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LisaJ

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Posts posted by LisaJ

    Cooperlola - A Widower's tribute

    in Other Topics

    Posted

    I wanted to add a few words of tribute as someone who worked with Deb in the French Health Issues group. I recognise that not every one shares the same view of this affair, but I can say that for those of us who were in France and caught up in the negative impact of the introduction of the changes, Deb was a shining light. She led the group in taking on the French, British and European authorities, using social and conventional media, blogs, telephone, letters, email. She worked tirelessly, with absolute focus and sheer bloody-mindedness. It was impossible not to love her and admire her energy, her commitment and her very real successes. Deb and FHI got things changed and we, along with many others owe her a huge debt of gratitude.

    I hope it is of some comfort to you Ian, to know how important she was and how much she made a difference. She will be sorely missed.

    the regional vote

    in The Complete France Post Bag

    Posted

    Just to clarify the position about non-French citizens at elections. Our secretary at the Mairie rang the Prefecture and was told the following:

    Volunteers can only help at elections where they have the right to vote.

    Once you have been elected to the Municipal Council then you can officiate at any election in the commune.

    I hope this helps.

    regards

    L

    Health and low humidity caused by log burners.

    in Health

    Posted

    I have read this thread with interest as we are suffering the same symptoms as the OP. Our weather station tells us that humidity in the house is only 32% (it is very well insulated and has central heating as well as the woodburner.) We have tried a bowl of water on the stove today, but are thinking that we might have to buy a small humidifier. We are keeping the house very well sealed at the moment as the temperature outside is very cold. 

    regards

    L

    Piggybacking onto spouse's E121 based cover - advice pls.

    in Health

    Posted

    I pay cotisations to RSI. I have delayed my French pension in order to keep the business going a bit longer, but my UK state pension will come via RSI and I will not get an E121. I will keep my health cover from RSI for ever.

    The forms from Newcastle are very clear and I phoned for clarification. Once you have paid social security contributions in France, then your record is here and you cannot claim your pension directly from the UK, you fill in the forms and RSI or whoever you are with, claim it for you. (I realise your question is just about health cover, but the two seem to be tied together).

    regards

    L

    SNOW!!

    in Other Topics

    Posted

    About 12 cm and snowing on and off here in south Calvados. No traffic in or out of the hamlet yesterday morning or today, so no postie. As we never see a snow plough  here we could be stuck for quite a few days judging by the forecast. Have just done the rounds to check on the older folk in the hamlet and looks as if we shall have to light the bread oven and get into serious bread making mode for them as the bread van hasn't got through either! Good job we stocked up on flour....

    regards

    L

    CMU cancelled from 1st October '09 - Help!

    in Health

    Posted

    Julie, you need to check what documentation you have from your original business registration. When we set up our micro-entreprise we did it at the Chamber of Commerce and they informed RSI. We then had to go to RSI with loads of documentation and eventually we got a social security number and an attestation for our health "caisse". We are still waiting for our Cartes Vitales two years later, but you are covered from the date of your registration, even if it takes a while to get the forms through so you can claim money back for health expenses. Of course you also have to pay the contributions (cotisations) for your health cover, pension, maternity etc. Also be aware that once you are in the French system, you do not get an E121. You have to get RSI to claim your state pension for you from Newcastle and your health cover comes from the French social security system ever after.We have found that we can only get things done if we go to RSI in person.

    Good luck!

    regards

    L

    The Elegance of the Hedgehog

    in Books and Literature

    Posted

    Yes I read it. I enjoyed it, but found the style a bit overblown. I read it in translation which may not have helped. I thought the central characters were beautifully drawn and I liked the basic idea of the story, but got irritated by the philosophical digressions. What did you think RH?

    regards

    L

    Secondhand Cars, cheaper in France or UK?

    in Driving in France

    Posted

    There is another thread running, where some of us are discussing the possibility of buying a second -hand car in Germany and importing it.

    It seems to me that the problem here  (for those of us who want to buy a car!) is that the second-hand car market is much smaller than in the UK, people keep their cars much longer and there aren't as many ex-company cars.

    regards

    L

    Im thinking of giving up the gites.

    in Gite Owners Forum

    Posted

    ...And then there is the moment when you are doing (probably) the last changeover of the season, you have a collection of lovely comments in the visitors' book and then the post comes and you have a ludicrous bill from RSI for money you don't owe them, which take the total demanded to more than you earned for the entire 2008 season... Oh and it's Saturday and you can't ring them up until Monday...

    regards

    L

    Buying and then importing a secand-hand car from Germany.

    in Driving in France

    Posted

    We are very interested in this as we have been looking at buying a second hand VW Touran for the next car and have been put off by the high prices here. It also seems to be very difficult to get an automatic gear box, which is essential for us. I guess the most difficult thing is to choose a car from a distance and we would really need a friendly garage just across the border from Strasbourg or somewhere similar. I haven't ever re-registered a car here, but looking at the sticky it seems to be around the 500€ mark? Will be very interested in how you get on if you decide to go ahead, Norman.

    regards

    L

    E121

    in Health

    Posted

    Just to clarify - I am not working here now, I worked for 6 hours a week for eight months a couple of years ago. I understand that I must therefore claim my OAP from France and they will collect my UK pension for me, but I am still not sure about the E121. I have yet to have my interview with CRAM so maybe it will all become clear then, but in the meantime if anyone knows what happens, I would be very grateful for the information.

    regards

    L

    E121

    in Health

    Posted

    I have to apply for my State Pension in France, because I worked here briefly a couple of years ago. Does anyone know if I still apply for an E121 as normal or does the cover come from France?

    regards

    Lisa

    need some advise.

    in Gite Owners Forum

    Posted

    David, you need to go and see RSI. They can be flexible over the charges if you can give them a good estimate of your actual earnings. We got the first and second year contributions for our micro-entreprise reduced to reflect our actual revenue. I wouldn't try and do it by phone, letter or email; we have found the face-to-face contact works best.

    regards

    L

    Giving English Lessons?

    in French Education

    Posted

    Fi, it entirely depends on what the objectives of the lessons are, but for help with grammar at secondary level I use Raymond Murphy's "English Grammar in Use" (French version.) I find the eslhq forum useful for general ideas and questions. When I was teaching English in French primary schools, I used the Cambridge and British Council materials, plus the UK Primary MFL strategy materials, which I think are brilliant.

    Hope this helps.

    regards

    L

    Giving English Lessons?

    in French Education

    Posted

    You may find it is a bit more complicated than that Fi, as your pupils will very often ask you for a grammatical explanation. I have been a teacher of English in the UK and in France and I still have to prepare lessons very thoroughly. A basic book of English grammar for TEfL is a good investment!

    BTW I am not sure where your information about the teaching of MFL in UK schools comes from, it certainly doesn't reflect my experience.

    regards

    L

    I seem to be in an annuaire that I don't know about!

    in French Artisans

    Posted

    We had one of these too - just before Christmas, an official looking "invoice" and then a phone call saying we owed them 400 odd euros. I told them to send a copy of a signed contract and of course we never heard anything more, but it gave me a nasty few moments. These things seem to arrive on a fairly regular basis; definitely one of the downsides of running a business here.

    regards

    L

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