Paul Bradford

Hi, Try Argus car hire. We have used them from Bergerac. Although they don't have an office at the airport, they have an arrangement with one of the car hire company's there. I got quite a good deal using them and now always check them out wherever I'm flying to in France. They migght have the same arrangement for Poitiers. Regards Paul

Hi, Can't think what it is called in French, but I got mine from Gamm Vert. It wasn't very expensive. Regards Paul

Hi All, Are there are many people out there who would travel to France from Southend (or vice versa) if that service were available? I would be grateful if you could let me know by pm or email [email protected] Destination airport and frequency would be useful. There are plans to develope the airport further, but it might be useful to pass any information gained to Flybe who currently fly to Jersey from there. I would like to run this for a month, collate the figures, then pass them on. I'll publish the figures on the site when I have them. Thanks in advance. Paul Bradford

Hi Keith, My belief is that you are required to carry snow chains in the snow risk areas. I haven't found anything yet to say that 4 x 4 vehicles are exempt. Last year I stopped at every garage and supermarket en route to the Pyranees in an effort to find some for my Jeep Cherokee. The particular size was not in stock. I was quite concerned about getting stopped by the Gendarmes and was preparing to explain in my imperfect French that we had tried everywhere. As it happens, on the route up to Bonascre (Ax-les-Thermes) we were waved on by the Gendarmes. The car performed quite well on the steep roads up to the resort. This year I purchased them via the internet before we left for peace of mind. Less snow and hardly used four wheel drive at all! I would have them anyway, as I've never been on one of those 4 x 4 courses ( I suspect neither have most owners ) to find out the capabilites of the vehicle (and driver!). Am I right in saying that the French do not produce a civilian 4 x 4 vehicle? Regards Paul

Hi, We're moving over in July. I will be using HIFX to transfer my medical pension. They have told me that I can have a contract from six to twenty-four months. We have used them for the purchase of the house and topping up of our account in France and have had no charges whatsoever and a good exchange rate. (I have no affiliation to HIFX). Regards Paul Bradford

Hi Andy, If you are not in too much of a rush, I know of an excellent family of carpet fitters and suppliers that are planning to move over. They are forever flitting back and forth to sign papers. I believe they are over for the Easter period. I know they are fitting some carpet while they are over. We have used them for our home and also commercially. I'll send you a pm with their details. I have no association with their company. Regards Paul Bradford

Hi, Have you split your logs. You need a really good fire going to keep burning whole logs. Also, if you have double glazing & no airvent (like us!), you will need an airflow. A window or door just slightly open should do the trick and get it to draw well. A chimney also works better when it is warmed up. More kindling to start with can help that. A note of caution though to all woodburners-you can get deposits of creosote or a creosote like substance build up in the chimney. This can catch alight causing a dreaded chimney fire. Don't forget to have your chimney cleaned. There is a powder that you can buy in the uK that you sprinkle on the fire. This helps keep the chimney clean. The other alternative is to use some coal or coke now and again. Enjoy that fire!! We will be upgrading to a stove at some point this year to save on the logs. Regards Paul

Hi, Monflanquin, Lot et Garonne. Caroline, Paul, Francesca (6 years) and Nicole (5 years) moving to the village at the end of June 2006. We are over for a holiday at half term (coming a week early) and off up to Ax-lesThermes for the snow. It was great last year. Also over at Easter and June cannot come too quickly! Caroline and the girls interested in horse riding. Regards Paul Bradford

Hi,   Just accessed it immediately using your link. I do have broadband though. I haven't had time to check it out completely, but it looks like it will be useful.   Thanks Paul

Hi Harley, I for one, would be really interested. We are moving over ourselves in June this year. My father in law has a house in Monflanquin-Lot et Garonne, that we shall use. (In truth he bought it with a view that we would probably live there ourselves). Once our children (and my wife!) have settled we will be looking for a house for ourselves. This is more than likely to be a new build. Our reason for this is that although my father in law's house is lovely and more than big enough for us, we have realised that we would like the house arranged in a different way. We look forward to your posts, but would be more than happy for you  to send an update directly to us if you do not get the feedback. [email protected] Regards Caroline and Paul

Hi Anton, I can't make mine work either! You are not alone! Paul

PLEASE IGNORE THIS POST AS IT IS DUPLICATED. THANK YOU Hi, We don't know if anyone can help, but we have heard (can't remember where now!) that there are discounts in tax fonciere or d'habitation if the property is unoccupied for a length of time such as being used as a holiday home. Does anyone know if this is correct? Regards Caroline & Paul

Hi, We don't know if anyone can help, but we have heard that there are discounts in tax fonciere or d'habitation if the property is unoccupied for a length of time such as being used as a holiday home. Does anyone know if this is correct? Regards Caroline & Paul

Hi, We had a few RIB's in the front of our chequebook. A photocopy should suffice. We were also able to print some off the website for our internet banking. Regards Paul

