Poppy

Really jealous of anyone who has seen the cranes. No sign here in the Lot and the weather has been very grey for many days, we did see some blackbirds last week and thought that was a good sign but spotted robins yesterday and today so feeling confused [8-)]

Sorry Pierre just tried again with Flexicover and got the same choice as you when clicking 'No' to UK - can't remember seeing that drop down menu when I tried last night. Citybond Suretravel have got a lot more countries on their menu but are more expensive.

Have heard good reports about 'Worldwide' We have been insured with Citybond Suretravel for years and I think Flexicover are part of the same group so got a liitle concerned at Pierre's post. Just tried to book online for both Flexicover & Citybond with annual policy commencing 1st March and no problem for non UK resident !!!!

 I think it's a really positive sign that students are 'revolting' instead of just talking about getting on the property ladder etc.

Thank you Sweet will try and ring tomorrow but think I will have more luck on Tuesday.

Many thanks Sweet for the quick informative reply. I thought I was going daft, nearly tried my Carrefour Card [:D] Did you call Eurolines in Spain? Know the feeling about the printer we were stranded in Spain last year when car expired, could book bus tickets online but no printer. We had another similar experience with travel insurance documents. We don't know what we've got til it's gone springs to mind. Luckily we found a travel agent who was a Eurolines agent.

Just tried to book on Eurolines from France to UK. When I entered card details all seemed well except it came up with message we can't proceed, no explanation given. I tried a couple of cards and got the same response. The cards are UK but with a French address. I am sure I have booked online with Eurolines before using the same card(s). Has anyone else had a similar problem?

[quote user="idun"]Re 'a lifetime ago'. I just looked we were paying 4000ff for TH and TF in 1986. Was 'your' lifetime as long ago as ours? We thought that that was a lot then, no wonder people were buying using a pret pap to exonerate them from TF for 10 or was it 15 years. And if you are wondering how I could just 'look', I am trying to sort out our french tax and I have every bill since our first year in the file, so it was just next to me. I keep wondering why yours is so high. Did you ask for planning permission for more than you have? if you did then the assumption on their part is that the work is done and that one pays accordingly. We took years to build an extention and were 'adjusted' well before it was finished and when we did finish it I was told that the final paperwork no longer needed to be handed in as we had taken so long. Why don't you go and see them and ask if you are paying the right amount, I think that I would.[/quote] My lifetime isn't quite as long as yours 1988. We did ask for planning permission for more than we have completed. We have been to see them several times with the house plans and they confirmed that we are paying tax only on one bedroom, one lounge/kitchen and a toilet. Not sure what our future plans are [:'(]  Close to us a much larger house  3 beds 2 bathrooms etc is paying less tax than us, they submitted their H1 about six years ago. Know what you mean about french tax bills our file is two huge boxes. Good luck with your french tax.

[quote user="PaulT"][quote user="Poppy"]Coops I am honestly not trying to sound like a grumpy old §§§ We put the rubbish in the boot of the car and take it to the nearest bins once per week, the nearest bins are in the next canton. [/quote] That is very good of you Poppy - lumbering people else where with the cost of getting rid of your rubbish  -  I bet they are extremely pleased. Fly tipping does the same thing - dumping rubbish and leaving others to pick up the bill for clearing it. Paul [/quote] Paul I don't think my two bags of rubbish per week are greatly influencing the bills of the next canton if they are I am only too happy to foot the weekly bill. If I turn left out of my drive the bins for the next canton are one half of a kilometre if I turn right the bins for my canton 3 kilometres I know which is better to walk or drive. What would you do? Also I'm pretty sure that our neighbours have no idea that bins to the right belong to ??? and bins to the left belong to çççç definitely no large signs on the bins stating you can't tip if you are from another canton.

I guess Idun that I thought tax was a bit fairer in France than UK. A lifetime ago when we bought a new house in France the TF & TH were 4000 Francs about 350 Euros. This was for a huge house with 2 acres of garden. The house never felt right and we sold it long long story ended up living in a barn and now have to pay TF & TH of over a thousand Euros for one bed no bath.

