Blanche Neige

Post this question under the Sports forum, maybe you will get more response there. good luck

does anyone know whether the authorities are going have all hamlets/villages of 10 houses or more on mains drains by the end of this year, as the govt. said they were aiming to do back in 2000? LOL Cassis! when we bought in 2000 we were told that by 2002 everywhere in France would be on mains drainage ! I think they've put this idea on the back burner and am convinced that our village will be the last![^o)]

Can anyone recommend a good place to buy bikes -adults and kids-in and around Narbonne. They're just for a bit of summer diversion so any' low cost 'suggestions would be great. I don't know what's available in Narbonne however when we required bicycles for our maison secondaire we went to the local bike shop. When we mentioned that we were looking for bikes that would be used just for holiday times and would be used by our clients they suggested we looked at their second hand bikes. We found two excellent bikes and had new mudguards put on one and a seat height, adjustment gadget fitted on the other, they also delivered them to our house FOC. These were certainly cheaper than buying new and have been worth every franc we spent on them.

A very beautiful region and in my experience, with lovely people. Food is good though somewhat "filling" and the wine is ................................superb. Can't help with moving advice but bon courage and hope it all goes well.

how bizarre! think I would rather rent a row of vines, visit the vineyard and ..........drink the wine![:D]

Gay The original poster is wanting to go to S.W. London so I don't think this train will be any good to her. The route is Gatwick, Redhill, Reigate, Dorking, Guildford, N.Camp and various stops onwards to Reading. approx 1 hr. Gatwick to Reading on the fast train. However, plenty of other trains do go from Gatwick to other places.

" she lives in Wimbledon.... says its typically 7 mins from there to Waterloo, then about 6 hours 30 to Avignon via Lille, which is easiest with a simple cross platform transfer and about a 20 minute wait to stretch legs.  "   Steve that sounds like an excellent journey if one is not travelling alone and with two very young children and luggage. The 6 hrs.30 on the train might be a tad long for the little ones. Just a thought  re. your own journey; have you considered taking the train service from Reading which goes right into Gatwick South Terminal. If you haven't got too much luggage it might save transfer times and  money spent on airport parking. It would also avoid the uncertainties of the M25 / M23  . I wonder if the original poster will ever let us know which option she chose?

" One of those under your conventional logs will allow the fire to really get going before it burns out"   I thought the advice given on the packaging said that they should never be combined with regular logs or other fuel[*-)]

Dick My sister took the train to Avignon last Summer but had to change at Lille on the way out. Inbound it was the one train from Avignon to W'loo (I think this was a Eurostar train). I believe it is only in July and August that the train does this through route to Avignon. Back to the original question, I would recommend flying, carry belongings in a rucksack so that you can carry luggage and the smallest child as well if need be. Also take one small piece of hand luggage to include change of clothes for children in case they are sick or have an accident! at least when you fly you can check in hold baggage and be free of it for a while. If it's only for a few days away then you shouldn't need too much luggage.

Arthur Bonnet in Saintes (17) made us a very good traditional style kitchen.

A successful fire can depend a lot on the wind and the weather outside. Bon Courage

The TGVs I believe have designated  "family" carriages but the total train journey from S. France to S.W.  London could be a long time for small children to sit still. The Eurostar trains do not have a lot of space for lugggage. Where is your nearest airport? does it have flights into London Gatwick? There are good onward train and coach connections from Gatwick airport. Edit: I have just re-read your post and I think that flying is the only way to travel if you are only spending 2 days with the relatives then returning to France.

Gay, I think the author was at the Vive la France exhibition signing copies of her book(s). I haven't read it and did not buy one but who knows, maybe one of these days I will come across it and enjoy a light read.

................winter can be difficult socially, our neighbours are completely different in the summer  - instead of "lights out at 7.30 pm" they are more than happy to sit outside with a bottle of wine and chat until midnight. I have a residence secondaire so try and avoid most of the winter for this reason.  Wendy I think you have made a really valid point here. Wherever you live, winter is really the time when you will need a good set of friends for company.

It seems to be a basic form where I am being asked to state that it is my house and that I have lived there or owned the property for more than two years.   Mike it is the house that has to be over 2 years old to qualify, yes you need to sign to say you are the owner but it doesn't matter how long you have lived there or owned the place.

We were there on Friday, OH and I both thought the exhibition layout was better, more space etc.. Were there less people there because it certainly wasn't as packed as last year. All in all a very enjoyable day out.

I heard that people were swimming and sunbathing in Nice last weekend. Were they just British? ..................probably! On T.V. last night I saw pictures of people in Moscow making holes in the ice and swimming, there was snow all around and those not in swimsuits were wearing fur coats and hats!

"At the moment, she generally only experiences problems in the winter, as a rection to the cold, and as a result, we are thinking of moving to France for a warmer climate." Do look carefully at the Meteo as I think many on here will confirm, France is not that warm in the winter. bon courage

Di Good to see you posting again, welcome back! Some of the magazines such as French Property News, Living France and the many others, sometimes have advertisements asking for house sitters. Bonne Chance

Di Good to see you posting again, welcome back! Some of the magazines such as French Property News, Living France and the many others, sometimes have advertisements asking for house sitters. Bonn Chance (edit: correction that should read Bonne Chance!)

If you go to your local M. Bricolage (or similar type of shop) where they sell moquette they may well give you names or have some cards of people who fit this type of carpet.

Try the local tourist offices, they will have lists of gites in their areas and they will also be able to communicate in English if you wish.  

"Well done to all the other losers !" Gay, shouldn't that be WINNERS? Have a good night out, all the best and bon courage for the op next week.

Colette,  I have sent you a P.M.[:)]

"this obviously this is not adressed to everyone on here."   T.U. this doesn't apply to me but check your PMs