Sunshine

I think the plumber suggested the sink first and then we tile when he has gone as he did not want to make a mess of the tiles.  He has already put an unwanted hole in the new plasterboard, and he is not the smartest.  An unwanted hole in my new tiles would be the last thing I need. He said it will stop any splashes of water running down the back of the sink and on to the placo, but as he have prepared the area well, I did not agree with him.  And as you know us women are always right. Our old bathroom has a sink that someone tiled after fitting, and it has dropped by an inch or two. nightmare if I just needed to chnage the sink. Thanks for the confirmation.  I can tile before he comes back to fit the sinks. Keeeeepppp   Grouting

Our plumber is installing a new little corner sink in the new downstairs loo and another - with a column in the new bathroom.  He says we should tile after he has fitted them while I think the tiles should go on first. especially as the little corner sink does not have a straight back.  We have used the correct placo, water resisitant mesh and rubber sealer before we put the tiles on, but what would you suggest tile before or after  

Thank you for ALL the suggestions as we intend to stay only one night I am sure we wont get to them all but we will try.  

Cooperlola   Thank you for your input esecially as you are dealing with a similar case FHI.  I have sent you a PM. Will....   I thought, as Cooperlola did, that we declare our UK income to the French tax authorites, and pay accordingly.  Its the world wide income I query becuase he will be a permenant resident in a non EU country.. Can any one recommend a good accountant?  

Cheers we will look out for this one too.  

Thanks for the websites I shall start researching.  The class had just caught some frogs and they were sitting in a nice big pot, ( no not the kids) so I got the frog book out.  I did not go as far to show them my tongue catching the flies , which is my sort of humour, but it did occur to me.  They are so sweet and well behaved, what a dream job in France.  A far cry from old job!  

I need help to find some very simple nursery rhymes in English for our village maternelle school.  My boys left home donkey's years ago so I am out of touch and the ones I remember seem a little too advanced. Any ideas    

We have decided to pop over to the Gaillac wine region and visit a few vineyards,  Its not too far from us but will stop over night as a treat!  We are not looking for expensive wine just the usual vin de table.  We found a reasonable bottle of Raimbault Rose for less than 3 euros and tonight will try the red from the same vineyard which I think it was about 3.50 euros. Can any one recommend a vineyard for either red or rose where we could buy VRAC or BIB or bottles of less than 4 euros in this region.  Any recommendations for places to visit, a good lunch or reasonable evening meal and a cheap place to stay.  Its just overnight so basic and clean is all that is required.   

Hi I have tried the search engine but can not find what I am looking for. This year my husband will declare himself as living and working outside the EU but I prefer to remain in France in excess of 6 months.  Is anyone in the same position?  We are certainly NOT looking to dodge any tax.  One of the many reasons for staying in France is the health care, but I will have no income of my own.  Surley I must pay French taxes but how do I calculate these.  

I can not thank you enough for you all the hard work, information and  effort that you have done to resolve the health care issues so far.  I have read every posting and felt that I was not left in the dark when news was a little thin on the ground.  What can I say!.  If I could award you a medal the brightest star would not be bright enough. I did not hold out much hope of being able to gain entry into the CMU.  One thing I have learnt from this lesson in life, is to appreciate 'state healthcare', this is something I had taken for granted.  It has also meant that we re-appraised our postion in France and again, that has to be a good thing.  We never considered returning to the UK. Thank you again to ALL the Teams efforts.  The blighty spirit is still strong!    

We also spent many years looking for the 'right place' and it was a divertion that brought us to our village.    There were two homes for sale but the one we were interested never answered the phone so we gave up, but about 4 weeks later a friend of a property agent called us out of the blue to look at 2 propertys and the last one was in our favourite village.  The rest is history.  It is an old house and it is very expensive to renovate.  It is also just as hard to find artisans. We live in a small village just north of Cahors on the west side of the N20, I think this side is a little more greener with roling country side, than the east.  We have been warmly welcomed and the locals include us in all aspects of village life, we have found our place in heaven.  Cahors is not the hub of activity/shops or offer the same job opportunitys like Toulouse or Brive, but we were not looking for this.  Do not get me wrong Cahors offers all that we need. We wanted friendly French people, not a english community, roling countryside, peace and quite.   There are many places to visit within an hour and we have not been disappointed. I wish you luck finding your dream place. 

