Neilc

Opel Couple of questions just for clarity if an item has a CE mark is it acceptable for use in france If an item conforms to an EN is it acceptable for use in france.

Opel Whilst I agree with most of what you say I am not sure you are correct about this " French registered plumbing Artisans (those who have CdC accreditation, a Carte de chambre de métiers, and assurance responsabilité civile) cannot legally fit non-NF material, just as French sparks cannot fit BS only products. The implications are too considerable to contemplate.    My understanding is that any product with a CE mark can be sold and used anywhere in the EU. What you say above implies this is not correct. What is your view? With regard to NF's, BS's, DIN's etc I was under the understanding that many off these have already been replaced by EN's and it was only if an EN had not been produced did a national standard still take priority. Again whats your view on this?

Don't live in the area anymore but one of your other posts hints that you are near Caylus. If so not far from you is St Antonin Noble Val which is a mecca for local ex pats brits and many other nationalities. The market on a sunday is a major meet up but if you want to meet people don't go during the summer months as its full of tourists. Also in St Antonin is a cinema which shows many films in VO  (original language with sub titles). Its a great way to learn some language and also to meet people. Their is an english book shop which is periodicaly open, and the estate agents Agence L'Union has many adverts for english speaking tradesmen etc, can be very useful if you know no one. On a Sunday the ex pats tend to congregate at the cafe in the market square (Les Halles before mid day and drinks used to be in La Brasserie (spellin!!) after midday. Beware though the Brasserie used to have some pretty unsavioury characters, amongst the many punters, who are probably best avoided. Good luck enjoy your place

Good Luck Chezshells I used to post a little here but returned to the UK about three years ago. I left a big spread (4 houses 15 acres etc) to come back initially to a 1 bed 2nd floor flat with no outdoor space in zone 2 London. The first week was really difficult but then I realised that London is absolutely full of parks, rivers, outdoor spaces etc. I came back because my partner was bored, I was still enjoying it (only their for a couple of years). We left England for the usual reasons stressful life blah blah blah. What I have found in the three years since being back is its amazing how much of the stress was due to myself. I didn’t need that bigger flat, that better car, that more expensive suit. I could catch buses and tubes, no need for taxis.   Having a clean break for a couple of years from work allowed me to return without the baggage. It was an eye opener  at how much easier my old job was than I thought. Being away has also opened my eyes to all the things I didn’t have whilst in france. Like you I was under 40 when I went france and really was too young to live the retired life. For me London is thriving again with regard to entertainment (a lot of it free) so no need to spend a fortune going out. It also has an amazing vitality that the country side does not All in all both going to France and coming back were the best things I’ve ever done don’t regret either.   Ps As you did in france I’ve turned property in London and now have a flat with more than one bedroom and a garden. So just cause you might have to step down the ladder a bit when you first come back doesn’t mean its forever

>Work started on our house in >early Feb. this year. Our >target completion date for the >work was Easter. We have >an English architect based in >France and are using French >artisans. The builder is frustratingly >slow but his work is >good and he is widely >used in the area. Maybe >he has too much work. >We reckon he has about >two weeks work to do >if he organised his men >to get on with it >but based on his track >record so far we'll be >lucky if he'll be finished >by Christmas. The other trades >are queuing up behind him >as they can't complete until >he does. Despite this and >the accute earache I have >given our arcitect, nothing seems >to get him to step >up a gear. > >Any advice on how to get >things moving would be greatly >appreciated! Sorry to hear about this James but as someone has posted below this seems to be the norm with french builders. Customer comes first is not very high on the agenda. I used to always pay building companies artisans etc exactly in line with the amount of time they were in delay i.e. finish when you say you would, then get paid when you ask. Finish three months late get paid three months late etc. As an aside I got a phone call once from an electrician about two years after he'd given me a devis saying the materials were now in and could he start on monday. Could he $%^&.

Chating in my local coffee shop this morning and it appears the local French community are make a nuisance of themselves. I've got an old council block up the street which is now a sort of cheap hotel/hostel thing. Anyway it seems that its been mainly taken over by french residents. The young spanish girl who works in the coffee shop can't bear the noise anymore and is moving out and the couple of customers who live over the road have had to call the environmental health noise people quite a few times recently due to late night noise. I know theres meant to be be about 250,000 french in London now so has anyone else got this problem.

Anyone got any tips for good places to buy french food in the UK. I often get french cheese at Borough market the guy selling comte is particularly good, Also get cheese at La Fromargerie in Islington which is good. I'd love to find someone who sold jambon de Vendee and those three packs of 70% chocolat at such cheap prices. Anyway give us your top spots for french foods in the UK

Good Luck to you Buster. Did the same ourselves two and a half years ago. Best thing I ever did both the going and the coming back. Never looked back since.

Hi can anyone recommend a good site for selling on contents of a large home/gite in tarn et garonne region (both indoor and outdoor goods to be disposed of).