Judith

Re someone's post earlier up - Betty -? - yes, you do find that  twins often have a dominant one even when identical.  With us, 3, the "leadership" changed often, but one was the more dominant, but not excessively so.  The nature / nurture argument is interesting, as we were brought up very much together and what was given to one was also given to the others (with one or two exceptions as talents emerged, eg musical sister got a clarinet, we two others did not)  but we were all encouraged to do what we did best, regardless.  But three distinct if very similar characters emerged. As for language - well that was me, the more academic of the three ... but that is a much to do with schooling and application, as well as interest, IMHO.

Betty, and Mint, I totally agree for both.  IN fact, I know I am not good at self-taught - I need the stimulation and push of an organised class.  Same with dancing - another good "brain food" activity, when learning a routine, or indeed, singing in a choir and learning a new piece.  Also the socialising in these cases helps.  As for the twin aspect, I suspect our learning styles ARE similar, but too long since we studied together to know.

Not sure that the marriage regime trumps the tontine.  But one thing I forgot, is that with a tontine, any children of the first to die are thus disenfranchised ... hence why some notaires don't approve.  If there are no children of previous marriages) and I think OP said not, then the tontine would be fine in their case.  Kids get it after second one to die.

My memory is that buying in tontine is like joint ownership in the UK, ie the children don' get a look in until no 2 dies ... but check. 

Saw bits of the first programme, but not watched since .. found it all a bit too slow for me.  being a multiple, though not, we think, identical, I thought it might be interesting, but didn't find it  particularly so.  As for language learning, I'm more of the approach that we all learn differently, even twins etc, (the etc being multiples), and it's finding the approach that suits you is better than applying "twin" rules. I do remember that at one time one of my sisters and I got the same score in an exam (the in-built ones rather than the statutory ones).  The class all laughed, and jeered, until the teacher said, yes, but they did not get it it in the same way ...  so pure luck we got the same points.  I think it was in English rather than French though.

OH has a Barclaycard still, as yet.  I cancelled mine years ago, before I came to France as they did a funny, and I said, get lost. French address only, not a huge usage, so will see what transpires. 

MrsB, You are doing exactly as you should do.  Get ti all out, copy it (for both!) and have more than you need.  Slow but sure is also the best way forward, it does take time, but at the end, knowing you have done all you can, and if there is something missing, they usually allow you to send it on - we had to do with our pension statements.  For most, it seems that actually getting the rdv is the hardest part!   Bonne chance.

Market day today, La Poste open, thought, so much for grèves, but on way back saw the notice - exceptionellement fermé cet a/m.  Quelle surprise - not!

Friends in the next village, also Herault, tho' not self-evident where we are, as the nearest one in the other direction is Aude, have been here 4 years plus, holiday home before that, and had expected a 1 yr, which would take them up to the 5 years next time .. no they got a 10yr permanent too. So be encouraged.

Avis d'impots, 5 years if poss, or what you have, rather than any other eg TdH etc, and also mostly don't want bank statements.  If in receipt of a pension, take statements to show what they are - as our lady said, we need to know where your income comes from. You can mix and match your utility bills to show, including landline, and yes, most bills can have both names put on them, and it's probably wise to do that anyway.  The only one we couldn't was the landline (orange) who would only accept one name, so that one is in my name, to be sure!

[quote user="Gardengirl "] If somebody asks what they can do to help, tell them - shopping, a cup of coffee together, a meal with their family, don’t just say everything is OK - they really want to help. [/quote] Excellent advice ... troubles shared, you know.

I mix up both languages when speaking, certainly, and some English words don't come to hand immediately, especially when hubby says - what's this in English !  But then, my French is sometimes completely wrong too! I do find myself thinking, that's the wrong side of the road when in England, driving or being driven!!

Our thoughts and prayers go with you, Blodwyn.  Doing the paperasse will keep you occupied, with no time to brood, at least for a while.  When the time comes to cope with the grief, and the memories, as it will from time to time, with tears no doubt, remember we are all your friends here, and some have been there too.  Hugs from the forum.

