Lautrec

We are intending to pay a week's visit to Devon from where we originally came from. We would like to take our little Birman cat with us as we cannot bear to leave her behind. She likes travelling and is up to date with all her jabs! Could anyone inform me of what the procedure is regarding blood testing which I understand has to be carried out 24 hours before the intended journey and what documents we should take with us! Maxine

Thank you Zeb for your reply and we know the Cockleshell shop in Ruffec very well and we are in there at least twice a week. Jane; the proprietor, has been very helpful to us since we arrived to live here over a year ago. She is a mine of information and her shop sells nearly every item that you might miss in the UK. Never mind the Cadbury's fruit and nut; it's the Cheddar cheese that we go for! The funny thing is that we have never seen the card regarding Cat grooming, but we shall look out for it when we go in tomorrow! Thank you Patter for for your information regarding Civrey. We shall follow it up! You have both been very helpful! Mde L.

We have a lovely Birman female cat who is in need of a makeover. Does anyone know of a professional person who would bathe; clip; trim and beautify our cat? We have tried to do it in the past, but found it rather traumatic! We are in department 16; (Ruffec area!) and we would be prepared to travel not too far to get this done! Madame Lautrec!

Recently when crossing between Plymouth and Roscoff on the Brittany Ferry, I managed to wangle an invitation on to the bridge. The Captain took time off to show me around. I asked him, 'How many crew have you?' He replied in fluent English, 'I have a crew of 185 and I trust every man' He pointed forward to the bow where a man was mopping down the deck. 'Do you see that man up forrard, I would trust him with my life!' Just then, as he turned away, a large wave broke over the bow and washed the poor man overboard. I called out,'Captain, you know that man you trusted with your life, . . . .  he has just b*ggered off with your mop and bucket!'

I wonder if anyone could advise me if they know of a Notaire in the Angouleme - Ruffec area that speaks really good English? I would be very interested to learn!

My wife bought both of Susie Kelly's books. I was urged to read them by her and much to my amazement I was really taken.  Many of us have had some setbacks when moving to France, but what she went through when she first arrived with her husband and many pets, has to be read to be believed. It was an inspiration to us both. They came across as such lovely caring people. Much better I think than 'A year in Provence'! It is good news indeed if it is a fact that she is writing another tome and we shall be first in the queue to purchase it. I have seen her web site on Total France where she has book writing consultancy to help aspiring writers. I was tempted to submit my own novel to her, but do not think that it is good enough! We are living in the Charente and I think that she lives not far from us in Confolens and although not wishing to impinge on her privacy, would really like to meet her personally. She is a very brave woman and an inspiration to all those who are fortunate to have read her books! Lautrec

We have a digibox and receive all the free TV from the UK. My wife and I also can view the five terrestrial French stations. We find the latter very useful to practice our knowledge of the language. In the stores I have seen a French satellite system which retails quite cheaply. Can anyone advise me that if I purchased and installed this system, would it be possible to receive these extra stations without having to pay any subscriptions? It would be nice to know n'est-ce pas? Lautrec PS. I spelt receiving wrong in the title, but cannot find how to edit it correctly!  Sorry!

Help!!!!!!!! Out of a litter of six beautiful ginger kittens, born on Easter Sunday; three have been found new homes but there are three more still awaiting a really good loving family! They are two males and one female.(Very unusual to have a ginger female!)  They are located in the Poitiers/Ruffec  area. If you feel you could help to give these gorgeous kittens a good life, please contact Amy at [email protected]  or telephone o6 87 96 29 71. Lautrec.

What I failed to mention earlier; I think that I must have mentally blotted out the memory!  As I use Onetel as well as France Telecom, somehow I was charged by both companies on top of my monthly charge with Tiscali. This was because Onetel omitted to advise France Telecom that I was using their service. In fact I was paying three times for the same service. (Quelle fromage!, as Del boy would say!)You have to watch and check everything over here especially if you are a little deficient in the French language department!                                                                                                                     Lautrec

Hello Helen, We live between Confolen and Ruffec and we use a very good vet in Ruffec; where there is one other. There are another two in Champagne Mouton as well. I haunt got the details, but if you need them, I will look them up and e mail you. There are two more in Confollen and looking in the local Yellow pages will give their addresses and phone numbers. As far as English speaking, I will ask a few questions and let you know. Regards, Lautrec.

