Smiley
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Posts posted by Smiley
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I had the same problem when we got our house. I posted on the forums and got some responses. In the end I got a British ex-pat who lives in the village to do my keyholding (pool cleaning,translation and communications too). A local lady who cleans the post office to carry out the laundry & cleaning service and a local gardener to come in for one hour every Saturday to mow the lawn. All recommended by the Mairie. Total cost per changeover is around 70-80 euros. They are all very reliable and only work when needed. I consider it money well spent. The French / English speaking caretaker is the key. But employing French locals rather than just ex-pats was a must for me to help with the P.R. side of things. I didn't want to have 'just employing their own' levelled at me. This way I put something directly into local employment, as well as the economy too.
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Many Thanks Mayenaise.
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It has been really good to read all the varied comments on here. As we are new to the gite game it has been good to hear from seasoned owners and take their comments on board. As a result of what you have all written we have decided that we will still provide the basic towel packs. We will change our advert to say 'does not include pool towels', but will supply some cheap Bath/Beach towels for use round the pool and ask customers to wash them after use. We will all ask that the house towels are not used for the pool. Hopefully this way people won't think we are being stingey and we won't have to worry about them getting ruined.
Do you think this would be a good compromise?
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Hi gang, does anyone know if it's possible to park up at Portsmouth for about 4 days so I can go foot passenger to Brittany for a few days. I have transport at the other end so can't see the point in paying to take the car over. Any suggestions welcome.
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Thanks Wozza. I've sent you a PM
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I have a friend who has purchased a run-down cottage for his retirement in Brittany ( approx 30 mins south of St Malo) His intention was to live in a touring caravan while he renovated. He has since found that there is more work than he first anticipated and is now looking for a mobile home to put on his site. Does any one out there have a an old static they want shot of ? He is happy to arrange transportation costs etc. he only needs 1 bedroom so a small to medium size would be fine. If anyone can help please let me know.
Many thanks in advance.
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Hi Icebird,
This is the route according to Auto route. For cheap accommodation try www.hotelformule1.com Theres lots on the route.
Summary: 416.1 miles (7 hours, 52 minutes)
Time
Mile
Instruction
For
Toward
09:00
0.0
Depart Boulogne-sur-Mer on Place Adolphe Herry (North-East)
87 yds
09:00
0.1
Turn LEFT (West) onto Rue du Vivier
0.2 mi
09:01
0.2
Turn LEFT (South) onto Place des Victoires
10 yds
09:02
0.2
Continue (South) on Rue Adolphe Thiers
0.2 mi
09:03
0.4
Turn LEFT (North-East) onto N142 [Grande-Rue]
0.6 mi
09:05
1.1
At roundabout, take the THIRD exit
32 yds
09:05
1.1
Exit roundabout onto N142 [Rue Porte Neuve]
120 yds
09:05
1.1
At roundabout, take the FIRST exit
21 yds
09:05
1.1
Exit roundabout onto N42 [Avenue De Lattre de Tassigny]
1.2 mi
09:07
2.4
At roundabout, take the SECOND exit
