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Hi The architect we used has recently returned to London after living and working here for nine years, but she has recommended a french english-speaking architect who lives here near Plaisance/Marciac. If you would like his e-mail/contact information please send me an e-mail and I will pass it all on.  He may be close enough. Fran e-mail [email protected]

weeeell.. the vivid green of the picture by Chris Packham was certainly closest although too much green.  But as I only saw his tail part it's hard to say.  I shall continue to watch out for him and get back if I get a better view.  With such a wealth of knowledge on this site it really is a great asset. Thanks so much Fran

Hi Deb With some years to do your planning I think you will find this forum and many like it really helpful.  Rather than asking direct questions now, many of which have been asked many times before, just spend time trawling through all the information that has been put together on this site and others like it and make copious notes!  Then add to that magazines and books about moving to France and you will definately see a picture emerging which will answer many of your questions including some you didn't know needed asking.  When you've an idea where you want to go next year, put a request directly on the gites/chambres d'hote site if I were you - at least you'll be sure to get some-one who uses this site and will be helpful! Best of luck Fran

Well, it's not a salamander then.  Nothing like as striking.  Even the green lizard looks too spectacular for what I saw.  This seemed like every other lizard you see on the walls except for the vivid green but very small dots on it. And just a little bigger. Just looked a bit more special if you know what I mean.  Anyway Chris, we're in the Gers and the thingy was on the south wall of our stone house.  The only water is the water main, sitting in a pool of water beneath the ivy it was hiding behind. I only saw it's back half, but it was sufficiently unlike the colouring of the thousands of other lizards on our walls to merit a closer look. Sorry I can't be more precise and will keep an eye in case the little chap reappears.  Thanks so much for all your replies - the wildlife in France really is pretty stunning isn't it? Fran

I only caught a fleeting glimpse of this creature as it shot behind the ivy on the wall, but it was obviously a lizard - perhaps a little larger than normal, but seemed to be black with the most vivid limegreenish tiny spots all over it.  I don't have a 'lizard' book, so could anyone tell me what it was for when it next pops it's head out?Thanks. Fran

Hi Hendo Yes, it is a european version and has only been available here since July 4th. There is no on/off switch.  Only a code that you can use on the centrale to de-activate (for 45minutes while bathing) or stop it completely (only in the case of necessity). The infra red posts are attached to only a solid wood or concrete terrace using bolts that are supplied. With regard to 'hivernage'.  It simply says that snow may interfere with the infra red beams and must be cleared away or the alarm can be removed if another security system is in place. The attestation is from CNPP, which seems to be connected somehow with AFNOR from their site. Hope this helps your research.  The company who sell them here, online, is Piscineo.com. Ours is now up and running and seems fine Fran

I've just had an e-mail back from Point P who have confirmed that the pine decking is suitable for use around pools and conforms to European normes and that it does not contain arsenic. That'll do for me Fran www.gasconyretreat.com

My friend has a lovely, small, friendly, longish haired ginger and white neutered female cat that now needs a home.  She took on the cat with the house (another one!), but it must now go to a home with no dogs, due to the problems the cat has with my friend's terrier.  We are in the south west of the Gers, near Marciac. Please send me an e-mail if you can help. Thanks. Fran

I've just taken delivery of a alarme (barriere type) for our pool through Smartpool. (www.smartpool.com).  It was 700euros and has an attestation number, and advertises itself as an 'afnor pool alarm'.  With all the assurances that it gives that it is up to the french standard I'd sue if it turns out it's not.  Best price by more than half that I've found.  Now all we've got to do is set it up!  Smartpool don't sell direct to the public, but their site will help if anyone is interested in getting one.  It now allows me to put up a fence that is economically and aesthetically to MY standards... Fran  

Ok.  Might as well know the worst  We bought it from Point P and in the catalogue it says Traite autoclave classe IV.  Good news or bad? Fran

Beaumarches near Marciac , Gers, 32.  One year ago today moved with husband and animals. Unbelievably beautiful. Like living on a nature reserve. Fran www.gasconyretreat.com

Beaumarches near Marciac , Gers, 32.  One year ago today moved with husband and animals. Unbelievably beautiful. Like living on a nature reserve. Fran www.gasconyretreat.com

My husband has just put down some decking round part of the pool - really well I'm proud to say!! But I'm wondering what I should do now.  It's pine, but obviously been treated.  I'm happy to have it the rather bleached out colour that it is but would appreciate knowing whether I should be putting something on it.  And if so, what? Thanks Fran www.gasconyretreat.com

