Lori

Thanks Mickey and HENDO: I looked at the two websites Mickey noted. They offer lots of info, however, on the Hayward site, I couldn't seem to find prices. The other website offered extremely attractive prices. I didn't look at all the models, but the two I did look at were under 200 Euros. How can that be, when I had to pay well over 1000 Euros for the crummy Dolphin I have?????? Do these vaccums REALLY work??? I don't know anything technical, so I have to rely on you folks out there to let me know your experiences... Thanks for that.

We have a Dolphin and were told that it memorises our pool and isn't supposed to miss a spot of it. Well, in my opinion, it has a bad memory as now, it seems to like being in one half of the pool and missing a great majority of the rest of the pool. When asked it the memory could be reset, we were told no. I must say that in all the items we have purchased for our pool, this one has been the most disappointing. It is now 3 years old and out of warranty. So, I can say, don't buy a Dolphin. It cost way too much money and is not worth c***. Is there a website we can look at the Hayward. And, you say it is American - does that mean it isn't sold here?? Thanks for the info.

We are American, so don't have a "red book." However, the hand written vaccine record from our Pediatrician was accepted here, no questions asked. Also, we were told (by neighbors) the TB shot was a requirement here too, but no one actually asked us to have it given. Our daughter, 11 years, has been in the school system 4 years now and has never had the TB shot. Our local doctor said that it isn't totally affective anyway - whatever that means.

We have a 150 m2, two bedroom, nicely furnished rental in Provence. We ask for a 300 Euros deposit and will take it in the form of a personal check (in any equivalent currency). We do not cash the check. We hold it until the day they depart. We ask them if anything was broken and depending upon the hour of their departure, we take a quick look around - for major damage. Have never had a problem, but we don't take children under the age of 6 due to the rather amazing problems we have seen some of our friends endure. One friend had guests with two young children. The children (they assume - not the parents) splattered strawberry jam all over their custom made curtains. When confronted, the parents denied their kids did this - said it was like that when they arrived. Bad scene. As far as little breakages. Yes, someone must have dropped the steam iron and not bothered to tell me as it no longer holds water, just bought another one. A glass here and there, to be expected and no we wouldn't charge someone for that. I don't think it is worth the ill will. When I rent a vacation property, I take serious note to the way the security deposit is collected and returned. Often, especially in Paris, there are no owner inspections made between guests and I would not like to be held responsible for something someone else did (before or after my departure). This is why I don't stay in places where they say my deposit will be returned within a month of departure. I don't like that.

Thanks Jo53 - I will keep an eye out. Hoddy - any chance you live anywhere near Provence - I would pay you to bring back some good Stilton for me to pick up (whatever time of year)?? I did find the Epicerie Anglais online and can order it from them, but I don't want to until the weather gets cooler - shipping and all that.

Lola - are you sure it is real cream cheese? I shop at LIDL all the time. I have tried their Frommage tartiner, hoping it would be like philly, but it isn't. Taste pretty good, but is more along the lines of the St. Moret spread - not the same thing when you are using it in recipes that call for real cream cheese. On the other hand, if it is actually the real stuff, I guess our LIDL just doesn't carry it.

You can find them here at LeClerc (only within the last year) and only the natural flavor. However, I think they are very expensive. Two tiny containers (about the same size as a single yogurt) which, together, barely amount to a single serving cost just under 3 euros. Too much for me, even though I love cottage cheese. Same goes for most new "foreign" type products (made in France or otherwise). The same issue goes for packed brown sugar. Only in the last year has our LeClerc started carrying the packed DARK brown sugar, but not the light - which are BOTH made here in France. And, still no real cream cheese. Saw it in Auchan for about a month. After that, it was never re-stocked... No idea why - assume it didn't sell well ?

Thanks Christine - I read the info on Piroplasmosis, but I already knew about that. My Vet gave me the collar to protect our dog against the sandfly/mosquitoe disease(s) such as the one Steve@Sarah mentioned. The Vet knows that we give our dog Frontline each month - which am told is to protect him against ticks and fleas (as best anything can). The Scalibor collar is for the sandfly/mosquitoes, which as Steve said Frontline does not protect against. This is the maladie I had not heard of - the Leisch.... (don't know how to spell it). Apparently, it is common enough around here for the Vet to recommend we take it. Considering how many flies bite me (and I'm not outside as much as the dog is) I'm sure it is a relief if it works. Anyway, thanks for the data..

abim - no kidding. We paid a fortune to visit our dentist in California - whom we loved. The systme here is amazing to us. On top of that, our dentist is quite good = what a plus.

