Judith

It depends on where you are and with what you are comparing it - eg - hairdresser in local town in France 23e - hairdresser in C London - at least £50 - and that's by no means top whack, which I  have to pay in London to get a really good cut.  In the stix of London, probably not as expensive, but still would pay more than France.  We've also found cost of insurance is lower, along with property taxes.  As for food  - depends on what you eat - but I would agree with poster who said amount in pounds is what you pay but in euros in France, thus  generally cheaper.  Books and such seem dearer in France, clothes - depends on what and where you buy, but I've generally found them as good value as London.  Spent most of my life within a strict budget - only spending when needed, though I have always bought good quality food, and made sure we are warm enough.  After that, its all excess to basic living requirements anyway!  However, comparing prices in London with any part of France (with the probable exception of Paris) is like comparing chalk and cheese, which is why all the answers to the original poster will vary as much as the prices do!

Bread mixer (and maker) still in UK, so cannot speak about Fr flour, but all my first attemps were heavy etc.  Tried several variants from changes in mix, to bought in mixes (which work OK) though paddle nearly always remains in the cooked loaf, so now I find best results from using half white / half wholemeal strong bread flour, half salt and half sugar, using the white bread recipe, but only using the machine to prepare the dough, (paddle again usually left in, but easy to remove) then I reform into loaf tin, leave to rise well again, then bake in oven as normal.  This gives me a nice, not too heavy, sensible shape for sandwich making.  And so far, no complaints!  When in France, I just buy baguettes for me, or pain complet, and sliced white (uugh!) for hubby.  When the bread machine finally arrives in France, it will be interesting to go through the same testing and proving procedure again!

Eslier Thanks - I am writing this in London, the equipment is in France (with hubby), I will need to ask him - though the video is certainly newer than the TV, as it was replaced perhaps 5 years ago, who knows what that has, so, meanwhile, any other ideas also gratefully rec'd!

Our TV is approx 20 yrs old (Pal) and has only a coax aerial input - question, is it possible (and if so how) to connect a DVD player to it.  DVD players seem to come with a variety of outputs (peritel, RCA, S-video etc) all of which mean nothing to me. Can anybody help - we don't need to replace the TV as it still works OK, the video still works through it and we don't really want / need to watch Fr TV at this point!

Ian I can't stop myself either.  Of course I know what time of day it is - not only am I old enough to have seen it all before, and thus don't necessarily accept all I see and hear,  I have lived in Central London (in the thick of it) for 18 years, I work near Scotland Yard, and I am fully aware of the naure of the threat, the news etc.  It is part of my work to read and analyse the news daily so I know that some limitations have to be put in place - I have to cope with then on a daily basis - but I still maintain that the sense of proportion is missing.  Incidentally, I am not alone in these thoughts - our receptionist who came on a lunchtime (mid-70s, Jamaican born) is also complaining about the incessant overkill.  A sense of proportion is all that I am asking for, not over-the-top reaction.  You learn to live with most irrtitions such as today, but each time this happens we lose more of our liberties, and some of the freedoms we have lost in the other attacks not been restored, and that continuing loss is what concerns me.

Somewhere in all this a sense of proportion has to be re-introduced.  Of course, they want to kill.  Of course, we don't want even one plane to be affected this way - BUT - does the governent intend to put such draconian regulations into place that no-one will fly and the commercial world becomes paralysed?  I note what John said about the IRA threat in the 70s - and know people who felt the same, but were determined not to let the b****** win by giving in.  It is obvious that this state of high alert cannot go on for ever - but the other point not made clear - will the restrictions be lifted asap (as they say they will) or is this government (and John Reid who is only covering his back after all in his comments) so frightened about the consequences that they will keep them on much longer than required.  O -  for a Churchill or a Thatcher to stand up for reason!