Sheila, You can get your name added to the EDF bills and attestation online, and the attestation, which you can print off at any time is another way to prove what they need. Ou might be able to do this with other bills, EDF, landline and water are all acceptable as proof you live here permanently, usually one every 6 months and can be mixed up to prove it.  You can get OH to do a letter saying you live with him, as another route. You will need to make an appointment for each of you, if possible one after the other, and you can go into each.  The second will be quicker as they have already much of the common info from the first application, but you take all the originals, though it is  likely they will only look at the original for passport and possibly certificates (we had translations, which helps the legibility, esp with hand written ones, but you should need then in theory, but some ask). Then you need to take a copy of the originals for each of you, ie 2 copies - sorry!  Put them in order, not stapled together, in the order requested, or at least so you can find them quickly, when asked for them.  Take more than you think, you  never know what might be suitable.  They did not ask for our CVs though maybe they should have, but we had them anyway - attestation also for your primary caisse.  You do not need a mutuelle, on top, though some ask .. one of us does, one of us doesn't , made no difference. That's when you get as far as interview! Look at this site for the best up to date info: http://www.remaininfrance.org Hope that helps.

It all depends on your department.  Some have you make an appt by email, some by online, some calling in.  Some want translations, some don't .. etc. Look at your dept website and see what they say.  The advantage of doing it now is that you get it for free, as an EU citizen.  The French Gov are putting in place a scheme to allow it to be changed to whatever is required after  bl***y Br**t without too much extra hassle. What you supply will also depend on your circumstances, employed, retired etc, so less helpful to give a list, but you need to prove you have been here for a requisite amount of time, plus they need to know where your income is coming from.  They will certainly need 5 years (or whatever you have) of avis d'impots (all pages) ... that gives them the amounts, and proof of residence plus the usual stuff to prove your civil state ...

[quote user="Patf"]I had no idea, thanks. I thought it was a purely french charity. [/quote] You're never too old to learn something new, PatF!  They are highly regarded wherever they may be.

"I always found funerals in France to be held very quick following the death. But that is just the way it is." Indeed, Idun, our French friends were very surprised that I delayed my trip back when my father died as we had to wait for the coroner's report etc, and that also we could choose the date .. which was not necessarily as speedily achieved as it would have been here in France. I just told them that the rules were different in England!

Why, Pat?  They have Emmaus in England, very useful one just north of Cambridge when we were clearing my father's house!

Hubby (coming up to 80 so born during the war) rarely eats veg or salads, but loads of meat, potatoes and cakes, and guess what, almost as slim as a rake. And tall-ish, 5'10"-ish though now shrinking.  Meanwhile, moi, at 5'2" and almost 70, have had the arrival of the "menopausal" expansion down below whilst shoulders haven't changed one jot!  Even though I eat loads of veg and salad!  C'est la vie!

Car or walk? My nephew can get to his office in 10 mins.  I used to walk to mine, admittedly it took 30 mins, but definitely à pied!  It was no quicker on the bus - in London!!

Agree Idun, I'm always having to hold my hand up to sheild my eyes , and then, of course, technically, I am not properly in control of my car!  But what else can you do, nothing!

I second Sue, bara brith and cheddar!

Thanks Mint.  Just opened it all up, and examined it with a friend, we both think its a very stupid way to offer this, though I can see why glass for security and sanitary reasons, having to break both ends of a glass phial is not my idea of a sensible operation! Will try it out and see what happens. For me it's not as much to do with just tiredness, but I just cannot get on with things that I once did without any problem.  Psyching myself up to doing things is now so hard!  May try later this afternoon ... but it still weird that there is no instruction on how to open it - we are not all chemists used to dealing with such stuff - just had a thought, hubby was, maybe he could do it?????  Will feedback when I know more.  Thanks!

I recall hearing a remark about sun in eyes, it's winter, you know what it's like driving into the low sun at this time of year, easy to be "blinded".  And yes, we still have no idea what or who caused the accident, so all this stable door after horses bolted, as is usual with the media. Norfolk Police that the usual accident enquiries will be made .. the first role of the Police (from when I had my "accident" last year) is to ensure the accident scene is protected, so that traffic can begin to flow again asap, ensure that all people involved are uninjured, or appropriate help is given asap, and only then does is the investigation as to what happen begin.  They gave me a notice for insurance purposes and I was told that no further action would be taken in my case. It will become evident what happened when the correct procedure has been instigated.

Following on from reading these posts, and telling the doctor I wondered if it would help as I always seemed to be tired though sleeping reasonably well, she has just prescribed one dose and suggested it is sensible to take one every three months - I don't get out as much as I should since the hip op and I've still to get back to full fitness so don't walk that much at the mo. She did say that there is more vitamin D deficiency in the south of France than the north - and she agreed when I said, yes, they don't go out when it is too cold in the winter, and in the summer they stay inside because it is too hot!  We laughed together at that one! However, my question is, can anyone who has taken Vit D tell me when I am supposed to take it (with a meal ??) or indeed do I take it neat or in water.  Leaflet does not make it clear at all, or indeed, it is not clear how I open the thing.  Cut the end off?? Any suggestions gratefully received!