Biereventre

Hi There is an exhibition of photography by Jean Christophe Garnier at the Thé Gallery, Montmorillon, from this Saturday (21st Avril) for 1 month. If you are in Montmorillon on Saturday 21st at about 6pm, pop in for the opening (vernisage). You’ll find the Thé Gallery in the rue Prépaudière, just off the main road through Montmorillon (behind Credit Mutual bank) Paul

Hi All Just to let you know that Mary Cooper is officially opening her new salle de conference/exposition on Sat 7th. Starting at 2pm there will be work on display from local artists, childrens stories, poetry readings, a swap a plant area and Sharon (MOH) will be giving a demonstration of glass painting. You'll find the Thé Gallery behind the Credit Mutualle bank, which is on the main road through Montmorillon. Hope to see you Saturday Paul http://www.unique-crafts-from-france.com/

Hi Sheena and Paul. I'll be driving past you, 6.15 every morning on the way to work. We're in La Villecharault, about 5 mins from you. Good luck Paul http://www.unique-crafts-from-france.com/

We're looking at the Atlantic coast. Probably somewhere between Royan and the Vendee. Thanks Paul http://www.unique-crafts-from-france.com/

Hi We live in the Vienne (86) and as we are not having much luck in selling our touring caravan, we thought we'd look for a site near the coast where we could leave it all year. We'd use it for short breaks and maybe let family and close friends use it too. Does anyone know of somewhere no more than about half hour from the coast? Merci Paul http://www.unique-crafts-from-france.com/

Hi Zeb Are you still looking for someone? We know a guy in Montmorillon who specialises in this sort of thing. We'll get his contact info if you wish. Paul http://www.unique-crafts-from-france.com/

I'm seeing a Bev and Steve at the weekend. I'll pass on your details. Paul http://www.unique-crafts-from-france.com/

There's a Hyper U in Montmorillon and they do very reasonable van hire. I had one for a few days back to the UK no prob's. Paul http://www.unique-crafts-from-france.com/

For anyone who's in the area this weekend, there's a Marché de l'artisanat on the old bridge in Montmorillon. It's part of the Salon de l'Image et de l'Ecrit. Sharon will be there if you'd like to say hello. Mention you're a Living Francer and I'm sure you'll get a small discount. Spend a couple of hundred euros and you've got a friend for life Paul http://www.unique-crafts-from-france.com/

It's got to be the language. How I regret giving up French at school when I was 14. We've made great progress, but everything is 100 times harder if you've not got a good grasp of it. There are other things that we didn't know about, some good some bad. But for us, that's all part of the adventure of moving here. All the best Paul http://www.unique-crafts-from-france.com/ PS If your neighbours found it cold here, what will they make of NZ?

There's bike racing at the Circuit du Val de Vienne. I've got meet dates on my 'Tourist page' and there's a link to their site if you want more details. http://www.unique-crafts-from-france.com/la_trimouille_vienne.htm All the best Paul http://www.unique-crafts-from-france.com/

You've partly answered your own question. The first thing you've got to do is get mobile. Even if it's only a scooter. I can't see the Charente Maritime being much different to the Vienne and around here people get involved by joining everything from pool teams to choirs. All depends what rings your bells. We live in a tiny commune, but even they have a Maison de Jeaune, which among other things organised a weekend skiing trip recently. For most things it doesn't matter how good or bad your French is as long as you try. They just love the Brit's getting involved. So get mobile and visit your good old local Mairie or maybe tourist office. One things for sure. If you want action, you're going to have to go to it, 'cause it sure ain't gonna come to you. Good Luck Paul http://www.unique-crafts-from-france.com/

Hi All We have been invited to enter a float in the Bastille Day carnival on the 14th July and are looking for volunteers to help make paper flowers and build the float (the comité des fêtes are getting a tractor and trailer for us). The theme this year is the cinema and we are doing a 101 Dalmations float, which should save a bit on the coloured paper costs. If you are interested please contact me and I will pass it on. It should be fun. We're already organising some wine and flower making evenings. Hopefully hear from you soon Paul, Sharon, Dee, Bobby, Andy, Holly etc etc http://www.unique-crafts-from-france.com/ http://www.unique-crafts-from-france.com/la_trimouille_vienne.htm

There's a whopper at Poitiers. Head in on the 147 (or 151). When you hit the duel carriageway bit around Poitiers you'll see signs for it. If you want more detailed directions by all means mail me. Paul http://www.unique-crafts-from-france.com/

