chessie

Tom - '...few who aren't ....easy to spot and avoid....' NOT when they are driving UP your exhaust - you've certainly spotted them, but they can't be avoided;  indicate, pull in, slow down - and they are STILL there - stuck to your bumper and very slow to understand that you wish them to overtake.   It's happened to many of us - and was, I think, what the OP of this thread did mention.   It's the stick to the bumper in front, as close as possible regardless attitude that we have problems with.    Again - this may be in the driving tuition - but it is time the young, newer drivers were instructed otherwise. A lot of the views and our comments are based on our own experiences of driving in France;  I have found, though, that when I've made a bit of a mistake (wrong lane in strange town) - and I hold my hand up to apologise and make it obvious I'm aware I'm in the wrong there is generally more patience and tolerance - I've seldom had drivers sounding their horns at me.   Mind you, I do find an airy wave of the hand and a few air-kisses being blown around from me helps I'm sure.   (As maybe does the long blonde hippy dippy hair-style !!) Chessie

ALBF - good points;  hadn't really understood about older french drivers and the 'french' attitude, explains a lot !;  but - flaw in the argument. Aren't the older drivers likely to be fewer in number on the roads;  and less likely to be driving the new, high powered cars, using mobile phones - or playing loud music on their in-car boombox music systems. But it does really come down to what's been mentioned before. The french driving instruction is not fit for today's world;  it's not suitable;  it's not kept up with modern traffic and modern cars. So it is the young drivers who need to be taught modern day driving techniques, and manners, and road awareness. The oldies are dropping in numbers - but there's far more of the young 'uns, who are not so skilful, driving around.   You can normally get out of the way of the old doddery who can hardly see over the steering wheel;  it's generally possible to spot and avoid. But just watch the young women drivers in particular - jeeps - they really are a mobile hazard. Chessie

BinB -   YOU are the one being 'nasty'.   In the interests of being pedantic, and to elucidate, for those with an 'ism' or an 'ology' in dermatologically challenged body covering - it is a well known, accepted, fact that the majority of deaths of young men, between the ages of 18 - 25 is due to fatal car accidents.   Before a recent eu diktat the UK insurance companies could 'load' the premiums of young male drivers because they were at higher risk. It is a world-wide phenomenon - young men, testosterone and cars - are a fatal combination. Now twerp - where's the 'nasty slur on the french' in the comments I made earlier. This was a reasonable discussion until a snowflake intervened. Chessie

Not sure about medical to decide fitness to drive. The Institute of Advanced Motorists (sorry, I know, UK !) - do have training courses, and also provide assessment and guidance for older motorists.   As a former IAM member I know how just how good these courses were in improving individual driving standards. There was a programme on UK tv not so long ago which covered exactly this subject;  elderly drivers with families concerned about the declining ability of their older family members. Surprisingly, most of the older drivers did very well on their driving assessment test - so being an OAP doesn't necessarily mean being 'doddery' or slow.   In fact the older driver can be a lot safer because experience and ability to read the road is far better in such drivers, rather than the 'yoof' drivers who think their quick reaction times will always get them out of trouble. Yes, older driver can be a 'nuisance'... But it is, really, the new, young French drivers who do need to be taught differently. Chessie

Ahh Chancer - thanks for that extra info.  Has no doubt saved me extra worry time;  I'd have been looking for info that might not even be on-line yet. Wonderful advice - thank you. Chessie

Ahhh - got it - now I understand. Thank you all for your time and advice;  I really should have thought of the on-line set-up, but didn't. Guess who now feels a bit stupid and is going to hide under the nearest stone !! Thanks - Chessie