Well that did stir the stumps.  I have no objection to increased security, nor do I mind some overkill - initially - but several posters have already understood that threat though there obviously is - the terrorists win every time, if we go overboard about security.  There are measures between what was already allowed and what has been put in place which might well have suited the situation just as well without creating total choas, which (from the ongoing news reports) is what is happening.  I looked at the Ryanair site asap, and yes, I believe they have given out as much info as they have - but [importantly] not what to do if you have already checked in on-line (for example).  I agree also with the poster regarding lack of passport check with on-line checkin - when I went last in May with online check in - I too never had to show my passport to anyone until I got to the boarding gate - so I agree that security measure needs reviewing whatever the current crisis.  And, of course, I would rather not have a plane blow up because measures were not taken, and I know the police can't win whatever they do (though previous actions, not just a wrong shooting last year, have not helped their case), and I know they don't want any more info to be released than they must, but you cannot continue as normal, with the draconian precautions they have put in place. Time will tell whether they served the purpose - this doubting Thomas has seen it all too many times to be assured that it will!

I think that this is all overkill - as with the July bomb attacks last year.  Do you mean to tell me that that the security scans on hand luggage in place for many years have not been able to detect bomb-making equipment - so why have we been bothering for years?  All travel (as well as life) is risky, and the UK nanny goverment has just gone into overdrive with paranoia.  I am due to fly out in two weeks, and I would like less panic and more sense to be shown.  They keep saying - carry on as normal - well given the panic the government, police, Home Office and anyone else involved in this is showing when they put out such messgaes as they did on the news this morning, most people are unable to you behave "as normal"!  Whilst I realise that what lots of people carry on planes seems to beyond reason,  they do seem to have taken the restrictions to  extremes of stupidity.  They have lost any sense of proportion in this - which also makes me suspect that they are less than sure about the information they have gathered, hence overkill reaction. I cannot wait until I can leave the UK behind and not have to put up with this lot any more!

If it's any consolation, its done just the same here in the UK - instead of the warm wind from France, we now have a colder wind from the north, with rain (at times).  But hey - I'm still wearing a T-shirt and no cardi - so it is still summer - at least I can now think!

Kathy - I know it is a good change - the reason why I go to Lille and not Paris, the point being I dislike changing at all - and avoid if I can - and the times are not always only 15-30 mins - on my return it is generally nearly 2 hours wait.  Ian, yes, I felt they were excuse making and glad to have it confirmed, and I also agree about marketing and pricing.  The major problem at Avignon seems to be that it goes direct to the central station, and they are not geared up for the international passengers there - so it takes a long time to check everyone in.  (Though again that is an organisational problem not a real problem).  Going direct to Avignon Centre is great if you want to be in the Avignon area, as we did when we stayed there, but now I want to go to Narbonne, it would be better for me for onward transfers if it went to the TGV station - so connections were easier!  However, all the problems they pose are surmountable, and any reasonable person can see that they have a good product which is not being as well used as it should be.  And don't get me onto the catering - or lack of it, on both Eurostar and TGV - on a 6 hour journey, which is often what it is, I can never understand why you can't get a good meal - this is France after all!!!! 

I've done this trip both ways, and it is much nicer and much more civilised not to have to change in Lille - though I agree the early start is a bit of a pain, and I live in central London.  Nothing against TGV, they are super, but  I hate the hassle of changing and waiting around.  Like Ian, I could never understand why they only ran it in the "summer" months - but I was told they could only get space on the lines then, which seemed the usual "excuse" reason.  I wish they would actually do more non-stop services Waterloo to other parts of France - now that would begin to compete with the L-c - but then they would also have to open up for bookings sooner than three months ahead - if in doubt, you book l-c, to be sure you can travel when you need to - as not all of us can be flexible about when we can travel - something called needing to work gets in the way!

John I do not have the same choice as many have. I travel alone, so driving is usually not an option, given the time I have at my disposal, so I do have to use Ryanair because it is the only airline which flies from (roughly) where I live to the (two) airports nearest to where I want to go.  So much for competition or choice!  My preference is for the train, but sometimes I can no more get good prices on that than with Ryanair.  Though its convenience factor (at both ends) is higher than with Ryanair.  This is the penalty I pay for still working in the UK and hence being limited to when I can travel.  For the privilege of semi-convenience, I am prepared to put up with the interesting way Ryanair likes to do its business - but that does not mean I have to agree with it, nor refuse to make my opinions known! Since I know that this is for a decreasing period of time, until I retire and can arrive permanently in France, I will put up with something I am unlikely to change, but as you know, we all feel better when we have had a good moan and put the world to rights! And to reply to a previous poster on the subject of reliability - other than minor delays, I have only once had a problem - a 2 hour delay from Perpignan last Christmas - and my complaint there was more to do with the airport authorities who eventually (after an hour of most people having to stand up due to lack of seating) opened up more seating areas - so that the waiting crowd could sit down.

