Lori

Being American and having moved to France from Southern California, I can tell you the colored hair and pierced everything are definitely commonplace in public schools (at least in S. CA).  I too do not believe that religion should be part of the public school system.  I believe it should remain a personal subject.  But, having grown up in North Carolina, I can tell you I would fall into a minority there. I've read "poems" like this before.  I too could not tell whether the poster is really serious or just posting a funny?  Since this is the Lighter Side, I am guessing maybe just posting a funny...  Maybe he/she will tell us.

I have never stayed in a B&B.  I'm sure I will one day, but at least I understand the concept now.  Alan - I like your website.  Your rooms look really nice.  Don't know Miki's website, but would imagine he runs a nice place too - always booked, sounds good. We have run a gite (part of our family home, but well separated) for the last couple of years.  I have to agree pleasing all the people all the time is an intense challenge.  Most of us have to completely change our lifestyles in order to run this type of business.  As has been said, if you don't like it, you don't do it.  Actually having people IN my own home (such as B&B) would be something I couldn't do.  I have always had the utmost respect for people who can, especially after having run the gite for the last two years.  But, I do believe that a certain amount of respect must be given to the property owner.  Know and follow the rules.  If you don't like them, don't book there.  Pretty simple really.  I wouldn't begin to try to tell someone else how to run his/her business - unless he/she asked.

Missyesbut:  Absolutely hilarious (maybe not)..  This is our last year renting our gite out (lower portion of our family home) after a very unpleasant experience, but not like your story....   We do still have repeat customers already booked for 2006, but won't take anyone new.   I have to say that I am most grateful to stone structures.  We really don't hear much of anything coming from down there (so to speak).  I have an 11 year old child, that is the last thing I need to keep us up at night. Part of the same mentioned "bad experience" we had were customers here for two weeks who refused the Saturday cleaning (which I pride myself in doing), change linens, clean kitchen, bathroom, vacuum, mop, etc..  That was part of a huge bunch of signals.  From that moment forward the Saturday cleaning is obligatoire and is noted in the contract.  After two weeks it took me 9 hours to clean the place and try to repair the damages. So, Miki - I would remind all folks at booking that breakfast is served between "these hours" and cleaning is obligatoire during "these hours," requiring the room to be vacated for the cleaning.  Normal people will respect and appreciate that.  You probably already do this.  There are always those "special" people.  

Not sure how the law reads as far as how far a child lives from the closest bus stop, but here, in our village of 3300 people, a new large bus stop was created in the village.  All children from this village are expected to take the bus from that stop and be returned to that stop at the end of the day.  It is quite large and can accommodate several buses at one time and also many parent's cars (waiting for the bus to arrive/depart with their children safely aboard).  There are other nearby villages - 3 or 4 kms away who have their own stops too. Our daughter will begin college in September and I have resigned myself that I will be up taking her to the bus stop (2 kms from house) each morning and picking her up each evening.  This isn't free either, though the cost is a minimal 140 Euros for the year.  I just chalk this up to having children.  I have always gotten up to take our daughter (and two neighbor's kids whose parents both work) to school every day.  It just seems the way it is... Probably not the answer you were looking for.

Yes, definitely...  having lived here four years now (Vaucluse) and living with strict water usage laws every Spring/Summer, I would have considered other areas of France.  I love life here, but every summer we are inundated with fires in the region and everything dies and turns to dust.  Not a pretty picture.  Then, often when it does actually rain, we have inundations due to the earth being so dry.  Also, the toing and froing as it has been said is another thing I didn't really consider.  Have to drive 35 minutes to find any real shopping.  Luckily the Sous Prefecture can help with most official things and that is only 15 minutes, but the shopping thing can really push the buttons.  I guess, in one way, it is good as I always think twice before I actually bite the bullet and use all that petrol to buy a thing or two.

I have to agree with what Eslier had to say.   It is nearly impossible to get anything official done here in August.  If you had made the appointment far in advance, perhaps, but to try to work it out now would probably be very difficult. I realize 600 Euros is a bit of a bite to the wallet, but overall, it might be worth it to you if she will agree (in writing) to be out by a date that is okay with you. Legal?  Good question, I think only the Notaire could give you the true answer. Good luck to you.  