Hi You can read about our experiences on the 'Tomlin's in France' bit of our website. http://www.unique-crafts-from-france.com/ We've 2 boys aged 10 and 8 and they've done very well. We know a few famillies who've come over with older children some have done okay some have struggled. Our boys go to school on a free school bus that picks them up at our gate. However, when they go up they'll have to meet the school bus at 7am in Journet, about 5 mins drive away. They'll be dropped off there at 5.30pm. I'm told that's free also. Good Luck Paul

Hi We're near La Trimouille in the Vienne and have two boys aged 10 and 8. I've just added a brief tourist guide to the area on our website, including average temperatures. If you'd like a look it's at http://www.unique-crafts-from-france.com/la_trimouille_vienne.htm There's plenty more to do (including bowling by the nuclear power station!) I just haven't got round to putting it all on yet. Good Luck Paul http://www.unique-crafts-from-france.com/

Re the Forum. Yes there are people on here who sound like a broken record. They're obviously not happy in France and let everyone know it. You have to learn to live with them or ignore them as there is an awful lot of useful info here. Re France We think our lives are a million miles/km better than the UK but it's not the land of milk and honey. We expected to work hard when we came over and it was harder. But we love it. Everyone's different and each to their own. Paul http://www.unique-crafts-from-france.com/

"UK employers are more willing to employ you on your potential, and will offer in-house training etc.   French employers want bits of paper that prove that you have the skills for the job - and they are très éxigeants, she said.  Your person skills, communication skills, organisational ability, whatever, count for very little unless backed up by proof on paper." Keep plugging away SB. I got a job as 'Chef de Production' in a small factory with poor French language and no 'proof' of skills. Just what I'd written on my CV. I was a Production Director in the UK. I have few academic qualifications and yet in 1 month of job hunting I had 3 interviews. I sent out about 30 or 40 letters. I tried to sound enthusiastic and open minded about what type of job I would accept. When I asked French friends about this in relation to the unemployment rate they all said that most of the unemployed don't want to work so if you are keen you have a chance. I had the same situation in the UK. Couldn't get people to fill vacancies for unskilled jobs paying about £250 a week so I ended up taking on some guy's from Eastern Europe who kept knocking on our door asking for work. They were brilliant. It's a sort of role reversal now. I'm not saying it's easy and some will say that I've been lucky, but I've always believed you make your own luck, so thanks. Good Luck Paul ps: at least you wont be spending as much on Fosters now

We contacted our local Chamber de Commerce and they sent us a list of all the markets and fairs in the department (86). The days they were on, duration, number of stalls and the type of thing they sold. Could save you some wasted journeys. For example; Montmorillon has a market on Wed's and Sat's. If you came over for the Saturday one you'd be disappointed. One stall selling fish and another with veg. The Wednesday one is pretty good though. Give CdC a try. They didn't ask why we wanted to know. Paul http://www.unique-crafts-from-france.com/

In truth it would have to be UK property market inflation. Couldn't have done it without it. The folks on this Forum come a pretty close second after that. Can fully relate to what Tresco says about solid gold Mums. Family not being here is the only stomach churner to living in France. Paul http://www.unique-crafts-from-france.com/

Hyper U in Montmorillon (86) have just started an English shelf with such delights as Piccalilli They've got other bits like Birds custard powder, Bisto gravy and McVites digestives as well but no Fullers London Pride As you'd expect, all items are at premium prices so we'll carry on our exchange system with guests. Guess it’s just a sign of the times. Paul http://www.unique-crafts-from-france.com/

Share a bottle of wine! If you want to get folks interested on this forum it'll have to be more than 'a' bottle Not sure where you are? It always helps to put nearest well known town in your post, as most (like me) are too lazy to look it up on a map. We're on the borders of the Limousin and Vienne near Montmorillon. Best of luck with your settling in. We've been here just over a year now and it gets better and better. Integrating is hard work, especially if your French is not good, but they love to hear us having a go and anything you can do to get involved with the local community will go down well. Good luck Paul http://www.unique-crafts-from-france.com/

Haven't seen any carpet shops, but they have a small section with rolls of fitted carpet at Leroy Merlin Poitiers. Paul http://www.unique-crafts-from-france.com/

We fancy a few days by the sea next week (16th - 20th Aug) Has anyone got any reasonably priced accomodation free for a few days? We're non smokers and our boys are fully housetrained (just) Paul http://www.unique-crafts-from-france.com/

I am working in Poitiers as Chef de Production for a company making PVC and alu windows, doors, shutters etc. We cover all of the Vienne (86) and a fair way into the neighbouring departments (we've a new showroom opening in Tours soon) If I can help anyone with advice etc please feel free to get in touch. If I don't know the answer I'll do my best to find it out. All the best Paul http://www.unique-crafts-from-france.com/