chessie

Oh dear - modern techno and big companies. Our phone won't let us make out-going calls.   We can receive calls, but have been unable to speak to family in UK over Christmas. I've checked bank statements;  last bank statement shows 2 payments to Orange, one for the Live box/internet, and the other for the fixed telephone line. For some odd reason we also receive bills from SFR which just seem to relate to actual cost of any phone calls but nothing else. Anyone any idea how this could have happened - why SFR is charging us for calls only - what have we done, or not done ? We do not owe any euros either to Orange or SFR;  cheque sent last week to SFR for calls in previous month and next Orange direct debits are at the end of the month, with the previous direct debit having been paid - no problem. But, we cannot make telephone calls out - incoming calls we receive, but can't phone out.   Even trying the helplines leads to an immediate disconnect and a recording stating 'service unavailable'. SFR website useless;  can't login as requires password; do I have a password - nope.   Try to log-in as 'new customer' and there's nothing helpful - just information about 'fabulous deals', and when I tried using the 'contact us' e-mail - the e-mail was 'bounced back' as undeliverable.   Scream............ SFR helpline is useless - no English helpline. Orange - can't contact them. SFR - sent e-mail, which was returned !! Anyone got any ideas ? And no, we don't have mobile phone - so have to rule that one out. How do we arrange to cancel whatever it is we have with SFR and go back to Orange charging us for line-rental and calls ?   Will that be difficult. Struggling at the moment to understand what's gone wrong.  And whether it is Orange or SFR who have caused the problem. Kind words of guidance would be very much appreciated - I'm at screaming point right now - and really, really fed-up.  Happy New Year - Chessie

NoMoss - you're quite right - the UK doesn't even need to be in any kind of discussion with any country.  It's up to the UK government surely - maybe it's this mind-set that, after 40 years of 'taking rules from the eu and gold-plating them' that we have a government and civil service that can't take any decision without 'approval from eu'.... As for up-rating pensions annually, I'd suggest you do a trawl - you'll discover that in many parts of the world where there are UK ex-Pats receiving a UK pension they ARE annually increased. The exceptions - the Commonwealth countries;  why - because it was part of the 'agreement' with the so-called common market that the UK was forced to cut ties with the Commonwealth, and part of that meant freezing pensions.   Some of the references I have looked at to check my memory, are incorrect and do not cover heath's time as PM.   But I can well remember those times;  New Zealand lamb and butter; South African jams etc etc... all had to be terminated/restricted.   (Which, as a side-bar, has led to Australia now trading in live animal exports - one of the most appalling, cruel, sickening treatment of animals.... - having lost trade with the UK this is what Oz is now doing). As for the MPs not having a clue about the Withdrawal Act (or white paper of surrender) - of course they don't have a clue.   They are so used to just nodding through anything from the eu that they are totally ignorant of many things they've agreed to that now need unpicking and replacing.   Added to which the Wicked Witch has given them little time to really read and examine the 'piece of white paper' she thinks is so wonderful.   (The delusion of power I think it's called). Far too busy with their 'isms' and 'minorities' and transgender/any other gender nonsense.... to really think and read about this important time in the UK's history. And just for fun, I think I'm going to wear my yellow hi-viz jacket every time I get out of the car and go shopping, or walkies.... !!  Support my rural french neighbours. Chessie

Trying to plan upgrade to our kitchen;  have looked at fitted and buy units separately kitchens at the big diy/furniture stores. Seen worktop I like in one place, but not kitchen units. Anyone know if B-t, Cas--ama and Con--ama offer wood/work-top 'cut to size' service if one buys the worktop in their own store ? Have tried to find out on the individual web-sites - but I get confused, and side-tracked. Help, info, as always, appreciated. Chessie

T - loved that comment - brilliant. In the UK we had some wet cement by front door.  We had two cats.   And yes, we had two sets of paw-prints in the wet cement.   We were glad to have those paw-prints - permanent reminder of much loved family pets.    Similar here in France - again, wet cement, lovely trail of little cat prints - only reminder now of another late family cat........ I think there were bricks or tiles discovered at the Coliseum that did indeed have cat paw-prints on them; wonderful, lasting reminders. Chessie