43 yds
09:07
2.4
Exit roundabout onto N42 [Route de Saint-Omer]
164 yds
09:08
2.5
At roundabout, take the SECOND exit
120 yds
09:08
2.6
Exit roundabout onto Ramp
0.2 mi
09:08
2.8
Continue (South) on A16 [E402]
1.2 mi
09:09
4.0
*Toll road* At A16 Exit 29, stay on A16 [E402] (South-West)
43.4 mi
09:44
47.4
At A16 Exit 23, bear RIGHT (South) onto Ramp
0.6 mi
A28 / E402 / Abbeville-Centre / Le Tréport / Rouen / Le Havre
09:45
48.0
Stay on Ramp (South)
0.3 mi
A28 / E402 / Le Tréport / Rouen / Le Havre / St Valery S/S / Le Crotoy
09:45
48.3
Bear RIGHT (West) onto A28 [E402]
45.6 mi
10:21
93.9
Bear RIGHT (South-West) onto A29 [E44]
0.2 mi
A29 / E44 / Le Havre / Caen
10:21
94.1
*Toll road* Stay on A29 [E44] (South-West)
45.3 mi
10:58
139.3
*Tollbooth* Stay on A29 [E44] (South)
8.2 mi
11:04
147.5
*Toll road* Stay on A29 [E44] (South)
12.6 mi
11:14
160.1
Bear RIGHT (South-East) onto Ramp
0.6 mi
A13 / E46 / Lisieux / Caen
11:15
160.7
*Toll road* Continue (South-West) on A13 [E46]
30.9 mi
11:40
191.5
At A13 Exit 31, bear RIGHT (West) onto Ramp [Porte de Paris]
0.2 mi
Flers / Alençon / Mondeville / Caen-Demi Lune
11:40
191.8
Continue (North) on Porte de Paris
0.1 mi
11:40
191.9
Bear LEFT (South) onto N513
0.1 mi
11:40
192.0
Bear RIGHT (South-West) onto Ramp [Porte de Paris]
0.1 mi
Lisieux / Alençon / Falaise / Z.I. Sud-Est
11:41
192.2
Continue (South) on N814 [N513]
7.8 mi
11:52
199.9
At N814 Exit 9, bear RIGHT (North) onto Ramp [Porte de Bretagne]
0.1 mi
Vire / Saint-Lô / Le Mt-St-Michel / Rennes / Bretteville S/ Odon
11:53
200.1
Bear RIGHT (South) onto Porte de Bretagne
131 yds
Le Mt-St-Michel / Rennes / Villers-Bocage / Vire
11:53
200.1
Bear RIGHT (West) onto A84 [E401]
48.9 mi
12:32
249.0
Continue (South) on Ramp [E3]
0.2 mi
12:32
249.2
Continue (South) on E401 [E3]
13.4 mi
12:52
262.7
At E401 Exit 34, continue (South) on Ramp
0.3 mi
St Brieuc / St Malo / Le Mont-St Michel / Pontorson
12:53
263.0
Bear RIGHT (South-West) onto E401 [N175]
55.5 mi
14:16
318.5
Continue (South-West) on Ramp
0.3 mi
14:17
318.8
Continue (North-West) on E50 [N12]
17.1 mi
14:43
335.9
Bear RIGHT (North) onto Ramp
0.1 mi
Chaptal / Ginglin / Cesson / Pôle Universitaire
14:43
336.1
Turn LEFT (South-West) onto D700 [Rue Jean Chaptal]
0.9 mi
14:45
337.0
At roundabout, take the SECOND exit
65 yds
14:45
337.0
Exit roundabout onto D700 [Rue Guillaume Apollinaire]
0.7 mi
14:46
337.7
At roundabout, take the FOURTH exit
0.2 mi
14:47
337.9
Exit roundabout onto D700
5.3 mi
14:55
343.2
Continue (South) on Échangeur de Malakoff
0.3 mi
14:55
343.5
At roundabout, take the FIRST exit
87 yds
14:55
343.5
Exit roundabout onto D790
3.8 mi
15:01
347.3
At roundabout, take the SECOND exit
109 yds
15:01
347.4
Exit roundabout onto D790
9.6 mi
15:16
357.0
Turn RIGHT (West) onto D767 [Rue de Kerjoly]
0.1 mi
15:16
357.1
Bear LEFT (West) onto D790
4.9 mi
15:24
362.0
At roundabout, take the SECOND exit
109 yds
15:24
362.1
Exit roundabout onto D790
8.7 mi
15:37
370.8
At roundabout, take the FIRST exit
43 yds
15:37
370.8
Exit roundabout onto N164
2.5 mi
15:41
373.3
Turn LEFT (South-West) onto D3
9.9 mi
15:57
383.3
Bear RIGHT (West) onto Buzit
1.4 mi
16:02
384.6
Turn LEFT (South-East) onto D769
2.4 mi
16:05
387.0
Bear RIGHT (South) onto Ramp
0.1 mi
16:06
387.1
Bear RIGHT (West) onto D1 A
0.6 mi
16:06
387.7
At roundabout, take the FOURTH exit
174 yds
16:07
387.8
Exit roundabout onto D1
1.9 mi
16:10
389.8
At roundabout, take the FIRST exit
43 yds
16:10
389.8
Exit roundabout onto D1
4.7 mi
16:17
394.5
Bear LEFT (South) onto D15 [Pont Moor]
16.4 mi
16:43
410.9
At roundabout, take the SECOND exit
87 yds
16:43
411.0
Exit roundabout onto D15
1.7 mi
16:45
412.6