John That is not the point - of course you do eventually find out what it is really going to cost - but what irritates is the fact that they try to say it is £0.19 - on an email this morning for example, but it becomes  at least £20 more when you add on all the charges.  I (like many others) only buy at the price I am prepared to pay, but I object strongly to marketing techniques that try to pull the wool over your eyes on the real cost. And for the marketeer who got hot under the collar about my remarks on marketing - I accept that not all marketing people are bad, it is just that my experience over many years (including working in a marketing department) shows that it is one of the professions in which reality and honesty (as I practice it) can be bent to sell the product.  Ryanair would sell tickets even if they advertised them at the real price, (thus being truthful about the real cost) as the service they offer is often the only one available, or often the cheapest to that location.  It is "hiding" the real cost in their marketing speak which rankles.

Indeed - strange how my supposedly "cheap" flight at (say) £29.99 (if I am lucky) turns out to be nearly always about £100 return!  And I book in advance as much as poss, and travel off peak!  I would prefer honesty, so I know what I am to pay, very much like "service compris" which I do wish we could introduce here as the norm - for more than just meals - then you know immedately what you have to pay. But the marketing mindset is a strange beastie - honesty and it do not mix!

Twinkle - I sympathise - I could never find a solution, in spite of trying everything  - B6, evening primrose, etc helped but it never went away completely.  The thing that saved my sanity (and my husband's) was finally convincing the doctor that it was HRT time - quality of life has returned, and thank god, until I give HRT up, I am period free.  Not a time I am looking forward to, but I'm waiting until I retire, and then I can hibernate at those awful moments .......!

Whilst not disagreeing with the previous posts - nor with the use of pool security - what is really needed is teaching a respect for water at as early an age as possible.  My sisters and I were taught to swim at an early age, but with a father who was a pilot life saver that was perhaps not surprising - it is <any> water which can be dangerous, baths, rivers, pools etc.  No-one in any of these posts has suggested teaching respect for and learning to swim at the same time.  And I accept that even swimmers can get into difficulties before anyone shouts - but - rather than allowing babies and toddlers to explore water as a fun game - use it to teach them how to behave in it etc. I know my limitations as a swimmer (not got my father's talents there!) but I also respect the pool and never go out of my depth.  Incidentally, you are never too old either to learn to swim -  my mother learnt when she was over 60. 

This <has> been an interesting forum - when it has managed to stick to the subject - if only because I am now going to be controversial and say - I live in the centre of London and I find that boring - in so far as I don't meet people regularly and I certainly don't pass the time of day with neighbours very often.  I have few friends, and those I have do not live in London, and my relatives are also not London based.  My job is now more relaxed, but even when I did have a stressful job and not much time for interests, I always have been able to entertain myself easily.  I am looking forward to my relocation to France when I retire (and join hubby who is already there) and I already know I will not be bored living a relaxed, quiet and peaceful retirement.  Listening to music, reading, working on various projects  --- I already have far more to do than I wish (mainly interests which can easily transfer elsewhere) and few relatives to miss. However, when it comes to conversation in French, we were saying only last night in our weekly phone call, that it is almost impossible, no matter how good your French, to discuss meaningfully the many subtle nuances which are to be found in any language.  Perhaps that is why we all still need to be able to have some English acquaintances in France - whether we are discussing football or Shakespeare - its the subtleties that matter in human interaction, hence the boredom when you cannot express it. In the end, some people (as has already been said) will be bored wherever they are, and some will always find things to do, new interests etc.  Your life - wherever you are - is surely what YOU make of it!