I'm confused and floundering a bit - need guidance. We seem to have lost/mislaid the french tax printout summarising everything we've declared, and the rate at which tax and social charges are levied.    The 'lost' document is for the year 2017 which would cover income during the tax year 2016.   Can't find this - and fed-up with looking. I need to have a copy of this computerised assessment form which was sent by the tax people.   Anyone know the correct, official title of this form, and/or the document number so that I can ask for a copy ? We've also received demand/request for payment of tax for 2017 - but have had no document from tax people showing how they have arrived at this total tax demand. Am I going round in circles... or what ? Please - Chessie

How did we get from french driving sytandards to 'attacking banks'.... love this forum. Richard -   Here's an idea - if you've got too much cash and cheques in your pocket (if you don't want to donate to my charity - me) - then why don't you stand in front of the cashier - and WAVE your money around - and ask why don't they want it..!! You might then get some attention, maybe even the red carpet.   You probably turn up looking a bit of a scruff with grubby jeans and they think 'nope, no money, can't be bothered' !!!   (Sorry, my attempt at teasing, not meant to be rude....XX) Chessie

Oh how I hate some french drivers - totally sympathise with ALBF, and glad you survived.   I am so fed up with driving along with someone's front bumper up my exhaust.   On occasions, when I can see clear road ahead, I've slowed down, indicated and pulled into the side of the road to MAKE them pass - and sometimes even then they don't get the message but come to a halt behind me !! The driving instruction needs to be changed - and brought up-to-date;  I feel they're still driving in the 1940's or 50's - no road sense whatsoever. As for reducing the speed limits - oh give me strength.   White van man, utility workers etc all have to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible;  the difficulty with France is that it's such a large country, the distance3s between point A and point B can be quite substantial... so if the speed limit is reduced then it means fewer call-outs can be made by workers, utility repairs; white van man makes fewer deliveries - with quite a knock-on effect on wages. We all know it's not the 'speed' per se that's the problem;  nor are the 'trees causing accidents' (!!) - it's the total lack of driving ability, driving skill, driving sense, common-sense, ability to understand other drivers......... but NOT speed. No-one in authority listens though, do they.    Reduce speed limit, impose fines - more euros for Macron and the enarqs to spend on what tickles their fancy. Chessie

LittleBit - awww - now I can see the funny side of that;  - along the lines of 'how young, how handsome etc etc....' !!!  Good looking, clean skin, nice 'fresh from shower' scent... yum, yum. Old, grubby, whiskery - uhhm - back away quickly. Oh naughty, naughty me....... Chessie

Norman - Oh come on - what a rather unhappy comment.    This report, from the FRENCH media, was reported in the Guardian, the DM as well as other British newspapers.    There was NO Brit bashing, or French bashing involved - that's a strange perspective from someone and wasn't reflected in the article. Rather sad that a simple factual statement from a French newspaper, about a French citizen, gets turned on its head from what the light-hearted original post was intended to be. What's wrong with everyone ? Can't we at least start the New Year being kind and respectful to each other....? Happy bisous - Chessie

Isn't it sad that a rather light-hearted post descends into a bit of Brit bashing, economic GDP, yah boo sucks 'my facts published in blah blah blah.....' For pity's sake guys - stop it. Just thought it was interesting;  a custom that the Brits moving out here seem to have adopted with relish (at least my OH thinks its great fun, he would !!).   I've watched the young people greet each other this way and seen some of the young girls wipe their cheeks afterwards obviously not too happy at the custom.   Just interesting to watch their reactions. Happy New Year everyone Chessie - oh and here's my three bisou to y'all - 

Oh dear - stop the world. What is happening to France ? Anyone read this ? http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/12/31/death-french-kiss-mayor-refuses-give-la-bise-73-colleagues/ The beginning of the end of another french tradition;  if it's anything like the UK then I'm afraid we're going to have all the 'virtue signallers', the LGBT (whatever) minority groups shouting their support of a long-held civilised custom. Comments anyone ? Chessie

