Lori

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.

No you can't even consider lighting a match anywhere outside here.  Everything is dry as a bone.  The helicopters fly around the Mt. Ventoux every single day now to survey any possible problems.  I went out today to cut all the dried up grass/weeds on the property.  The least I can do to try to protect the property.  It was hot as hades out there too... I still get very angry when I see people throwing their cigarettes out their car window in this type of environment. 

Really an amazing story.  How can this type of thing go on in a large apartment building without neighbors knowing/hearing it??  Surely these young kids were screaming while this stuff was going on.... I guess it just goes to show us that anything can happen anywhere.

I have kept an eye on the postings at the Mairie and on the websites covering the various levels of alert in the various departments.  The website Eslier noted has the same data available. The frustrating part about this is that here, in the Vaucluse, we are not allowed to water private OR public green spaces.  Our lawn is completely dead, as it usually is each July/August/September.  However, when I drive into Carpentras (among other local villages), their green spaces are gorgeous with lush thick, green grass and tons of flowers everywhere.  The law states no public spaces (short of SOME sport fields under strict conditions) are to be watered.  We were under the alert that gout a gout watering could take place between 8 pm and 8 am, but now that has been lifted for green spaces - lawns, etc.  How come this doesn't seem to apply to these villages??? Or is it that no one does anything about it??  

Maybe it is due to the increased number of cars on the roads due to vacations, etc., but I am getting so tired of people who can't seem to keep their car in their own lane.  Granted, the roads in the countryside are not wide, but come on, they are sufficient enough.  I am forever nearly off my side of the road so as not to have a head on collision with an oncoming car.  

Peter K.  I hope you find the answers to your questions - a forum search might do it.  Otherwise, perhaps this is not the greatest approach.

Dave & Olive:  I am so sorry for your loss.  We lost a dear pet to cancer several years ago and I have to say it takes a long time to heal from the loss.  I am not clear on how your loved one died.  Sometimes the way in which you lose a pet can make it that much harder to recover from. Have you tried your local SPA to find a new kitten/cat for Olive?  I'm sure they could help you. I hope you are able to feel better soon.  

Well, I suspect you all know my views on the subject.  But, I did want to say that I think it is good to let your prospective guests know you have pets on the premises.  This way, folks who don't like dogs or cats or whatever, can avoid choosing your rental.  I agree that owner and renter would not be happy if owner has dogs and renter hates dogs.  Only way to avoid that is to state that you have them, before a booking is made.  We have never accepted pets on the property (other than our own of course).  The rental has never had an animal in it as so many people are allergic.  The same goes for donkeys too, we have an absolutely adorable donkey who lives a bit up the road and he loves to talk.  I, personally, love it, but who knows, I'm sure there are some people out there who wouldn't like his sweet eee/orrrs at midnight. As for children.  In the beginning we said only children over the age of six years.  Due to our current situation, we have decided not to rent at all.  We have some friends who have a lovely rental home, very nicely decorated, etc.  They had a family with two youngsters (don't know the ages) who splattered jam all over their custom made curtains.  They were permanently stained and the parents denied their kids did it.  Said it must have been there before.  These friends also decided to no longer accept children.  We have other friends who have had the guests of kids engrave filthy words into their swing sets.  Again, denied by the parents.  They still reluctantly accept kids.  I think it was Coco who said that those who state they don't accept children simply cater to a different clientele.  No better, no worse, just different. As has been said, it is impossible to please everyone and if you LIVE on the same property where you rental is located, you have to do what is right for you.  After all, it is your home.  

Our experience here in the South East of France has been similar to Logan, but not quite as bad.  Each dog gets his hour to run free, out of his caged area each day.  Though I must say I was not at all impressed by the kennel.  Take a look at this website.  I have not visited this place as we are too far away, but it looks really nice.  Much nicer than the ones around here. http://www.pension-chien-auberdog.com/default.htm

When we came here 4 years ago (from the U.S.A.), we HAD to go through the French Consulate - in our case in Los Angeles - to get our VISA(s) for legal long term life here.  If you are not arriving from an EU country and you plan to live in France for more than 6  months, you are legally required to get a VISA.  I don't think this law has changed.  We had the usual thousands of questions too.  The French Consulate staff were extremely helpful to us.  Once we arrived, we then had to deal with what seemed like dozens of governmental agencies for this, that or the other.  It can be a bit overwhelming, however, it is necessary to insure all is legal and correct. Not sure if that is helpful or not, but if the Embassy staff is not offering you the answers you need, go to someone higher up ...  it is their job.