Just wondering if anyone is located near Avignon.  Am feeling a bit lonely, husband overseas, daughter visiting Gramma and would love to meet for a coffee - glass of wine, etc.  I am at the foot of the Mt. Ventoux, but can easily reach Avignon or the surroundings villages. Lori

I got teary reading your post Val50.  You sound like someone with a sound mind, who knows how to appreciate the simpler (yet finer) things in life.  I am sure you will find those things in Canada too.  If your daughter is staying on at university here, surely you will be back.  With all the gite/chambre d'hotes owners on this forum, surely, one of us can set you up for a nice return in the future. Do come back to the forum and tell us how you are doing in Canada.  I'm sure we would all enjoy hearing from you.  Best of luck to you.  

John Hood - I'm not clear on what kind of account Credit Agricole set-up?  Was it a loan?  Seems to me it must have been some sort of construction loan.  It is their policy to require mortgage insurance on all loans.  The price, in my opinion, for this insurance is ridiculous (and based on the amount of the loan) and if you (the borrower) has ANY medical maladie, you can expect a big boost in the premium as it is somewhat like term-life mortgage insurance.  You die it pays off the loan.  The bank should have explained this to you BEFORE you signed for an account.  If they didn't, they certainly need to now. I believe all banks do this, but I'm sure others here can say.    

I agree white goods here are FAR more expensive than in the States.  And, I too, have found that just after the guarantee ends, so does the product (in too many cases). My French neighbor (runs an Auberge) told me that after several attempts at buying "high end" white goods and watching them fall apart just at guarantee end, she has begun buying cheap stuff and expecting to throw it out after a few years.  Sad but true. As far as unexpected expenses go - you are so right.  When it rains it pours. In the past 3 months: Car repairs       400 euros Dog surgery/vaccines       375 euros repair dishwasher        75 euros will have to repair a robinet in the kitchen - who knows what that will be Replace toilet flusing mechanism / with labor 130 euros Fix a short in the pool electrical system - 75 euros (lucky I thought it would be more). When they all come around the same time and unexpectedly so, they hurt.  

Afy - they asked us for the same details - and none of our income has ever been earned in France.  They ask for a lot of personal detail as the loans they offer are strictly based on personal ability to pay back.  They NEVER look at the house in question, etc.  It is all based upon your personal ability to pay back the loan.  Therefore, they want to know every little bit of data about you.  An enormous change from the U.S. procedure.  Just the way it is here.  

Afy - they asked us for the same details - and none of our income has ever been earned in France.  They ask for a lot of personal detail as the loans they offer are strictly based on personal ability to pay back.  They NEVER look at the house in question, etc.  It is all based upon your personal ability to pay back the loan.  Therefore, they want to know every little bit of data about you.  An enormous change from the U.S. procedure.  Just the way it is here.  

Hoddy - we stayed in that hotel many years ago and enjoyed it.  Domme is very beautiful. As for other countries, we really want to stick to France.  Have taken a look at that chateaux hotel website and there are many possbilities there.  However, someone sent me a PM with a private farmhouse for rent in the Dordogne and it really looks beautiful - granted, not a hotel where people serve you, but it really looked pretty and relaxing.  Am considering that.  It would also cost us far less than 7 nights in hotels with all meals taken out.  Still not sure..  

I agree with Nicktrollope too.  I first thought of suggesting you just leave the place open, but I didn't think you'd go for that.

John & Sue - I assume since you say that the insurance company will not cover you for theft that it is because the openings to the house are not yet finished to specs (volets, iron bars, etc.).  Have you considered an alarm system.  AXA or any major insurer can have someone come in and install one for you.  The price is not horrible.  We have one with Groupama as some of our windows do not have volets on them and iron bars would look horrible.  Even if your home is not fully finished, they could probably do it.  Perhaps no one else would hear the alarm going off if you are way out in the sticks, but the burglars don't know that.  Also can depend upon the type of alarm system you have.  Groupama will call the house if there is a phone there to determine if the owner has set off the alarm.  If there is no answer Gendarmes are called out. If there are no real valuables to steal in the house, perhaps these are teen-agers breaking in for a place to do whatever activity they are hiding to do??  Are you SURE the macon did not share your key with anyone?  Often macons hire people on the side and they often have criminal backgrounds (obviously not all of them).  But, it is a question I ask anyone new coming to work in our home.  They may not give me an honest answer, but I ask anyway. I'm sorry for your troubles.  I have read about quite a bit of violent break-ins here in the Vaucluse, several involving attacks on the owners.  You might also try putting up some surveillance signs.  Sometimes these work.

