Poppy

Unfortunately in the 70s & 80s there was not the media coverage/analysis of everything and certainly not the amount of explanatory leaflets on all in sundry that there is today. I feel that there was no info on the Class B contributions or I would have known about it. I have dotted the i's etc on every other aspect of my life and the pension issue for some reason never reared it's head. I was informed by a government agency that it was not worth me paying Class A, If I had not moved and had to sign on I would still be paying Class A. I wasn't given a leaflet explaining the consequences. Im pretty sure leaflets for issue to the public didn't exist then and there definitely were not the detailed explanatory letters. I can't remember discussing pension or NI contributions with any workmates, pensions were not high profile until the hype in the early 90s aimed at the sale of private pensions.. I'm sure there was a percentage of women particularly in temporary or short term work who paid Class B and never thought beyond the fact they got more money per week. Similarly I'm sure there is a high percentage who continued to pay Class A after they married simply because luckily they didn't know any different. You also have to consider the fact that in the 70's only about 48% of women worked. Even if some women were informed they could rely on their husbands contributions I bet they weren't informed of the following, I quote from a pension forecast received in 1995  ' As a married woman, you may be able to get more Basic Pension by using your husbands UK NI contributions, you could get up to 60%.' Yet another factor is that people saw their family members doing OK in retirement however retirees didn't buy material goods and never travelled and state pension was possibly a lot higher percent of average income than it is today.

Afraid I got caught out in paying the class B. I started work in 1966 and paid class A then I got married in 1970 and moved 150 miles away to where my husband worked. The place was Maryport and at that time very little employment opportunities. I 'signed on' and was told I wouldn't receive any benefits because I didn"t have a good reason for leaving my last job. Unfortunately I didn't have a private jet to commute 150miles each way per day!!!! I was also advised by the same Government agency to pay the reduced stamp. In 1970 it was a much different world to today, we tended to do what we were told and didn't question it. I paid the reduced stamp until 1990 never thinking it would affect my pension, I definitely did not receive a Government leaflet explaining the position, that is a lot of money to pay for nothing. We moved to France in 1990 and it was when I had a conversation with the Pension Agency re paying voluntary contributions that the penny dropped but then it was too late. I know it sounds as though I am a bit thick but I can assure you I'm not, it was just one of those things and don't forget in 1970 I was 21 and still only 41 when the penny dropped and it was a different world.

Unfortunately it sounds  'normal'. Have had much bigger problems  than cheese but today decided to take some back which had gone green in a couple of days. This was on top of rotten eggs, milk, veg etc in the last few weeks. Anyway I was told 'I' must not have stored it correctly. Oh for a Tesco. One of the funniest was when we took a faulty TV back and the store lost it. Six years later we are still waiting for it [:D] Lots of other stories but just thought of a Lapeyre one. We ordered some very large patio doors and asked for home delivery which was very expensive. With no previous notification we received a call from the lorry driver saying he was lost and was trying to deliver. OH went to find him(luckily we were at home). Lorry arrived at Chez Nous no lifting gear and one man. Huge heavy patio door so lorry driver asked for a hand, with three of us it was still a struggle and we paid extra for this experience. French neighbours who summer  in the south moan about the service here but say they get good service in the north. We are very good at the shrug now and if we get good service are very surprised. [8-)]

 Jan Sooooo sorry to hear you are depressed but I know exactly how you feel, this time last year I felt the same. I have lost 8 kilos since then and although not there yet feel much better about myself.The outfit for the wedding on saturday is a sleeveless top and I would never have worn such a thing in the last eight years. I'm sure you know  from our years of posting that if I can feel this way you soon can. Been eating very similar to your diet plan and still have a problem with alcohol but find I lose more weight when I can limit it to one very small glass of wine with the evening meal.Some days it's a lot easier than others [blink] Have done lots of exercises and think they have helped lots but I know you might be restricted. Here's to us both losing a kilo this week. Keep smiling and sliimming. [:D] Great idea to start a thread on meno and diet. The Other Jan  

Thanks for the info Ian, wish it was as simple as that. Afraid women of a certain age have things called hormones which seem to work the exact opposite of teenage hormones [blink] Really pleased to say I have lost a kilo this week so the wedding skirt looks a bit less lumpy [:D] It has given me the determination to lose another kilo before saturday. Just had six cherry toms and a glass of water for lunch [:'(] Also can't believe I am a kilo under the last plateau, lightest I have been for about six years. Hope everyone else are big losers The Other Jan Still slimming and smiling [:D]

 J.R.  This happens at least 5 times per week with us, has done for about 4 years. We just disconnect and start again. Usually happens if the modem doesn't connect and we have to replug or something similar occurs. Don't really think it is a scam just something that happens when the wires get crossed [:D]

Well done Joy, fry ups and weight loss BRILLIANT.  I didn't weigh in last week because I was so disgusted with myself for not trying harder and the same this week. I know how you feel Fiona I am going to a wedding on 1 September and promised myself weeks ago I would lose half a stone. The wedding outfit arrived this morning and it definitely  will look better with less bumpy bits so now have only 12 days to do it in. [:'(] I just keep thinking of that skirt everytime I think of food, should have ordered the outfit earlier [blink] The Other Jan Still slimming and smiling [:D]

[quote user="Joy1"]Hi. When my parents elderly cat wouldn't eat, they tempted him with evaporated milk and pieces of ham. This was all he would eat for a long time and he seemed to do ok on it! Not sure if you can get evaporated milk in France but perhaps some of the cream (runny stuff in cardboard packets) would do instead? Joy [/quote] In the same circs we kept our cat going in France for a long time with 'the runny stuff in cardboard packets' boiled fish and raw mince - well the steak hache broken up.She was purrfectly happy [:D] All the very best, I know how you feel.

