Kitty

[quote user="just john "]I have no experience of retrospective planning but several of renovation and new build planning, having dealt with French Notaires, Geometre, Architects and builders, English Architects and builders. What I have learn't is they all make mistakes and charge a lot (the English most). Whereas this rite of passage has taught me that much of what they had done could be done almost for nothing but my time at the Mairie. This is best done face to face, starting with the Secretary on the desk, so I would advise it's worth the cost of a trip and for you to go to the Mairie first; best when they are least occupied with other visitors, even if it means returning on a less busy day; advice, forms and much assistance is freely and gladly given, when they have time. . .[/quote] I completely agree with John.  There is no doubt that a few hours spent at the Mairie works wonders for anything to do with planning.  I had to recently deal with a tricky and delicate situation on planning at a French property and I did it for free by first seeing the receptionist, then the Maire himself (that took 2 weeks to arrange) and then the planning secretary.   I brought them all onside before anything was put it in writing.  I didn't let my notaire anywhere near the problem. You have to judge your timing and be prepared to go back when they are less busy.  Do not go anytime near 12noon, for example.  The Mairie does open doors, especially of you are polite and helpful to them.  'Bonjour Madame.  Desole de vous deranger.  Estce que vous pouvez m'aider?'  is the opening line that works for me.

[quote user="Richard51"]I'll ask Mr R51 when he gets home - he's a clinical scientist (aka hospital physicist and radiation protection advisor) so radiation dosimetry (from treatments / X rays etc) is his job...  He also prepares and gives radioactive iodine for cancer treatment - so will be totally au fait with what you've had done. [/quote] This Forum is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.  Fancy having an expert for you, Rose.  I read Mr R51's answer (thank you for being so helpful Mr R51 and Mrs R51) and couldn't understand most of it but it must go some way to helping you. The thing about hospital meetings is that you don't take in half of what they say.  Rose already knows this but I take a voice recorder to my meetings and can play back the information in my own time. As for Onwards and Upwards, I can't use the phrase ever since a barrister used it.  A close family member had unjustly lost custody of her two children and the barrister (who was Useless with a capital U) left the court building, strode up to her and said 'Oh well, Onward and Upward'.  However, I suppose that it was better than her saying Downwards and Backwards.  [Www] Rose, my Buddy, we are with you in mind and in spirit on this radioactive journey....

We ran a B&B and have several children.  It was very difficult.  The main problems were: * getting the children to keep the noise down * keeping the house tidy The key thing is transparency - we told the guests up front that it was a family house, on the website and again on booking.  We didn't have any complaints - indeed, we made many friends because guests enjoyed meeting the children. With the youngest, I had a game.  His pocket money was reduced by 10 pence every time he was spotted by or heard by a guest.  It was brilliant.  He would pretend to be a spy and would covertly follow them, much to their amusement. As a mother, it is very stressful running a B&B and a family and given a choice, I would not do it again.

If a crocodile makes shoes, what does woolybanana make ? Slippers....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1I94gDveZ0 Some faces from the past as well.  I recognised Charlie George at the beginning.

I ventured out today for the first time since my surgery and am now the proud owner of a tube of Ni Clous Ni Vis (thanks to Wooly). It says Fixation on the tube as well (thanks JustJ) and which I shall only use in daps (thanks NickP for providing the answer and to Christine Animal for asking the question).  I didn't get to Gedimat, Crazy Frog, because I couldn't bear the thought of the queues in there, otherwise I would have tried Silkabond. I shall be attempting to stick some baguettes onto the back of kitchen units.  Yes, unbelievably, baguettes (say Mr Bricolage) is the name of the plastic strips that run at the back of the units (or along baths).  I was looking for them and was told that a member of staff called Christophe would be able to locate them for me.  So I had a bit of fun saying 'Christophe, je voudrais des baguettes, s'il vous plait'.  Oh the little things that we do to make the day go by with a smile....

At our Mairie, there is someone who looks after the Cadastre (local plans), who can be quite helpful if you catch him on a good day. On a bad day when he is busy, there is no chance of getting any joy, even if you have a pre-booked appointment. You could check if there is someone in your Mairie in charge of the Cadastre.

[quote user="Christine Animal"]Did you get that Cathy?   [:)][/quote] D'accord.

Have you read this thread? http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/2346156/ShowPost.aspx

[quote user="just john "]trading agreements without linking into a single currency . . . .[/quote] Shall we call them the "European Economic Communities" - EEC?

