Sashabel

Is there still a little ferry running between the Medoc and the southern part of the Charente Maritime? It used to run when we lived on the Medoc, but I just wondered if it's still operating. Any info on fares and times would also be interesting as we are visiting the area again in September. Thanks Sashabel

Is there still a little ferry running between the Medoc and the southern part of the Charente Maritime? It used to run when we lived on the Medoc, but I just wondered if it's still operating. Any info on fares and times would also be interesting as we are visiting the area again in September. Thanks Sashabel 

The traps only start to stink when they are really full. It all depends on where you put them in the first place. They should be placed about 2 - 3 metres above ground and about 8 - 10 metres away from the house. If you follow these guidelines and put the trap in a part of the garden you don't use much, you will not notice any smell. Be careful to fix it well as it get quite heavy when full of 50,000 rotting flies. Sasha

Just Google "Red Top Fly Traps" and you'll come up with several suppliers. The more you buy the cheaper they get. They apparently work by attracting mainly female flies, which reduces reproduction over a period of time. We had much the same result as Nectarine and by the third year we could leave windows open and sit out without any bother. Not to forget the reduction in bites!! Can't recommend them highly enough. Sashabel

When we lived in the Charente we used the Red Top Fly Traps and they were brilliant. We'd put the first one up about 25 feet away from the house at the beginning of June and when it was full, we'd take it down (it really stinks at this stage) and replace it with another which would last until mid October. Anyone else used these? Sashabel

Going back about 8-10 years, whilst sitting in our car at the Portsmouth Ferry Terminal waiting to board our crossing to France, we were approached by a representative of Brittany Ferries with a questionnaire. It asked the usual - our reasons for travel, our final destination in France, how long we were planning to stay, etc. Then the final question asked whether we would be interested in or likely to use a ferry service to somewhere like La Rochelle as opposed to the northern ports. Everyone in the boarding queue got very excited about a possible longer crossing and everyone we spoke to had responded to the last question in a very positive way. I was just wondering if anyone else remembers this questionnaire? Obviously nothing ever came of it - shame

It appears that a lot of gite owners are missing the bigger picture here. I think most people would pay a little more for better quality facilities, but I also think that the gite owners would benefit by having a fuller booking schedule each season because their gite would more in demand. When searching on the internet for accmmodation, you see photos of 30 year old sofas with throws over them to make them look cleaner (they never stay on when in use), tatty old furniture with a 12" tv in the corner etc., and then you look at the availability section of the site and see that there's hardly any bookings. A lot of holidaymakers save all year for their two week break, so why should they have to put up with worse conditions than they have at home AND pay for it? One of the gites we use regularly, although not luxurious, has every facility one could wish for and is booked solid every season from early may to the end of September. It even has 7 weeks already booked in for 2012.

So everyone who prefers a kingsize bed to a double is overweight?!!! How patronizing!! You can keep your old french beds - give me a modern, comfortable and decent sized bed any day.

To clarify in cms (width x length): A standard UK double measures 135 x 190 A standard UK king - 150 x 200 A standard UK superking - 183 x 198 What we call a king size in the UK is called a queen size in USA and Australia Ikea beds are a little larger again: double 140 x 200 king 160 x 200 superking 190 x 200

Glad I'm not the only one thinking along these lines, Frederick. In one gite we stayed in, the mattress was so old and stained that we took ourselves off the the nearest Decathlon and bought inflateable mattresses to sleep on. We pushed the old bed to one side (cleaned under it - that's another story!) and slept on the floor on our very comfy inflateables. A good nights sleep and not having to get up at the crack of dawn is a fundamental part of any holiday. If the Chambre d'hote owners have recognised this, why haven't the large majority of gite owners?

We go to France 2 or 3 times a year and so far we've never stayed in a gite that can't fit a kingsize (or even a superking) in a bedroom. A kingsize bed is only 6 inches wider than a double!! Why should you charge more for a 5 foot bed than and 4' 6" one?

Have just been searching through all the holiday rental websites looking for a couple of gites/cottages for 2012 and noticed how many of them still only offer double beds. I don't know of anyone (couples) who sleep in double beds any more. A standard kingsize is the smallest most couples go for nowadays. Having trawled through what seems like hundreds of descriptions, I have shortlisted all those who offer a kingsize bed in their double bedroom and will be contacting them for prices & availability. I couldn't think of anything worse than spending a fortnight back in a tiny double bed with my partner and neither could he. Come on, gite owners, consider upgrading and upsizing!!