JayJay - I will try our local Carrefour in Avignon.  I don't normally shop there as it is pretty far from me, but I will give it a try. Thanks

You know it is 11:40 pm and I am rather frustrated.  I went out to bring TouTou (our dog) in the house for the evening and our "guests" arrived about 5 minutes later.  Really bad timing.  The dog has been neglected for a week now as these people simply cannot accept him.  He came out of his small yard with his ball in his mouth.  Hard to resist, I threw it for him to play.  They drove in.  I ran to get him, saying that obviously this was bad timing, but that I would bring him in immediately.  They just stood there by the car as if they were statutes.   This does not work for me. After they left all the windows in the apt. open with slamming and rattling constantly (after asking them to please close the windows when they go out) and picking up all their plastic water bottles from the pool and garden, plus the screaming whenever the dog is in his own yard, I am without patience.  I guess this is not my specialty.  I have actually emailed guests who come here regularly (every year) whom I have become friends with and they think I am right to say no to children.  Right or not, it doesn't really matter.  I have never felt so uncomfortable in my own home.  It is over now.  I have greatly enjoyed the adults who have visited here.  I will never forget them or lose touch with them, but my time has ended. I wish you all the best and the most success.  I have left the business. 

Owens, thanks for that, but too late.  This experience is not over for us yet.  We have another week to live it.  I cannot even imagine having to go through this again.  I am leaving out a lot as I'm sure you would all be bored to death with all the details.  Needless to say, I cannot look at arriving children in the same way again.  To me, that means, for all those involved, I shouldn't accept them.  Husband is insisting we stop renting.  I am leaning toward that too.  If I have to ask myself if I really want to do this, I have probably already answered my own question.

Chocolate - could be true, after seeing (and hearing) a bit more of this child, it does look like a bit of attention seeking, but I am no Psychologist.  You are right too, we have met so many really nice people, people who come back here every year and I guess I am not ready to give that up, but as noted before, we will no longer accept children. Hoddy - Yes, the dog information is in the Booking Form.  We keep it there for people who may be allergic or hate dogs.  They have to sign the Rental Form before a reservation is accepted.  I assume they read it.   Teamedup - It sounds like  you've made lots of progress.  You actually have a dog.  That sure sounds like progress to me.  Perhaps you don't do well with strange dogs, but I bet you don't start screaming....   Georgina - I agree that when a child has a screaming fit, the parents need to work hard on the problem.  My daughter was no saint in her toddler years.  My husband and I stayed home most of her age 2 to 4 time period.  When we did go on vacation, we made sure we booked single family homes where the occasional "fit" would not disturb anyone but us.  I believe that is what these people should have done.  My neighbor (French), whom I love (she and her husband are farmers here) told me (after the first 11 pm scream fit) to let them know that it is clear this place does not meet their requirements, give them their money back and tell them to leave.  I was not able to do that (probably never could), but I understood where she was coming from.  Stevie - perhaps you're right, it could be easier to take pets than children. These kids are taking plastic drinking bottles (with the small caps) into the pool to play with.  Today when I went out to pull some weeds, I collected the empty bottles blowing in the yard.  They saw me doing this.  They signed the POOL RULES, which are also sent with the booking form.  These types of things are noted as against the rules.  Plus, when I asked them when they would like the Saturday housekeeping done - morning or afternoon, I was told, we'll have to think about that.  The look I got was as if I was putting them out just asking.  Okay, so now I am overly sensitive.  I guess I am lucky I can vent my feelings on this forum (even though you are all bound to be sick of me by now), there is no one else right next to me to scream at.

Thank you Russethouse.  Perhaps I will change my mind, but at this point, I doubt it.  I have children of my own and respect the fact that we are all different.  However, as I mentioned, this is our home.  We have worked (and continue to) long and hard to make it a comfortable, happy place. I agree that this particular problem is, in part, due to the parent's accepting of the "fits." Having said that, I don't want to subject myself (or my family - including the dog) to the possibility of future problems.  As has been said here, paying guests means making them happy.  This is our first problem in that area, but it has been such a large problem (and for a two week booking - and they don't leave the house often) that the only way I can see to avoid future similar problems is to stop renting, or, at the least, to stop renting to families with children.  My husband has said stop altogether.  He doesn't think it is worth the hard work and lifestyle changes.  He is not normally here, but was here for the first day of this child's arrival (first screaming fit). Anyway, I suppose I will play it by ear, but the websites have been changed, so we'll see what happens.  I'm looking forward to a peaceful coming year, with a free running, very special collie at my side.  