In all this 'fuss' and a bit of bad temper about the difference between 'visa' and 'waiver' etc etc - and the talk of using an eu passport for 'freedom of travel' - haven't we all over-looked one point ? Take a flight, from any point in europe including the UK - and your name and your passport number HAS to be given 24 hours BEFORE flying - so that the passport/name can be checked.   Done electronically - but checks are made.   Doesn't that also apply to all ferry crossings in and out of the UK as well (admit I'm not sure but would be surprised if not). So the idea of 'free to travel' has the caveat - as long as the authorities have no problem.   So in essence there are checks made on every european flight on the passengers on that flight.   Those checks surely mean that there is an unseen, unacknowledged 'visa' check going on behind the scenes  !! Just a thought .......(and a bit of stirring !!) - Chessie

Well done DraytonBoy - I was going to make a similar point. All the 'bleating' from the celebs that were being interviewed about this did the usual virtue signalling of 'money should be spent on NHS' - and not one interviewer or presenter ever pointed out that this is not an additional cost - it's the cost of a continuing contract.    The UK Government, as a sovereign country, provides British passports for British citizens.   It just so happens that the contract will be running out with existing supplier, that the UK wants to add even more high tech security stuff - and as the UK will have left the eu - then on a simple, practical level the UK has the chance to provide passports in a colour other than the existing red. There are NO additional costs, but to read some of the twitter/facebook posts from the z-list celebs was really funny;  when the true facts were pointed out only one had the decency to apologise and take down their wrong assumptions - none of the others did so.    So who put out the 'fake news', and how was the bbc conned into backing fake news, with no interviewer with enough nous to realise that the story wasn't true ?   Odd that....!!! Must admit I didn't realise the UK did not have to have used the burgundy thing;  anyone know why the UK went along with all the others ? And just as a matter of interest - remembering my mother's lovely green Irish passport with the Harp on the front - are Ireland's eu passports burgundy as well ? Chessie

There's also Kardegic - aspirin in powder form, dissolves immediately in water, and available in the half-aspirin (children's dosage) as well as the 75mg and 100mg. Hope the aspirin works - not nice to have toothache over Christmas - good luck. Chessie

Thank you AlRogers - that's superb information, might well do the trick - thank you for suggesting that tactic. Agree with you about QVC - except for this wretched 'hiccup'. To those who were puzzled by my post heading - had to do it that way otherwise, I thought, it might be considered 'advertising'... so used their slogan which I had just assumed, wrongly, that most would know. Thanks for help Happy Christmas everyone - Chessie

'Things are changing ' - but 'all over the eu'  might be more correct. The problem is that the elites in charge have taken too much power - whilst lying, or deceiving the citizens of all european countries. The UK voters were lied to about the 'Common Market' - and those of us around and seen the history have never forgiven Heathie boy in particular.   How about K Clarke - who would be happy for the UK to become a regional council no 13 of the eu federalist empire.  (Yes, my stance is obvious - and I'm not apologising). The 'common  market' was initially an excellent idea;  co-operation where necessary, easing of tariffs - etc etc.   If it had remained that way, then it would indeed have been a superb institution. It grew, expanded, and ignored the views of european citizens. The term 'free movement of LABOUR' (ie people who had job OFFERS in another country had the freedom to move') - became freedom of MOVEMENT.    We're now seeing the results of that in the UK with the destruction of our green belt to provide homes mainly for immigrants; pressures on the NHS mainly from immigrants, pressures on schools, housing, food, energy, transportation and sanitation - all by increased immigration.  Uncontrolled, unplannable, unknowable. Is it any wonder the citizens, the peoples of europe, are becoming worried - but they are worried about the FEDERALIST eu - and those worries should be welcomed. Look at the lies we were told, time and again, about an eu army.   Mr Farage, and others, had warned us;   Cleggy, Cable and all the other suspects denied it; accused Mr Farage of lies;  there was 'no plan' for an eu army.    Three months after the UK's referendum, lo and behold, the PLANS HAD INDEED BEEN DRAWN UP - PRIOR to the referendum and were going to be implemented within months. Then wonder why UK citizens no longer trust their politicians, or the eu. That is why there is now 'trouble'.    Why should it be 'worrying' to see citizens of any european country, with history, and culture and democracy that their citizens are proud of and feel a connection to, rightly start to feel, and protest, that too much power has gone from them and their elected governments and handed over to a super-beaurocracy thousands of miles away, totally unaccountable to the electorate. As far as I understand the situation in Poland, all the Poles wish to do is to have the legal and democratic right to get rid of the judiciary which were appointed in the Soviet years, and to appoint judges more in tune with the citizens of that country - what's wrong with that. And whilst we're talking double standards of the French - anyone seen this in today's new about animal cruelty here in France - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5201645/Horror-rabbit-fur-farms-used-Dior-D-G-France.html The left-wing socialist outlook has soured and destroyed the 'common market' ideal.   Time for the lefties to look at the damage that has been caused and admit they were wrong.    They can wring their hands all they like about the rise of Citizen's Voices - but the people of european countries have been sneered at by the elitist 'know it alls' for too long.    Why shouldn't the people have a right to say 'enough';  what gives the lefties the idea that their ideas are 'good' and anyone who disagrees is a 'far right' insult, insult, insult.   The people are starting to fight back;  it is a shame they were not listened to years ago. Chinese curse - 'May you live in interesting times'.   Seems 2018 may indeed be 'interesting'. Happy Christmas everyone