Hi We brought our two dogs over last year (a year to the day in fact) and simply had them micro chipped and rabies jabbed.  They were bar-coded at the ferry.  Pas de probleme.  I don't know if the rules have changed since then but I can't possibly imagine that a £200.00 pet passport would have been made obligatory without an awful lot of kick up from the general public.  It was bad enough when the horse passport was introduced - and that was only £28.00  Definitely worth checking with DEFRA (Are they still called DEFRA?) Fran www.gasconyretreat.com

Hi We brought our two dogs over last year (a year to the day in fact) and simply had them micro chipped and rabies jabbed.  They were bar-coded at the ferry.  Pas de probleme.  I don't know if the rules have changed since then but I can't possibly imagine that a £200.00 pet passport would have been made obligotory without an awfull lot of kick up from the general public.  It was bad enough when the horse passport was introduced - and that was only £28.00  Definately worth checking with DEFRA (Are they still called DEFRA?) Fran www.gasconyretreat.com

Hi Jon It didn't sound like bragging - just enthusiastic, and there are no unfair advantages in the B&B business.  You may have the contacts but if you didn't use them and offer a good service it would have got you nowhere.  We did B&B for 16 years in the Uk and still do it here - this is our first year - and I love it. Just remember at the end of September to look over your old posting of today to remind yourself when you're exhausted how good it can be!!  By the way - if you find a rotary iron that actually gets the creases out of cotton sheets - let me know. It'll be a first!! Fran www.gasconyretreat.com  

Thank you both of you.  It seems we are par for the course then.  Almot all of my bookings are coming in late and the B&B is far more popular than the self-catering.  Almost all are househunters and the last three visitors have all bought whilst staying with us!!  It's been a fascinating first year... Fran www.gasconyretreat.com

Hope this isn't moving away too much from the topic, but our enquiries from VF have resulted in NO bookings at all.  Am I not giving the right info back to the enquiries?  When you receive a 'general enquiry' what do most of you e-mail back, bearing in mind that all the info including availability dates are on the site.  I tend to say we would be very happy to accept their booking, re-confirm that the dates required are available, and give our website address.  Sometimes I go into more detail but never have had another e-mail to confirm.  As this is our first year doing B&B/Gite in France we are not panicking and have met our modest target with bookings already, but I have to wonder what I'm not doing to get the VF bookings. Fran www.gasconyretreat.com

Thanks Chauffour.  Your experience will help me a lot. Fran

First - aubergines.  Do I pinch out the side shoots like tomatoes and support with a stick? Second - cherry trees. We have two - one earlier than the other and both giving crops that I am well pleased with, but there is a seeping of sap at various 'joints' and they have both had a large amount of dead leaves/flowers appearing in bunches that are unsightly but not appearing to affect the crop in general.  Is this likely to affect the whole tree if I don't do something about it, and if so, what do I do that's gentle and non-invasive? Or shall I ignore it? Thanks Fran

It says it comes with 100metres of cable. Although I haven't checked the details further.  Don't know the ins and outs of installing but it says on the site that it is extremely easy to install so presume it's aiming at self-installers.  Anyway, we've ordered one at the 'special' price and when it comes and we've put it in I'll put a posting on this site. Fran

Thought some people may be interested to know that www.Piscineo.com are selling barriere alarmes for 699euros from beginning of July.  Fully approved by govt.  Seems like a good price. Fran www.gasconyretreat.com

Hi Dubna I used to have this problem as fleeces seem to be two a penny these days.  You could use it to mulch any trees or shrubs.  Being natural it will break down eventually and will do a great job of keeping down the weeds meanwhile.  Some people use it as insulation but I fear it could be a bit of a fire hazard! Fran www.gasconyretreat.com  

Hi Graone   Are you sure you need one?  We found our french estate agent and the notaire really adequate for everything.  We did employ an english solicitor but we, and I know many other people, have felt it to be money wasted.  The agents seem to tdo all the work required - possibly justifying their high fees.  Just a thought.   Fran www.gasconyretreat.com

Hi   If you've got three acres of undulating meadow, why treat it as an extended garden at all?  It would be cheaper in the long run and probably a lot more beautiful to plant a wildflower meadow, mow a series of paths through it where your ride-on can go, and then get the farmer to give it a cut after the flowers have died down (maybe beginning of July) when his tractor won't mess it up because the ground is too dry and then leave it.  It'll be exciting watching the flowers come up (buy a proper wild flower mix) and the birds and bees will love it.  Just a thought. Fran www.gasconyretreat.com