MrCanary

Pickles, you are very kind - thank you...

Hi Pickles... May I pose a couple of questions please... I have just received my Alis télébadge - and what a lovely box of goodies they sent with it! Firstly, I am assuming the part of the badge that is read is the bar-code? The instructions suggest it should be fitted to the left of the driver's mirror. If I do this, the bar-code is not within the 'dotted' area of my screen that is not reflective. If I fit it there, will the bar-code still be able to be read at the barriers? Or would it be acceptable to fit it to the right of the mirror where I can position the bar-code in the 'dotted' area? Secondly, you mention above about using these doofers at least 4 times a month, is that the case with Alis because I do not recall reading that? (I visit France very two months). Thanks in advance for any help you can give me!

BIG MAC - Thanks for finally getting this thread back on track! You obviously used to read the examination questions carefully when you were at school! I very much agree with your thoughts as well. I always feel better in France, but I guess I must allow for the 'holiday feel' about being there... And on that point, we have owned our French house for just under 6 years and we always knew there was an English couple who owned one not too far from us. This year we finally met them and learned they had been travelling back and forth to their maison secondaire for over 20 years. And the good news is, they still get as excited now about visiting the house as they did when they bought it!

Hoddy - that is so true...

Richard - laughing together is a universal language!! sweet - thank you!

Hi sweet - good to hear from you - are you saying I've got it real bad, or I'm getting it real bad on here? (joking everyone...) I've been about long enough and dealt with some really dodgy people through the years, used car dealers, scrap dealers, estate agents and more up-to-date, dodgy bankers, so I know all about rose-coloured spectacles and a serious health issue has taught me all about my mortality. But from what you have just said, sweet, as long as I am happy believing and doing what I want to, then that is fine by me and my lovely wife and she is the one that really matters... Oh, and as I am going into hospital in the morning for another couple of tests, it was great that I also can speak French which enabled my non-English speaking neighbours to phone me from France last night to wish me well. Good night folks.

Scooby - as long as you are happy with your belief, that is fine by me because I am quite happy with mine... And yes, that is very perceptive of you, we are all mortal.

NormanH - it is quite simple really, you don't have to live in France to achieve that, it applies wherever you go and whoever you speak to - you reap what you sow. Give it a try...

Richard - I guess we are so lucky because the people in our village really are like that. We get on so well with almost everyone - including the Maire himself!

That must be near the Mairie... When you want to splash out for a three/four course top-notch lunch for 19euros, try the Luccotel - stunning food! I just checked, we live about 40 kms from you. You'll know us if you see us because we are always hugging our neighbours...

Hi Richard, yes we love Loches and you ae so right about shopping at lunchtimes. Do you have a favourite eating place in Loches?

Gemonimo - that is so sad. Some of the nicest staff members in UK supermarkets are disabled people. And I guess, if I drew comparisons between the staffs in both locations, the UK staff would win - especially in Sainsbury's. But in my original post, although I did not make it clear, I was referring to the customers - you know, people like many of the people on here...

Sprogster, this thread is about my perceptions (and those of others) and not your perceptions of my perceptions... I shop in Leclerc at Loches where, if anyone accidentally bumps into each other, they always apologise... My French home is in the countryside near Loches and my UK one in a similar location in Norfolk. The comparative road surfaces of France are a hundred times better than the UK ones! And from a driving perspective, I love driving in Paris! As for my French neighbours, well I'm sorry if yours are not like that, but in life you reap what you sow...

Gemonimo - does that not happen in France? To be fair to the other UK supermarkets, they all employ older people and those folk with handicaps. And I agree, it is great to see this.

John, I thought I clarified the 'rip-off' reference? Had you read it properly, you would have noted that I had taken onboard your point and would therefore not consider the fare you quoted as a rip-off. (I PREVIOUSLY SAID: Well, as iceni suggests, using logic, it is not a rip-off. To fly in a modern jet from London to the centre of France and return for £52.50 each way is good value.) However, it does seem in your subsequent definition that at least you agree with me that the £10 fee which popped up at the end of the transaction, is a rip-off! Thanks for that... As for Michael O'Leary - I would get banned if I posted on here what I think of that ill-mannered man's public performances. If you are a fan of that style, then again I have to keep my thoughts to myself. As for being happy flying with all the others you mention, I do not actually fly to France at all. I was buying this current ticket for my son who, because of a medical condition, is unable to drive.

For somebody who wants to live in France, the hardest things about NOT living there at present are quite numerous for me... 1) Having to say goodbye to our wonderful, gorgeous, family-like French next-door-neighbours. He and she and me and my lovely wife just hug and kiss so much before we drive off back to Blighty. 2) When I return to England after a break at my lovely French home and have to start driving on English roads again. 3) Having returned to England, going to the supermarket and being surrounded by rude people who never apologise if they knock into me. 4) Excitedly travelling back to France for another visit and having to endure smug British individuals who spend most of the ferry trip making sure everybody knows they have a house in France (probably just like almost everybody sitting around them...) 5) And finally, wondering what next obstacle will be thrown in our path when we again get close to moving to France...

Firstly, it is £105 return including one bag in the hold... Why is it a rip-off? Well, as iceni suggests, using logic, it is not a rip-off. To fly in a modern jet from London to the centre of France and return for £52.50 each way is good value. Perhaps 'rip-off' is the wrong term. I just carried on with the wording already established in the thread. 'Misleading' is more accurate... To advertise flights at 1p each and for somebody to end up paying £105 is a bit wide of the mark. Yes, when I look back at the list of destinations, Tours was not listed at 1p, but £33 each way. I just saw 1p and went for it! And perhaps we are all getting accustomed to having to pay as much for a bag to fly back and forth as we do for ourselves. I am sure there must be lots of people out there who are quite happy to spend a week in the same clothes if it will save them a few bob, but I do not fall into that category. And I only hope one of the aforementioned doesn't sit next to me on the return flight. But if you really want an example of a Ryanair rip-off, it is their charge of £10 PER PERSON to use a DEBIT CARD. Now that is a rip-off and I will not be swayed from that!

Same 'super' offer... Stansted to Tours return in October (not the holiday period)... just over £100 with taxes! Rip-off!

SD - are you sure they aren't actually referring to Brit drivers who pass through as 'duffers'? (only kidding...)

Oops! And sorry to you too, I failed to see the humour... And believe it or not, my age does not bother me in the slightest, I just thought you were a precocious youth taking the Michael!

Mrs Mel probably thinks similar about me - but she just loves my cooking!

Yup - I guess you are right, Clair... But we men do dream a lot you know!

5-element (even though I am only 35 haha) Those of us who are older, were, believe it or not, once 35 as well... The difference now is that we have made it to 60 or whatever age we are. You have yet to prove you can get there - and believe me, there are a heck of a lot of hurdles and pitfalls to deal with on the way. So don't be too smug too soon!

Théière - I've never actually seen any pictures of Clair, but I'm sure I wouldn't mind taking her on... LOL!

So, having been completely taken by the word, I think I will adopt the 'doofer' spelling as I am sure it must come from, "That'll do 'fer' me!" And by that token, it is quite obvious only the Brits call them by that name... Love it!