[quote user="crazyfrog"] Sold in Gedimat but you could probably get it elsewhere...the glue that is[/quote] I get all sorts of things in Gedimat, [Www] including a headache from all the queues.  Thank you one and all.  I've written down all the suggestions and I shall go forth and shop.

[quote user="Christine Animal"]By the way, is that stuff really as good as nails?  Every time I've tried, the thing drops off.   [6] [/quote] That made me laugh.  Yes, it does drop off but a girl has got to keep trying. When I originally bought it in the UK, I thought that it was to save your fingernails from breaking....

He's a very naughty boy...

Does anyone know what the equivalent in France is for Unibond's "No More Nails"? It isn't at my local Mr Bricolage and they don't seem to know what it is.  What is the French for 'high strength grab adhesive'?

Granite work tops - nahhhhh. A Stag, though it's the wrong colour.... http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201031364971230/sort/priceasc/usedcars/price-from/8000/price-to/9000/make/triumph/page/1/postcode/bs81hu/quicksearch/true/radius/200?logcode=p Mind you, I would have £1000 left over.  What could I do with that?

My daughter with severe learning difficulties got stuck in the bathroom, naked in a bath of luke warm water (she is scared of hot water), when the door handle came off in my hand with the latch still in place. I had to tell her to stay on the other side of the door, reassuring her.  I asked her to stay in the bath as I guessed that was the warmest place to be - I had gone out to get a towel and so she had nothing to wrap round her. The eldest of the other children had to run around looking for a bloke to help bang down the door.  She ran from house to house trying to find someone.  She came back with a 20 year old with spiky black hair, rings through his ears and nose, leathers and tattoos, who had been on a motorbike outside.  He took one look at the door and grunted: "pas de probleme" as if breaking into places was second nature. He charged into the door with his shoulder (once I had established that my daughter was not on the other side) and sprung it open with the door frame partly coming off.  The door still has no handle (or latch) as I don't want it to happen again. I gave him a pack of Guinness for his troubles.  He didn't know what Guinness was but accepted.

[quote user="5-element"]WHY did she lock the bathroom door in the first place?[8-)][/quote] No mother can lock a bathroom door.  It is one of the first lessons of motherhood - the inability to go to the loo on your own without someone following you in.  [:)]

Is this about drawing out euros in the UK?

I am trying to find an article a few years ago by, I think, Michael Portillo that suggested that the breakup of the European Union could result in a war - like Yugoslavia. The E.U. is driven from the top (politicians etc) and the people are not that engaged with it.  I have always thought it is going too fast, with Treaty after Treaty, and that it should be given time to mature. I was uncomfortable when Ireland had to keep voting in a referendum until they said 'yes' to the Lisbon Treaty.  Crazy. Now there is talk of yet another Treaty.  Mmmm.

The letting season for French gites is very short.  Some people consider it lucky of they achieve 10 weeks' holiday lettings in total, mainly concentrated in July and August. Take a look at www.laymyhat.com - this is an excellent site that will give you an idea of what to expect.

[quote user="Quillan"]  As to what would happen to individuals like you and me well if the EU itself broke up, which it won't (it might get smaller) well you would not have any rights anymore and would have to apply for residency which if you are on a UK state pension you may not get, as Norm says the E121 etc would all go so there is no health care unless you pay for private healthcare or work, in short you would be better off going back now if you believe this will happen. [/quote] So anyone making a decision about whether to settle in France (or at the very least buy a house in France) ought to take a view about a possible EU break up?

Would the break up of the European Union be like the break up of Yugoslavia? Should we be worried?

I see that (whilst I was in hospital under the knife) the President, Van Rompuy, has said that if the euro fails, the E.U. itself will fail.  What then? Over to you....

[quote user="idun"] Cathy how hot does it get in summer in the Gironde?[/quote] Depends where you are in the Gironde.  There are a number of naturist beaches...  Also you should see the life guards... Seriously, it is hot here as we are some way south.  We regularly hit over 30 - degrees, that is,

So you all need to move to my departement - Gironde (33)....  Gironde has the ocean, the golden beaches, the forests, Medoc wine, Bordeaux....  Fifth overall and third if you are young (which I am - possibly, depending on which of my children that I ask [Www] ). What good judgement the "criteria-setters" had.  Nothing at all wrong with this survey.  [:D] I feel sorry for the Ardennes coming last - what is wrong with the place?  My father-in-law fought in the Offensive there.