Mlonghurst

Hi, We have already started the process of registering our Rice Richardson Horse trailer and will keep you posted.  Rice Richardson do not export or have offices in france and therefore can provide no Cert of conformity. We went down to the DRIRE and gave them a picture (brochure) with all the tech specs on and also some paperwork (in French and german) which specifies the breaking systems conformance with EU requirements. The lady at the DRIRE has sent all the documents off and will phone us back soon!!!!!!!!! Our problem now is that as we have re-registered our car onto French plates we cannot tow the trailer which is still on UK plates (against the law here). Will keep you posted. Regards,  Mike L

Trisha & Paul, Hi again.  We only have a small Farm of 30 Acres.  We are getting quite excited about our imminent arrival and constantly go out to check if she has started yet (due any day now). It is well worth a visit down to Treban just to visit 2brewers place.  It is very difficult to find a really good real ale in France and having sampled a few of his I can testify to their quality.  An absolute must for real ale admirers. I will let you know when Tricia has foaled and send some pics.  You are allways welcome to pop in and see the foal and young Llama when they arrive. Sue has just told me she is up at 5am tomorrow to check on Trica and Fatma and see if their babies have arrived Hope she does not expect me to check with her!!! Regards,  Mike & Sue L

We thought about using a timer but in the end decided that a computer controller would be much better and allow us to set firrerent time for different days.  The plumber is also installing the conntrol panel in the kitchen which saves us having to go down into the cellar every time we want to make a change. Regards,  Mike L

Consider yourselves lucky.  We completed our purchase on 20th Dec 04 and have use 1,700 litres since then.  Boiler is relatively new (3 years old) and we have 10 radiators, although we only use 5 with thermostats.  Boiler does both heating and hot water.  We had heating guy round and he is fitting a computer controller next week so we can specify when the heating comes on and hot water ect on a daily basis. Will cost 1,100 euros for computer and all fitting, but will save us a lot of money in the longer term. Regards,  Mike L

Tricia & Paul, Hi, We live in Meillard, Allier, about 30 Miles south of you.  Only moved in 6 weeks ago and still getting to know the wider area.  If you are ever down this way please feel free to drop by.   We are expecting our first young Clydesdale Foal in March and 3 of the Llamas are also due to give birth sometime in March, so there will be a lot of excitement and celebration here. Saint Pourcain-Sur-Sioul is really lovely with some nice resteraunts, bars, shops and its own wines (not really a great wine drinker, but I love some of theirs) steeped in History. There is a small market on there every Saturday. Moulins is also a must for a visit and we are trying to discover when they have their markets.  Will update you as we discover the more interesting areas (again we seek the none tourist areas and prefer Farmers markets ourselves). Welcome to Allier and hope all goes well with the purchase. Regards,  Mike & Sue

It is worth bearing in mind that companies like Whirlpool now offer a warranty which is valied and transportable within all EU Countries. We went for Whirlpool as the saving for a Washingmachine and Tumble Drier was over £500 (Cheaper in UK than France).  The cost of a 'Y' piece was £0.75p (Quite a saving). I do not work for Whirlpool, my wife just loves their gear - never a fault. Regards,  Mike L    

The previous articles have been very helpful.  However, are there any particular proceedures which need to be complied with for bringing an air rifle into France.  I have an air charged Webley air rifle (used for sport target shooting) and wish to bring this over with me when I move in Jan 2005. Regards, Mike L

Graham, The trailer we have purchased is a modified Wessex WLT 1288x Stock Trailer.    Do you have any idea if there is any one (or office) I can contact in France to find out if the trailer will be acceptible? (This wold save me from brining it over to find that it fails the test!!!).  Wessex have informed me that they can provide me with a technical description of the trailer, however the trailer has been professionaly modified to carry heavy horses (i.e a center partition has been incorporated). Regards, Mike L

Bex, Thanks for the info.  By thye way I like the can be difficult to get certail horse gear in France.  Like the web site and as our Clydesdales seem to think that their winter rugs (we only use them when it gets to -3+) are for tearing off and throwing around the fields, we might need to order some stuff from you. Louise I might enquire about the license as 2 of the clydesdales are ridden (just for walking around, nothing serious). With regard to your MSA health insurance payments, is this amount a weekly, monthly or annual payment? (be nice if it is annual). I always work on extreems when doing the financial calculations and have allowed £2,000 PA - just a figure I plucked out of the blue - so will be nice if it is a lot lower).   I love these forums and really appreciate the knowledge and advice that pople can share.  It really helps when you are trying to make sure that the move goes as smoothly as possible. Best regards,  Mike Longhurst    

My wife and I are just buying a large stock trailer in the UK.  Do Trailers require additional insurance, testing, plates in France?  We move over in Jan 05. Regards, Mike L