Nothing really to do with this subject - but intrigued by comment that French birth certs contain more info than British ones. What is the different info - and would the additional info on French birth certs mean family/ancestor tracing would be easier in France than in UK ? Sorry - I know it's a diversion - but interested. Chessie

I don't want to get into the Brexit ding dong here please;  but I'm intrigued by Cathar Tours explanation of nationality - and his/her decision to apply for a German passport. How is it possible to apply for a German passport, if one's parents are British, he/she born in Britain, now living in France - but applying for German passport. I fit into that category - can I get a German passport ?  Then I can remain an eu citizen - problem sorted. How easy is it to get a German passport then ? Or could I get a French one, even though I'm British, but I'm now living in France. Becoming very confused; thought passports were issued by country in which one was born, unless one became 'citizen' of another country and gave up one's original nationality. So what am I missing about this decision to apply for German passport by British citizen ? Oh dear - life's complicated. Chessie

Right - another one of my stupid questions. We have a reasonable size above-ground pool (12 x 24ft - only two of us). As it's an above-ground, every year at start of summer my OH is asked to connect up all the pipes from pool, to pump to filter etc etc.   It's a job he hates;  and sometimes we have leaks.   This year has been bad, but that's another story. I just dread trying to add in extra valves and pipes to existing system to try and run some of the solar heated panels that one can buy. So I'm just wondering; and it's very Heath Robinson, I'm not clever - but would welcome advice and help. We have a very, very sunny area where the pool is located, the ground is flat;  sunshine from early morning right through until late evening.   (Dry as Death Valley at the moment). I'm wondering if it is possible to run a small diameter hosepipe, out of the pool, and along this ground, curling back on itself, and then returning to pool (say length of 150 ft). Taking water out of the pool, which would be at a height of 5ft - then over the rim, round the laid out hose pipe for 150 ft, and then the warmer water returned back into pool, again over the rim at a height of 5ft.   I;m not sure if just using the gravity system would work over such a long distance, and then there's the problem of keeping both ends of hosepipe at different depths in pool - but that can be sorted if a pump system would work. I need some type of pump, which would operate separately from the existing pool/filter set-up, and which I can connect up myself........... Wondering if one of the small garden pumps that run the ornamental water features, or one used in irrigation garden systems, might do the trick.   Anyone any idea of what sort of power I should be looking at ? Don't want vast amount of water moved quickly;  just nice, steady, gentle flow; slow enough that the water will heat up on its journey. Obviously there'd be 2 sections of hose; one from the pool to pump, and then return from pump to pool.  Where should such a pump be located along this hose ?   Close to the start of taking water out;  halfway along, or close to the return section back into the pool ?   Hopefully the water in such a length of pipe, if it's just trickling along quite slowly, might heat up enough to take the water from 'bracing' to 'refreshing' or 'pleasantly warm'. Mainly the idea is to be able to swim earlier and later in summer.......and avoid complications in adding more hoses and return/double valves - must avoid any more connections at all costs. Any clever or practical bods/engineers out there able to help a complete idiot - think I should rename myself Heath(er) Robinson !! Bright ideas and advice greatly appreciated.   (I do hope all the above is clear and easy to understand). Chessie

