pagnol

As others have already commented a good bottle of whisky is always appreciated. I have also found that jars of pickle and chutney are popular. Scottish shortbread was well received. I am currently spending a few months here in the Somme to see if we really could be full time. The Somme Bay is stunning in all weathers and my neighbours are wonderful. All  I miss is friends and family but many of them are coming to visit over the summer months so no problem. I am already thinking it will be tough to return to the UK.    

"would basing myself in or around perigueux be a good idea? " Only you can answer that one! Have you stayed in the area that you have narrowed down? If not book a holiday and have a look around.Only you can say if somewhere appeals to you or feels right. I think such a short visit will not be productive. You need at least a week if not longer. Look at Notaires and estate agents for an idea of prices. Tell them you are coming but don't be surprised if they are not prepared for you  when you arrive. Don't get excited about any properties you ask to see before leaving the UK. I lost count of the number of times we arrived to be told "c'est vendu madame!" Bon Courage!  

J.R. Thank you for such an interesting and detailed account of the day. My daughter having experienced two colleges in the area as a mature student would not be surprised at your account. I look forward to hearing what the French teenagers thought of their day out and whether anyone would want to repeat the experience. The traffic conditions you describe are normal. It doesn't matter what time of day you travel on the roads, its always busy in the overcrowded south east.

Hi J.R. Did you take your group of teenagers on their daytrip to the UK? How did it go? What did they think of the UK?

Ecossais Thanks for the suggestion.  I came across I.E.7 while surfing to sort my "problem" but didn't know if it was the answer. Thanks to everybody who took time out to reply.  

"I have a feeling that you have been used to using the AOL software which comes with its own browser . I am sure this behaves differently to IE..." Danny I think you have hit the nail on the head. I have only ever used AOL, not my fault, chosen by my son many, many years ago. I am used to looking at web pages, closing them and moving on. Now I seem to open page after page and I am not able to close them as I used to. I have the blue bar but it closes everything. As you may have guessed I am not computer literate at all. Thanks for explaining.

Never had a problem with previous provider, AOL. Its I.E.6. All your suggestions close everything, not just the web page, so I have to open up internet explorer to get back on.

I am using internet explorer having just got broadband from Teleconnect. I can load up the web pages I want but can't close them. There is no little cross at the top right hand corner so I end up with lots of windows open. Can anyone help?

Cooperlola I am happy to oblige. My only complaint so far is we didn't receive a service confirmaion letter from them. The modem pack arrived saying if you didn't have the letter wait a week before telephoning. Very frustrating when 3 weeks had already passed waiting for the modem. But so far those answering the phone have been polite and helpful. So far so good.

Hi ErnieY It was completely on my own, hence the joy!I just went over the instructions again slowly. I didn't have to use a CD. I was sent two pages of instructions and another page covering other phones in the home, WiFi, explanation of VOIP, suggestions for free email accounts. Two more pages described VOIP telephone advanced features and how to set them up. You were extremely helpful to me so if  can help you I will. I could send you photocopies of the instructions. PM me with your address.

Hi ErnieY I went through the installation again and this time it worked!!!!  Even with a streaming cold I jumped around for joy.  I think I hadn't checked the Protocole Internet TCP/IP. Can't thank you enough for your response. Truly grateful. Vanessa  

ErnieY Thank you so much for your very comprehensive reply. I will be trying to resolve our problem today by first going over the set up procedure to make sure I've done exactly what they say. Then I may just try what you suggest as you are not the first to rubbish AOL and its more than intrusive software. Needless to say  will let you know what happens. Thanks again  

Sorry if I have confused anyone. I have been using my UK AOL account here in France for years because I can use dial up at no extra cost. However its so slow and I often get thrown off every few minutes. I decided I must have broadband and chose Teleconnect because I can cancel at anytime paying 45 euro fee and they have english telephone support. I sent my order on 30th March and almost 3 weks later received the modem pack. I hadn't received a service confirmation letter from them so waited a week as instructed. We telephoned, our line was checked and they said it had been upgraded and told we could go ahead. From the site recommended it might be a Windows XP problem? We will be ableto phone them tomorrow. Fingers crossed they ma be able to help

Thanks for your reply. As we didn't have a letter from them, only the modem we phoned and I am sure the account is activated. However I am using my UK  DSL aol account here but dial up. I understand AOL can cause lots of problems so I'm worried that AOL is my problem.                      

I have tried to install my Teleconnect Anglopack. Its not connecting and  I have error code 678. Theres no customer service or tech help at the weekend. Any suggestions to resolve the problem please?