Lori

Just had ours done in the Vaucluse (Dept. 84) and it cost 62 euros.  I have no idea if you get a discount for more than one, but I would sure try to negotiate that.    

Yes, I guess I could have headed to the Gendarmerie to make a formal complaint.  But, this particular hunter had been showing up for several days - wine jug in one hand, shotgun in the other (I told the Gendarmes this when I called ...  ).  My French neighbors and myself were out there yelling at him to move on as he was too close to our homes/children.  We could see him clearly and he could see all of us.  He grumbled some incoherent words and continued his shooting.  That is when I called the Gendarmes.  I felt we needed response then, not days later when they managed to find the time to investigate a written complaint.  I have to admit, this is one area I am not too impressed with here.  Police/Gendarme protection is lacking and not just with regard to this issue.

When I got tired of buckshot flying over our house from hunters within 50 meters of our home (children outside playing), I called the Gendarmes.  They laughed at me and asked me what I wanted THEM to do about it.  I told them.  They didn't appreciated it and said there was nothing they could do.  I said that if one of my children or pets is shot, they will have me at their throat. 

Hilarious

Sounds so cute, but I guess it could get pretty annoying.

Can't remember the website, but they are online and always kept up to date.  Just do a search for 2006 France Vacances.  It will come up.

LeClerc is back down to 1.28 per litre for 98.  The local gas station in Bedoin is still at 1.48 per liter for same. I never thought I'd see the day I would be happy to pay 1.28 per litre....  well maybe not happy, but you know.

Nicktrollope - I wish she was my Mum, it would cost me a lot less...  

Jon, yes the U.S.A., to me, is a much cheaper place to live than France.  There are exceptions - New York, Boston, Chicago, and most of California (where we are from).  It is also quite pretty in many areas. If there just weren't so many Americans... (smiley face)  

Is it Maitre for male AND female attorneys?   I have an appt. with a female attorney this morning and the thought occurs to me that I am not sure how to address her.   ?

I figured I was being robbed, but I was on a deadline yesterday and had no time to go to one of the larger supermarkets, where I figured the price would be considerably less.  Oh well, at least I found it.  

Very good to know as we are replacing 55 year old windows in our house and really need the 5.5%.  We had asked that the windows be completed before Xmas.  The date was accepted and devis written up with 5.5.   Now, I will just make SURE the work and all billing is complete before Xmas. Not happy about the news (if it does transpire), but definitely need to know.  

Opel Fruit - You are exactly correct.  Went to Carpentras this afternoon and they are plastic pouches that are incorporated into a cahier.  8 Euros for a 50 page cahier .... !!  Good heavens. Thanks very much.

You mean the pochettes plastiques?  I have hundreds of those, but my daughter insists there is some sort of classeur or cahier that has the plastic pochettes incorporated into it - hence the different name.  I am so confused.  I am told I can just go to the music store where I bought the flute and they will have them...  I sure hope so, cause I have no idea what I'm looking for.  If it is simply the plastic pochettes, I have those. Guess I will find out when I venture out to visit the music store and/or tomorrow when I have sent her to school with the wrong/right thing.. Thanks for the help.  I appreciate it. 

Thanks Alexis - that is most helpful.  Now, do most people ask the driver to unload the wood and stack it - in order to make sure the delivery is the amount ordered?  That doesn't seem to be done here.  Depending upon how the wood is stacked onto the truck, it may be possible to get some sort of idea by sight. Le Bouffon - yes, my neighbor did already get the money back for the two stairs she paid for, but did not get.  However, it took constant letters (recommende) and a threat to proceed legally before he mailed her a check - no letter, no phone call, no response except to send her the check several months later.  I'd rather not have to go through that.  Hence the question.

It may be spelled wrong, but my daughter needs a "porte a vue" for her music class in sixieme - college.  I have no idea what this is.  She says it is some sort of notebook for music sheets, etc. I have to go to Carpentras to get this today as she needs it tomorrow.  Anyone have a clue??

Can anyone advise how I am supposed to measure a stere of wood?  Perhaps a stupid question, but my neighbor (French) ordered 6 steres of firewood and once it was unloaded (driver left), they stacked it and found they had only 4 steres (they measured it). Do most people just take what they get or is there some system to determine how much the driver is delivering (i.e. what you ordered and expect to get)? Thanks.  

Though I come from America, not the UK - therefore cannot speak on UK charges, but in comparison to the U.S., I have to agree with everything Jon said (only in terms of U.S. to France expenses). We have found some things cheaper here, but most are by far much more expensive than the U.S. We too have had the conversation about how much the annual cost to live here is.  As has been noted, there are so many variables.  I can honestly say that, here in the Vaucluse (Provence), a couple, with one car, no mortgage and no children, could survive on 20,000 Euros per year, but they certainly would have to be careful.  The healthcare issue would have to be considered.  Impots, water, electricity, heating fuel, petrol, white goods and food are much more expensive here than the U.S.  That may be irrelevant as you are coming from the UK, but still..  Any type of home renovations can cost very dearly, so choose your home carefully.  I do not see a couple with an income of 20,000 Euros per year being able to take any sort of International (including EU countries) vacation.  You'd be luck to have a week at a good B&B on that income, but maybe this is unimportant to you. Of course, this is my own personal opinion and I'm sure others will have some good input to add. Also, on another note, there was a recent post about unexpected expenses.  They happen every year to all of us and an income of 20,000 would make it difficult to put anything aside for the coming year.  

Well I do hope it is just a light bit of rain and not a deluge.  We have had nice rain nearly every day for a week now.  The yard is green again and the plants look SO happy.  Luckily for us, we are not in a flood zone, so this has been good. I hope the water levels over there continue to lower and as quickly as possible ..

Has happened to me many times.  Some shops have even resorted to writing me out a hand-written receipt ... probably not worth a centime - Seems to be an art form here.

We renovated, adding a lot of extra power needs, called EDF, they came out and upgraded our power to the house in 10 minutes.  Was really simple, just a bit more expensive, monthly.

Gee, I guess I should consider myself really lucky..  I hope my luck doesn't change.

I thought you might say that.  It is amazing that people continue to stay in these low lying areas.  Seems like such a risk.

Fascinating..   Do you have to pay more for insurance because of this ancient issue?  Just curious...  Are the insurance companies good about paying on damages?

Good grief - modern technology.  There is always someone a step ahead to steal your money/identity, etc., etc.