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Renate

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Everything posted by Renate

  1. I have found some beautiful abandoned kittens. They are about 6-8 weeks old.  I cannot prove it but I suspect our French neighbours own the mother. They say the mother cat who I have seen very pregnant 'just lives in their barn'. However, when I went out one day the kittens had obviously been dumped in my garden. The previous week three kittens had been dumped in my neighbours garden. Fortunately through this forum they have been rehomed. I am desperate to find homes for the other and would be grateful if anyone could give a home to one/all of these kittens. They are not ferral cats and are clearly domesticated because of how friendly they are. If I could catch the mother cat I would take her for the op myself. I live in department 79 between Sauze Vaussais and Lezay. I cannot care for these kittens as I will not be here all of the time.
  2. I prefer the sit on mower that collects the cut grass in a huge bin at the back. I take this to the tip (4 round trips in Spring) because otherwise the pile of grass cuttings would be the size of a mountain. I paid less than 2000 euros from Weldom when they were on offer. Get the best you can afford.
  3. Thank's for all the suggestions. We do actually have central heating from our house that can be switched to heat the pool in the summer but we have never bothered to use it because of cost. We live in the Deux Sevres and have had lovely pool temperatures throughout the summer of between 25-32 but it seems the best time to swim is in the late afternoon/early evening. My initial question related to keeping the pool cover on for part of the day to speed up the the heating of the water by the sun or to roll it back first thing and let the sun warm the water directly. as fo an abri I think they look ugly but can see how they would keep the water warm. Thanks again everyone if you can answer this question.
  4. I appreciate this question is a little late in the year to post, but any advice would be appreciated. We cover our pool at night with a summer cover (one of those blue bubbly things). Is it best to leave the cover on during the day until things have warmed up or remove the cover in the morning and expose the water to the sun. The reason I ask this question is because our pool seems cooler than our neighbours.
  5. I use phonexpat and have done for about 18 months. They are very cheap and you can make calls at any time of day or night. For example, last month we made 61 overseas (some as long as 20 mins)call and 12 local calls. The bill was 14 euros 23 cents. You will have to pay France telecom for the line every 2 months (about 25 euros). the bill from expat arrives by email and they take the money out of your bank. You do not have to give them notice to quit and if you recommend a friend to them they give you so many mins free anyway.  
  6. Have sent you a private message.
  7. Hi Loopy Lou, I wouldn't write off the Poitou-Charentes as not a good place to buy a gite complex. We live in the Deux Sevres and have found that our research has paid off. We wanted somewhere that is no further thAN 4.5hrs drive from a ferry terminal and was no more than 1 hr from a cheap airline airport. Poitiers has Ryanair and La Rochelle have Flybe and Ryanair. Limoges airport is also nearby. Bordeaux airport is 2hours away. We also looked at the TGV route from Paris to see if rail connections could be made. As a result we have had people for long weekends as well as for longer holidays. The key to getting a full season is to chose an area with a mixture of rural/sea and city within easy driving distance. Advertising is key and you will find that many people return if your facilities are top rate as well as by word of mouth. A swimming pool has been the major factor in getting bookings. The weather is fantastic with long summers. The winters are short but can be very cold so ensure that your guests have central heating or a good log burner for out of season lets. it's hard work but good luck with your dream.
  8. Hi, I suggest you consider hiring a large van from stores such as Super U (if you have one). Vans cost from 29 Euros per day + insurance. You can ring ahead if you are pressed for time and your stuff will be waiting at the collection point once you have paid for it. We compared prices with UK stores and found our kitchen units (free standing) to be cheaper in France. if you live near one of their 'zones' you can get delivery but it costs more the further away from the store that you live. Good luck.
  9. Any idea about the proposed route? Has the decision already been made?
  10. I eventually rang Flybe to find out if the airport was closed next Wednesday when I travel. The person who would know was not in the office but I did have a call today from Flybe who said the airport at la Rochelle is closed until 17th of April. A bus is provided from La Rochelle to the other airport. Allow about 40 mins for the bus if you are travelling. Thank's for all the replies  
  11. I'm flying with Flybe not Ryanair. I booked some weeks ago and have my e-ticket stating La Rochelle to Birmingham. However a friend had a call from Flybe informing her that He flight in April will be from Rochfort and not La Rochelle because the airport is closed
  12. Can anyone tell me if La Rochelle airport is open? I have booked a flight from La Rochelle for next Wednesday but some people say it's closed. I can't find any info on their website. Thanks
  13. I asked this very question on the forum in 2002. The advice I got was bring over what ever you want and we did without any regulations. We rented first so all our furniture went into storage and we sold most of our largest plants. I did take some cuttings from a few favourite plants and moved them to France in small pots. They do take up a fair bit of room in the car though. Our removal firm actually moved houseplants to France if you were moving all you household goods over at the time of leaving your house. I have to say that many of the plants I brought out to France have not survived because of the heat. Good luck.
