La Doretie

Lempzours (24).  Very small commune near St Pierre de Cole (between Brantome and Thiviers). Moved 1 year ago with 2 children (6 and 4), and husband.  Have since acquired a dog and 3 rabbits.  Chickens arriving in September! Liz

Hi, We moved here last year with our 2 young children (4 and 6). Just wanted to say how great it is that your 2 children have fitted in well, and all is OK.  It must have been quite a hard decision to make. Absolutely fantastic that it has worked out well! Our  2 love it here, and we have no regrets whatsoever.  You are right - it is a very beautiful country! Liz

Hi, We don't live in your area (we are in Northern Dordogne), but I can tell you of our experience. We moved here during the summer holidays last year, with our 4 and 6 year old.  (then 3 and 5). Earlier in April, we visited the 2 local schools, and like you, didn't get a good feeling about them.  Nothing in particular, but they just didn't feel right.  I then spent the next few months in the UK fretting about this.  Once we arrived here in France, we couldn't do anything, as all the schools were shut.  However, the day before the children are due to start school again, the schools open for parents to go in.  I spent the day going to all the other local schools and found a fantastic school.  It just felt very "right" for my two.  It is a small school.  25 in the petite and moyen section, and 25 in the grande section and C.P.  So only 50 in total.  250+ does sound very big and daunting for the little ones!  The toilets are open plan as you noticed.  We were worried about not going to the local school, but as it is only about 2km further than our local school, we have had no problems fitting in.  Both the children are extremely happy and love going to school. I suppose my advice would be, go with your gut feelings.  As a parent you know what is right for your child, and if your first impressions weren't right, look elsewhere.  Yes, I know it is better to try to go to the local school, but if like us you are fairly remote, we have to drive everywhere anyway.  Hope this helps a little, and good luck. Liz

Am  right in saying that once you register as a micro enterprise, you incur monthly costs - regardless of whether you are trading or not? My husband is an electrician, and will eventually set up his own business (once house in the UK is sold).  Until then, he is working for a building company, as financialy we know whats coming in each month.  Whilst he is "salaried" he would also like to be able to do the odd private job.  He wouldn't do this without the proper insurance, siret no etc, but as we think this would mean further costs each month we haven't done so as yet. Hope this makes sense - can anyone enlighten us?

These sound like the insects the children at school call "Gendarmes".  (Yes, the same as the police!!).  They catch them and keep them as pets in jars and things.  I hope these aren't the ones listed in the pharmacy window.  These are about 1cm, red with black spots - as you say, like a stretched ladybird.  There are lots about at the moment. Liz

We have installed a Hot Air Distribution Kit, with our free standing, cast iron log burner.  We bought the distribution kit from the Brico Depot, and it works fantastically!! We have sealed the chimney slightly higher than usual, to enable us to draw off the clean hot air trapped above the fire. Hope this helps.  If you need any more information, let us know. Iain Abbott

Hi Glad you have found them.  Hope your Grandchildren enjoy them!!   Liz

Hi, We got our set from Ottakers Book Shop in Milton Keynes.  They had them in store.  I'm not sure if they have a web site.  I would imagine so.  My parents are still in Milton Keynes, and would be more than happy to call in and ask about availability/delivery to France if you needed them too. Liz

My daughter did a year in Reception before we moved to france, using the Oxford Reading Tree scheme.  To help keep her reading skills, and to teach my younger son when he is ready, we bought the complete set of the Ladybird "Peter and Jane" books to bring to France with us.  I think they are great!  They are very repetitive, and show the new words at the bottom of each page.  They work far better for our daughter, than the Oxford Reading Tree scheme, mainly because of the repetition.  She could really get the hang of it.  All the words in the book were within her capability, whereas I found with the Oxford Reading Tree, they would put in the odd very hard word, which would make her very cross, as she couldn't work it out!!  Obviously this is only our experience, but I would recommend this set of books. Liz 

Hi, We are about to launch into this too!!!!!!!  Daunting stuff!! I am an electrician, and after 6 months of "settling in" and deciding what to do, I have decided to stick with what I know for a while!! Any pointers greatly appreciated. Iain

