Suee

Kathie, I too think underactive thyroid would come under metabolic disorders, as without the daily thyroxine, my metabolism would slow right down with serious implications. Maybe someone in France has experience of this condition? It does seem as though I need to get registered ASAP in France and will do so, as I've no desire to be fraudulent. I'm fortunate that my English GP is prepared to be supportive during the transition period. Sue.

I've read the thread on 'prescription costs' with interest. Maybe someone could reassure me that my planning is right : we're more or less resident in France from now on but will be applying for E106 from January 07 (FAQ advice on NI contribs). We're still going backwards and forwards to visit family so can justify to our English GP that we are just taking 2 month holidays at a time this year. I have a repeat prescription for thyroxine so I assume I'll have to collect it myself when back in UK until Jan 07 when I register with CPAM. After that, I'll need to register with a GP in France and ask to be referred on to a specialist to confirm my thyroid condition. Hopefully then I'll qualify for a maladie longue duree and be eligible for 100% costs of prescriptions. Thanks in anticipation, Sue.

Thanks Judith - that's good advice. Lets hope they do sort it out, though it is going to be a long term problem I think. Bon voyage wednesday, Sue.

This may get moved to the original strand about Ryanair cancellations - but we'd be interested to hear from people who actually had flights cancelled due to the strikes. How difficult/easy was it to get another flight, and how soon did you manage to travel after the planned day? I ask because some of our family are travelling back to UK from Bergerac next tuesday and it seems likely that the strikes will continue for the time being. Many thanks, Sue.

Thanks everyone - I'm really hopeful all will be well. I'll let you know next week. Di and John & Camellia - the tree is in your neck of the woods so I take heart from your replies. We'll be en voyage and en retraite Tuesday (with greenhouse in box in car). Best wishes to all, relaxed, Sue.  

Thanks Lizzie and Valerie - I'll keep my fingers crossed then. Should find out next week! 

We bought a fig tree last year and planted it out in a pot in the garden - it's about 4 feet high. I read somewhere they need to be protected from frost - oops! I'm hoping the roots will be OK but any thoughts on whether we'll get any fruit this year?

Does anyone have information on Ryanair interest in Brive airport? Sue.

Our vegetable patch will not be ready this year but we are keen to get things growing - like tomatoes, cucumbers, courgettes. Am I right in thinking that well potted in compost, with tomato feed, they will be as happy as in gro-bags? (I can't remember seeing gro bags at Gamme Vert?)

Can anyone give details of car hire availability from the airport, other than Hertz and Avis? Many thanks, Sue.

Thanks everyone for your replies. My other message on the snow chains strand demonstrates why we were looking for a stress free trip next time. My web search in December came up with only one hotel offering short stay accommodation. The drawback (in small print) was that it was situated at the peak of Col D'Envilira and boy did we get a taste of altitude blizzards!

We love to ski in Andorra on the Pas de la Casa slopes or from Soldieu. The difficulty is booking anywhere for 2 or 3 days only, as most of the hotels are geared up for week long package stays only. Any contacts for B&B or other accommodation ideas anywhere in Andorra?

Our neighbour's nephew has had a similar experience in his first year at Liverpool University. Not surprisingly our French friends cannot understand why his fellow English students are not 'sympa' and are making him so unhappy. We felt very ashamed.

[quote]Would these be holes around 1 inch diameter, going down not quite vertical? We've got quite a few in our lawn, and apart from a small toad living in one of them we've never seen anything and wondered ...[/quote] Yes they are about that size. I actually found some red pellets in Bricomarche to deter "campagnoles" and they seemed to do the trick. The holes don't seem to be in use now, so we hope they have gone away!

I'd be interested to chat to anyone who has experience of French provision for autistic children. Thanks, Sue.