DorothyJ

I was thinking of opening a Flexi current account with Nationwide before our move to France but read that I need to pay in £1000 a month.As I only get £304 pm OAP (should not have stayed at home to look after the children!) and a private pension which still adds up to less than £1000 per month I presume this will not be available for me or is there more than one Nationwide current account?

OK we come from Dorset.  Beautiful county. After 40 years we will be sad to move when we sell the house next year but I wont be sorry to leave a village which has changed from a place where everyone knew everyone else to a place so enlarged by development it is unrecognizable. That's down to this need for more housing I suppose and our sadness is another person's happiness. Perhaps that's why us Dorset folk are moving to France - trying to recapture the old days.We bought a house here, near Durtal, 3 years ago after holidaying in the area for a long time so have many French friends but have yet to meet anyone from Dorset or Hampshire. Perhaps they have swopped one coastal area for another. I would have to drive for a good hour and a half to see the sea ...... 

Thank you for the replies. As it is very little coal I shall treat it all as wood ash and treat my roses and other shrubs!

Can anyone suggest where to put the considerable amount of wood ash collected from our two Villager stoves please? I believe it has a use in the garden around plants but in what quantities and which plants?  Also we occasionally burn a small amount of smokeless coal, can this ash be used in the same way? Thanks for any help. Dorothy

Unfortunately we are quite a long way away from you, on the border between the Sarthe & Maine et Loir near to La Fleche but I have noticed a field with large rubble so will follow these suggestions up. Thanks Dorothy

Thank you both will try the friendly farmer as we know of at least two and we dont mind waiting. But I would like to be independent and hire a skip but is there such a thing in France? Also we are just at the beginning of updating our fosse septique and will be looking for devis for this work. Would they cart stuff away. In France I never take anything for granted but the thought of a big digger coming with nothing to do but dig big holes and trenches it seems too good an opportunity to miss! Dorothy

Having inherited masses of concrete (in plank, post and large lumps) when we bought our house, we are now wanting to get rid of it. Can anyone help with how, where or who please? It is too big and/or too heavy to put it in our trailer and I dont know whether the dechetterie would accept it anyway. Suggestions? Dorothy

You can also use, for free, the campervan places in a municpal carpark which provide this facility plus water. We use our caravan for visitors and my husband empties the chemical toilet  there - our local town is very small but it seems now that France is catering for the increasing number of visitors who are using a campervan.

WOW. We have a solid pine unit??? not sure what to call it - it has 2 shelves and stands about 2 ft of the floor. Great for a tv on top, video below. We bought it in IKEA in Gothenburg about 34 years ago when IKEA in England wasn't even a twinkle in anyone's eye. It's still very useful and we would be sorry to part with it but perhaps I should I insure it?

We bought a fermette back in 2002 which had been altered over the years with false ceilings, partition walls  and the blocking off what turned out to be a large stone fireplace in the salon. The most unusual feature to be uncovered was a large arch in what is now the kitchen and this turned out to be the key to unlocking part of the history of the house. We had previously visited the local Marie  and were told the only information recorded was that part of the house had been built in 1721 and we thought that this was its earliest date.   Last November we heard of and joined  Maison Paysanne de France, yearly membership costs 46 € for a couple and 4 magazines plus the chance to attend courses and lectures -  website:  www.maisons-paysannes.org This February the nearest volunteer came to visit and he was able to fill in so many gaps about the house, including the fact that the original part of the house was built in the 1500s!  Anyone interested in renovating using the old methods or learning these skills would really benefit.If you want any more info let me know. We have been bowled over with the enthusiasm and help given.