La Vette

I wonder if it is anything like Toast by Nigel Slater, a journey through his childhood based on his food associations such as him thinking that Butterscotch Angel Delight was a magic food because of the way it set before your eyes, Heinz Treacle Sponge being a posh Sunday pudding and hot Bovril drinks and Jammy Dodgers after school swimming lessons (sorry that was my memory not Nigels).  Such a lovely book, if you are over 40 you will remember all the things he talks about.

Thanks for the support Cassis.  I live in a new build, finished in October last year.  The only problem with the finish was a bit of sanding of the walls before we painted as we decided to do our own decorating.  Anything actually not to our satisfaction was put right at each site meeting.  Contrary to popular belief we did not have to pay extra for windows, mortar between the bricks or even a whole roof.  What we did pay for ourselves and would have had to pay extra for were:-  flooring in the bedrooms - the rest of the house has beautiful tile floors throughout, and we put in our own kitchen - could have cost up to 9,000 euros but we bought from Hygiena for 2500 euro (les soldes) and hubby put it in himself.  We have a beautiful, maintenance free house that is a dream to keep clean and it has a 10 year guarantee.  The specification of the built is to very exacting standards and regulations in terms of energy efficinecy, insulation, soundproofing between bedrooms etc and I love it.  Also it is not a bog standard box shape, it is a very unusual W shape which makes the shape of some of the bedrooms a bit quirky. I am not putting down the beautiful old houses some of you buy and renovate but, for example, our friends bought a barn conversion 15 years ago and, although it has been renovated to the highest standard and is very much the French dream, it is still not finished and they are tired of continually working on it and now carrying out maintenance.  I went for a different dream and it is not up to someone to knock that from under me especially when they don't know what they are talking about. By the way, for those of you thinking of new build and worrying about the low costs (is it a con etc), my 4 bedroom house (140 sq m) cost £75,000 plus another £7,500 for the work we put in. There, I have had my say now - I hope you have all found great happiness here with whatever your dream was, I am more than happy with mine. 

Pavillion (pronounced pavion) is French for detached house - any detached house.  And tj I would never say your house is rubbish so what makes you think you can say that of mine.[:P]  

As the previous responder states, it comes with your insurance.  You don't get to pick and choose, just accept it, in the UK you have to pay for separate cover.  The breakdown also covers recovery and repairs in any European country.  I am with Groupama insurance, don't know the name of their recovery service.

A new build is exempt from tax fonciere for 2 years although there may be a small charge for something or other (don't know what - a French mystery) of about 26 euros per year.  Around the time of completion you should have received a form which you fill in detailing all the facilities, number of rooms, size of property, fosse etc etc and this will be used to make the future calculation.  As soon as you have anything else add (ie we had a pool) they send another form for you to update them (don't worry they know what you have had done and will get in touch with you).  Then you just wait for them to send you the first billing in two years.  As the previous reply stated the cost depends on how big and luxurious your house is. Whatever the cost it can't be more than the £1200 pa we were paying in council tax a year ago.

When the call sign shows number unavailable I answer the phone with a very english 'hello' and they usually hang up straight away.

The post office in the UK will forward your post to France.  It costs a bit more than the UK to UK address redirection but not much.

Just to let you know how we got on, they are absolutely adorable.  We arrived on time and while we were stood pushing the bell on the gate a car arrived with madame who was rather flustered that we were on time as she had been caught up in unexpected traffic (we have a big festival this weekend and a lot of the roads are blocked).  That aside we were made very welcome and had a wonderful evening.   We finally left after 3 hours and only because we had not had a meal although they filled us up with homemade wafer sliced duck and duck pate.  We have been invited to go with them to the duck farm in Oct/Nov and Patrique is going to show my OH how to cure our own duck.  We will be inviting them chez nous fairly soon when both of us have come back from short breaks.  They have invited our family and particularly our grandson to visit them as Monique wants to crush him to death with cuddles (he is 9 months). Neither of them spoke any English and we made a few faux pas but it was a fantastic evening.  Looking forward to doing it again.

Thanks Sue, some of the advice I have read in books always sounds So formal and old-fashioned.  It is nice to hear it from someone who has been there, done that etc.  

I'm not exactly worried but I was interested in what the etiquette is.  What do I think I should do, I think I should just go and see what happens, enjoy the experience and hope to do it again sometime. Thanks Dotty T

I hope the English win the final, only so we can move on from 1966.

We have been invited to our neighbours for drinks at 6pm tomorrow.  A couple of questions.  Do we arrive on time - do we take anything with us - how long do we stay.  Well that's 3 questions actually. Look forward to your advice.