Ronan Thank you from a frustrated Mac user - now I can type my letters with accents - without having to recourse to typing them in word and using symbol. Mind you, the spell checking is useful esp if you change the language to Fr first!. PS - when in France I have to use hubby's French keyboard - on a pc - which is a bit like changing between LHD and RHD cars - very confusing! Also as an almost touch typist for almost 40 years, changing keyboards is not quite so easy - its alright for those "one-finger" typists - but more difficult for the professionals amongst us!

Missyetbut What you describe is a HOME not an shabby chic interior designed house - more power to you - its what we all should have - things that work for us - and not what what it looks like. My shabby chic is what I've collected from own likes and hand downs from friends and family (I stipulated a new bed and a new oven - (but I'd have a second hand aga any day if I could but find one) ... but the rest ...... however it comes!) Besides - shabby chic design Welsh style is nothing like French style - nor should it be. Keep up the good work - and not too much cleaning either - its just as bad again tomorrow (in London at least!!)

We moved about 90% or our stuff (and yes - books ARE for life and took up probably 30-40% of the space) including the old family furniture (much loved and probably irreplaceable) from Central London to the Aude last October - cost for specified day delivery something like +£6000. The 10% left will move when I do (when I finally retire) and cost much less. But compared with the cost of the house purchase, and given the many times some people cross the (expensive) channel to move themselves, the removals cost (usually only once to pay) is a very small amount. We could not have moved the furniture ourselves - age and (our) size and lack of strength being a limitation. If you have no strong feelings for your goods and chattels (and I know some people don't) and like to live a clutter-free life, then I can see that selling up may be an option - but like a previous poster - do not get hung up on cost at the expense of clearing out - you may live to regret it - and there are things which you cannot easily get in France which we take for granted here - for example - I've just bought a slow cooker to take over - countless visits to different shops in France have failed to find that (for me) essential piece of kitchen equipment at any price! If you cannot live without it and cannot be sure that you will be able to replace it - take it - and hang the cost!

[quote user="Clarkkent"]An alternative way of getting a print of the photo is to press PrtSc (top right of PC keyboard). This will put an image onto the clipboard. Open a photo editor (or even Word) and click on Paste. You will then have a file you can save.[/quote] There is no PrtSc on a Mac! But I have managed to do it - the clue was (I think) the second print button (white on yellow - impossible to see) on the second window - which brings up the command window, I then checked it was there with a preview. It needs much patience, even with broadband. I could waste a lot of time with this ......

[quote user="Ssc"][quote user="Judith"]It was! I could see both our roof terraces - and I didn't know there were that many swimming pools round about! Couldn't get it to print, to show it off - but I suppose you can't have everything! Thanks Will![/quote] Judith. You can print it. To the centre right of the screen is a tiny printer "imprimer". Click that and it opens a new window with the same icon. Click that and away you go Tony [/quote] Tony - thanks - I tried that one (imprimer) before I posted, and yes it does open up in a new window, but still I had a blank page produced on the printer!. Either my printer doesn't like it - or my Mac doesn't - not the first time, just a nuisance. I can live with that! As you can also see - it doen't do a quote properly either!

It was! I could see both our roof terraces - and I didn't know there were that many swimming pools round about! Couldn't get it to print, to show it off - but I suppose you can't have everything! Thanks Will!

Perhaps the real problem here is not with the banks or the car hire companies but with having only joint cards. We have a mixture of joint and "own" bank accounts and credit cards. Also, I never carry all my cards around. Lesson learnt after handbag got nicked once! Having the equivalent credit card for a Fr bank account is useful, but if that was also joint names, and was in the wallet, that too would have been useless!

Dear All Found it - after a session with the dictionary (it was a long breakfast that morning!) and much hunting of possible places!! It is translated as "faire un travail qu'on pourrait deleguer a quelqu'un d'autre" (excuse lack of accents on deleguer - impossibly difficult on this computer). I think this is a pretty accurate translation for those who did not understand it even in English - but it certainly doesn't have the same bite to it - and isn't acutally quite the meaning, but near enough I suppose! All we have to do now is remember it! Many thanks all