rufford

On the same subject we have something to put right within 2 months but my husband wasn't given a CT sticker for the windscreen and the old on was taken.  There is a note on the carte gris stamped by the garage to the effect that the car has to be returned by a date in July.  Is this normal and if stopped by the police will it be acceptable?  I worry unlike my husband!

Thank you so much Sunday Driver, I will go and tell his wife and hopefully it will put his mind at rest and not add stress to his heart.

My english neighbour was admitted to hospital (as an emergency) with heart problems and is now very worried about the cost.  He is a pensioner  and has a carte vitale but no top up insurance.  I understand that there is a daily cost for hospital stays (16 euros?)  but can anyone give me further information so that he has some idea and is not worrying out of proportion.  He has had x-rays, blood tests and is on a drip;  is each treatment costed and then he will have to pay 30% of each?  Thanks in advance for your help.

Thanks very much for the explanation Val.  We're not at that stage yet and I would hope to be able to fund my children but will store it for reference in the future just in case.

Can you tell me what CROUS is please?

We went to Argeles sur Mer last July and took our dog on the beach.  There were plenty of others around too.

Fantastic Christine!  I hope someone fancies joining in his games.

We went to look at a car, decided to buy it and got the shock of our life when we were told to write the cheque and take the car.  This was from a dealer and cost thousands.

That's brilliant news Christine.

Christine they are beautiful, I don't know how they end up homeless!  Would it be possible to add Maxo and Till to this post as I'm worried that they've been forgotten.  If we didn't have Brice (we're still in love!) and Cleo, Till is just the sort of dog I would like.  Fingers crossed that adoptive parents are found.

We looked at a fantastic house but the garden was a few hundred metres down the road. We discounted it as we felt holiday makers want to eat and drink outside on holiday but don't want to have to walk a long way to do it.  I certainly wouldn't book a gite without outside space attached.

Brice arrived with Christine two weeks ago and it feels like he has been here forever.  We can't believe how easily has settled in, absolutely no negative things at all, we feel so lucky.  [IMG]http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t68/stringer_album/DSC02380.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t68/stringer_album/DSC02388.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t68/stringer_album/Brice-1.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t68/stringer_album/DSC02343.jpg[/IMG]

They both look like super pets and hope they find a home soon.  Someone must be looking for a companion; unlike puppies, older dogs are often trained and don't chew things and are generally more laid back.  We gave one of Christine's dogs (Brice) a home 10 days ago and will never regret it.  He's fantastic!  Unfortunately 2 dogs and 2 cats and 2 kids are enough for us!

Christine arrived with Brice yesterday afternoon and he has slotted into the family perfectly.  I saw Christine's post and wasn't really looking for a second dog and certainly not a male!  There was just something about him that we all fell in love with and after his first day here we know it was the right thing to do.  He is playful but does as he's told and gets on with our 9 year old Cleo.  We have 2 cats which fascinate him (they even stop him eating!) although they aren't interested in him.  He's had a good day with several walks, learning to play ball, digging up mole hills and having a car ride to school. Christine deserves a huge thank you for all her rescue work, without her Brice wouldn't be here which is horrifying. If anyone's thinking of adding to their family I'm sure she'll be able to find someone suitable or keep reading the posts here and the dog for you will appear. [IMG]http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t68/stringer_album/Brice.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t68/stringer_album/BriceandCleo.jpg[/IMG]

I'd be happy to fill in your questionnaire, PM me.

Hi Christine I'm so glad you intervened, he's a super dog.  I've sent you an e-mail, please let me know if it doesn't arrive.  Thanks

Hi Kev, We've just returned from a meeting with an accountant who is advising us on the best method of setting up our business.  He said that we could attend the course in any department and is contacting Angouleme, Poitiers and Limoges for them to send us their timetables for the next courses in English.  We can then make our own reservation for the course that suits us best. Liz

Hi We moved to the Charente last August and have 3 children.  We had talked about moving here for several years but my eldest didn't want to come. The eldest finished his GCSEs last year and through discussion with him and internet searching we found that there are about 30 state boarding schools in the UK and therefore you only pay for boarding.  These varied from very preppy to ordinary comprehensives.  My son was very keen to be independant and we liked the idea of him having some independance but still having someone looking after him.  He got a place at the school of his choice in Lincoln and has just finished his AS year.  He's very happy, has matured and is very adept at catching trains and planes.  He comes out every holiday and his train tickets are always more than the airfare. Our other 2 were 9 and 10 and knew little french but have amazed us with how fast they learnt and how well they have settled. Both have moved forward with their peers and the eldest is off to college in September. This is a solution that worked for us.  We felt that the younger children had to start a French education whilst still at primary school as I think its much harder to adapt as a teenager.  I definately wouldn't bring a 16 year old as the education system is very dry, career options start at 15, unemployment is high and fluency in french is essential.

Thanks Cassis and Christine, I fancy a trip to Quebec but can't afford the plane fair.  Normandy sounds like the sort of person we are looking for as we have quite a few beds for re-enamelling so don't mind travelling.  I will look him up in the PagesJaunes. The bath company also will be worth exploring. Regards, Liz

Do you know of anybody that provides this service?  We are in the Charente but are prepared to travel as we have various items requiring this.

Hi Hoverfrog, We're just going through the process of buying some woodland and this is the price we have been quoted. 700 euros per hectare + the value of the wood. The 1ha 7980 that we are buying comes to 3955 euros including the value of the wood that is due for cutting in 2008. The owner also had farmland for sale at 3500 euro per hectare. Hope this is of some help, we are in the Charente.

Please can anyone recommend a dishwasher liquid or powder suitable for a fosse.  Thanks in advance for any help.

Thanks Kathy, a quick answer is just what I needed, at least I have the relevant key words to do a search and find out more now.

My children came home from school yesterday to say that they had to dress up for the carnival on 23rd March.  They will walk through the village and then burn the effigy of a man that they are making in school.  Can anyone explain who they burn and why?   Thanks in advance, Liz 

Hi I hired a car from Stansted last week through Alamo and they were happy with my UK driving licence (you need the paper one aswell) and I showed them a utility bill with my French address on.  They were happy with this as I assume anyone with a UK driving licence but no home in the UK is in the same position and they must have encountered this countless times.  I arranged the car hire on the Internet just before catching my flight and was very pleased with the service and cost.