Kitty

WJT - there don't appear to be many on this side of the Gironde.  It is mainly Germans here, which is why I can't get my Daily Telegraph (shock horror - I am a Telegraph reader) except when I go to Bordeaux.

Lizzie - I have just seen the Soulac lighthouse on your website.  I visit Royan as a foot passenger sometimes for a day out with the children, especially on a Sunday so that we can go to the large market.  I might be in touch in the autumn as I was wondering whether to buy something else on the other side of the Gironde.

I know that we ought to be positive when posting on the Forum but I am struggling to be positive about registering my car. The lady at DRIRE (the first port of call when you need to register) has held up my form for weeks because of silly queries that she had on her computer all along.  She asked me for more additional information than was written on the form but didn't bother to tell me this (by telephone or by letter) until I telephoned her to ask where my returned papers were. One of the queries was the 'type moteur' which turned out to be the type of engine.  Several telephone calls later to Land Rover specialists in England and in France (and an inconclusive posting on this website), it was the first three digits/letters of the engine number on my UK registration document, the original of which was in her possession.  Furthermore, the engine number had been written on the form.  Eeeekkkk.... My DRIRE documentation is now being processed 6 weeks after the form was sent in - it is supposed to take 15 days.  Mmmmmmmmmm...

Check out the other threads about this.  There is another one on the go about 'why we are not buying in France' or something like that.  It's not just a problem of who gets what, when one of you dies, the other will incur hefty inheritance tax (at a lesser rate if you are married). I suppose that, in the UK, we are used to being able to "disinherit" our relatives or (said more positively) choose our inheritors. When my husband and I elected for a 'clause tontine', the vendors thought that we were trying to do our children our of their rights (even though they are all very young).

Where is a safe place for cash (not just holiday money but food money)?  I ponder over this all the time.  I understand that intruders look in fridges so a margarine box is not a good idea.  Do they look for hollowed out books?  Under the duvet?  Empty tins in the kitchen cupboard? Dirty knickers would be no good because they are lying around everywhere here (I have 4 children, 5 if you count my husband) and I scoop things up and shove them into the washing machine. Help please for a genuine problem.

Having lost a baby son, I have always thought sympathy cards a bit of a 'cop out'.  We received lots and lots of cards (which you couldn't display because all the flowers were in the way) but only a few hand written letters.  I treasure those letters and remember who wrote them.  They are even more memorable than those who attended the funeral (which was a blur).  I do not know whether your French would be up to writing a letter but perhaps even one in English would be thoughtful? By the way, the flowers died after a couple of weeks and then I had an empty house (in more ways than one).  Ever since, I have always sent flowers about one month (or more) after a death with a note to the effect that I am still remembering their pain.

Crickey - what is happening? Everything has been so slow since yesterday (Tuesday) evening - just when I needed answers to some questions posted.  Eeeeekkkkk..... Now that lots of people are posting photographs/graphics etc in the text (not just the avaters - can't remember how to spell that word), would this slow things up?

Yes Phil, I agree.  I'm going to try the new route next visit.  Thanks for all the advice.  Great stuff!

Hands off the man with the very big chainsaw, Twinkle.  He's already spoken for!  You should see the things that he carves in his spare time (see his posting today entitled 'My day')!

Phil I have looked at your route (or rather the Michelin route) from Caen to Bordeaux - it is different from the one that I usually take.  In the past, I've looked at the AA and RAC suggestions, not knowing the Michelin site.  I have e-mailed you at your website address about your B&B.

Sandt - The problem is that I am in Bristol and the car is a few hundred miles south in Bordeaux!  However, thank you for taking the trouble to reply.  I am going to look in the handbook.  What's so infuriating is that I have looked at the DRIRE form again (I kept a copy) and poids a vide was not asked for.  Oh well, le bureaucracy francais... C'est une mode de vie...

Phil - you might be right because she might have said 'type moteur' ? perhaps.  When I relied 'gazole', she said that is not what she wanted.  It was difficult - I speak very good French but not technical motoring French!  I really tried to pin her down on the exact information but she wasn't too cooperative (even though she is in the department that registers British cars!). Eeekkk!

Following Andy's comments about heating:  Last year, I lived in France for about 6 months of the year, including 3 months during the winter.  My heating bills are less in France than the UK.  Depending on where in France you are, it is generally colder during the night and in the early morning, but the middle part of the day is warmer. My UK fuel costs have escalated through the roof this year : not so my costs in France.  I understand that this is because the French have a surplus of electricity which they sell to neighbouring countries - perhaps someone can enlighten us on this?

The party was still going when I fell into bed (alone...) in the early hours.  Miki taking a sledgehammer to the Lidl front door helped - the booze he got out was amazing, even if it was German.

Does anyone know of a (cheapish) hotel/B&B that has secure parking betwen Caen and Bordeaux for a short overnight stay?  I usually travel Caen - Rennes - Nantes - Niort - Bordeaux.  However, my car is usually loaded up with computer stuff and so I distrust Formula 1 hotels because I do not want to be broken into. I would like to take a daytime ferry and stay in a hotel on the way south rather than relying on overnight ferries.  One of my daughters gets severe seasickness (she was in St Malo hospital for 10 days after the last attack) and day crossings are generally calmer. I have four children and so need more than just one room.  I am also back and forwards from the UK to France several times per year. With many thanks...

Hello All I am STILL trying to register my British Land Rover Discovery - talk about having to go through hoops.  Patience is not one of my virtues... Anyway, DRIRE have now said that they need two more bits of information: 1. The "typique moteur" (I think she said) comprising "deux chiffres et une lettre" after the words Land Rover - can anyone help with what this means? 2. The "poids a vide" (I think she said as well).  So far, I have supplied the PTAC poids total en charge (2720 kg), the PTRA poids total roulant (3500 kg), the poids maxi essieu avant (1200 kg) and the poids maxi essieu arriere (1650 kg).  These had to be estimated from my handbook (with the help of a Land Rover dealer) as the plate had worn on the engine. Could someone help?  Is Sunday Driver out there in the ether? With thanks,

Miki - your message said replies 99 with 777 views - that's spooky...

Miki - why does Twinkle show a photo of Lawrence of Arabia when she is talking about you?  I think that I should be told.

Does if you 'ave a sledgehammer 'andy Is that Andy who has a sledgehammer?  Who is Andy?  Keep him out of it, OK?

Aaahhh - Miki - raiding Lidl with a sledgehammer - you and me could be Bonnie and Clyde all over again.

I've just raided the drinks cabinet and poured myself a glass of Taylor's late bottled vintage (year 2000) port - just as well my husband is not at this party.  But that's his fault to going to his mother's tonight...

I suppose that we could go to Lidl to stock up on cheap booze?  Does your Lidl open all night?

Can knackered mothers of four who let their hair down come to the party?

Do you have any Pernod and Creme de Menthe at this party?

Can't help you on the deeds bit. As for the cost of living: how long is a piece of string?  Food is cheaper and healthier in France.  But certain things, such as furniture, are a lot more.  Fuel bills are less (it is warmer anyway), electricity being less than the UK.  But water is more expensive.  School fees are substantially less, if you were privately educating.  Petrol/diesal is less as is running a car but my car repairs bills are high.  I reckon that your solicitor is being unreasonable for you to expect to know.  It really depends on your lifestyle. Where in the Gironde are you going to be?  I am there with four children, three being girls.