Hi Hoddy, what are the restrictions in 24.  I only have pots to water and use the water from the but which is overflowing at present.  I do have a pool - after all the rain last night it shouldnt need filling for a while but would still like to know what we can or cannot do. Thanks

I have all but given up on village fetes.  Our fete de la musique was on Friday evening with a 7pm start time.  Not wanting to be too British and turn up on time we gave it a good half an hour.  Arrived and they were still setting up the music stand.  Popped back home and had a meal, watched Corrie and set off again for the music by this time it was 9pm, people in choir dress just starting to arrive.  Gave up and went home to be greeted by the strains of music and singing starting at around 10.30.  By then OH and I had one or two many wines to face the drive back into the village so we just enjoyed the muffled noise from our terrace.  It is the Kermese today but I think I will give it a miss. I will get more layed back but give me a chance I have only been here for 8 months.  Laissez faire is an art form.  Enjoy your Kermese.

Doctors here rarely do their own testing.  Ours sends us to the Polyclinic in Bergerac and for breast examination and smears it is usually a woman but you cannot guarantee.  If you are really worried I agree with other poster, take a friend.  They always allow someone in with you.

As someone with high cholesterol and bp I registered with a doctor fairly quickly.  His routine testing discovered I am also type 2 diabetic.  You do not automatically get everything related to the diabetes free, your doctor has to write to the CPAM and request their consideration of your condition.  Diabetes is definitely a Prise en charge 100% (100% free condition) and you will receive a letter to this effect.  Take this letter and your carte vitale into a pharmacy (or CPAM if you are near) and ask for mettre a jour (for them to update it).  After that anything to do with your diabetes is free ie annual eye test, annual cardiology examination and all your medication.  However, your bp and cholesterol tablets will still have to be paid for even if these conditions could impact on the diabetes, I take Simvastatin, Atenalol and a diuretic at a cost of 27 Euros each month.  If your diabetes is controlled by diet then the medication costs do not apply to you. Dont waste your time with Newcastle, they do not understand the French system.  If you need more info call the english speaking CPAM line on 0820 904 212 (if you are in France) - someone gave that number to me on this site and it was a god send.

I see I have used a naughty word.  Let me rephrase 'When I water I have to make holes around the plant to let the water drain in'.

Thanks Chris, you may be right.  The soil certainly is rock hard when it is dry and I have to prick holes in it when I water or it just lies on top.  This is my first year with my little patch and I was so impatient I didnt do any soil preparation.  However, my lettuce are like footballs as are my radishes like golf balls and my herbs are lovely.  I dont believe in giving up, I will definitely try again. Thanks to you all for your help - by the way, I just love it here. [8-|]

Thank you all for your responses.  The toms are called Super Sweet F100.  A hybrid.  To answer your questions:-  I water every evening but it is hot and dry and they are in full sun most of the day (I am waiting for the laurel hedge to grow for shade).  I feed weekly with Parcour granules (riche avec potassime).  My soil was a maize field until I bought the land 18 months ago.  I originally planted 6 plants, 2 died fairly quickly, probably too cold at the time.  One nearly died but has come back and 3 thrived.  Of the 3 that thrived 1 got fruit and the leaves started to shrivel.  One is getting fruit and is starting to shrivel and one is getting fruit and looks really healthy and bush like.  I have taken piccies of these 3 but someone will have to tell me how to attach to my reply. Thanks again

I have only ever grown Moneyspinner in the UK - in growbags.  This year I have planted cherry tom plants and so far so good until they start to fruit.  Once the fruit has appeared all the other shoots have died.  That means I have only one or two shoots carrying about 10 fruits.  Should I have been doing something.  Total newbie and don't know much about pinching out etc.  They are like small bushes rather that the tall plants I am used to.  Don't be too hard on me.

I think Chateau de Chissay in the Loire is worth a mention.  I have stayed there twice (not recently though).  It was always our habit to make our leaving France that bit easier by allowing ourselves the luxury of one night, usually our last but one, in a chateau.  This is just one of many we stayed at and probably the best.  If you look on their web site at www.chateaudechissay.com you can have a look around the courtyard and you are close to lots of beautiful chateaux to visit, most are open all year even if the opening hours are restricted.  I also agree with other poster that Paris is good all year round with lots and lots to see and do.  I think in February Paris would be my choice.  My birthday is in Feb and I spent my 40'something there. I have no connection with C de Chissay.  

I read in 'French, Friend or Foe' that the French save their smiles for people they know and care about.  They think we are weird to go into a shop and greet the vendeur with something that to them signifies love and affection.  A curt bonjour should suffice.  However, I always get a wave and a cheery smile from my neighbours, most of whom I haven't even spoken to yet.  

Thanks LisaJ that we very helpful.  I still had to go into the CPAM but at least I knew what to say to them.  They still argued but I stood my ground and argued back.  I think I will be getting my refunds, only time will tell.

English speaking helpline.  Can I please have the number and do they deal with any problems.  I have been trying to get a refund for the money I paid out for diabetic palaver (needles, testing kit, tablets etc) which I told would be refunded when I was accepted for my 100% free status and any refunds would be back dated.  I have been to CPAM but they I cant get them to understand what it is I want and they just give me an application to join the CMU. 

You might find that it is for the standing charge (abonnement) and is only paid once a year.  We are charged 1.34 Euros per cubic meter (different water companies may vary) and over the last 6 months, living here full time, we have been charged 45 Euros (plus standing charge).