Helen and Martin.   Thanks for the info.  We would be really interested in any information you receive.  Luckily we will be able to cut the hay from our own fields and if we do run  out the farmer next door will sell us some round bales.  I have already checked our and the neighbours fields for ragwort.  The biggest problem we have is the are a large number of Oak trees dotted around and they currently only have electric fencing around the boundary.  I am in the process of buying a post puncher and so we can fence all the fields and make sure that the horses are kept clear of the Oak Trees.   I note that you have donkeys. Have you been down and seen the Pitiou Donkeys in Charante (Tall with really long coats).  I was amazed and Sue immediately wanted one (Typical of Sue...I said NO (not yet anyway!!!)).     Louise,   Thanks again for the advice.  We are both 50 and have been breeding Clydesdales, llamas and Shetland sheep for 5 years in Wales but have no formal qualifications (most people I know in the UK who have been farming all their lives never have any form of qualification).   When you say that “All riders should have a licence with FFE Federation Francais Equitation which all FFE Poney Clubs etc. can supply”, does this still apply to someone who only rides privately (i.e we do not ride in any events etc)?   All the horses are registered with the British Shire Horse Society and I have just discovered that there is a French Shire Horse Society so we will be contacting them shortly.   I had heard that Health through the MSA can be expensive, have you found this to be the case?   Regards,  Mike & Sue Longhurst

My wife and are due to move over to Allier in Jan 2005.  We have 5 border collies and would most certainly be interested in an english speaking kennels. Contrary to some of the previous statements about dogs and lanuage.  Our dogs are working sheepdogs, funny that they can respond to commands given in English but will just sit there staring blankly when instructed in Welsh.  I have also had a number of experiances in France when speaking or trying to command a french persons pet in English...same effect...no understanding de language.... Sorry but dogs are not as intelligent as humans and work on the basis of word recognition and association.  French might as well be martian as far as our dogs are concerned.  Now if you are really good at whistling commends then they may understand what you want them to do. Regards, Mike L

My wife and I are moving to France permenantly in Jan 2005.  Someone told me that Horsebreeders are classed as Farmers (no problem with that as we have been farming in Wales for the last 4 years).  Does anyone know if horsebreeders in France require any specific qualifications?  I know of no such qualification or course for this type of activity in the UK.  We breed Clydesdale Horses which are rare breed and almost certainly about to enter the endangered species list in the next couple of years. Any advice appreciated. Regards,  Mike L

My wife and I are moving to France permenantly in Jan 2005.  Someone told me that Horsebreeders are classed as Farmers (no problem with that as we have been farming in Wales for the last 4 years).  Does anyone know if horsebreeders in France require any specific qualifications?  I know of no such qualification or course for this type of activity in the UK.  We breed Clydesdale Horses which are rare breed and almost certainly about to enter the endangered species list in the next couple of years. Any advice appreciated. Regards,  Mike L

This may sound very hard but I am afraid its true.  I have never expected any inheritance from my parents, or their parents.  I firmly believe that I have no god given right to expect anything from them.  They spent 17 hard years teaching me and my 6 brothers to stand on our own two feet.  My parents worked hard and gave me the gift of life and love as they worked hard to bring me up as a decent person.  Should I expect as a right that they should leave me money or property when they die.  NO. Absolutly not.  I would rather they spent their hard earned money enjoying their remaining years in what ever manner they wish and if that lifestyle leaves nothing for myself and my brothers at the end of it then so be it.    My parents will have left me the best inheritance that I could have wished for, Life.  Also a willingness and ability to stand on my own two feet and build my own wealth if I should so wish.  Do or should my children have a god given right to inherit what I have when I die.  NO.  That decission should be left to me, I am the one who worked hard for what I have and I should decide who benefits from it when I die.  A few years ago, my mother won a sum of money (not a fortune) and asked if I would like some of it.  I told her to go out and enjoy it whilst she can and that I have years ahead of me to make my fortune or not. Sorry for ranting, but some attitudes amaze me.  (any very wealthy people with no children living in France looking to adopt a middle aged (in years only) male please PM me).   Regards,  Mike L

This may sound very hard but I am afraid its true.  I have never expected any inheritance from my parents, or their parents.  I firmly believe that I have no god given right to expect anything from them.  They spent 17 hard years teaching me and my 6 brothers to stand on our own two feet.  My parents worked hard and gave me the gift of life and love as they worked hard to bring me up as a decent person.  Should I expect as a right that they should leave me money or property when they die.  NO. Absolutly not.  I would rather they spent their hard earned money enjoying their remaining years in what ever manner they wish and if that lifestyle leaves nothing for myself and my brothers at the end of it then so be it.    My parents will have left me the best inheritance that I could have wished for, Life.  Also a willingness and ability to stand on my own two feet and build my own wealth if I should so wish.  Do or should my children have a god given right to inherit what I have when I die.  NO.  That decission should be left to me, I am the one who worked hard for what I have and I should decide who benefits from it when I die.  A few years ago, my mother won a sum of money (not a fortune) and asked if I would like some of it.  I told her to go out and enjoy it whilst she can and that I have years ahead of me to make my fortune or not. Sorry for ranting, but some attitudes amaze me.  (any very wealthy people with no children living in France looking to adopt a middle aged (in years only) male please PM me).   Regards,  Mike L

