Loopy Lou

If Schmoo turns out to be as lovely as my old Rocky, you will never regret rescuing him. Rocky is a GSD crossed with collie, I think, and will be 13 years old in March. He's a big dog and sheds his fur all the time (the only slight drawback) but is the sweetest companion ever. He has arthritis now, but is surprisingly well for his age and has adapted to living in France with me very well. It is so much better than being shut into the house for hours in England when I had to work - one of the reasons for moving here. He has adapted to chickens and farm cats (doesn't chase and stands back if they eat from his bowl!) and I even turn a blind eye to him getting on the sofas because I think he has earned some indulgence in his old age. Useless guard dog, but that's probably because he is used to so many people coming and going throughout his life. He's more likely to push you over by putting his head on your legs to be petted or leaning on you than anything else! Never wear black around Rocky - you will always end up covered in hair; black, tan, butterscotch and white! Well done to you all, and enjoy your Schmoo.

Do you get on with your neighbour? Would a quiet, friendly word in his/her ear work? Anything else might just escalate into a real problem.

Hi Guys, I have 2, soon to be 3 small gites in 86 Vienne on the border of Deux Sevres and Charente and need to advertise as widely as possible. At present there is an ad with Visit France which is reasonably successful, but I would like to attract Brits, French, Dutch, Belgians, Europeans generally, US visitors, Aussies and Kiwis, etc., so any helpful suggestions would be very gratefully received. Many thanks in advance, Loopy Lou PS I've tried to change my profile details, but the system won't play ball.

You've lost me!

Found a Logis de France on-line in Alencon that takes pets, so I've reserved.  Help received from other forums.

Hi Will, I wish it were as funny as that - no, I just meant things like the ride-on mower (fierce clutch, I'm told, so I have visions of being catapulted off and the machine careering into the farmer's wheat!) and the swimming-pool and the chickens (yes, I know they aren't machinery), and all the other things that comprise the nuts and bolts of a property. Just about to book the chunnel for Rocky and me - can't believe it's really happening!  So scary and exciting.  I'll let you know all when I have signed the compromis.  Whooohooo  :D Lou PS is your signature saying something about Greeks bearing gifts!!!???

Dear All, I am planning my journey from Beaconsfield in Bucks to Chaunay in Vienne shortly (probably 13/14 July) and wonder if anyone can recommend a convenient stopover between Calais and Poitiers for me, my dog and my goldfish!  The journey from Beaconsfield to Folkestone is just short of 2 hours so I'll have to leave at 6.30 a.m. to get to Folkestone comfortably by 09:58. I should arrive in Calais at midday on the 10:28 chunnel, so I will need to stop somewhere near Rouen, I should think. Anyone got an animal-friendly B&B or can recommend an animal-friendly auberge at a convenient place for the autoroutes?  This is my definitive move to France, so I don't want to drive overtired. Thanks in advance for your help. Lou

Well, mes amis, I am back and I have had my offer for the property I stayed at accepted.  I have to wait for the compromis to get to me so that I can sign it and tie this purchase down and then I will tell you all about it.  I feel rather superstitious now about letting too much information out before I have it secured, but I am very excited.  Very nice people indeed who will let me stay and store my household while the sale process goes through.  This will give me the opportunity to learn all about the property and how to run machinery, etc., while I am waiting for it to be all mine. Fingers crossed that this time all goes well. A bientot, Louise

I was going over to sign the compromis this week as my house is now sold.  I kept the owners in the picture all along.  We discussed completion dates.  It was all agreed in principle.  All they had to do was discuss with me the new offer.  But I am glad it's happened now.  I don't think I would have been able to trust them anyway.  I am now in a strong position to buy as I am a bona fide cash buyer who doesn't require a mortgage. On va voir. Lou

Oh for goodness sake, will you get a grip and stop hurling abuse at each other.  It just reminds me why I left this forum for a while.  It's hardly helpful to me or on the subject that I started.  If you intend to be tongue in cheek, make it clear - the rest of you, THINK before you post, and for goodness sake ignore the idiots who say nothing helpful.  How many times have I said this before? To those who have been helpful and encouraging, thank you so much, I do appreciate it. I was totally up-front with the vendors of the property, informing them that I would not sign anything until I had exchanged contracts on my house in the UK.  That left them the right to continue to market the property but on the understanding that they would let me know if they received any other offers.  I had booked my ticket and hire car for Wednesday this week to go over and sign the compromis with them, as I thought, and that would have been the first time that I would have met them in person.  However, another party has signed a compromis and I wasn't informed in advance.  I was not happy, as you can imagine.  So I have walked away - I'm not prepared to be in some sort of bidding war.  That's why I didn't sign and had not paid a deposit in case I couldn't complete on the sale.  The object of the exercise is to arrive in France completely debt free, so I wasn't about to put myself into any sort of financially dicey situation. Anyway, it's all academic now.  Thanks to the kindness of many people, I have found somewhere to stay and another potential property to buy that looks infinitely better than the last, so they have done me a favour, I hope.  I'll go and see it and with any luck take the owners to the notaire and sign on the spot!  If is it suitable. Now, everyone, kiss and make up and let's all be friends. Lou  :)