Just a caution for Iceni and slast. The number you quoted 0860015555 could be the wrong one to use and could cost you extra. I use Tiscali unlimited and when I first started; for 2 months I used that number to get on to the Internet. I was shocked when I got the telephone account from French Telecom, to find that all my calls to Tiscali were being charged again by FT. After repeated phone calls and e mails, it was made clear to me that I was using the wrong number to call. I should have been using 0860095557;  in fact I was paying twice for the same service. In my case Euros70. So check it out as you could be caught in the same trap as I was. Please let me know if I am proved right!

I originally asked the question if any  person knew anything about retirement villages. It has turned into a different subject altogether, which often happens on this forum. I admit that I have a large one acre of grass to cut which is a bit of a chore; mind you my tractor makes short work of it, but what lovely privacy. So thank you participants in this topic, but I would still like to hear from anyone who has any info. on the above subject! Thanks!

Our English neighbours, who do not have a computer (How could one exist without one?) Have asked me to pose this question on this forum. Their elderly parents are coming to live with them and one of them is in receipt of a disability pension in the UK on top of their retirement pension. Could anyone inform me if they would still be able to receive this disability pension from the UK when they come to live permanently in France?  

By mistake I have printed this topic twice and try as I may, I cant find a way to cancel obne of them. So could the administrator please wipe one out for me. Thank you! Lautrec.

We are currently living and enjoying our life in The Charente, but there will inevitably come a time when maintaining a largish house and garden will be a burden as one gets older. We have been looking in an easier and more relaxed life style and retirement villages seemed to be one solution. There is a concept called Les Senioriales; with sites on the Atlantic Coast, and the Mediterranean to name but a few. Prices to buy start at around Euros100k and to rent would be from Euros600 per month. They seem to have all facilities, pools, games rooms, warden controlled etc. The question I would like to ask. Is there anyone reading this who is living in a similar set up or knows someone who does.  If so, could you please impart any information that would be helpful, before we make the trip down to view a site. (The aging)  Lautrec.

We are currently living and enjoying our life in The Charente, but there will inevitably come a time when maintaining a largish house and garden will be a burden as one gets older. We have been looking in an easier and more relaxed life style and retirement villages seemed to be one solution. There is a concept called Les Senioriales; with sites on the Atlantic Coast, and the Mediterranean to name but a few. Prices to buy start at around Euros100k and to rent would be from Euros600 per month. They seem to have all facilities, pools, games rooms, warden controlled etc. The question I would like to ask. Is there anyone reading this who is living in a similar set up or knows someone who does.  If so, could you please impart any information that would be helpful, before we make the trip down to view a site. (The aging)  Lautrec.

Thank you Iceni and PChute. I was led to understand that there was a minimum you could earn without registering. This was told to me by a Brit who did a few little jobs for me. So he must have been 'black' and I was mislead! I will know in future! Thanks! Lautrec.

Cadc says they have a ban from 1 - 15 April. I see now that here in Ruffec we have a similar ban 1 - 18 April. Does anyone know if this means that after this time, the ban will be rescinded

Well spotted Mysfloss. I couldn't find one of those things locally in Ruffec. So Alcazar you have the answer to your query. Pay 24 Euros or make your own like I did for 8 Euros. It only took 10 minutes work with a hacksaw to complete the project! Thank you everyone. Lautrec.

:O Thanks for your imput. Now that you have put it in print, it is obvious that the tank is approx. one square meter, which equals 1000 litres, or about 225 gallons. Has just started raining here in Nanteuil and I have checked that the tank is almost half full already. Let the hosepipe ban come - I am not worried any more!  Lautrec

In view of an impending drought, I have installed a large plastic rain collecting water tank on the side of my house measuring 1100 x 900 x 900 mm. which I discovered in the shed when I purchased our house. I have connected it to the downpipe coming down from my roof.  I have tried to work out the capacity in litres or gallons, but each time I seem to come up with a different answer. I would really appreciate someone putting me right on this. Lautrec.

Hi Carli, Glad to be of assistance. I hope the move goes OK! Regards Lautrec

Hi Carli. The name of the medican is Didier Soubeyran 26 Rue Gambetta Ruffec.   0545 31 08 06 If I can help you further, email me. Lautrec

I have been to a doctor in Ruffec who has his practice right in the centre of town. The name as far as I remember, is Soubiard (?). I am not sure of the spelling, but I will check it out tomorrow in the Pages Jeunes. He speaks excellent English and besides being a general practitioner, he is also a chiropractor. I will e mail you later. Lautrec

An acquaintance of mine, just arrived in France has asked me to pose a question! He is a professional cabaret artiste with a self-contained musical comedy act which can be multilingual. He has performed a few 'free' charity shows with great success. This has generated more inquiries regarding his availability, but he is not inclined to keep on working for nothing. If he started charging fees, how much could he earn per annum without having to register for a siret number?