Alexis - that's just it, I AM the maid.  We would both rather be pampered a bit.  If we stay here (and we did think about it - but not for long), I would be the one making the bed, cooking the meals, cleaning up after the meals, etc., etc., etc.  That wouldn't be much of a vacation for me and my husband wants me to have a break from that too.  He'd be more inclined to do the yard work, catch up on needed bricolage, etc. Venice, can't speak Italian and I think it would be too expensive.  I don't want to go somewhere I don't speak the language as I find that type of vacation different - not altogether bad, but not what we're looking for this time.  Also, considering its been 5 years since our last vacation, who knows how long it will be before the next one comes along.  Would like to make this one " just so. " Miki - I will take a look at the website you mentioned.  Thanks for the tip.  

Alexis - it is a big splurge for us.  We have not had a vacation in 5 years - at all - nothing.  My husband works overseas and we are not often together.  Our daughter will be visiting family elsewhere for the October school break and we thought we needed some time to ourselves, rejuvenate, etc.  Yes, it is a lot of money for us too, but we don't want to be disappointed.  Have rented and hotel stopped too many times in less than special / clean places.  Willing to pay a little more to avoid that. MWJ - thanks for the suggestions.  They sound great and I will look into them.  Have been to the Dordogne many years ago and loved it.  Would love to go back. As for Geneva.  Been there, liked it, but it is too big for romance.  Would have to stay somehwere outside of Geneva and we don't really know that area very well.  Would need a recommendation. Again, thanks and keep those suggestions coming. !   Lori

Anybody out there have any ideas where husband and I can spend a week or so for a romantic break?  We are in Provence (near Avignon) and don't really want to drive more than 4 hours from here (any direction).  Would like a hotel or two as we would probably stay 3 nights in one place and move on to 3 or 4 nights in another.  Would be towards the end of October.  A room with a working fireplace would be lovely.  Nothing over 200 Euros per night, preferably less. Any ideas?

No kidding.  They have never asked us to prove the source.  The source is our bank in the U.S. where my husband's personal income is deposited (which, by the way, most of it is spent here in France).   They have our tax returns, they know all about my husband's employment and income.  They have more private data on us than anyone I can think of.  I'm sure large transactions get reported to God knows who these days, but as far as banking goes, we have never been questioned.

Yes, I must admit we see alot of that here too.

Mpprh - I suppose that is entirely possible.  Canal du Carpentras.  Just seems odd that all the other villages have the same situation.  We have been on the list for water from the Canal for years now, along with our French farmer neighbors. Passiflora - What do the French do where you live?

Credit Agricole Alpes Provence.  And it does not come as any surprise to me that Banque Populaire or any other bank here might not be able to give you any coherent responses to these types (or any) type of issues.  It is our experience that most of the bank staff here are about as clueless as can be.  Perhaps it is because we are not in a large city, but really I find it incredible.  We were fortunate that when we opened our account (in another village from where we bought our house), we were met with extremely intelligent banking staff.  Unlucky for us, the village where we bought our house has a Credit Agricole (much more convenient to us) with a constant staff turn-over and a lack of intelligence.  Whenever we have anything serious to do, we go to the bank where we opened our account.  Luckily for us, the same staff remains in our original bank branch. So, good luck as this is just one of the many things that, I believe, are quite unique to France.  If you go around to several banks, perhaps you will find an intelligent staff such as the one we found.  And, don't feel bashful about doing so.  You pay these people all kinds of ridiculous fees, and it is YOUR money.    

Perhaps any negativity is due to what is happening in the world these days.  I think all the news can have a deep affect on people.  Even if you don't watch too much news or listen too much to the radio.  We all know what is going on and a lot of it is depressing. I love France, but recognize that no place is perfect - although this might be as close as I will ever get.  I will often post something frustrating as I can almost always find a good solution here.  I sure hope they weren't viewed as negative. I often see odd postings (at least odd to me), but there are all kinds of people out there and often they pop in here too. Also, this time of year with the heavy tourist population, the drought, the water restrictions, etc. it can be a stressful time of year.  Usually calms down in September.

All this is very interesting.  We regularly transfer money from the Uk and the U.S.A., no one has EVER asked us about it.  Many transfers from the U.S. are well over 20,000 Euros.  Never any questions asked.  Money has always arrived in a timely manner and been accessible with no questions. Sure, it never hurts to talk to your bank, make sure you know the procedures.

What are chenille noires?  We have noticed a huge amount of insect life this year.  We have tons of cigales this year and I think we have those locusts or white grasshopper things too. They are everywhere.  I can't go out in the garden without being bashed by a dozen of them.  I have no idea what they are eating here in our garden as everything is dead.