Totally agree Sue the newer the property the higher the tax and the older the property the lower the tax [:D]. Sometimes this is due to not declaring but whatever how is this a fair system of taxation [:D] Never in my most wildest dreams did I think I would be paying over a thousand pounds in taxes on a one bedroom house in France with no bathroom.

I know it's probably a one off point of view but why should it be that the bigger the property the bigger the tax?

Coops I am honestly not trying to sound like a grumpy old §§§ We put the rubbish in the boot of the car and take it to the nearest bins once per week, the nearest bins are in the next canton. It would be easier to burn the rubbish in the garden. We do hover heart in mouth over the backroads we are on one and planning has allowed over building without the infrastructure.We never go to the village in the dark because the roads are too dangerous. The flowers in the canton are not as nice as mine. Not trying to wind anyone up but just trying to put forward another point of view.

Cooperlola I do understand what you are saying but I receive absolutely no services at all from the commune. If my house was occupied by 20 people most of them receiving child allowance, unemployment benefit, and every benefit available I would still be paying the same or possibly exempt from TH & TF.

Thanks for your comments Paul but I am only referring to TH & TF. I agree with other methods of taxation. The money that I have spent building my house has already been taxed twice.  In addition to that I am paying TVA on materials and contributing to the cotisations of French builders I have employed. I am still only complaining about TH & TF [:D]

[quote user="idun"]Poppy,how are you being penalised then?[/quote] Don't think I'm getting paranoid [:D] but if instead of spending my money on a large house and incurring huge TH & TB bills I had spent my money on drink, cigs, decent car etc etc and built a smaller house I would have much smaller TH & TB bills and be receiving exactly the same services.

Back full circle to my comment, why should I be penalised for putting my money into a roof over my head.

[quote user="idun"]Poppy,did you live in a caravan for ten years on you own land?[/quote] No, we pitched the caravan on the local camp site. It was very cheap.

Braco totally agree with the 15% absolutely brilliant conception ( no exception). We in ten years of building our own house have claimed nothing from UK or France, we spend 120 Euros per week in the supermarket, goodness knows how much per week in the DIY stores and please don't start me on the French health service it's not a delusion that UK is best. Please email if you want to discuss.

We bought a barn extended it on all sides because we like space. Did all the work ourselves. Haven't bought any new clothes for 12 years, run a 20 year old car, lived in a caravan for 10 years until we got part of the barn habitable. Still haven't got a bath or shower but we pay 550 Euros Tax Fonc and 500 for TH for the 65 sq mtrs we have completed. 12 years ago when we started the project TF & TH were nowhere near the levels they are now. There is no way we can afford TH & TF to make the rest of the building habitable. Should have bought a decent car instead of praying we get there!! It would be lovely to have some new clothes and a wash. Why should I be penalised for wanting a decent home?

[quote user="ericd"]It's saving the file as Jpeg that threw me. The link works and two Geordy ladies are now happier. Thanks Quillan.[/quote]. Eric many thanks for your efforts. Bet you didn't think you would make two Geordy ladies happy in one night [:D]

[quote user="Patf"]What is it about that part of the coast that makes us so nostalgic and sentimental? I grew up about 6 miles north of there (Blyth.) [/quote] Patf I think you hit the nail on the head when you mentioned 'coast'. OH grew up in Wallsend a few miles inland and has no sentimental links to the area. My feelings are that the coastline is still unspoilt and wherever you are it seems to go on forever and ever. Have stood on lots of other beaches but felt they ended a few metres each side. The North East coast starts at Tynemouth and ends at the Scottish border with lots of delights including Lindesfarne on the way. I spent a summer with my uncle and cousin on Blyth pier they were fishing and I learnt to swim. .

Yes got it, thank you so much and what a beautiful sky. Will certainly dream about it tonight along with a sherry in the Briardene. Thanks Again

No problem, many thanks for the thought [:D]

Eric, sorry I couldn't view the photo but  I'm sure it looked fantastic.You really are teasing now mentioning the Briardene Pub. English pubs are one of the few things I really miss. Don't you dare post any photos of Seaton Sluice [6]