jDoes anyone have a phone number which can be used by those phoning from outside the UK for this on-line tv shopping channel known for it's 'quality, value etc' ? All e-mails to them are bounced back by 'orange'; can't get through on the 0800 number, and there's no alternative phone numbers given anywhere. Help..... please !! Thanks - Chessie

Sue - thank you for your quick reply - very kind of you. I've done some checking - which I should have done bfore I posted. The whole ghastly story - this is what happened. I did some on-line checking with UK phone companies (please don't say anything !). One of the reasons for us being able to have incoming calls, but not out-going - was 'bill not paid'....uh huh - aaahhh - oh B--- h----......!! I ask him to dig out the bank statements, and the phone bills - just so I could check. I then get huge, full-scale, confrontation - 'Why, why do you want them..? - What are you saying - that it's my fault?' Me, calmly - 'Just need to check and see what's happened - please find the last few phone bills, and the bank statements;  maybe you paid it and for some reason it's not gone through - just let me see, please'. Full scale shouting at me;  then goes off in a huge muttering mode, grabs the folders with bank statements, and phone bills, chucks them at me and told 'Well, sort it out then....' And I did;  - there, in amongst the bills - is an UNPAID bill for November - just stuck in among other statements .......... sigh. Me -  'Uhhmmm, this bill doesn't seem to have been paid, it's for November;  you always write a cheque - why didn't you write a cheque and pay it this time ?' OH says - 'Oh, I don't know, it's always been paid by direct debit hasn't it;  why didn't you check it, you should have told me I needed to write a cheque...- not my fault, blah blah blah.' Me - 'If I didn't see the bill, I wouldn't know, would I?'   Seems he thought that - for the first time only - the phone bill was paid by direct debit;  why he thought that - don't ask.... Loads of bad tempered muttering from him, it's all my fault - I (finger pointing and shouting at me) should keep an eye on everything;  when I point out that he always writes the cheques for the bills, that I've never had to double-check things before - how can it be 'my' fault HE'd forgotten the b----- bill. That's been my happy, enjoyable Sunday afternoon. I'm finding him more and more difficult;  and I'm rather worried because this is becoming part of a pattern now.   Seems I'm going to have to take a bit more responsibility for financial side of things;  already do the tax returns, but I'm now going to have to take on much more of the bill paying, cheque writing side of things.    Is also becoming one of the major reasons why I think we should consider, sadly, moving back to the UK.   I think I can see the warning signs and it might be better at some time in the future to be in UK with family around. Oh happy days........ Thank you Sue - Chessie.