Hi, Don't forget once you have sorted this out that the Architect's fees for overseeing the project will add around 15% plus TVA to your building costs. Paul

Hi, Not about Andorra, although we are looking into the possibility of it this winter, but we did go to Ax les Thermes as it was the first time for my wife and children. We went in February. One metre of snow at the lower level and over two metres at the top. We spoke to numerous people who stated it was the best place they had skied even compared with places they had visited in the Alps. Kids and wife loved it and we would consider it again but for the lack of English speaking instructors. We have been looking for the same period in Andorra but everything seems to be booked already. Regards Paul

This might be of some use to owners out there! We renewed insurance this year with a new company, having been contacted by them. Our previous company had been French and we had just received the renewal. The new company were aware that we had the property as we had transferred currency through them. The advantages of changing insurers were that the policy would be in English and offered great cover as we only go over in school holidays until we move for good next year. We sent back our renewal with a note saying that we didn't require the cover. (It was not due for renewal for another couple of weeks). To cut a long story short we found out that the French insurance is renewed automatically unless we give them two months notice. You also do not get a refund for part use of a year i.e. if you sell the property. We contacted the new company who state that we did not cancel within 14 days so will be subject of a hefty cancellation fee. This is now subject of further correspondence. We have found out that some insurers require three months notice that you will not be renewing your home/contents insurance. Please take this into consideration if you are looking to change your insurer. Regards Caroline & Paul Bradford

Hi, I had a similar problem. I called  Norton direct and they talked me through a process. It didn't take long and sorted out the problem. I haven't had any trouble since. I believe their telephone number is NOT one of these 0900 expensive lines.Try them first before you make an expensive mistake trying to correct something on the advice of a third party (no offence intended to anyone out there offering advice, but I had a friend come around to sort out a problem as he had encountered a similar problem. He couldn't resolve it. The PC was worse that before. It was old so we bought a new one.) Paul

Hi, Good luck to you! We are moving to Monflanquin (Lot et Garonne) next year. I had thought about this sort of enterprise and had spoken to various people within the village to see if would be appreciated. I received quite good feedback, but in the meantime an English lady (Hi Jules) opened one. From what we have seen in the past year, she has worked hard and reaped the benefits. She is regularly busy during the summer months with customers of all nationalities, including the local French. Her shop is clean and bright. The snacks and drinks are good.The village does attract tourists so this must account for a lot of her trade. (I have no association with the shop, but do use it on occasion when we are there.) Regards Paul

Hi, I don't know if you are already in France or not. We have had a gas & electric Brittania for the past eight years. if you want me to find out if what you require is possible and also if they are sold in France, drop me a pm. I have a contact number for them here in the UK. I believe they are made in Italy. Regards Paul

Hi, This might be too far for you, about thirty minutes from Bergerac, but it is a good all year round indoor pool. We have used the piscine de Malbentre at Pujols, just outside Villeneuve for the past two years. It is signposted from the Auchan roundabout. Also signposted on the main route from Villeneuve to Pujols. You can buy a card of ten tickets for adults and children. This gives you discounted swims for around 2-3 euros. Children under five go free. The pool temperature is around 27-29c all year. Less than a metre at the shallow end to two metres at the deep end. No boards.It is very clean. They have a small water slide and large floats. Generally a lane is sectioned off for serious swimmers. Proper swim trunks for men required. Speedo type, not shorts. During term time you can only swim between 12-2pm except Wednesdays & weekends. 1 euro (refundable) required for a locker.There is a drink and snack machine in the foyer. This year they opened an outdoor pool with water slides. Beware though, children under 120cm not allowed to use it, but you don't find out until you have paid! Plenty of free parking. Regards Paul

Hi, An aquantance with an elderley father, same age, same condition got a good deal last year with Age Concern to the USA. Hope that helps Paul

Hi, Me again, Premium Bonds a good idea just so long as you are not tax resident in France when you win. As I understand it not tax free in France! Paul

Hi, Just a thought. It wasn't all that long ago that diesel was considerably cheaper than petrol. More diesel cars, Chancellor puts up tax on diesel. Is the cost to change worth it when you could probably buy a cheap diesel car in any event. Have a look at www.car-dealers.tv I've no link with that company but they do source cars at what look like good prices. They will also look for a particular car for you. We are moving over next year and I will be giving them a good look. Regards Paul Bradford  

Hi, As you are going to need a French Bank Account if you do not already have one and will require the money in France, I would enquire about savings type accounts there. I would then use a company such as HIFX (no association with me, however I get a bottle of wine if I do recommend someone!). You will get a rate of exchange about 6 cents higher than the bank rate. The more money that you exchange the higher the rate they will be able to get for you. The advantage is that it will cost you nothing in transfer fees. Some companies state there are no fees in their advertising, then add a fee to their quote. Another advantage is that you know that your money is already in France as and when it is required. Hope that helps. Sorry about the error, should have said cents not euros! Correct now. Thanks for the input! Regards Paul