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NoIdea!

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Everything posted by NoIdea!

  1. Hi Alan I agree totally with protecting wildlife etc and hopefully instally that ethic into my children. Unfortunately the situation placed us into situaition on where we HAD to take the safest option for our young children - the decision was not taken lightly nor with any pleasure[:(] We then did the next best thing (or so we hope) and sought to be educated about snakes in this region. (Hence this post) Interestingly enough we had co-workers (who are fluent in French) ring and find out the correct 'procedure'' if the situation arose again and we were told that it is the pompiers (sp?) responsibility to remove snakes and apply first aid if required. This 'french' response is very different given our cultural background (Australian) and our snake handling procedures down under.[;-)] Never thought to call the pompiers but now I know........... Warm fuzzy tree hugs Frances
  2. Hmmmm....what did I do in this situation? a) fry it on a electric fence or b) call the fire brigade or c) bottle it and keep it in the cave so it can be identified by the local wildlife protection authority or d) ask for it to pose for a picture and leave it there to continue sunbaking or e) provide it with its first flying lesson or, f) test to see if it truley was venomous or g) feed it and keep it as a pet for the children. [Www] What would you do???????
  3. Uggg ok after looking at the pictures......I''m pretty sure it was a viper...but I could be wrong. Its about the same size as the vipers and similar markings.  I wasn't about to study it for very long with my young children only 2 metres away and the snake was between me and my children!  Chris - thanks for the photos (i'll probably have nightmares all night!!). We live in Aix en Provence and the outside of our house is 'rough'' cement - knobly bits on it.  Our house is just on the base of a hill - so with the garage on the first floor, the main bedroom is really on the third floor.  No climbing equipment was seen near the snake so I cant really figure how it got to be there. No trees are near the house or touching the house and didn't see any large eagles flying nearby either.  My horror for today is wondering if there is a sankes nest or something in the roof.........[+o(] Are there 'pest' contollers who can inspect the house etc????? Re the endangered viper.......if they are venemous (showing my ignorance here) how can they be protected? I'm all for protecting endagered animals but put one between me and my children, I must admit i'll choose my children first[:P] Thanks for the info....... Frances
  4. Sorry dont know if this is the correct forum but yesterday as I was closing the shutters to my double doors in the main bedroom, there on the balcony asleep on the shutter rail was a snake.[+o(] Yep I had the fright of my life.....especially since the bedroom is on the third floor.  [8-)]Even worse as it was sunny day I had the doors open for hours and they have no screens on them. Is this common to find snakes in the ''city'' on the third floor of your house?  Is there a way to get rid of them....really not keen on them with very young children. Thanks Frances
  5. A couple of months later Sorry for my tardiness......my computer crashed.  However now I am back on line...yay.  I ended up flying - kids were great.  Have to do the trip again in May....this time with my elderly mother [Www] However I am thinking of getting the train this time - especially if we can get a special as it will be so much cheaper and I dont plan to do as much shopping this time[:P] Thanks for your help - especially the cost comparison - that was great. Ohh and I live near Aix en Provence. Cheers.  
  6. Aside from an agency (not much choice where I live), how do you find an assistant maternelle?  I'm an Expat, so I assume that we do not qualify for help from the "official'' departments (is there one??).  I am unable to hire an au pair as we are not fluent in french and have no room for one to live in. Local teenages seem far to busy with homework to do babysitting.   Is there an organisation that covers assistant maternelles? Thanks very much Frances
  7. I'm new to living in the South of France. I have relatives who live in the SW of London. I have only ever flown to England however this time I have a 1 and 3 yr old to take along as well, with no additional adult help.  I must admit I'm not looking forward to bundling them into the car, driving to the airport, parking the car in long term park, doing the airport thing, arriving in London, again doing that airport thing, and finally negotiating the tube with luggage, pram and 1 &3 yr old by myself. Then in two days turning around and reversing it all.  I do however live near a TGV or thought about driving and getting the ferry across.  However I have not travelled either way before.  Is it easier than flying - more time consuming? excuse my ignorance but what is the best ferry to cross (where? who?) to get to London? Is the drive from south of france to the ferry a horror drive in febuary re weather? Thanks alot Frances
  8. I am looking at leasing a car in France for 2 - 3 years. We are expats and will be returning to our own country at the end of that time period (just not to sure on the end date yet) Having never leased a car before - has anyone leased a car in France? Any recommended companies? We are looking at leasing either a Mazda 5 or Toyota Corolla Verso. Toyota does a lease through the car dealership - but they look a bit steep in prices to me.... Also what happens when leasing a car and car insurance? Any advice (whilst it would be nice to think that we wouldn't have an accident - the way the French drive........) Thanks alot Francis[8-)]
  9. Hello In a few months we are moving to France from Australia. Here in Australia our children have the chicken pox vac at 18 months.  However my 'baby' will be a few months short to receive it at the scheduled time.  I read with interest the 'chicken pox' thread. Does this mean that France does not have the immunisation??????  Is their an english version of the schedule of immunisations that france does anywhere??? Thanks in advance.
  10. I have been reading with great interest the thread concerning petrol versus diseal engines - alas my lack of car knowledge has caught up with me and I got lost! So I desperately need help to sought out about buying a car - but in real simple terms. We are moving to France in a couple of months for 2 - 3 years. I am a 'desperate housewife' with two little babes and a husband that works long hours. (translation husband is as clueless as myself when it comes to cars!) I want/need a car that is SAFE (very important with two children), easy to drive (manual or automatic is fine) and doesn't need any repairs etc and I wont be afraid of it breaking down in the middle of nothing in winter. I'm used to a station wagon (estate) but I have been warned that the streets are very narrow in the village where we are moving to. I will need to fit two baby car seats in and I'm assuming that on occasions we will have to fit someone between the seats. (orginally I was looking at a people mover but was told that they would be to wide??) Any suggestions? I have no idea what my life will be like in France. Currently I spend ALOT of time in the car everyday (1 - 2hrs). Do SAHM in france spend as much time in the car as we do?? I'm assuming not. Thanks so much in advance.  
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