Oh my - this is why I love this forum.   We've moved on from the practicalities of printing out reams and reams of paper copying documents, problems with the rdv - onto a very philosophical view of what a 'european' citizen, as opposed to being a citizen of Greece, Spain, Italy implies in peoples' outlook. Take a view around europe, without the rose tinted, airy fairy 'european' outlook.   Many european countries, which have not existed as countries for very long, have citizens who have become very disillusioned with the 'european' dream.   Personally I love all europe - the different cultures, attitudes, personalities - love it all.   Hate what the idea of a centrist, controlling 'elite' has done to the peoples of europe.  I'm also very worried about the future direction of the wonderful europe we knew, until recently.   Look at the writing above the european visitors centre in brussels....... But find it fascinating tthe way this thread has spread out, and covered different topics.   Love these sort of exchange of views - and no rude comments (at least not in the pages I've read !). Debra - thanks for advice about Irish/eu/UK partner's situation.   I think we'll just have to wait and see how it all plays out.   Let's not worry too much;  France is a civilised country, and is the UK - I'm not going to panic  - we'll be alright.   Just possibly a few forms to complete, and tax records to produce but hopefully (fingers crossed) not too much hassle. Wait and see - that's my view anyway, for what it's worth. Anyone still cutting their lawns ?   We've got hard ground, dried grass - and a hubby who still wants grass cut to an inch of its life - who goes mad when I say it should just be left for another few weeks until the rains arrive.   He wants a bowling green - I want a wild flower meadow with grass cut only twice a year.   Talk about chalk and cheese - not funny sometimes. Thanks everyone - Chessie

Eurotrash - you wrote - 'Because it seems odd that the British Embassy says that, when the French government websites have been recently updated to stress that at present UK citizens do not need a cds. Now, if France really wanted us to apply for one, why would it have done that?' Isn't there a very subtle, nuanced difference between what's on the British Embassy website and a French one. My interpretation, and only mine, is look at the wording again;  isn't the phrase - 'at present' UK citizens etc ....the words to consider - ie no-one knows how Brexit is going to happen;  and if the conversations that May held with Merkel and Macron are true then there's a huge question mark about democracy in the UK, and the behaviour of the UK's PM (but that's for another thread guys !). It's the 'at present'  - ie it's a get-out clause because, right now, this week, this month, this year - no any UK citizen does not - at present - need a CdS.  BUT - we might well do some time next year, in 2 years - or maybe never. As an aside (I've not followed every page so apologies) - as an Irish citizen, with a UK married partner - anyone know if UK partner can acquire eu residence rights through Irish partner ?   Oh what a tangled, messy web; could have been avoided if the megalomaniacs hadn't taken over - loved the idea of a Common Market....it's the future direction of the eu that really worries me. Enjoy your night markets, and all the other wonderful Frenchie things - we've another few weeks of good weather still ahead of us. Chessie

My memory isn't great;  we've lived here more than 10 years (47) - and I honestly can't remember so many thunder & lightning storms happening so frequently, so early., We;ve not really had any decent prolonged warm summer weather;  haven't opened the pool, summer chairs and parasols still hiding in the garage - and yet - thunde4rstorm after thunderstorm, after thunderstorm - or grey, drizzly days. Where's our summer ? Have been watching a website - lightningmaps.org - and it's really noticeable just how many T&L storms there are taking place right around France, Germany, Italy.... right across Europe - every single day. Now is it me - but surely this number and severity of T&L is really unusual. We've just had another T&L pass over ......... Think the swallows might consider returning to Africa at this rate. Chessie (damp, fed-up, pale and un-interesting !!)

Thanks all for your information. I like the idea of printing them out - will probably do that as a 'just in case'. As for how far back 'they' keep the records what Euro has written is very interesting - in other words we 'are a number' even before we know it !! I'm probably a 'conspiracy' geek at heart;  in the UK I certainly wouldn't want a 'smart meter';  think cyber attacks could wipe out all our important info - and after the Windrush fiasco (deeply, deeply shaming) - would anyone really trust any government, not just the UK, to be careful with our important personal details.   At the back of my mind, also, was the feeling that if the tax offices wanted to be difficult it's always wise to have printed copies of everything.   Hence question about how 'far back' the french would keep our tax returns. Thanks for the info, posters;  as always on this forum, there's always posters who know what's what - and are happy to give advice - thank you. Now just to have to find all our docs and get the calculator out for currency conversions. Thanks - Chessie