Yes, I do try to give whatever I can to protect our beloved dog. Sounds like the vaccine for the tick maladie is not so commonly given, perhaps this is why my Vet did not mention it - not sure. I guess I am always looking for whatever necessary to protect one of the most precious parts of our lives. Guess I am perhaps a "sap," but our dog is like a child to us. He is very special and if I could have another like him (and afford it), I would. So far, we are convinced there is no other like him. Anyway, thank you for the info. I will follow up.

Christine: No, had no idea there was a vaccine for the tick maladie. Is it dangerous (the vaccine)? Wonder why my Vet didn't tell me about it when we took our boy in for his vaccines?? Is it not commonly given? He (our Vet), knows how much we adore this animal and want to do everything in our power to keep him with us for as long as possible. When was it made available??

Yes, of course, you can make a regular check-up appt. You might have to wait a few weeks, but it is done all the time. As far as carte vital, we have private insurance (Americans), so we have a separate system. We pay him cash, 20 euros for a check-up with cleaning and turn it in to our private carrier. He has no problem with this. We are lucky, we have a good dentist. The first one we tried was a disaster.

Took our precious collie in for his annual vaccinations. The vet recommended a new collar called Scalibor to protect him against ticks and mosquitoe transmitted diseases. I asked him if the frontline did not protect him from these and the answer was - yes, from the ticks, but no from the mosquitoe illnesses, which are prevalent here (Vaucluse). I bought it 15.90 Euros and it is good for 6 months. I was not sure he would wear it as he is not accustomed to wearing a collar - so far so good. Has anyone else heard of this? We adore our dog and want him to be protected as best possible, but had never heard of this new "thing."

Quillan - very well said. Couldn't agree more.

have to wonder where steve went to too... maybe on holiday back in his home town?

Hendo - I thought it was very helpful. I think the way you have outlined it would be exactly the way the French government would describe it. Whether we like it or not, the law reads that the device (whatever it may be) must be certified by AFNOR. If the law reads that way, I don't see how we can get around it. Also, if I bought my pool alarm from the U.S.A., will the guarantee hold up here? or am I SOL.

I have to agree with Peter. I know many teachers who work on the black. I can't honestly think of any of my French friends who have not / do not hire work on the black. They all do - it is almost an art form of its own around here.... albeit only admitted in private circles. I have always been curious as to what happens to the customer of someone working on the black. I did look for my French macon and plumber/electrician (also French) on the two websites noted on the forum and couldn't find them. Though I have seen their card credentials and noted siret numbers and they are always talking about the social charges they have to pay and the difficulties of hiring competent work staff. I know they are legal, but how far is a customer supposed to go to verify the data given to them? Curious

I finally called in my order. Waited only 3 minutes on the phone, so I guess the .34 per minute wasn't TOO bad. I was getting to upset over the Internet thing. What a joke. C' est la norm...

Rollo - Yes, these folks are really nice people, but I cannot relate to the desire to have this leathery looking skin. Not to mention the skin cancer issue. They also tell me that it is considered " the thing " to be dark tanned in Holland... Oh well, to each his own. I have enough freckles to deal with..

Missyesbut - Yes, tried all those you named, like them, but don't find them at all close to the excellent Stilton I had at Xmas. I will try to find the Epicerie Anglais online.

Lovely

Tough question. I am usually here on my own anyway (with my daughter - 11 years old). Husband works in the Middle East, so is rarely here. We are from California. I doubt I would go back there. Don't really like what it has become - although it is still far better than the rest of the U.S.A. Since we are raising a child here, I suspect I would stay here as she is one of the main reasons we settled down (stopped moving all the time) in the first place. So, at this point, I say I would stay - me age 42 now, hubby age 47. Maybe its me, but I do think age comes into play here.

Thanks. Had no idea it was consider a Xmas serving.. Bruce - I don't really know where you are, probably far from me in the Vaucluse. You think I can find the V. Bruges in a shop round here? Thanks.

Perhaps it has been covered before, but can anyone advise if a good strong stilton can be found in France? online or otherwise. I'm American so don't have family/friends bringing stuff from England An English neighbor served a huge round of this cheese at a Xmas party and I am still dying to have some more. Any suggestions?

Don't forget the mess they make of the windows ... just finished cleaning all the yellow dots from them. Since the heat wave has started, we simply can't leave the windows closed - open windows means flies galore and that means window washing frequently. I can think of no good use for the flies. That is one of the nice things about the winter months. Fewer of them to swat.