Thanks Sue, we will query the transfer charge 'with someone different'. We did get a detailed statement of the transfer which hasn't happened before but I'd much rather do without the statement and keep my 50 Euros [:D] We even got charged VAT on it [:'(] Re the online banking I didn't reregister because it also meant additional charges which I haven't looked into yet. It is a pain not to be able to access the account online because we don't receive the monthly statements until 15 days after the end of the month.

We have been with BP for about 10 years the monthly charge for cheque/livret and card has always been around 14 Euros. In June I was denied access on line  was asked to reregister and advised internet rates could be obtained from local branch. We have never paid commission on transfer of sterling but this month paid 50.50 Euros. We obviously queried this got a shrug and a 'sorry but it is correct that is what we charge'.  

BP started charging about 2 months ago additional to their no option quarterly charges. None of our UK banks charge [:D] Also received hefty transfer charges last month which we have never incurred before. Thank goodness we don't  transfer often [blink] Haven't enquired  yet as to what their internet charges are because a bit upset with all their other charges [:(]

 Unfortunately Banque Populaire have started  charging for internet banking even for just looking at your account. [:(] So I guess you will get charged for the transaction simply because you are doing it online.

Anybody had their petrol tank confiscated [:D]

Choccie- this is getting very bizarre, only 5 out of our 8 solar lights were stolen and I think the ones left are  the only ones that were working properly. Hopefully it was just kids and thay could only carry 5. I know they were cheap and cheerful but it has put the wind up us and we make sure we lock the car etc at night which  we have never done before.  Cat- we have heard lots over the years about things disappearing during the fetes,washing off lines etc but we are miles away from villages and fetes. Don't like this new feeling [:(] 

We have just had our cheap and cheerful outside solar lights stolen. First time anything has been pinched in our 18 years lost in the Lot. Is it time to move [:(]

Good Luck Artex, hope you find a lift. I have often thought about enquiring on the Forum for a lift but haven't summed up the courage.I don't mind flying with a companion but can't stand the thought of flying on my own and it is difficult to smuggle the dutch courage on board now [6] Other half is very sympathetic, just says 'but you aren't on your own there is a plane full of people [8-)]

Hello Joy 1 kilo gain is the norm for 2 BBQ and anniversary meal that is exactly how I gained the kilo. It was the 37th anniversary on 25 July [blink] Hope you can start the exercises again soon, can't believe the difference they have made. Can you just eat lots of salad and fruit on the camping trips. I often have only cherry toms and cucumber with low fat dressing for lunch. Also tinned tuna and toms. Anyway enjoy the trips they sound fun [:D]

Worst summer I can remember in 18 years lost in the Lot(46). Very strange weather pattern has emerged cool at start of week heat builds up until weekend when it thunders and is cool again. This has been going on every week for about 3 months, for example Sunday it was 35 in the shade (obviously sunny) today it is 16 and showery. Sunday was probably our highest temp this year but 35 is usually normal for July and August.

Hello anyone out there. I don't believe Jan & Joy have given up and Lynda where are you I need you to bully me into losing half a stone for a wedding on 1 September [blink] I've lost a kilo this week but its the one I put on over the previous couple of weeks. However I'm going in the right direction at last. Only thing I have done differently (still having a problem with the apero [6]) is start the exercises again, would never have believed they can make so much difference. Hope everyone is OK and are big losers. The Other Jan Still slimming & smiling. [:D]  

When we rented out we had some things stored in the garage, these were all boxed, covered and marked PRIVATE We received a call from guests really voicing their complaint that the Video player they had got out the garage and installed didn't work. We did supply UK television which 12 years ago was rare. Please just try and laugh [:D] You will always find people who are self centred and to put it politely 'don't think' [geek]

This is a definite fact. It took four months for us to get our money. The notaire said the Impot would not let him release the money, the Impot said they were investigating our tax liability. We were french tax resident and it was our only house.

I'm still here, didnt get weighed today - feel very fat [:P] Started the exercises again today and haven't had anything alcoholic. Did the exercise at the time I would normally have an aperitif so killed two birds etc.I think this sudden effort has something to do with me putting on a sleeveless teeshirt this morning, not a pretty site [blink] The Other Jan Still slimming & smiling [:D]

We are usually very conservative but installed PER 10 years ago and can report no problems at all. We put it in the gain which obviously hasn't had to be actioned but there if necessary. This facility isn't available with the copper and maybe a godsend with complete tiled walls showers etc

Once again Catalpa you have hit the nail on the head. (Pardon the building term)  Ours is a fixed devis and all would have been well if they had not tried to rush/ruin our roof. After all it is nearly August, time for holiday cash-in-hand Possibly same outcome with any nationality of builder but a shade disappointed. Possibly  too honest for our own good but another story.

Many thanks Blanche Niege & Catalpa for your comments. Catalpa you hit the nail on the head re achieving the result but we are very disappointed in the French artisans opinion of us, and perhaps the English. Our French is very good and I don't think they realised that, perhaps the reason they tried to take advantage. We are pleased with the building result but the gloss has been taken off.