OK - I know it's a daft question; more a 'what if...' but this thought has just occurred to me. We're being encouraged to do our tax returns on-line (no choice really is there ? !!). We go on-line, see last year's figures - then in-put new figures. What happens to on-line tax returns for previous years ? Are they kept ? In 5 years time will we be able to 'go back' and retrieve our tax return for 2016, or 2017 ? Just wondering what might happen in future, should any of us return to UK and possible confusion about proving to UK tax offices that French tax was correctly paid.... or any combination of problems between French and UK tax offices.  Or would we all be wise to print out every year's final tax figures from french fiscal ? Chessie

Iteresting point WB - but the particular item I've been referring to was Identical - in cut, style AND material. Oh Boy - Idun - you is the lucky one - enjoy;  one of the  major aspects of life in the UK that I really miss out here.   Used to love doing a charity shop run - whoever knew you could find a piece of 'stuff', paid £2 for it, and then find it was worth several thousands !!!  (As per Antiques Road Show).    Oh, do I miss my charity shops. Over the last couple of years I've taken to ordering items from UK websitea, having them delivered to my wonderful daughter in the UK, and when there's enough to fill a small box to then use Parcels2Go;  cheap - and extremely quick, efficient delivery service.  Amazing service just 2 - 3 days from UK to doorstep here in France, and beats Royal Mail/Le Poste hands down. I still end up saving quite a lot of euros/pounds in the process. But it was the sheer scale of the difference in price that really raised my eyebrows. Happy Easter everyone - hope you've all enjoyed your choccie easter eggies !!! Chessie

Here's an odd one. I've just ordered a top from Next - on their french web-site.   Whilst on french website I spotted another top, but it was 'out of stock'. So I did an on-line search for the brand itself, and found it has a french web-site, with the top I had previously ordered from Next - listed on the site. Then I checked the price.    And here's where I couldn't believe my eyes. On the Next french web-site the article was priced in euros - at 28 euros.  On the brand's own web-site the identical article was - gulp - 42 euros - 42 euros for the same item !!! There's another fashion firm - which has very different euro and ££ prices.   Order from the UK site of that company, and have item delivered to UK address - fine.  Then check the french web-site - and the price, converted from pounds to euros - shows that the French web-site charges much more for the same item. We all 'feel' that the French prices for many items are higher than in the UK;  well I've found definite proof. So to those of us who want some new Spring fashions - do be aware that there can be substantial differences in prices.   Ordering from a UK site which, even though you have to add in the P&P, will very frequently be a much cheaper option. Chessie

This made me smile - anyone else read this ? https://www.telegraph.co.uk/food-and-drink/restaurants/lentente-parisian-restaurant-serves-british-food-french-going/ So our English cheeses and pub grub type food is enjoyed by the educated French........ Funny old world. Chessie

Hello woolypully - yeah like you referring to me twice as 'cheesy' Chessie;  is it wonder some of us don't wish to post on here. Anyway my little scrumptious wolwe piesang - I'm sure that won't make you any more tetchy or grumpy than you already are ! - bless. As for the 'assumptions' about flashing around Ipads - I was really talking generally about how some people behave; the fact that one of the posters took it personally was rather illuminating I thought. Never mind everyones, life's too short to bother with the flashy showoffs, the know-it alls who tell everyone what to do, and refuse to apologise for their sheer crassness. Why is everyone so bad tempered. Feel sorry for Idun who started this, in all innocence.......... Au revoir - Chessie

Found it rather hurtful, and extremely unfriendly, to be called a 'mug' when on a rational, logical level due to circumstances of living here in France - it makes every sense - for ME.  Rather dismissive comment which indicates a poster not willing to listen to other's reasonable reasons for making certain decisions. As for 'sucking eggs' and 'dotage' maybe the poster is completing a bucket list for themselves before the dotage referred to sets in !!!   With my daughter and son-in-law running their own techno business, as well as web design and social media consultancy - won't take me more than a day or two to 'catch up' with all the latest gizmos in 2025 when we may be returning to UK.   And it'll be the latest gadgets as well - so this grannie won't need to be taught very much - I'll be ahead of the curve........... Hey ho - takes all sorts. Chessie

