Annesykes

Anyone else had trouble trouble setting up an account. I got a 'new account' pack from them. Called to see what exactly we needed to send. Thought I'd dealt with everything only to get the whole lot returned with a string of queries. Mainly relating to proof of income, I sent them copies of my payslips but they also want P60s, why? we're not borrowing only depositing!!! They want proof of self-employed hubby's income in the form of audited accounts, I don't plan on hiring an auditor just so we can open a bank account. I am an accountant myself and don't see the need to hire someone to do a job I can do easily myself but the law here doesn't require an audit just accounts. The copies of passports etc I got signed as copies by an accountant but they want them 'stamped' what ever that is supposed to mean. the accountant in question isn't a partner in a practice so won't have a stamp of any sort. Anyone can get a rubber stamp made so that does not prove anything. I had discussed all this on the phone with them. I also explained that this account was to pay bills on our holiday house, we have no intention (only a vague dream) of moving to France full-time so I don't get it. Logically if we were moving to live there proof of income etc would be a joke as our work is here in Ireland. Are they always so picky or have I just not understood why they need all this. I know my money laundering regulations inside out and there's nothing in the EU Directive about proof of income.

can anyone recomend an internet cafe in Loudeac? We'll be staying near there for a couple of weeks later this month.

Anyone travelling to Brittany from Ireland all the year round? Summer is fine (if expensive) plenty of routes from Dublin, Rosslare and Cork to Cherbourg and Roscoff. Rest of the year what are the choices? Via UK..... lots of driving from Holyhead to the ports. Fly-drive.... Dublin-Stanstead-Dinard then hire a car Any other suggestions from fellow islanders?

We had a great holiday and even managed to look at lots of properties. Sadly we didn't manage to find 'our' house but we'll be back in July. The boys loved the Mainoir de Menac, we did too but it's a tad expensive for a stay in summer so it's back to searching for a more affordable gite for our summer trip. Pity we had a postal strike here and didn't get out livingfrance magazine until we got back which was a shame as it had loads of info on one part we'd never visited, Cornouaille, and only managed a quick look at this trip. Maybe in July althjough I suspect it'll be busy around there that time of year. Any tips on where is good to look? I've emailed a few owners via chez-nous.com. Where else can we do a spot of searching?

Can anyone advise us. We are planning to buy a holiday home in Brittany and reckon on opening a local bank account to pau bills etc. Online banking will be essential as we won't be there most of the time. My French isn't great. As far as I can see a lot of the banks are regional and charges seem to vary. Any advice as to where is good? What forms of ID are acceptable? PAssposts obiously but what about proof of address, will electricity bills etc from Ireland suffice as proof of address? My drivers licence has an out of date address!