Hi and Happy New Year to you all!! This is a REALLY REALLY long shot, but, anyway, here we go........ After a very nice Christmas in England with family, we returned home (St Pierre de Cole) to find we had been broken into.  Lots of things were taken, including 2 bright red sacks (with the names Pippa and Harry on them) full of unopened Christmas presents, electrical bits and all our jewellery.   We thought we would list some of the more "unique" items, just in case any should be spotted anywhere!!! Blue Harry Potter watches Gents Watch - verity gold watch, black leather strap, inscribed on back (presented in 1964 to Mr E N Yeates, for 40 years faithful service by the House of Dickenson) Gents Gold Identity Bracelet - very very heavy Gents Gold Signet ring - single diamond, very well worn Queen Victoria Jubilee full gold sovereigns Ladies silver verity watch - brown leather strap Ladies 3 colour gold puzzle ring Childs Gold teddy bear necklace with purple gemstone on tummy Sony TRV 14 Digital Camcorder and case - no charger Childs Wooden Croquet set Set of gemstones Potter set   I know its a long shot, but worth a try. Thanks, Liz and Iain Abbott      

Hi Penny, Thanks for all the suggestions!  Yes, I think the muddy lake will go down best.  As you say, you can arrange all sorts of outings for the kids, but if they are let loose on their own to get wet and muddy, they have much more fun!!  (think I shall dig out my wellies and join them!). Thanks again, Liz P.S How is your back?

Hi, We have recently moved to between Brantome and Thiviers.  We have friends visiting over the school holidays.  Between us we will have two 5 year olds and a 3 year old. Can anyone recommend good places to visit (don't mind travelling an hour or so) which will be open this time of year. Cheers Liz  

Hi, How did his day go?? Where abouts are you?  We are Northern Dordogne. Liz

Hi, Good luck tomorrow with your son's big day!!  Daunting isn't it? We only arrived here (northern Dordogne) at the end of July.  We have a 3 year old - 4 in November, and a 5 year old - 6 in december.  We absolutely dreaded their first day.  It was hard to begin with.  We had lots of tears (me and them!!).  But, 5 weeks down the line, and they are very very settled.  The school has been absolutely excellent, and couldn't have done more for us.  They are beginning to say quite a few french words and songs, which is lovely to hear. We put both of ours into the school for a full day, with lunch too, right from the start.  I was very reluctant to - the school thought it would be best for them.  Looking back, I'm really glad we did that.  I am certain it helped them settle in quicker, and it meant we only had "one" thing to get used to, rather than getting them settled for the morning, then adding lunch, then adding the afternoon etc.  But, all kids are very different, that was just best for ours. Anyway, lots of luck, and please let us now how he gets on. Liz  

Well, the bu..ers must have heard me gloating that we had not seen a mouse yet!!!  Had our first in the house yesterday.  It was sitting on my 3 year olds rug - next to his big cuddly elephant (much to Harry's amusement!!). Husband spent the next hour catching it!  A cat may be in order I think!   Liz

Thanks for the reply. Mice that Boogie - think I will get an electronic device just to see this!! Our house is fairly "Hole free" so as you say, hopefully we wont have too many problems.  We have just aquired a stray dog, so we shall see if he is of the mouse hunting variety.  I have a feeling that he will just run the other way! Thanks for the advice. Liz  

Hi, Does anyone know, are we more likely to get mice in the house in the winter?  Have been here 2 months now, and have not had one inside yet.  Am I being lulled into a false sense of security? Any other "winter" pest problems I should know about??? Thanks, Liz  

Yes he has - he has very lovingly sat and watched our 2 playing in the garden.  He seemed very unphased by them, and just eager to sit and watch.   Liz

Hi, This is absolutely appalling.  I'm really sorry we can't make it tomorrow, but I will be thinking of you there, and hope you get a good turn out.  This kind of treatment really must be stopped.  If there is anything else we can do, please let us know. We have had a stray dog here the last few days.  A neighbour did try to return it to its owner yesterday (apparently a few villages away), but the dog came back this morning.  We have given the dog a good look over today, and he is riddled with fleas and ticks, and is obviously very malnourished, and treated very poorly.  It is very submissive, and very wary, although he is getting used to my husband, who has been taking food and water to him today.  not sure what the policy is here, but we have decided we cannot let him go back to his owners.  We are going to find out whatever treatment we need for him, and get that in the morning.  Our only concern is that we have 2 young children, and are not sure whether the dog will be a good "family" pet with the obviously very bad background he has had. Any advice greatly appreciated. Good luck tomorrow, and please report back on how it went. Oh, by the way Penny, I am Liz, (used to be Lizzielou).  Couldn't get logged on as that so have had to change). Liz:

Hi, We have just moved to the Northern Dordogne.  My Nan is 90 next April, and we would love to get her over for a visit. Has anyone any experience travelling with someone of that age?  (Travel/health insurance, help from Airport - Ryan Air, Stanstead to Limoges).  Thanks, Liz  

Hi, We have just moved to the North Dordogne, and would love to get my 90 year old Nan over for a visit.  Has anyone any experience for travel/health insurance for someone of that age?   Many thanks, Liz