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Sorry, seem to have missed something here Why would anyone want to participate in a Brit style house-party when restaurants all over France are holding St Sylvestre bashes - eating, drinking and dancing until dawn with French people? Great fun and not to be missed. helen (one hint though - opt to take your own wine, much cheaper)

Direction Departmentale de L'Equipement (DDE) Not necessarily in your nearest town. Ours in on the outskirts of a village so try looking for yours in http://www.pagesjaunes.fr   best of luck.......helen

Several members of my family have been sent Charentaise slippers. MG they are soooo lucky I've spent the last week stuffing presents into cardboard wine boxes (had to drink loads of wine) and it cost more than a flight back to the UK to post them all. Will do a trip over next December or send a cheque to Unicef.   helen

We have the same problem as you Minou, only our cat (Elvis, who we gave a home to last year when another LFer was desperate) brings the mice in, chases them around for a bit then loses interest and forgets about them. We have found and disposed of mice, nests and baby mice but gave up being humane I'm afraid when we were being overrun with hungry mice and OH carted the humane trap down the road on his way to work, stopped and tipped out........a piece of bread!! I put poison in a jar lid and slid it under the sideboard which is too low for the cats to get under but was a good hiding place for mice. Result........dead mice and, sorry, but I didn't even feel slightly guilty. The same cat has now learnt a new trick which is also becoming a problem for us. She can open doors and her favourite is the bathroom door because she can jump into the bidet or basin for a drink. She headbuts the taps until water runs out. Unfortunately she hasn't learnt to turn the taps off yet. The other old cat is very sensible and spends all day in front of the woodburner. helen  

We are holding our breath on this one as we have a very ugly concrete post in front of our house and EDF are digging trenches 4kms further along the road (in the next commune) for underground cables. Don't know yet if ours will be moved. Unfortunately, alongside it is the (shorter) post carrying telephone wires. I'm popping into the Mairies tomorrow to register for voting so will ask. helen

Not sure what you mean by bucking the system, Val? Are you inferring that everyone who comes to France is hell bent on claiming something they have no entitlement to? Surely to claim any child benefits in the first place one has to show a birth certificate, so CAF (like the DSS in the UK) obviously know how old the child is. Is it normal in France for child benefit to be paid for 19 year olds or do they have to be in full-time education? helen

I think it would be pretty difficult to hide any pensions or income even in UK bank accounts unless you're an excellent liar. The forms for claiming CMU are horrendous, as someone said, they are much worse than tax forms and want details of every (global) penny received, houses sold and all bank details and statements for the last two years at least. When I was ill during this summer a french friend misunderstood my health entitlement and arranged for a claim form from the CMU to be sent to us. We pay our cotisations to MSA (as well as a top up to a mutuelle) and were able to claim for all the treatment, operation and post op care etc from them. After seeing the form, I think I would have to be absolutely desperate (i.e.starving) to find and send the information requested for the CMU. I really don't think that many ex-pats could be going down this route. helen  

Thanks Mick. LOL We'll probably all be bidding against each other now!! Perhaps one person could buy it and pass it around? helen (and old barn in 16:wow

can possibly help but whereabouts in the Charente would you prefer to be? PM me. regards........helen

It's a sign, Chris! Time to move on methinks! helen

We still hear of people moving into our commune, and 90% of Brits who were here when we moved in three years ago are still here. I think only estate agents can answer your question but I'm wondering if there are still many "bargains" to be had. There seems to be quite a bit of greed about - the semi detached cottage behind us, not a ruin but with leaks, no heating, no proper sanitation etc, just two rooms (but room to extend), and no parking at the front or side as it's on a public chemin, has just been put on the market by the children of its French owner (94 yr old) for 80,000 euros! Friends reckon it will sell, the Brits will buy anything apparently, but we will see....... helen

Can I be first please? The hubby started an island unit for our kitchen in August and it's four legs (very smartly planed) are still leaning against the wall in the barn. I'd like a carcass built around it if possible. Thanks Olive - I'll do your garden in return!! I'm a bit miffed re the comments about handmade furniture in France though - have seen some gorgeous stuff. helen

Hi - I'm desperately trying to finish off another room for guests at Christmas and in need of paint. Is anyone coming out here by car within the next couple of weeks who could bring me two 2.5 ltr cans from B&Q? I have to paint the ceiling before 19th December. Anywhere in the Limoges/Poitier/Barbezieux triangle. Merci! regards...........helen (having a rest from chipping out and pointing)

Merci! Now in a quandry - should I tell him????    

Friends here in france with small business have seen bargain property they would like to buy as an investment (either to rent out long-term or as a gite). They don't want to move from their own house. How easy is it for the self-employed to obtain a mortgage and where is the best place to go? regards.......helen  

It would never be too much for TOH, SB!! What channel is it on? We have TPS and don't usually switch on until 9 to watch/snore through a flim. Some dear soul lent OH 13 Trekkie vidoes to plough through - had to banish him to bedroom with magnetiscope. cartoons.......nah! helen

Have a look in the agricultural small ads in your local weekly paper - there are always several tractors for sale in our area. good luck..........helen

Do you think that prices are higher at supermarkets/hypermarkets around Calais though than, say in the Charente? I listened to the programme and couldn't help wondering, as these shops were geared towards daytrippers, whether this would be the case. Good to hear that they are targetting the French now with their offers! Maybe I will do a comparison sometime after I have been to Leclerc (when I have nothing better to do!) using Asda on-line shopping prices. I agree with Will, I really enjoy shopping in Tescos and Asda whenever we return - just to drool over at the jars of chutneys, pickles, relishes, marinades and curry sauces!! We also buy clothes and bed linens in Tesco or Asda as they are cheaper and better quality than the stuff on offer in Leclerc!! regards.......helen  

message in inbox.........helen

[quote]Hello Ref Ivory Coast. I have a client who is a member of a rather elite section of the armed forces. His unit go to IC on tours of duty and before they go the all buy rather unsporting shotgun cart...[/quote] Didn't realise being anti-racist was labelled as being "PC" - just thought it was normal.

Just looked at website - is it that expensive in Britain?

Hi - I've been trying to insert a photo in a posting but it's toooooo big! I have photosmart and can't work out how to reduce. Can anybody give me a step by step guide? thanks and regards.......helen

eeeeek.........and what are fly spots? I asked my hubby and he said he wasn't sure but if he had some our Bosch gets rid of them.      

Lautrec - I will ask around. I have a feeling there is an acupuncturist very near you! If I find one I will PM you! regards....helen  

Know of gite available until April - message in inbox   regards.......helen