CMB - contracts for mobile phones - here in France !! - you 'aving a laff ? Take out a contract on a mobile, and the company will siphon money out of your account if you've not used the thing.   So no way am I becoming involved in that malarky. As for PAYG - my mobile is an investment;  it is like an airbag in a car;  or ALBS - one pays for such safety, and hopes never to use it - but in an emergency one will be damned glad it's fitted and working. Called back-up;  what they use in Shuttle space programs I believe. As for 'not using mobile' - I HAVE used mobile, in an emergency - and I was extremely grateful I had it, charged up, topped up and ready to go.   Like a seat belt, or an air-bag - it served it's purpose when needed. I sincerely hope never to have to use it again, but I have the security and knowle4dge that if I'm stranded, I have space programme built-in back-up. There are some aspects of living in France, during the winter, when at dead of night after an 'incident' when the temps are well below freezing that maybe not everyone who 'visits' France has actually encountered.   Until one has, maybe it's rather unfriendly to condemn without having experienced the loneliness of the dark, deserted night - with no friendly houselights around. You bet I was glad that I had a mobile, that I'd never used, until that point. If you've never experienced a similar incident - then maybe not nice to pre-judge. As for modern techno - I can raise you - HDE big flat screen tv with the B&O sound-bar etc etc.   And box with all gizmos, rewinds, pauses you can name. Chessie

Call me Bett - there's such a thing as 'pay as you go'...   Daughter picked up phone for me in UK - cost 79 pence and pre-loaded with some £££s - that can be 'topped up' when necessary.    So not much cost involved, no contract, no nothing. Just one emergency phone, with money, that'll get me out of any problem.    Why should I want anything more.    Can contact anyone I need by e-mail or land-line - not a problem. We lead different lives - so my emergency mobile is all I need. As for remembering it - well - it sits in my handbag, with my french and UK credit cards, my french carte vitale, my french driving licence, and my purse containing cash etc.   I do remember to charge it up once a week.... that's all I need to remember.   And as I always, but always, carry my handbag then I always have my mobile.   So what's to forget ? I feel sorry for some people who are always 'plugged into' their Ipads, mobiles etc - they seem to live their lives in a bubble;  as in 'I'm so important, must follow social media, friends have to be able to speak to me instantly - they might forget me if they can't get hold of me right now, this instant....' Don't need, don't want, don't like. You live most of your life (I presume) in the UK and need to be in contact with everyone because of your busy working life, social life etc. I live in France; I'm retired - I no longer need that 'urgent, busy, important' mode of life any more - thank goodness.  Looking back I'm amazed at the stress and pressure I coped with - and am so relieved that I don't have to be permanently plugged into mobiles and 'always contactable because I was so 'irreplacable, essential, etc etc'.    Chessie

You can call - hmmm - interesting points about an Ipad. Mobile phone - aaahhhh - but Betty I'm not being 'rude' - because I have never told anyone my mobile phone number.   It's for emergency use only ie if the landline goes down for a day or so, but, very important out here - in case the car breaks down - and I get stranded !!   That is the one and only reason - and no-one knows the number.    So I can't be rude by not answering - cos there's no-one gonna phone me !!    In case of such an emergency - it'll be a phone call to the garage or emergency break-down insurance number - not anyone else carrying a 'switched off' mobile. It's one of the many differences between living in the UK and living in the French out-back. Chessie

OK Idun - accept your challenge. You wrote - Me, this is as much as I can manage for hours. My pad is useless and often won't even show the board, and due to recent surgery, cannot sit here at my pc for more than five minutes without being in great pain, and that frankly puts me off. So WHY have you got a useless Ipad - order one online for heavens sake - and then you can post as much as you want. Ah - I'm sorry you're not well - don't like the sound of that 'painful surgery' - wot you dun to yuself me old butt ? Maybe the Ipads aren't such a great idea;  not a clue cause I don't want, don't need, and not inclined to spend a lot of money just to flash around something expensive to get lost, get broken, or stolen.   Not for me. Only have a mobile phone, never switched on - for emergency use only. Call me old-fashioned...do I care, nope !!! Chessie

BritinB - Huh - did I even bother to mention 'you' ?   I said 'one' - so whatever, just chill, cool it......

Hoddy - yes, you're quite right;  I also remember that comment, and it sparked quite a debate at the time as well (much like this one - so nothing's changed !). Wasn't there some mention along the lines of 'follow closely the car in front, reduces drag and helps give better fuel consumption...' ?  Sure I read that little gem somewhere.   (Reminds me - one experience driving round rural roads, was being followed very closely by young man on motor-bike - he was very close, I'm driving reasonable speed for conditions - and he really didn't want to overtake when I slowed down.   Maybe by  following closely the car in front - get tow from aerodynamic effect.   Hey, isn't that the Formula 1 GP drivers do ?   !!!! Bets - interesting about stopping distances; but what was taught about keeping 'thinking space' from the car in front of you ?   On the motorways (sorry, it's UK because that's where I learned and drove for many years) - but isn't the advice to take a road marker on the side of the road, and count three seconds to keep a gap between yourself and car in front ? - ie that's the thinking/braking distance. What's the french equivalent of the Highway code ?   Anyone got a copy ?   What sort of guidance is given in that official document ? There really is a problem with some french drivers - it does cause a lot of comment - so the 'official' guidance would be interesting to read.   Shame there's no french driving instructor around to contribute to this discussion - might be interesting. Anyone ? Chessie

T - no, wasn't referring to your excellent posts - just another 'one' who said they'd never experienced what many of us are complaining about, and then suggesting it was all our fault because we drove too slowly !!   Which I feel is generally untrue because from personal experience I've had a bumper-clinger still clinging on even when, just as an experiment, I actually went quite a bit over the speed limit - and it was still there... hanging on grimly. As for 'slam on the brakes' - I don't.  But it is many drivers first instinctive reaction - when sometimes the ability to accelerate out of trouble is the better option.  What I've developed over the last 30 years, thanks to IAM - was cadence braking;  that did get me out of a potential fatal accident when, on a UK dual-carriage-way, a motor-cyclist pulled out, straight in front of me without really looking;  immediate cadence braking on my part brought my car to a stand-still fairly rapidly.   But that was the closest, and nastiest, experience I've ever had.  I had been aware of the motor-cyclist, and was watching him for any potential problems - much as I love motor-bikes and riders I'm aware they are more vulnerable than us motorists.  So that was a combination of anticipation, reading the road - and cadence braking saved me from possible fatal accident. Interesting posts. Chessie

T - good points.   It amuses me so much when, in posts such as this, most of us are making the same points, there is always one who says all of us are wrong because such incidents never happen to them - and we're all wrong and one poster is right !! Agree with you about speed;  speed kills only when the driver isn't experienced enough, or has not enough road/technical ability/skill to be able to read the road, to anticipate situations building ahead - and to know how to drive defensively.    It is sometimes better to be able to accelerate out of a situation rather than just 'slam on the brakes'; but to do that, one has to have read the road. Maybe the city drivers are better, maybe not.   But assuming most posting on here live away from the big cities then we're all experiencing much the same - of drivers who DO sit on one's rear bumper.   And then the following drivers sheer inability to read what is happening in the traffic ahead can be dangerous - because they are too damned close, leading to rear end shunt, as they are too close and unable to stop in time. Most of us have experienced it, it is a problem - and it is NOT, as someone suggested, because we're driving too slow - in fact with a tail-gater it's possible to break the speed limit and they are still there, glued to one's rear bumper. It is a lack of sheer driving courtesy/safety aspect on the part of many french drivers;  if it is standard practice - then there IS something wrong with their initial, basic, driving instruction. As for the headlights issue;  agree that today's bright, bright headlights are good for the driver - but they can sometimes be quite blinding for oncoming drivers - not everyone is quick enough to dip the beams..... and with narrow roads, narrow verges and ditches this can sometimes present problems.    Yes ? Chessie