I've just learned that the very nasty people whose gite business I was on the point of buying in Deux Sevres have sold the property over my head two days ago without doing me the courtesy of informing me that there was another interested party. I have booked plane ticket and hire car to travel over next week for 5 days unpaid leave to meet them at the property, stay there, and sign the compromis at the notaire's. They have not contacted me - I phoned the notaire today to ask where the compromis was and he told me the lovely news. I am utterly livid. I'm still coming over because the car and travel are paid for, so I need a place to stay from 14th to 20th (6 nights) somewhere near Poitiers. Can anyone help? I'll be gite hunting! Hopefully Louise

I am considering the purchase of a property comprising owner's accommodation and two gites, plus a small camping field for approx 5 caravans. Do any of you know the current legislation regarding "camping rurale" vis a vis electrical supply, water supply, minimum sanitary arrangements, chemical waste disposal, safety requirements? There is a fosse a toutes eaux in the courtyard of the gite buildings. Thanks for your advice. Loopy [8-)]

Hi Deby, Also, perhaps, make sure you have reasonable sized bins with lids and a good supply of bin bags readily available for each loo.  Then they have no excuse!  You probably do that already..... An explanation of the consequences of misuse of the loos might help - the guest will have to don rubber overalls and get into the fosse to scrub it out!!!!!![+o(] Best of luck for this season. A bientot, Loopy [:D]

Thanks for making me cry with laughter.  So therapeutic! :D

Angela, How has the rainfall been in the Vendee over the past year or so?  I see that Deux Sevres still has a complete hosepipe ban and wonder what the implications will be this year for property owners in the whole Poitou Charentes region. I suppose the amount of sunshine hours reflects a conomitant lack of rain - something to consider for overall enjoyment of one's property. Lou

Try talking to your neighbour first to see what the plan is and to maintain good relations.  It is so important, wherever you live, to keep up a cordial relationshio with your neighbour, but without letting him take advantage.  If that doesn't work, have an official boundary marked and put up your fence.  Plant a hedge within it, one metre from the boundary, but please don't plant the ghastly laylandii.  Vile stuff.  If you can't wait for a mixed hedge to grow, try rose hedging or laurel.  At least these have the benefit of rejuvenating if you cut them back hard, which laylandii do not.

We all know that Big Brother is watching us all the time.  Any privacy we think we have is just an illusion.  If you internet bank, shop on-line or on the high street, in supermarkets with a loyalty card, use a credit card anywhere and have a mobile phone, THEY are watching you.  Can't think why an identity card is necessary, really!  I expect all new vehicles are microchipped as well. Paranoid, me?  Whatever gave you that idea?!

Console yourself with the thought that we will all be in the same boat soon with huge energy bills.  The UK news this morning was full of the price hikes we are now going to get from British Gas (25%), Scottish Power (15%) and Powergen (can't remember %) to mention just three of the suppliers, despite their recently announced mega profits. Ho hum.

Hooray!  [:D]

Just read this after having booked for February 9th returning on 18th for £55 (car plus 2 people).  I'll just have to hope for the best......

Saligo Bay, where are you based where the tourist offices are looking for more gites? Thanks. Loopy.

I do agree about making your own presents, if time and ability allow.  Here are some ideas: Hem a hankie embrioder a pair of slippers make a pipe holder Tee hee  But truly, edible goodies are nice as presents: Jam or pickles home made mince pies home made brandy butter (or your preferred alcohol) little cakes or petits fours or knitting, crochet, rag rugs, scented candles  - But life is too short to stuff a date, methinks. You can tell that I am yearning for a gentler era with time for all these handicrafts.  What's the betting that once I finally get to France, I shall be too busy working to do any of the above! Loopy Lou (aka Bah humbug!)

It is my impression that the tap water in France is more or less universally hard across the country (please correct me if I am wrong).  In the UK I have a Kinetico water softener which uses block salt, works on water pressure only and is connected to the rising main.  I takes up only half a standard base kitchen unit.  I find it extremely effective.  Kinetico also supply a drinking water tap if required.  (I have no connection with the company apart from being a satisfied customer), Does anyone know if Kinetico is available in France?  Also, do you know if salt-softened water is ok for fosses septiques?  I don't think the concentration of salt is particularly high. I await your words of wisdom! Loopy Lou

I've just read an article on this subject in September's issue of [i]The Connection [/i] given to me free at the property show at Olympia. It is rather worrying and I wondered what you gite owners thought.  The law in question is Decret No 81-324 du 7 Avril 1981  (www.secourisme.info/textof/txt.php3).  According to the author of the article the DDASS can then use that to apply L.1332-1 to L.1332-4 of the Code de la sante publique.  (www.moteur-auracom.com/cgi-bin/aur-web.exe/csante/voir). Effectively, if you own a swimming pool that is "autres que celles reservees a l'usage personnel d'une famille" (i.e. for use of more than one family or for succession of families as in rented accommodation) it renders your pool "public" and you may well be subject to this law. To comply with this law would appear to make pool ownership prohibitively expensive not to mention the technical difficulties of complying with the stringent hygiene laws. I suppose that it all boils down to how strict your local DDASS is with regard to so called "public" swimming pools. What do you think? Loopy

  Heaven's, Lori,  I thought gites were supposed to be self-catering!  When it's my turn, I will certainly supply a welcome pack and make sure there is nothing out of date or nasty in the cupboards, but the shopping has always been one of the things I so enjoy about my foreign holidays, so I hope my future guests will feel the same.  You are wonderfully generous.  I want to make a living, so I'm afraid every cent will count. Such a fascinating and informative section of the forum.  Thanks to all.   Loopy.