Lori

I suppose we've gotten off track and the rest of the folks here will be bored with it all. So, I'll send you a PM so as not to drive them mad...

Ian, perhaps you didn't mean it to sound so harsh, but it did come across that way.

Apparently that is EXACTLY what happened. I spent two hours trying to key in my order (26 items). Then, when I finally got it all entered and ready to check-out, they turned off the website stating they were being inundated and couldn't cope. Said to phone in the order !!! Maddening. Similar things apply when using Credit Agricole's website - try emailing them a question using their "contact us" icon. You will never hear from them. Same thing when contacting Cegetel when our Internet server was not working. Called via telephone and was told I would receive a call from a "technicien" within 72 hours. They called 10 days later - had already remedied the problem. Hey, at least they called, that is more than I can say for most..

Why is it on the first day of the big Summer sale at La Redoute, the website just simply doesn't work. First I tried to place my order at 8:15 a.m. this morning. Screen says the site will be operating today at 9 a.m. Okay, I go about my business getting kids to school. Go back at 9:20 a.m. see the opening page noting the sale ... okay, go to put my order in and a server error page comes up. I can't sign-on, order, or even LOOK at the items on sale. Go away figuring I will try later. Come back at 9:50 a.m. to see a page that states the sorry, website not available at this moment, please try again later (in French of course, but I type faster using English). So, go back around 10:15 a.m. and now the screen is back to the we'll be open at 9 a.m. today. !!!! Why is it these things ALWAYS seem to happen here?? It seems the only thing reliable is to know that not much is reliable. And, I don't really want to spend .34 cents per minute to phone in my order. I did try, but after about 6 minutes on hold, I gave up !!! All this to try to spend some money !

I agree. Going out in the midday heat (these days) is just too hard on a body. Zaps your energy. However, I must say that our guests (from Holland) spend nearly every waking moment sunning by the pool - less the maillots too! That'll keep me away. I love a nice bronzed look, but looking like a piece of leather has never impressed me. They tell me they think the French look unhealthy with their too white skin..

Hey Paul - just read your profile. See you are a retired broadcasting type. Can you say where? I worked 12 years in the TV industry in the States. Do you miss it? Have to say I do... Lori

Hi Gyn Paul - Here are the exact ingredients: PIPIOL Solution pour application cutanee COMPOSITION: Levomenthol .......1.87 g Solution de formaldehyde a 35% ......9.35g Excipients: Ethanol a 96%, eau purifiee Pour 100 ml de solution Medicament autorise no. 332057.3 Laboratoire ZAMBON France 13, rue Rene Jacques 92138 Issy-Les-Moulineaux CEDEX Fabricant: Laboratoire M. RICHARD Rue du Progres Z.I. des Reys de Saulce 26270 Saulce-Sur-Rhone Sorry I don't have all the accents on my keyboard. So, yes, the formaldehyde is still in the product. Sounds terrible to spray the stuff on my skin, but it WORKS....

Thanks Mikey, I appreciate having that info. SO SO many things that we buy here can be had in the States for FAR less than what we pay here. It is often very painful to pay these prices. Is there any way we can verify, legally, that the product does not HAVE to have the NF certification on it? I have a copy of the law and it says they DO have to have the NF certification - which is the ONLY reason we bought here. Also, from what I have heard, the Gendarmes have not been fully informed as to what meets and what doesn't meet the legal criteria, making it impossible - for the time being - to make any inspections. This seems really really poorly planned, and yes, caused all of us, concerned about meeting our legal obligations, to go out and pay a fortune for items that may not even end up working.....

Hot here too (Vaucluse). Pulled weeds that were growing up in the driveway area - after several afternoon thundershowers. Did it from 8:50 to 10:45 am (had to wait until after I took my daughter to school). I don't remember EVER perspiring so much! Not a pretty sight. After doing that, I was so tired from the sun and losing all that fluid, all I could do was thumb through the La Redoute summer sale booklet and take a look at the news and the weather channel. Complete vegetable ...

Chrissie - I have heard similar stories from both French and expat friends here. I find it absolutely incredible, some of these stories. They indicate a CLEAR lack of professionalism. The branch of Credit Agricole, where we opened our account is quite professional - has the same staff for the last 4 years ! However, we ended up buying a house in a neighboring village where the branch is pathetic - at best ! Staff is CONSTANTLY changing, no one ever seems to ask for identification and there is no way they know these people - the counter staff is practically never the same .. So, whenever I have anything serious to take care of, I go to the branch where I opened the account (30 minute drive). I have told them how I feel and they understand, but alas, there is nothing they can do. Thank goodness at least THEY are intelligent. This on top of the fact that now the bank no longer accepts or gives cash. I guess this is to alleviate the bank robberies that seem to happen every day here (being cynical). In the long run, clients are supposed to fill out a cash form, place their cash in a plastic envelope and drop it in a box, where it is later picked up, by someone, and later, opened by someone. What exactly do we do when our cash deposit never shows up in our account. This happened to our macon - 5000 euros ! Took him weeks for the bank to finally recover the cash !!!!!! Sorry, but I am not a fan of the banking system here. I am always expecting to access my account and find nothing there. I still find the fact that your bank cashed an unsigned check incredible. Surely it must be in the banks general conditions that this is NOT done - no matter how well they know either party..