Turn RIGHT (North-West) onto Rond-point de Kerourvois
65 yds
16:45
412.7
Turn RIGHT (West) onto D15
1.1 mi
16:47
413.8
At roundabout, take the FIRST exit
43 yds
16:47
413.8
Exit roundabout onto D15 [Route de Coray]
0.2 mi
16:48
414.1
At roundabout, take the FOURTH exit
131 yds
16:48
414.1
Exit roundabout onto D783 [Boulevard Président Allende]
0.2 mi
16:48
414.4
At roundabout, take the FIRST exit
32 yds
16:48
414.4
Exit roundabout onto D765 [Avenue de la Libération]
1.6 mi
16:52
416.0
Turn RIGHT (West) onto Rue Amiral Ronarc'h
98 yds
16:52
416.0
Turn RIGHT (North) onto D765 [Rue Amiral Ronarc'h]
76 yds
16:52
416.1
Arrive Quimper
SUMMARY
Driving distance: 416.1 miles
Trip duration: 7 hours, 52 minutes
Driving time: 7 hours, 52 minutes
Cost: £45.90 -
[quote user="tetley"]
I agree that there is nothing wrong with having a helping hand here and there....but I honestly think that you should at least get quotes in and contact local workers before you write them off. I am writing this from the point of view of the wife of a registered tradesman who works very hard, and always tries to stick to deadlines, but can be very difficult if you get late deliveries, bad weather, clients who don't pay up, clients who change their minds or who want extra work taken on (not a bad thing...just affects the workload), or want to change start dates, there is a huge list of things that can put things back, but if you are a one man band,one setback can really mess things up for a while.....but again, this is where customer service comes in isn't it? they need to keep you informed, and being 'manual' workers, they aren't used to the world of communcations via a telephone or email....they always want to pop round and see you face to face....in my experience [;-)] don't get me wrong, my hubby works hard and to deadlines, I am just trying to speak from the 'other side of the fence'.
[/quote]
Hi Tetley,
France is no different from the UK on this.
If you get on a job scheduled for 2 weeks and the client gives you extras (say another weeks work) they expect you to stay and do them. But the same client wouldn't understand if you put them back for a week because a previous client had done the same. As you say it is down to communication. But every customer expects Artisans to work to strict timetables until it comes to them. Then you should be flexible!!
I try to give a specific amount of days based on good weather and accessibility, but you try to explain to someone why you didn't turn up in the morning when it was raining, if it was sunny in the afternoon !!!
We have to be weather forecasters, diplomats and have labour on stand-by ( that we have to foot the bill for) just for them. But ask them if they will pay the wages while we wait around for the rain to dry up........ You know the answer.
It's a no-win situation.
You can only do your best and keep the clients informed.
As for getting friends over to do things. I have done that in the past. I give full board and lodgings, and offer them a free holiday in return for it. I'll make the house available for them whenever they choose to take it. Most prefer to holiday with us. I guess that's why we are friends.
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I found this link on another forum about guides to posting
Thought it quite apt !!
http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/posting.php
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Following the introduction of our swimming pool we found we had to change our towel policy. We used to supply unlimited supplies. Following complaints from our cleaner, who had to wash them, we had to alter our system.
