not (just when its written out). Travel back is very easy. If you had the blood test done in the UK and have maintained the rabies vaccinations (each year) since then then a French vet can use those and the 6 months was from when the successful sample was taken in the UK (they are British regulations not French ones). Full regs (easy to understand) at http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm sorry I not great at explaining it clearly – it really is not as difficult as it sounds. If you have further questions, do post them. Ian

I apologise if this question has been asked before (but I could not find anything on a Search). For somebody resident/domiciled in France, paying French tax, etc., is income from company dividends (e.g. U.K. companies) subject to a higher/special tax rate (compared to normal income tax rates), or is it all just counted as income and taxed at whatever rate(s) you have on normal income tax ? Are there “thresholds” such that you can get so much tax free (or lower rate) from dividends, but then higher rates for the remainder (along the lines of UK CGT allowance). Many thanks Regards Ian

[quote]Does the dog have to be an EU citizen to apply for a passport coz my dog was born in Australia?[/quote] Don’t know though I doubt it very much (as Australia is included in the list of non EU countries the UK allows entry from under PETS http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/procedures/support-info/other.htm). However, if your dog has been in France for more than 3 months then you will have had him/her registered with the SCC anyway (so it probably would not be an issue). Whilst I don’t know, I doubt it very much as the procedures to get the paperwork are based on vaccinating the dog, blood testing the dog, etc.. when I got my Pet Passport for my UK dog (though in France), I never showed anybody his registration papers (as he is not yet registered with the SCC after more than 3 months). Check the micro-chip is of a type the UK can read (though I would think it almost certainly is). I doubt there will be any issue, particularly once you have the Pet Passport. You could always give DEFRA a call (+44 (0)870 241 1710 (Monday to Friday - 8.30am to 5pm UK time)). Ian

Have you tried asking Dabs if you can have a couriers/carrier collect it. Most of the UPS/Citilink/Parcelforce, etc will do collections and then deliver on to somewhere else. They generally have no problem with European deliveries. The only think you may find is that, as a “one-off” customer they might be a bit expensive (but worth asking). Alternatively, fins somewhere else that sells it that will do overseas deliveries. Regards Ian

I meant “some vet’s might think it was …” (not passing any opinions myself). Maybe a bit like taking your own wine to a restaurant because you can but it cheaper in a supermarket. Please don’t take my comments as any sort of “attitude” on my part. It might be that he has not realised you are buying elsewhere. When I’ve had my dogs treated for visits to UK, they always open a new pack and I have to buy the pack (being given the pipettes not used). If yours does the same he might be thinking you are bringing back the ones he gave you last time. Another aspect is the “admin fee” as when I have had “tick and tapeworm” done I only pay for the pills & Frontline. In fact, when I got my two their Pet Passports (at different times), I was charged nothing on either occasion. Last Christmas they were unsure about my UK dog’s UK rabies vaccination record (for his French PETS paperwork) and ended up on the phone for ages to the national veterinary service and I still paid nothing. One thing I have found with my vets is that they are not strongly money orientated, or very friendly or very trusting or something as I went for about 6 months through one serious injury (visits twice a week for a month or more), a neutering, sets of vaccinations, blood test, etc. without paying anything. One day they did give me “the bill” and it was €21. I pointed out that they had probably missed off a few things and ended-up giving them a complete list which came to several hundred Euros. Every now and again they just don’t charge me for something e.g. last rabies vaccination they just turned round and said “gratis” (not forgetting to charge just giving it).

Do you have firewalls (e.g. Zone Alarm, Windoze Firewall, Norton Internet Security, etc.) as these may be blocking the communications to the servers ? Do you have a Virus Checker that scans incoming and/or outgoing e-mails as these sometimes setup local dummy POP/SMTP servers. For example, some people have had trouble with AVG and Norton. Norton does not always stop scanning e-mails just because you disable the option to scan e-mails. Are the POP2 and SMTP ports set correctly. Wanadoo actually use the defaults, but worth checking that they have not become changed somehow (POP3=110 and SMTP=25). Ian

You are lucky to have such a cooperative vet. I think that some might think it “a bit of a nerve”. Frontline is available most places that sell pet products (unlike in the UK). Certainly, my own vet is more expensive than the general outlets, but he tends to use the “combo” variant which is more expensive anyway and not so generally available (as it is more expensive). If one compares the price of a Frontline Combo 3 pack from my vet and from the cheap internet sites (online sales, then my vet is €2 more expensive (per 3 pack). Ian

My own language skills would be totally inadequate. However, although unsure of your area or if you require somebody local, there are several translation services advertised at: http://www.francopats.com/classifieds/index.php?method=showhtmllist&list=classifiedscategory&rollid=79&fromfromlist=classifiedscategory&fromfrommethod=showhtmllist&fromfromid=40&clearoff=1 Sorry, it’s a long URL and will need to be cut ansd pasted into a single line, etc. However, somebody there might be able to help Ian