Just buying a property in Allier and wondered if there are any Satalite installaers in the area and can you still receive SKY in Allier?   Regards,  Mike Longhurst

Does anyone know of any companies (tel No's or web site) who provide/sell steel frame buildings (approx 150-200ft x 45ft) in france?  Also any idea if they errect? Looking at a lovely place but no outbuildings for the animals (if it did it would probably have sold long ago for a lot more than we can pick it up for). Regards, Mike L

Well I must eat my own words.  I recently had a quote of over £8,000 to move from Mid Wales to Limoge by a professional company (2,000 sq ft of furniture) and so did some sums and found I could do this privately for £2,250.  However, I recently contacted Allied Pickfords, who have quoted £2,900 (and they do the packing...bit to late as she who speaks thunder has this 90% complete).  Needless to say I have decided to go with Pickfords. I would add that we are putting stuff into storgae for between 3-6 months.  When I asked why the quote was so cheap they were very honest and stated that they make they money on the storgae costs £48 per week. Could be worth trying when you conside we need two trucks for 2 days to move the stuff from here to Cardiff for storage and then 1 large (or 2 small trucks) from Cardiff to where ever we finally purchase.  We used Limoges as a baseline for getting the distances sorted for the quotes. Hope this helps. Regards, Mike L

Hi, Just wondering if anyone has any opinions on using CA for banking. During our fact finding visits (pre move voyage of discovery)there seemed to be a CA Bank or Cash Dispenser just about everywhere. It was also very easy to get cash quickly using a UK issued VISA Card. We are looking at Charente or Limousin area when we eventualy move over full time later this year. Also, is it possible to set up a French Bank Account before actually buying a French property (i.e. when renting long term)? Regards, Mike L

As someone who has spent most of the last 2 years either renting holiday accommodation or living in hotels whilst away on business, I feel for you. My expectation is that if I book somewhere for a week and then decide to leave after 3 days, I expect to be charged for 1 week as it is too late to re-rent that part of a week. The only exception I would make to this (and no inference here...) is if the property or hotel room is clearly not as advertised (dirty, noisy, sub standard, artistic license used in advertising etc), then I would not expect to pay for any days that I did not stay there. There are a number of occasions that I have decided that I could no longer stay in a property (usually after the first daysometimes as soon as I am shown the room) and have informed the owner (manager) that I will only pay for the duration of the stay thus far (or requested a refund of outstanding monies if payment made in advance) and this only after I have discussed by complaint with the owners (manager) of the property. Where there is any dispute and the property has been organised through an agency, I usually take pictures or video and send this with accompanying letter to state my point in order to obtain a refund (this has only happened twice in 10 years and both times were in UK). My point is, you provide a service and should expect payment unless it is your fault that the booking is terminated early. For what its worth. Mike Longhurst

Not sure if this the right forum for this post, but this seems the most experienced bunch to get a proper answer. Are there any Gite owners or agencies in France (charentes, Limousin) who deal in properties with land and accept dogs? We are due to complete the sale of our farm in Wales within the next few weeks and it seems impossible to find a Gite or let for 6 months which satisfies the need for a couple with dogs, horses and Llamas. We are coming over to find and buy a smallholding/farm and the only other option is to rent separate fields for the animals in the UK and come over with the dogs in a caravan, but we really want to keep an eye on our horses (the Llamas are capable of fending for themselves very hardy and undemanding). Having read some of the messages I can understand the concern some people have regarding hangers on. We would pay the whole 6 months rent up front if necessary. Any web sites which offer the same or advice appreciated. Regards, Sue & Mike L

Hi, I have been following several threads here and on the Total France Forum (great places for info) and had a number of responses (many different responses). Our problem is that we have 2 x cats and 5 dogs (4 male and 1 female - spayed). All are microchipped and up to date with vaccinations and rabies checked. The dogs are also microchipped (in accordance with EU regs (i.e. 15 character codes and not 13 as in older microchips). we wish to bring them over permenantly. They will not be passing back and forth. We were informed that if we contact the French Ministry of agriculture and Fisheries in France (MAPAAR)and request permission to bring them all over that should suffice and permission should be forthcomming. Having sent 2 x faxes (1 in english & 1 in French)over 4 weeks ago we have heard nothing. We tried to contact the French Embassy in London (answer machine) and again nothing. Who on earth do we contact when no one will respond?. Is there a telephone number we can phone to speak with someone to obtain permission? To add to this we are also looking at bringing over 3 heavy horses and 9 Llamas which are part of a breeding business so we have well over 3 animals. Please help as if permission is not forthcomming then our dreams of moving to France will be off for good.

My wife and I will be moving to France later this year. I am considering purchasing a compact tractor in the Uk and having it shipped out. Are tractors liable to the same registration, tests etc that apply to cars? Or can tractors be obtained a fairly competative prices? Regards, Mike L