I too think the SPA is a great idea. If you don't have luck with that, we found a spectacular collie breeder at Frontignan Plage. We purchased the greatest dog we have ever owned from her. He was 8 weeks old at the time. He is 3 years now. If you would like to contact her, let me know and I will give you her email.

Here in Bedoin (Vaucluse), we've been living under the same restrictions since April ... Funny how many people completely ignore the rules. We see it all the time.

Don't know the area very well. Visited Collioure and Ceret and loved it. Hope you are happy in your new area. You will have to let us know.

suninfrance - we live in the Vaucluse (Provence) 30 minutes from Avignon. We see the scorpions from June onward - really depends on the year and the weather. Have come to learn that they are not the terribly deadly ones, but I still don't like finding them in my home. This year, we seem to have all kinds of insects flying and crawling around. It is hard to believe we are in a drought as we have had several rains this year that - I think - have brought us the huge amount of insect population...

This is exactly what I'm talking about...

Teamedup is right to note the website available. There are so many websites available that offer all this info. online. They are extremely helpful and cover a multitude of subjects. You should note them down as they will be your "friends." ....

That is correct. You do not have to be married to get a Livret de Famille. I have several unmarried friends with children. They all have the Livret.

Lynarth - we are here year round - never leave. Often wish for a small vacation in another part of France, just for the enjoyment. Another hot day today. Looked like a thunderstorm might arrive last evening, but alas, it blew over with no rain at all. Still have the risk this evening and can only hope for the best - some rain ! Enjoyed the Festival of Music in Bedoin last night. The place was packed with happy vacationers. Must be keeping the local businesses smiling. Where is 66 ?

Isn't the Internet the greatest thing !

I'm sure others will be able to give the legal definition of the Livret, but as I understand it, it is drawn up upon the birth of a child in France. It shows the name of the parents, or legal guardians and it tracks the medical vaccines and medical care of the child. The college wants a copy of it for several reasons, to know if there are any medical problems with the child, to confirm the birthdate of the child, to confirm the names of the parents/legal guardians, and to see that all vaccines are current. My daughter was born in Athens, Greece, but she is American (dual citizenship). We give the full record of her vaccinations (via photocopy), a photocopy of her U.S. passport, a photocopy of her birth certificate and proof of residency. This was quite sufficient for them. You should be able to do the same thing. If I understood you, your child was NOT born in France. The procedures can vary from department to department, but we have had no problems here - have been here in the school system for 4 years now. Perhaps if you go to someone a little higher up in the school system. It would be hard to believe they have not dealt with this issue before. Good luck to you.

Fantine: lived in the 150m2 lower portion of our home - the gite - for a year while the upper house was being renovated. I understand what you are saying, but I think if you saw what was moved and to where you might see why I was confused. Punch - I thought of the dropped toothbrush thing too as far as the sink vanity goes - anything is possible. Had it been the only thing moved, I might have assumed that was the case. As far as drilling it to the wall. We probably should do that, but I don't intend to keep it there forever as I don't particularly like it, but you're right, drilling it to the wall would take care of the moving issue.. You are also right in that those Rental Agreements that go on for page after page with, what I often think are ridiculous rules and regulations, are the ones that we do not stay in.

lynarth - I was wondering the same thing. I figured maybe most folks on the forum don't live in the Southeast. Here in Bedoin - not far from Carpentras or Avignon, it is truly HOT these last few days. Mowed and cut weeds this morning in the yard from 8:30 am to noon. By the time I was finished I think I had lost a litre of perspiration. I was thrilled our guests had gone to Avignon and I jumped in the pool to cool off ! What a relief. Bedoin is filled with tourists and the Monday market is unapproachable so I guess tourism is going well here (as it always seems to). Still hoping for another evening rain storm like the one we got Sunday evening. Went a long way in rejuvenating the grass/plants/trees...

Teamedup - yes, the PIPIOL really does provide relief. I also bought some Cinq a Cinq spray to use before I mowed the lawn this morning. Got no bites whatsoever ! What a relief. Now, if I can just get the dozens of bites I already had healed and gone, then I'll be happy..

We too had to get rid of all kinds of "junk" left on the property by the previous owners. We loaded up a friend's truck and took it to the local dechetterie. Had to show we were local residents, did that - and there was no charge to dump the "stuff." Now, we go there often to get rid of sacks of weed cuttings, empty paint cans, etc. Really handy and FREE..

Thanks Teamedup. I went to the pharmacy here in Bedoin yesterday and found the PIPIOL. 6.55 Euros, so not cheap, but you don't need to use too much at one time to get relief. I was pleased to find it as I need to mow the lawn today !! I also picked up a repellant/bite relief combination to spray on before I mow. With temps expected to reach 37 today, the recommendation from the pharmacist that I wear sleaves and pants is impossible.. I'd drop dead of heat stroke. Our garden is 3000 m2 and 75% under direct sunshine. Hard to believe there is still grass there, but the recent afternoon storms have revived the dying stuff. Anyway, glad to hear someone else has heard of the PIPIOL. Thanks to my current guests, I now have it too. L