Tourangelle - I think you could be exactly right.  I don't know, but I am working with that theory. I will still try to introduce TouTou to the child when the moment is  right.  As it is, he will be going in to surgery this Friday to remove a grass spur that has entered his body...  Really hard to believe. As it is, I have decided not to accept children in the future.  I realize many people will say I am nuts, but this has been a very unsettling event in our lives.  One I would not like to live over.  If we never rent again (because we don't accept children), that is fine.  We are not doing this for the money.  This is our home and I don't like feeling as if I live in a hotel and cannot do what I want.  Yes, accepting paying guests means making them happy.  Therefore, perhaps we should simply shut down.  I am okay with that.  

So glad for you Deby.  I too find that France is FAR more honest than the States (where I come from). I am glad it worked out okay for you.  Maybe you could by a coffee/drink for that server/bartender.  

Hoddy:  We are down south (east) and I have always wondered why I don't see more snakes around here.  We live just at the foot of the Mt. Ventoux and I would expect to see many, but I rarely see one at all.  Do they only live in greener pastures - say further North??  where it actually does rain.. My Mom lives in the U.S. - North Carolina and this year, they have been inundated with large snakes ....  She is forever in her garden with a huge shovel, trying to kill one - what a picture...

Well, I didn't try to get the child to meet the dog (so far).  They pretty much stay to themselves and I have done the same.  The father did come up to use my computer to check his email (we don't have a computer in our rental), but we did not discuss anything as I left him his privacy in our office.  I don't get a very welcoming feeling from these people.  They say they are happy and I can only hope that is true. The dog stays in his small yard.  I bring him in at night as I'm sure he feels totally neglected.  I cannot play with him unless they are gone.  And, to top it all off, he got one of those hard grass pieces stuck in his back leg and it abcessed (can't spell that).  Had to take him to the vet today.    Apparently, this is quite common around here.  They tried to get it out, but with all the swelling couldn't find it with the instrument they use when a dog is awake.  Gave him a shot, some pill antibiotics and back he goes on Friday to be put to sleep while they cut it out !  Good grief.... 

tee hee...   funny

If the guest is still on the property, I would knock on the door and advise him that you think there is something in the garden that belongs to him.  He can then fetch it. If he is not on the property, I would go pick it up and put it on their terrace table or door step, held down by a weight (rock, etc.).  I wouldn't read it - I don't really think I would have any interest in reading it.  As for what they may have written about the property, perhaps nothing - even so, I prefer to read what they write in the guest book.  It usually gives you an accurate account of their thoughts and it is meant for you. One gal's opinion..

Alcazar:  What a great sense of humour. You can come visit us anytime if you bring rain with you.  We'll even serve you a nice dinner for bringing it !  We are almost always desperate for rain in the summer in the Vaucluse...

Thanks to all for the good advice.  I have been keeping him in his small fenced area.  Couldn't keep him in the house during the night as it was too hot in here (39 degrees outside yesterday).  Guests went out around 7:45 pm, so I let him out for an hour and then put him back in his fenced area as I wasn't sure when they would come back.  I let him out again around 3 am and put him back around 7:30 am, figuring they wouldn't possibly be out during those hours.  I have to admit, I didn't like being out at those hours either.... I think I will try the suggestion of introducing the child to our dog from the other side of his small fenced area.  She will know he cannot get to her there.  Then, if that goes okay, maybe later on I will put his leash on him to let her see him closer, maybe even touch him.  That is if all this is okay with the parents. All of you are right that this is their holiday and I will do whatever I need to to make sure they are happy.  However, I must say that this has really made me question whether we accept children here.  We have one rental - the lower portion of our home.  My husband works overseas and is rarely here.  The rental keeps me occupied.  The small bit of income is not counted on for living - it is just a little extra.  So, if it never rents, it wouldn't be the end of the world.  Not sure I could go through this again.  The screaming is really hard to handle. Anyway, thanks again for the advice.  I'll let you all know how the day goes...