Lapaix

Whenever my husband and I return to our maison secondaire, we find the house infested with dead woodlice, which results in two hours of vacuuming to get rid of the bodies! It doesn't seem to matter whether we put down insect powder or not, our house still looks like an insect mortuary! Anyone got any ideas, please Lynda

Blimey, peeps - that was quick!  Many thanks for the info!

Hi, all Please excuse me if this has been asked before:  we have a telephone line to the house, but it was disconnected when we bought it, as we didn't feel the need for a phone at that time.  However, we would now like to be reconnected.  How, please? Lynda  

I went to evening classes for three years, and by trying to talk to the locals and helping my husband with his homework, seem to be making progress.  However, my husband didn't start classes until a year ago, and he struggles desperately.  He is slightly dyslexic, which doesn't help.  He continues to go, which I think is so brave of him, as he comes back some weeks very despondent and, sometimes, even depressed by the whole thing.  However, he is determined to carry on, and says that however little he manages to remember this week, is more than he knew last week!  Whenever I read smug threads on this website about they can't understand why us second-home owners aren't totally fluent, it makes by blood boil! 

Hi, all Does anyone have a recommendation for a ramoneur in the Mortain/St Hilaire area of Normandy?  One that speaks some English would be the icing on the cake! Lynda

I certainly will send them an email - and if we all join forces, who knows?  People power!

Do BF take them?  And how about Nectar points? Lynda  

Hi, Frederick Sorry I can't help you  [:(] - asI would like to know the answer myself for my area of Mortain/St Hilaire du Harcouet.  Anyone out there that can help us both? Ta, [:)] Lynda    

Why be embarrassed - if you like it, why shouldn't you have it.  Good for you!  Not keen on fruit with meat myself (although my husband likes it) but the joint sounds good.  I'll look for it next time I'm in there.  Thanks for the tip. [:D] Lynda

Glad to know you're alive and kickin', Will, and that the weather is better there than it is here!  Amazing what a difference a few miles makes. Lynda

Well, at the moment I'm in the South of England - and we're having the coldest March for at least 20 years.  When I'm in La Belle France, we are in 50.  I bet you're much farther south. Lynda

Hi, all Does anyone know what's happened to Will the Conq - I've missed his posts and helpful replies?  [8-)]   May be he's hibernating away from this bloody awful March weather - will spring ever come? Lynda  

Hi, Knowing it's always best to go with a recommendation, can anyone tell me of a good plumber within the Mortain/St Hilaire'Notre Dame du Touchet area? Thanks in advance. La Paix  

Thanks, Val - I did wonder about that, knowing how fussy they are at the local tip with stuff being sorted.  No problem with where to put it, though, we've lots of space. Lynda

Wow, that was quick - thanks Liz!

Hi. peeps We have a mountain of rubbish to get rid of, and need a skip.  Anyone know of a company that hires them out in the Notre Dame du Touchet area Dept 50?  (Bet Bill the Conk does!) Thanks, Lynda

We, too, have just received our first taxe d'h on our maison secondaire in dept 50.  We do not have, and do not intend having,a TV or receiving equipment of any kind.  So, how do we go about not paying this tax?  Do we just send a cheque for the basic amount, together with a letter, or will we end up in all sorts of beaurocratic poo?  Has anyone else done this, and what were the consequences? Thanks, in advance. Lynda

Thanks, guys - you've certainly given us some food for thought! Lynda

That certainly does help, thanks.  Anyone else had quotes, lately, please. 

If this subject has been covered before, apologies!  Can anyone give me a ballpark figure for how much we can expect to be charged by an architect for drawings for the renovation of our old Norman barn?  Obviously, we realise that it depends on the size, etc., but a very rough estimate would help us in our budgetting. Lynda  

I've asked this question twice before, but not had a reply, so perhaps no one know the answer - do we need the maire's permission (or anyone else's come to that) to lay down a proper boule court? Lynda  

What is this course, please? Lynda

Is a permit needed for everything?  We want to lay a boule court - regulation size - would we need permission for that, please? Lynda

Gosh, Will - what super directions!  We're out again in a couple of weeks, so will give it a whirl. Many thanks, Lynda

As always, Will, a most helpful reply.  Have never heard of BAO (where have I been!) - where exactly are they in Avranches, and what else do they sell, please? Lynda