We found that people were just helping themselves and draining the whole supply - get in the pool, use a towel, get in again, fresh towel. etc. on one occasionn nearly 30 were used for a weeks let !!!
Now we supply 2 bath and 2 hand per bathroom and they can wash their own (we provide a laundry room) or have additional sets at 5 euros per set.
Same with linen. We had a party of 4 who used 3 doubles and 6 singles in a week. Reckon they must have kept swapping beds!
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I think it's actually 3 PC's to allow for one away, one at home and a laptop but can't find my case to check this. You have to register each time you add it to a PC so I wouldn't push it. I'll keep looking.
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I use the student version of office on my 2 PC's but two of my lads are at college and use the PC's. When I loaded it, it doesn't mention registering as a student etc. So how they keep tabs on it I'll never know. Cost about 1/2 - 1/3 of the normal office. However it doesn't have all the features so check before buying.
It does have Excell, Outlook and Power point 2003
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I have a place about 50 minutes south of you (Belesta, Ariege) and can tell you, you would be hard pressed to do it in 2 Hrs, unless of course you drive a formula 1. I drive accross the mountain passes, through Ax Les Thermes and then on to Andorra takes about 1hr 45 from mine. If I go to Foix and then take the main route it takes just as long but is half as far again. Go in summer and you see the towns for what they really are, duty free dumps. Stay away from them apart from doing your shopping and it's lovely. However go in winter and the mountains are beautiful. Scary on the mountain passes though.
2 litres of gin around 7 euros, fags around 18-20 euros for 200, wine a bit cheaper (but not much). Perfume can be very cheap at some outlets (not that I wear it myself !)
Be careful of the Douanes though on the passes and on the tolls coming back. Think the fags limit is 300 p/p.
Oh and diesel at 75 cents per litre.
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The lock you are referring to is called a euro barrel (keyhole shaped) If you want to remove it yourself, take a 6mm drill and drill right the way through at the bottom of the keyhole shape. Try the key you have and the tumblers should drop out If not, up the drill to an 8mm and then tap the lock sharply till they drop out. The key can then be used to turn the barrel and remove.
Make sure you put some safety glasses on as the tumblers and springs can fly out at you.
Alternatively if you are not confident about doing this, then call a locksmith!
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Hi Twinkle. The trout fishing I'd agree with but not heard of 'la chasse aux cèpes'. Sorry my French is not brilliant, a hunt of some sort?
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Hi Twinkle, lovely to hear praise for Ariege, I went there to do a weeks work, fell in love with place an bought a house there. Try to spend more than 3 days at a time though. It's fantastic all year round. A winter wonderland with all the snow, amazing scenery and wildlife all year round.
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Hi John, could you maybe post any information you have on the Forum? This is something we are considering for the future too so any info would be appreciated.
Thanks
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I too purchased Muzzy for my daughter. We too were dissapointed with it.
I saw a free download on French-News for a course called 'Before you know it' as it was a free trial I downloaded it. I have found that not only my daughter but also my wife have enjoyed this more. The free download gives you the basics and the full software can be purchased for around $40.00.
Their web-site is here: http://www.byki.com/
It works on a series of flip cards. You can do it just for fun or you can test yourself. Try the download first before buying and see if your kids get on with it.
Good luck with the move.
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[quote user="Grays"]Long winter & out of season lets at low prices can really only be a way of keeping the place warm and free of winter damp etc, and certainly not (in my experience) a source of much profit. and especially not when your guests knowing that the heating/electric/gas bills are included, turn everything on to max and show no regard for the high cost of the utility or the amount they may be using. I've reeled this story out before.....but how can i forget being asked to change a gas bottle on the gite oven, one March day, only to find the heating on full, the whole place uncomfortably hot (for me in my jumper and winter togs) and our guest family walking around in t-shirts like it was summer.....which of course it was in the gite!!![/quote]
Hi Grays, I've been there too. I let my house out to a party of skiers. When my caretaker went in at the end of the stay he found the thermostat set at 27 deg's and the windows open !!!!!!!!! They had managed on top of the 100E's worth of gas to also get through almost a cubic mtre of logs.
