Agenais

LOL, no offence taken and this "plonker" [:^)] would have bought all stock, there is mayo that tastes like mustard and there is mayo that tastes  like vinegar and white goo and then there is Hellmanns, which is just divine....... you can see what a sad addiction it is already.  Hyper-u, dont think we have them in our neck of the woods, please send large supplies [G]

Intermarche seem to be the leaders in a little UK foods section, we travel out of our way on occasion to gather as much hellmanns as a person can carry.  They are the most miniscule pots though, just about enough for a few butties and super expensive, 3 euros plus for a thimble size jar.  They do stock odd things, as has been said, cheesecake mix, shortbread, piccalili, beans and bovril,  strange combinations.  Somewehere must sell enormous family size jars of Hellmanns, tis the only food fix we pine for, if anyone knows of such a place..........

Rummy is another card game, played it one time and lost.    No offence meant to Bridge players of the world.  The inference to Bridge playing was metaphorically speaking I am sure, before we are slated by all those who adore the game.

Our GP is now 20km away, due to our recent move.  She is great and we would be reluctant to change.  She said that the only thing is "out of hours", in which case we would receive attention from a Dr covering our area at the time and not her. 

From how I read it, it is to work out the total surface which will be created after the renovations have been completed on the two buildings. 

... isnt bridge a major cause of domestic violence? Lol, understandably so.......... My perceptions would likely be similar, yes.  Many French make a move to the UK, for whatever reasons, work or personal choice, I wonder if they feel the same way too? Perhaps it is unfair to compare inner city to rural locations, be it here or in the UK.  Having not been back to the UK for a long time I cannot offer a personal slant on current inner city life.  Like yourself, we are blessed with good neighbours.  I would not wish all newcomers to France to arrive with preconceived ideas of sweetness and harmony every step  of the way.  I do agree about the language aspect, it can be a great barrier and I am grateful now for having  French A level, even if it was eons ago and most of it went out of the window over the passing years.  Now I feel old.........time for a round of Gin Rummy !  NOT  

As I said Clarke, I am only going on what I have experienced, don't assume incompetence with the language, inability to glean information through conversation or written text,  nor that the world is viewed through rose coloured specs.  I know the high agenais is not a french idyl.  Did I say I, or anyone else was safer? no, it is a question no one can predict or answer, I said "I feel safer here", moreso than in the UK, living in an inner city environment, it does not mean that we sit and sing Carpenters Songs about "snow white turtle doves"........and perish the mere thoughts of a bridge club [+o(]

I would say that there are many qualities of rural French life that are similar to those of bygone UK days, (which were not always the good old times).  That's only our experience.  Having moved from a large inner city area in the UK where I was not happy to walk around in the day, let alone at night.  I feel safer here, wether I actually am or not, I can't answer that.  Any one of us, in any town village or rural retreat, throughout the world, could be a victim of violence or crime at any given time.   

I quite agree with you Teamedup, there are many layers to an onion, wherever you may live, be it en campagne or centre ville.  Mans inhumanity to fellow man never ceases to amaze and we assume we are the supreme beings......... [*-)]

Our friends BnB is open all year, it is their house, just as many others, so it is heated and lived in on a daily basis.  Some bookings for early in the new year, from previous clients.  They go about their daily lives and respond to enquiries as and when they come in.  Usually, after Chrismas, peoples minds turn to the next thing which is holidays. They have been getting on with decorating and doing other maintainance, cetainly no thoughts on selling up, it is their home first and foremost. 

We were shocked to hear of a local mugging, the first very anti-social, indeed criminal occurrence we have encountered, since moving here some years back.    There has been talk of drug problems in local towns and villages.  As for anti-social neighbours, no, not in our experience, nor have we heard of any, long may it remain that way.  11.15 here, (moreso in winter) you can walk around the village and it resembles the Marie Celeste, very peaceful. 

Yes, they can make you feel icky........the ones over the counter have 5mg of codeine per tablet.  The prescription ones I take contain 30mg per tablet, they really can take you out of your tree, one is ok, but no more............[:|][<:o)] LOL  The pharmacist always asks "will 11 boxes be ok for now" ?????

At the moment all account details and other user interfaces seem to have ceased to function.  As you say, it is migrating, who knows where.  Apparently it will all be back soon, whenever soon is.  The free number is useless, I usually get the Telecom lady saying that no such number exists.  We will just have to wait a bit longer I guess.  The e-mail address are always no response ones.  Well, that was all very helpful

Another phone call and they may suddenly discover the cooker is in stock after all, hidden somewhere in the recesses of the store room.  Sounds like it is sorting out ok after all.  We bought a freezer recently and were told that we had to have the one on display which was slightly damaged, as they had none in stock. By the time we got to the checkout to pay,  they had discovered that they had 7 in stock after all !!  Two days later when it was delivered, it was a different model to the one we ordered, a more expensive model as well.  Thank you v much

Here are a few places to look at online, http://www.conforama.fr/ConfoOnline/accueil.co http://www.but.fr/ http://maison-jardin.ebay.fr/ http://www.auchan.fr/ Don't think there are any problems with compatibility, washing machines here only take cold fill, unless they have changed suddenly, so you just need a Y connection to get them to run ok.  Happy shopping  

I finally received a new attestation, yippee.  Then, two more arrived the day after !  Thanks CPAM, I have enough now   Still no carte vitale, although they say it is on route........ they even telephoned me personally to let me know.......now that's an achievement, probably to shut me up once and for all [:#] Finally, it has arrived, what a relief.[:D]

We have found the caller ID very useful, which also let's you know if you have missed a call and tells you the number on the display. Think it costs just over a euro per month.  It even picks up international numbers, which is good.  You can't ignore it, all the phones flash like Christmas trees if you have missed a call.  That, plus the free message service seems to work pretty well. You can set it all up online with F Telecom.

quite agree 'teamedup', telecom reckons my last unanswered call using 3131, was in the middle of August   Billy no mates in that case.

I would still say 5.5% applies as the work is being carried out within an original old building, even if it is changing its useage to extra living accommodation. 

We have paid 20% up front to our French builders, only a small job, but it was all laid out on the devis, 20%, then 40% on commencement and 40% on completion, seems a bit odd as it will all be done in the same day, so a cheque with the morning coffee and a cheque with the afternoon T then....   10 - 20% has always been our experience, just depends on the builders I guess and what materials they have to get up front perhaps.

I as under the impression that is the house if of "an age" then the 5.5% applies, that has always been the case with our ancient dwellings.  Not certain what the properties age has to be though, but I am sure someone will enlighten us.

The lights in the village went on this evening, thought there was an etherial glow from outside........and verrily, there were pretty lights.........

Our street lights went up a week ago, only alternate bulbs along the wire for some strange reason, so we will be 50% festive   I think we have the sister of your mayors secretary, having asked for what we needed, in French, clearly and consisely,  she said " je ne comprend pas".  WHY didn't you understand??  After three consecutive visits, we almost got a smile, almost..........kisses on the cheek next time ?   

We had a flurry this morning which didn't settle, in our little bit of 47......locals wrapped up like Nanook of the North, eyes barely visible.

HIi Jane Not sure if this would be any good, a DIY kit:- http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/INSTANT-SILVER-Amazing-SILVER-PLATING-Formula_W0QQitemZ7367267406QQcategoryZ20102QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem