Beryl

CIEL in Brest does residential immersion courses and you can get cheap flights to Brest with Ryanair and FlyBe. http://www.ciel.fr/french/index.htm  

I wouldn't give him free run of the house until you have this sorted. Does he have a confinement area or a crate? If so I would put him in it for an hour ( his bladder should be able to go that long) with a chew or toy and after whip him straight out for a wee and as Cooperlola says, give him a food treat. Also rush him outside as soon as he wakes up, keep him on a lead and walk him in a small circle until he does his business ( he must know it's not playtime). Then every hour, whether he wants to our not take him out to do his business on a lead, encourage him verbally to 'be clean ' or whatever and with rewards he should even at this late stage, soon understand what you want from him. It is no good just putting him outside on his own because you need to train him.

Thank you, yes it was a small bet . I know that she is not French (Australian ?) but that she sings mainly in French now and has more success that way. I have seen her on a couple of progs where they normally interview the singer but they didn't with her and I wondered if it was to spare her any embarrassment but now I know. [:D]

I know every one has to start somewhere but do have a job that can be done from anywhere as you haven't mentioned this in your criteria. I am not one of these who would knock living in an expat community but it would not be at the top of my list for these reasons which may or not be valid. Living in an expat community would have made me lazy. Living in an alien country with a language that I don't understand fully, does have its challenges but that is part of the experience. Yes I get stuck and thank goodness I have the forum to help me out. However, I would not want to necessary start making friends (except in cyberspace) with people whose only common link with me could just be the language. You say that you want to ease into French living, but I truely believe it will take you a lot longer if you choose this route. A network to help you?  There is a thin line between having people help you and becoming a burden as a member found on here last year when she was being put upon by her 'new best (English) friend'. There are hold hand agencies ( mixed reports ) that can assist for a reasonable fee, if you join one of these it could mean that you could relocate to an area that really appeals to you and people won't pretend to be out when you call [:)]. By choosing an expat community, you are already limiting your options in a large beautiful country. For example there are a lot of Brits that live in the centre of Brittany but what if your want to live by the sea side?  Of course they live there too but not in such numbers. I am sure someone will be able to give you details of all the benefits of living in an expat community and you will have another perspective to think about. Best of luck      

Does she speak French ? ( Fluent, a bit , not much) I know she sings in French but I have never heard her speak any on TV. I don't think she can [:P] and I am having a little bet on it.

Given that there are a number of hand holding business for buying houses in France or for everyday matters, is there one for starting a business? It is obvious that a number of people really don't have a clue where to start and when they do, it involves contacting a variety of agencies. Wouldn't helping people with these difficulties or providing a package make a good business in itself? This isn't something that I am looking to do ( have neither the language skills or knowledge) but would it be feasible for a.n.other?

Hmm! I would say it's one way of selling records but I hadn't heard the song or seen the video before. But her undies matched , sort of.

Pretty much the same. We have had a number friends who have visited but a surprising number of aquaintances wanted to visit too. The latter being such a pain in the proverbial that the door is firmly shut to them now.

I have seen matching underwear sets but they seem to stop at a certain size and be targetted towards the younger woman , shall we say. After that, it all goes down hill ![:P]

Moneybookers works well for me re transferring money from sterling to euros. Quick, cheap and easy and the exchange rate is good IMO. If you have an euro account with a UK bank, this can prove very costly. The La Poste bank had a few recommendations recently and I am considering them myself. I don't know anything about Credit Agricole Brit Line except that they have English speaking advisors.

Sorry for the delay in thanking you all [:$] I have been trying to get it to work and this is where I am at. The disk doesn't register at all on my computer ( I don't know the technical terms) but I think its only purpose is to allow the USB connection because that is all it says on it  eg USB Driver. I have stuck the USB into the Ipod and the computer. On the screen of the Ipod it indicates that it is aware that it is connected to the computer and is sleeping ' zzzzzzzzzzz'. I am not sure know how to send my down loaded music to the Ipod. This is the model ( I can hear you taking sharp intakes of breath already) but it was a Christmas present from my sister . I didn't want a dear one ( not that she would buy me one ) because I don't get on very well with technical things! http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dllViewItem&item=190070847301&ih=009&category=73839&ssPageName=STORE:PROMOBOX:ENDSOON  

We used a company to build ours and didn't get anything back and the TVA we paid was not at the low rate either.  

I enjoyed this series in the 70s and not having UK TV now, I am looking forward to hearing this story narrated by Sir Derek Jacobi tonight. http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/readings/

Whilst I admire Polly's initiative in trying to seek answers to her questions, I sincerely hope that her parents are doing their research too. Being plonked in a new school at 14 is hard enough anywhere but in a new country...and if I dare say it, I imagine (not being in possession of all the facts) that the pressure on Polly and her sister will far harder than on the parents, who at the risk of putting myself in the firing line are following their dream .

I'm a little sceptical too. They are trying to apparently make a living in France whilst living in a gite and they have managed to obtain a loan ( I know I don't know all their circs) . As a gesture of their good faith ( you have put plenty in them) I would ask for immediate payment of the rent upfront as a lump sum.

Packing their shopping into bags or boxes at the checkout rather than putting it into their trolley and emptying it all out, item by item, into the boot of their cars.[8-)] Not using cheques at petrol stations and waiting 10 minutes for some old arthritic dear to view her cheque, sign her check and move off at 2 kms in her sans license.

Mine didn't. But even as a devout Francophile you must have experienced something where you thought the French establishments could take a leaf out of ?????? book.

Sending bank cards and cheque books out automatically and  in plenty of time. Doing important things on line rather than using the internet just to sell you something. Customer Service.... it may be naff Americanisms (have a nice day) in the UK but I rather like the idea that the customer is king and always right;[:P] I've got lots more but will give the rest of you a chance [:D]

What I don't understand from previous discussions is that it seems that The OP cannot evict his these people during winter months for not paying BUT Utility companies can cut off their supplies to this property and charge the OP when he wants them reconnected. Is it really a case of the law supporting big business and the little man can go hang or have I got it wrong?  

Both Miki and Will's points are well made. I certainly cannot speak with any authority about French life as I have not been here long enough and am still in a honeymoon period. Certainly, as I gradually find my feet, things irk me such as the problems I had recently with my bank and feel sure they could learn a thing or two from some (not all!) UK banks, but as was pointed out to my experience was not necessarily the norm.   I am glad there are those out there with the knowledge and wisdom to help me out when I am stuck.

I think all you lucky winners ( and anyone else going who posts here) should wear something to identify yourselves to the others like a hanky out of the back pocket but something different because that's been done [:)]. All meet up and have a great day and post pictures here.[:D]

I have looked at a couple of forums and it does appear as though a lot of people expressing a desire to leave the UK are doing so because they are disenchanted with life in Britain. I don't know their personal circumstances so wouldn't deem to tell them that they are right or wrong. Perspectives are a personal thing. As I have said before, I don't have any problem with the UK. However, it also seems as though those that tell it as it is in France with some sort evangelical zeal that only they have seen the light, are more than ready to defend their old country. Could it be that you have been out of the UK too long and in finding out about the real France you have retained  rose coloured glasses about the UK ? It is really not my intention to offend anyone, I suppose I just am playing devils advocate and giving the debate a push in another direction .    

I do have a social and cultural awareness and I know more or less who the political parties are/ do and watch the news. I am just not fixated by politics anymore, especially as I cannot vote here. I have to go with the flow and trust in the good French people to do what's right. [:)]    

I wanted to have a bike when I was younger and as I got older self preservation kicked in, maybe ... We get so many Dutch and German couples of a certain age on their Honda Goldwings ( please don't shatter my illusions, I think they are the bees knees!) , makes me just want to rebel and disappear.[:D]

I am like Benjamin in this respect in that political ignorance is bliss. I remember that I never used to read a paper whenever I holidayed in the UK when my  children were younger maybe that holiday mentality has come back to me now. When I do return to the UK I too slot in , it's not hard but I do notice differences and the things I used to tolerate, I no longer want to. I quickly miss what I have here. I have friends that could not tolerate the life that I have now and if I met them for the first time now, I probably would not have much in common with them at all but we have a common shared history which I don't ever expect to have with my friends in France, far too many barriers yet I really feel my life here, though different is much richer.