VandA

UPDATE: Well at the moment things seem to be going well - we now feed our dog twice a day, the last before 5pm.  We then ensure that rather than just push her out at bed time for a 'pee-break' we go with her and ensure she does her business.  So far so good.  We have had 5 clear nights although we come down every morning expecting to find a little 'parcel' for us... So, no need for the crate so far, but we will wait and see.  She does seem happier with two meals a day rather than one tho!

It does sound more like it has become a habit rather than anything else - so it looks like we may need to try confining the area she can go in to just her bed for a while.   How long is the norm to break the habit like that? I would have liked to have thought that at 11 months she was getting the hang of things but it would seem not!  We still have a lot to learn about each other! Many thanks for all the advice here - I'll keep you posted...

Thanks Horris - I really don't know what to do at the moment -Any time we feed her after about 3pm we get a mess overnight, and anytime she has scraps we seem to get a mess in the daytime if she is left in for any time. We are currently giving her a full bowl at around 10am, which she is eating most of in one go.. She does leave some though which she usually finishes off by about midday.  We have tried picking it up when she finishes and then putting a second bowl down later but that is not working.  And she always looks so sad when we are eating when we have to throw our scraps away!  And with two children we always have a lot of scraps! Not sure what to do from here - just leave it at one feed and have no mess or persevere?  

Thanks for the quick replies! She certainly seems to be alright going down to her bed at night - its a lovely warm room anyway where the washing machine is etc.  She seems happy enough so hopefully separation anxiety is not a problem.  She also has a big rubber pulley thing that she is in the process of destroying so that is not it.  We really are struggling to find the common factor when she does it.  The only one we can come up with is feeding after 4pm.. Could it be feeding her left overs with her main food?  We should maybe try just dry dog food at around 6pm or something - it should definately go round the system by bed time? The crate may be an idea - we can put a barrier up at least to keep her in her bed.  We have moved her bed to the spot where she seemed to have the habit of messing, thinking that that should at least remove one cue for her. It really is a learning process this isn't it!

We have a beautiful English Setter - just 11 months old.  She is pretty much house trained, except.....  Every now and then we come down in the morning to find a little 'package' (solid type) on the floor.  She sleeps downstairs in the buanderie, she is put down there at around 2230 and we let her out again at about 0730 ish.  Just before we put her downstairs we make sure she has been out - we let her out for about 20 mins or so - longer if she wants to go out.  We have taken to only feeding her once, in the morning.  She looks so longingly at our food in the evening!  Is there something we should be trying?  Could feeding her at say 1600 really cause her to 'go' after 10 or 11 at night?  I though it was supposed to go through in about 40 minutes! Any help gratefully received as we are certainly no experts!!

If you buy a non-subsidised sky+ box then you just need a 'second-hand' contract. Customer service will tell you this doesn't exist but if you persevere(sp?) you will get someone who knows what it is. That way you don't need a phone connection...

>Would Sky be able to be >channelled through a FRENCH plasma >TV. >There are some great bargains at >'Carefour', but hubby says this >is not possible > >Thanks for any info I bought a day trip return to the UK and bought my Panasonic plasma from a great supplier in Tunbridge Wells - worked out as a 700+ saving even with the crossing! Even the wife thinks it is worth the money and that is saying something!

Did you have any luck finding anyone? Am also in a similar boat needing a french tax return completed... ATB Vanessa & Adrian Chantilly

Two questions... 1) Any recommendations for french comapnies not overcharging for insurance on UK registered cars? We intend keeping ours for 6 months to a year before changing it... 2) House insurance - we have been offered two choices - either a new for old cover with a 900FF excess or a normal cover with no excess. W@hich one would be best? Anyone tried claiming for UK stuff like teles on a french new for old policy? TIA Adrian & Vanessa

Anyone got any advice on mobile phones in France? I am looking for a triband phone that will allow me to send text messages from around the world and that is cheap to call either the UK or Frnace from around the world. Local call charges in France are not too important. Also, do modern UK phones work in France? I would hate to have to replace all my nice shiny new digital phones rather than just buy an adapter... Adrian & Vanessa

I am moving in ten days to Lamorlaye just north of Paris. I will continue to work in the UK, becoming a commuter; I will therefore continue to pay my UK NI contributions. I have written to the NI Overseas department applying for a certificate (E106 I think) which I gather will cover me and my family for healthcare in France. Could someone tell me how this works in practice? Do I need to apply for a Carte Vitale? Do I have to pay charges and then claim back from the UK? Should I pay into a mutuelle too (ie is there an excess to pay)? Any info gratefully received... Vanessa & Adrian...

After the best part of 4 months we have at last got a tenant for our house in the UK and can now move to France. We are renting in Lamorlaye, near Chantilly (any nighbours here?) I now have a million and one things to do and have been trying to glean advice from past posts. I have a thousand questions and wondered if I could call on your help?: 1) Most important this is a bank account. I will continue to be paid in the UK and will transfer money reguarly to France for our living expenses - any advice on the best way to do this? 2) I have seen the E106 mentioned - what is it? I will continue to pay UK NI contributions so will get french health care. How much would I pay a mutuelle to make up the difference? 3) I figured the Club-Internet ADSL service looked good. Anyone had any exprience? 4) We will be looking for C de S for myself and the family (wife and two youngsters). Do we just go to the Marie? 5) House insurance - when renting who pays building insurance? Where can I get a quote online for the contents? 6) Any advice on who to insure cars through? We have UK cars which we will register in France when we get a chance... That is the first of many questions - would be grateful for any advice! Adrian & Vanessa (Getting excited now!)