This year I intend to fit a programmable thermostat which will be locked !!
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I debated tis subject too and instead of supplying bikes ( with any potential insurance & maintenance risks) decided to locate the local bike hire shop and publicise it, if my guests ask. This way they get the bikes, the money goes to the local economy and my guests are happy. No risks or added headaches for me.
That is of course if you have a local place that hires bikes!!!
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It may be a bit late too suggest this but when I do plaster board joints I always apply 2 coats. I use a wide caulking blade and clean off any excess or spots immediately, let that dry and then apply a second, finer, coat, again cleaning off while still workable. Normally a light sand at most is all that is required after this. If you are painting with emulsion then any small imperfections will be highlighted and you can use a normal filler to finish off with. Sanding excessively will damage the paper finish on the board .
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I put a pool in at my house at Easter this year and have been on a learning curve since then. I use a non chlorine system that was supplied initially with the pool and for most of the time it has been OK. I found though that I need to 'Shock it' with Oxy treatment about every 2-4 weeks in the high temperatures because the non-chlorine system doesn't seem to be man enough on it's own. I also bought a robot cleaner -Hayward bug-off e-bay for a very good price but again it doesn't get right into the corners (my pool is a hexagon shape) so this needs to backed up by manual cleaning occasionally, using the hose from the robot with a 20.00 Euro kit from the local supplier.
The back washing I get done on a weekly basis by my caretaker, using the removed water to replenish the dry lawn. And I have a 1000ltre tank bought from one of the local mills with filtered rainwater to top up (I treat the tank with anti-algae). I would like to find a way of salvaging the backwash water in non peak summer months though? Any thoughts?
To start with it seems like a minefield but you do start to understand it in the end.
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We currently own a house in Ariege but still live in the UK. We rent out the house part time to help cover the costs. Everytime we leave it, we miss it more and more. We are now at the stage where we long to live there full time eventually (probably in 2008). So just a few questions for those that have made the move:
Firstly, If you have young children how did they cope with the move and do they seem to be happier overall? How hard was the transition to French schooling/language for them to cope with?.
Secondly, do you find the quality of life that much better than in the UK?.
Thirdly, I run a property maintenance/restoration company in the UK. How do expat tradesmen get treated by the locals and is there a market for me to operate this sort of business?.
Fourthly, Is the tax regime as bad as it seems to be?. If I was to make the move will it be a lot of hassle?. I am struggling to sort out the tax on my gite rental, it does not seem as simple as the UK.
I would appreciate open and honest answers to any of the above. We have 2 years before we can move and if we decide to go for it, we need to start planning now. I need to hear the plusses and minuses if you have any. If you feel you don't want to post in open forum please PM me.
Many Thanks
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I agree with both Kathy and Owens points here. There is a middle ground that is a much easier option. I took this option, despite being a tradesman myself. I chose a house that had the mains connections, new roof and electrics already completed. My reasons were different to yours in as much as I still live in the Uk and wanted for a holiday home. This meant I did not have the time available to renovate a big project. The principal is still the same though. It meant I could spend six weeks there, living in the house while I did the new bathrooms, decorating etc.
You need to also remember that renovating costs are as, if not more, expensive than in the UK so it doesn't always follow that a total wreck will be the best option by the time you add accommodation costs etc.
There is a good chance you will get a short term let from September to May but there is not as much accommodation in the far south as, say, Britanny.
Remember the golden rules do lot's of homework, don't sign the purchase agreement without getting the house professionally checked (especially if it's very run down) and then work your timescales etc. out.
As members on here will tell you, getting it wrong can be very costly.
Good luck.
Cleaners/Caretakers
in Gite Owners Forum
Posted
Mairie is an option, depends on what works for you.
My gardener has a siret number, caretaker is pretty informal but as he is retired I doubt if he would earn enough to fall into tax, Cleaner is self employed. All covered by my Public liability insurance as I get receipts.
I only pay for hours worked.