  14. I understand your total panic about moving lock-stock-and-barrel. Although stomach churning at times it is also exciting. Your children are at a good age to move. Any older and they will experience more difficulties in learning the language and making friends. The 2 year old will be fluent in 6 month and will most likely go to nursery. The oldest of 10 will find that the language is more difficult to learn but should aslo cope very well. you will need to keep them reading and writing in english to ensure that they can spell English well. My advice is also to live near a town so that as the children get older they have more opportunity to meet people and have a decent choice of schools. Don't live in isolation as this is a huge turn off for teenagers. Whatever you do the choice is obviously down to you. At best you will have a great life and your kids will be enriched by the experience. At worst you go back to the UK and start again. You only live once. All the best. Renate
  15. On a more serious note - deaths must be registered with the marie within 24 hours (if they are closed or it is a weekend you still need to let them know. Funerals happen very quickly in France and 48 hours after death is not uncommon. You need to make your wishes known beforehand otherwise it will be done for you. You can 'rent' a burial plot for 15 years. When this happens they usually place rubble/stones over the body with a layer of top soil. After 15 years another person can be buried in the grave. If you want the grave for longer you will have to pay. Headstones cost less than in the UK but coffins are very expensive. refrigerated lorries are frequently used to transport the body. this can be a little unerving if you are not expecting it. With cremations it is usual to see the coffin actually go into the furnis especially in rural areas. Forget the discreet little red curtain that automatically pulls in front of the coffin after the service. This can also be a shock if you are not expecting it. For those people who have left family behind in England - spare a thought for them when they have to sort things out on your behalf. Put all your paperwork and insurance in a safe place but where it can easily be found. The Marie will have a list of registered undertakers and will provide all information you need. Sombre topic or not I hope this helps.
  16. We have been using phoneexpat since last May and find them very good. the bill comes vis email and for more than 70 calls (some over 20 mins) the jighest bill we have had from them for a month is 19 euros. Of course you have to pay 20 something euros for the line with french telecom.
  17. Hi everyone, A friend who is diabetic lives near confolon and would like to know if there is a support group for diabetics and their carers. He is 70 and has broken his leg and is now being cared for by his sister. He has been in France for 8 years but feels a little isolated now he can't drive and his sister can't drive.
  18. can anyone tell me if the village of Messe is going to be affected by the TGV route planned for 2008. Does anyone have a link for info on the exact planned route? Or any other info.Many thanks.
  19. Are there any warehouse/cash & carry type places in the Niort/Poitiers region where I can buy duvet/sheets etc in large quantities? Thanks in anticipation.
  20. [quote]Hi, My wife ( 53 yrs ) and myself ( 66 yrs ) live in Devon - both of us receiving work pensions. We are seriously thinking of selling our bungalow and moving to France ( around La Rochelle ) ...[/quote] My advice to you would be to sell up and rent long term first (pref in Winter as already suggested). We did just this for 5 months not far from La Rochelle. Taking our time enabled us to find the house we really wanted without rushing into buying a property during a weeks holiday. Of all of our Xpat freinds it seems those that took their time and rented for at least 3 months before buying are the happiest with their new lives. Some people we know baught houses very hastily and now find it's not what they want/where they want/too much needs doing to the house. We miss our family but with cheap flight from Poitiers to Stansted we see friends and family regularly. Also when family and friends visit we have a longer much greater quality time together. House prices are rising rapidly on the SW coast of France so don't be surprised if houses you see on the internet are sold (or have been for months). Good luck with whatever you decide.
  21. [quote]Does anyone know of a joiner/joinery in Poitiers/Montmorillon/Limoge area, who could construct a bespoke staircase? (preferably english speaking) Thanks[/quote] Hi, I have sent a message to your forum email. We know of an excellent English speaking carpenter not far away.
  22. We live in Clussais La Pommeraie (La Perreterie) which is about 5 mins away from Coudre. Have left our email and phone number in your forum email.
  23. April, I have put a message in your box. Renting first is the best option. The Winter months are cheaper to rent and gives you time to explore an area. Good luck
  24. I couldn't agree more with Sashabel. Why don't Ryanair start a few routes from Manchester, Birmingham or newcastle? I know that Ryanair at Poitiers airport have been asking passengers to complete a questionnaire re the possibility of new northern routes for the UK. pehaps they will surprise us all?
  25. sorry that should be 'clean' not 'cear' the kitchen tiles.
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