I want to install the Franco Belge woodburner in our house in the UK. I've got prices from plenty of UK websites, but cannot find anything on the French ones. I was wondering if the price difference between UK and France would make it worth while coming over for a long weekend to pick one up in the Pas de Calais/Normandie areas. This would depend very much on being able to just walk in and purchase the one I want (the Savoy Elegance in Enamelled Red). Does anyone know of a retailer in this region who actually holds stock of these? Even when I have found a stockist online, they do not tell you which ones they supply or (heaven forbid!) give any prices. I know things in France internet wise are still at least 10 years behind everywhere else, so if someone could help it would be most appreciated. And a good excuse for a few days in France too!!!!

The only way I can fit a tumble dryer next to my washing machine in my rather small utility room here in the UK is to buy one of those narrow top loading ones. I used to have one when I lived in France and it was great. The only way I can see of getting hold of one is to pop over for a few days and purchase it over there (I'm not bothered about guarantees etc.) Are there any stores that hold stock of these that you can actually load into your car on purchase as opposed to having to have it delivered? Do the hypermarkets have them in stock to take away? Any help would be most appreciated Thanks

We have just returned from a 2 week gite holiday which we cut short by 2 days because we just couldn't stand another night in the lumpy, hard bed. We go on 2 or 3 gite holidays a year and always seem to have the same problem. This latest gite was beautifully equipped and very tastefully decorated and the holiday would have been perfect had it note been for the aches and pains suffered after each nights sleep. Gites are getting better and better with satellite TV, internet access, dishwashers etc., but the quality of the beds never seems to improve. Why???

Just posted this in the Finance section, but then thought it should be listed here.  I suppose it's no surprise to those already living and trying to earn a living in France as Tax is one of the main topics of conversation amongst my Frech neighbours!   The top ten The most tax-miserable countries (source: Forbes): France China Belgium Sweden Italy Austria Poland Spain Argentina Slovenia And the most tax-friendly countries: United Arab Emirates Hong Kong Cyprus Georgia Singapore Russia Taiwan Thailand South Africa The Philippines

Thought this might be interesting and definitely worth considering if you are thinking of moving to France in the near future!   The top ten The most tax-miserable countries (source: Forbes): France China Belgium Sweden Italy Austria Poland Spain Argentina Slovenia

We are reluctantly having to move back to the UK this year and so put both our houses on the market with various agents.  We also advertised them privately on the French Property News website (the advert runs for 6 months for a one-off payment of less than £70 - excellent value for money).  The agents have proved to be a complete waste of space - not heard a peep out of them.  But my own ads have brought in loads of response.  I sold one house within the first couple of months and have had lots of interest in the other. The added benefit for the purchaser is that they don't have to pay the enormous agency fees (anything between 6% and 10%) which is daylight robbery as, in my experience, they do absolutley nothing to earn it.  

Hi Mike Will call you when you over the weekend if that's OK.  Managed to get thru on the number you gave me, but not bothered to leave another message.  There's not much to take as I'm hoping to sell off most of my furniture before I go back. Speak to you soon Joanna

Hi Mike Sent you a PM Joanna

I am about to try and sell my 18month old French registered Renault Modus.  When (or if) I get someone interested in it, what is the process for completing the sale?  Obviously, in the UK, you would just complete the log book with the sellers and buyers details and send if off to Swansea - what do you do here in France?  Also, what method of payment should I ask for?  I know a French cheque shouldn't bounce, but is there another, safer method? Any info is welcome Joanna

Hi If there is anyone returning to the North West of England during January, February or March with some space in their van, I would gladly contribute to their costs if they could take some small items of furniture back with them. We are in the South of the Deux Sevres, near Melle and Lezay (just off the N10 to Poitiers) and need the items delivering to south Manchester. If you can help, please leave me a PM and I will get back to you. Many thanks Joanna

Does the amount of tax you pay (Fonciere or Habitation) alter if your house was once a maison secondaire but has now become your maison principale?  Who should you inform if you are changing the status of your house from a secondaire to a principale? Thanks Sasha

That's very interesting - thanks. So, would I be right to assume that if I had been given a ticket I could have just binned it? Sounds too good to be true!! Sasha

I have been driving my French registered car over in the UK when I visit my father.  The other day we parked in a zone that would have been illegal if he had not had his disabled badge with him.  A traffic warden approached us to tell us to move the vehicle or she would give us a ticket.  When we pointed out that we had the disabled badge on display, she went away without a word (I think she was rather miffed at not being to issue a ticket). Just out of interest though.  If a french registered car were to get a parking ticket, would the local authority be able to follow it up if it went ignored?  Do they have access to the French registration records? Sasha