I know, I shouldn't have to ask - but sometimes my simple french isn't enough to get me out of trouble. So please - be kind;   - does SFR - the have an english speaking help-line - anyone know and can give phone number - or e-mail address.   The options on the SFR don't really cover our problem. Thanks for any help and info - Chessie.

Just to up-date;  we asked for replacement credit cards.   These were promised to be with us within 10 'working day's at the max.    They still hadn't arrived after 3 weeks;  still not arrived after nearly 4 weeks. Had to phone credit card company again.   Of course, they then cancelled the cards that hadn't arrived, and promised to send second replacement cards by 1st class or courier.    They decided to send courier - should be with us in 5 days, and could be tracked.    The first set of replacement cards, which had subsequently been cancelled, turned up on a Saturday, 3 days after my second phone call.    The second set of replacement valid cards turned up on the following Tuesday !! Word of warning to everyone;  seems that they treat 'urgent replacement' of lost cards in same way as routine batch send of replacement cards for those whose cards are close to expiry date. If you ever 'lose' your cards be sure to ask that the replacements are sent as a matter of urgency and priority - even asking for courrier if necessary. Otherwise they get sent second class, go on the European Grand Tour, and take nearly 4 weeks to arrive. What a saga.   Now just waiting for next 'hiccup' to hit us.   Life is full of fun and games, and challenges, isn't it ?  !! Happy Christmas everyone - and many thanks for the good advice you provided. Chessie

Nomoss - oh please.   The mechanic/garage owner has tended and cared for this car for the last 10 plus years.   He knows the car;  he's serviced the car at regular intervals - he knows what we mean when we ask for full service. Over the last 10 years we've been able to take car to him, he's serviced it for us because he knows what's been done previously;  and we've always left car with him with the instruction 'do what's necessary' to get it through the CT. We trust him - he knows the car.  He's dealt with all the little 'hiccups' cars can throw at us.   Just wondered why, this time, he suggested a CT first.  Obviously to do with CT close to expiry - so we were aware wouldn't be straight forward this time. Chancer - thanks for definite solid information and advice.    What you've said makes sense and is understandable.    So we book car in for CT, even though CT has expired;  if it fails then we book car into mechanic for him to sort out any problems, for him to also service car;  then for him to take for CT and all sorted.   But it seems we have a 'breathing space' which is very reassuring to know - thank you for your help. I love this forum - thank you Chessie

We're driving an old, old banger;  on its last legs and being replaced next year.   Because of illness we've overlooked the CT - and it's 'ooops' time. CT on car has just expired.    Have tried to book it into local mechanic for him to carry out full service and then take round to CT place for us (as in previous years). His e-mail response appears to suggest that we have to take car to CT place and ask them to look at it first, to list 'all problems' and then take round to mechanic to deal with problems listed at CT; then presumably back to CT centre for the OK. Is that right ? Not having a good year.... Help appreciated - thank you - Chessie.

Thanks for kind words of support and sympathies - believe me - very, very much appreciated - thank you. Those who suggested the currency exchange firms - thanks; another excellent idea and something I intend to set up as a 'just in case' measure. As soon as I can get my hands on some filthy lucre from the ATM then I'm going to tuck that away in a very safe place.   No point in telling OH exactly where - his memory is bad and getting worse. Think I should tell my daughter in UK where I've hidden the money, so in case something happens to me, she can tell him where to find some spare euros.   I know I can rely on my lovely daughter - she's brilliant. Here's a thought - do you all know your card numbers ?  If not, maybe take a photocopy of card(s) to keep somewhere just in case it's/they are lost?  Same with cart vitale, and driving licence.   Still have the on-going saga of direct debit bank cards not working - no money from ATM.   So that's another few phone calls to try and get that problem solved. And all because I believed him, and didn't triple check.   Serves me right......!!! As always, clever posters on here with good advice - thank you again.   Chessie