We also spent many years looking for the 'right place' and it was a divertion that brought us to our village.    There were two homes for sale but the one we were interested never answered the phone so we gave up, but about 4 weeks later a friend of a property agent called us out of the blue to look at 2 propertys and the last one was in our favourite village.  The rest is history. We live in a small village just north of Cahors on the west side of the N20, I think this side is a little more greener with roling country side, than the east.  We have been warmly welcomed and the locals include us in all aspects of village life, we have found our place in heaven.  Cahors is not the hub of activity/shops or offer the same job opportunitys like Toulouse or Brive, but we were not looking for this.  Do not get me wrong Cahors offers all that we need. We wanted friendly people, not a english community, roling countryside, peace and quite.   There are many places to visit within an hour and we have not been disappointed. I wish you luck finding your dream place.   

I had a mail shot from them at the end of last year and contacted them for a quote, after chasing them twice for the paper work I gave up. However it is possible to buy names and address and when I ask where the called callers had my got my details from they just say the phone book.  As they are in village/commune town order, it so easy for a local company to target certain people.  The British names stand out like a sore thumb!.  

I appreciate any snippett of information about our on going fight for our rights in France. Thank you again for keeping us informed.  

Thank you for your posting. yes another blonde moment but this morning my husband said this was better than calling it  senoir moment It is 38kb. I have tried the degrouptest and it gavwe me lots of options.  Yes I could get broadband but there was a lso alot that said impossible.  some include TV but that ius something we are not bothered about.  Unless it was free!..  but nothing is free. Should I send you a PM with a copy of the results (without my telephone number) on a PM. Im just going back to look a the site again  

about 5 days ago I put a note on Jim's blog site but it has not appeared.  There looks to be some dates missing,  My internet speed is 38mb and often timed out so I use the internet less often these days.  Sometimes a posting on this forum takes several attempts. Am I looking in the wrong place for all the postings.  

We currently use telerabias for our long distance calls ( not USA) and happy with the charges.  Last 1/4 we had 5 hours 10mins of over seas calls and the cost was 17.8 euros and local calls 6.5 euros.  Total bills about 70 euros a 1/4 which includes the line rental I do use the internet but its slower than a reimbursement from the tax man.  Usually 38kb or 40kb on a good day. I have looked at teleconnect but at 29 euros  a month for the package this is more than I pay currently and perhaps not worth the extra money. The reason for looking at other providers is that I would like a little more internet speed. Any suggestions.

I use the hairdressers in Gourdon near the poste office/market place and the tabac called Vincent Maille.  looks a posh place - celine speaks some English and a nice young lady.  Not Tony and Guy and nothing fancy! but she cuts straight.  Had a perm once and they use Revlon.  Never knew they did perms, and not had one since. the only serge I know lives in our village and the only cutting he does is on a sanglier. Knives and forks at the ready. If you now of any one else in Gourdon let me know  

Hi Clair I have not heard anything about changes to the sales.  Do you know what is being suggested. There seems to be very few 'real' sales in Cahors and wondered if the chnages you suggest may be responsible. What I would give to go back to the UK for a bit of real sale shopping!

I have never had any luck with cyclamen every one I have had has died so perhaps they do not like me!. My flower books are out one loan so I will check the others out soon.  But thank you for the suggestions. I have just found an old book on rockery perennials and there seems to be a few low growing to look at. Has any one seen a nice Rockery plant I could use

Guess we will pop in to the curry house too.  No one seemed to have a good word for the place but that was a while back.  has it been taken over recently, or just learned how to cook edible food.  

Yeh Yesterday my hubby bought a rather expensive item for the Chasse.  There were two to choose from I said he should buy the cheapest and difference would buy my new kitchen windows,  Guess which one he chose!!!!! The expensive one! I bought a jumper because I needed one and it was in the sale going very very cheap. How life and priorities change

Cling film was just a quick thought to retain water.  I was thinking on the same lines as those plastic hanging bags for trailing plants.    I would of course make the usual wreath from wire etc then cover the compost with a water retaining plastic with holes in.  I know I will probably have to submerge the whole thing every few days, but it is possible.  I just need to think about the type of low growing plant that will flower and hopefully fragrant. An ivy plant or two could be used to wrap round the wreath, this would have to be kept in check. Any other suggestions 

I would like to know when the sales start.  I thought they were about the second week in January but as yet I have not seen any notices. I am looking for windows and doors tiles etc, not clothes! My husband says the ones I bought 10  years ago are still in good condition.  Perhaps thats becuase I have not been able to get into them for 10 years.  

Whilst taking down my home made out door Christmas wreath, I wondered if I could replace the holy and Ivy with small, low growing plants. I thought I could make a ring of compost and cover with something like cling film and insert plants that would not trail but would flower.  I do use the hanging bags for my petunias but thought a circular one would be very different.  Perhaps a plant with a fragrance so I could hang it from the door.  What about camomile? Has any one any suggestions for a plant that will not trail and be pretty.