loella

Hi [:'(]We're travelling to France next month for a 5 week holiday in our caravan and have been trying to get as much information as we can when visiting places as my husband is in a wheelchair. I have spent ages trying to access the Borbeaux tourist site and even emailing them for information as to the trams into Bordeaux from Blaye (which is where we are staying) being accessible etc and or the parking for cars with blue badges. My French is quite good but i am at a loss as to any information thus far so in desperation i am posting this to see if there is any one oout there who can suggest a source whereby i can get information please! Loella  

Hello   We're looking for a caravan site with hook up in Nantes (or nearby) for the 2nd week of september. Any recommendations much appreciated. I used to have a really good website that gave all sites in France but have lost it..help please!   L

[:D] Just a bit of feedback having just waved goodbye to our children at the airport...(one of the few negative aspects of living in France!); We decided to visit 'Zoodyssee' at Villiers en Bois south of Niort....so glad we did; it's not a zoo on a large scale as we would know it but it was wonderful for our young age group of children. We found it to be very well set our with plenty of space for the animals with just the right balance of security whilst allowing children access to the animals. There was a good variety for such a small zoo from bison to porcupines (my 5 year old grandson was mortified that he couldnt take one home with him)! All in all it was good value for money, very well thought out and certainly ecologically 'switched on'.....if it was good now assume in the summer even better....highly recommended. L

We have our son, daughter in law and 2 grandchilfren (5 & 3) coming over next week for 5 days; I'm scratching around trying to look for a 'day out' for them not to far away from where we live (30kms east of La Rochelle). They usuually come when its warm so never a problem. Can anyone suggest somewhere suitable but not too much further than 70 -80 kms away if poss. I have looked at Palmyre Zoo near Royan but not sure how much of it is outdoors in which case it may be a bit hard going if its too cold. In anticipation A

We plan to spend 3 weeks in the UK in May and had arranged to leave our dog with some kind freinds in France. They have now said that they can't have her so we will probably have to take her with us. We have taken her accross the channel once before from Boulogne to Dover by Speedferries. Obviouslty the journey was short and we were very impressed with how profesional they were as a company. However, we have booked with LD Lines this time and have no idea how she will fare for that length of time in the car deck. Would appreciate any advice as to whether its too long a time or whether we can get her some 'tranquilizers' etc etc....she's a sligthy neurotic west highland terrier.(but aren't they all!!!)and their owners too!!! Annie

Help!!!!!! (using our friends computer and internet connection!) After trying to connect 4 different LIVEBOXES and spending a long time talking to Orange and France Telecom we still are unable to use our Internet ASDL system.An independant engineer suggested on the telephone that we got rid of LIVEBOX and purchased a NETGEAR erthanet ASDL modem, only to find exactly the same problem which seems to be either the identification code or password is wrong. we have been assured after 40 mins on the phone with Orange that the codes are correct and there is no more they can do to help us. I have done a ping test and the line seems to be ok...any suggestions would be much appreciated or if someone could suggest an engineer who can come out to a village about 30 kms east of La Rochelle.Its worth mentioning that this system up until 4 weeks ago was working quite normally until the first LIVEBOX broke down. Paul

Help!!!!!! (using our friends computer and internet connection!) After trying to connect 4 different LIVEBOXES and spending a long time talking to Orange and France Telecom we still are unable to use our Internet ASDL system.An independant engineer suggested on the telephone that we got rid of LIVEBOX and purchased a NETGEAR erthanet ASDL modem, only to find exactly the same problem which seems to be either the identification code or password is wrong. we have been assured after 40 mins on the phone with Orange that the codes are correct and there is no more they can do to help us. I have done a ping test and the line seems to be ok...any suggestions would be much appreciated or if someone could suggest an engineer who can come out to a village about 30 kms east of La Rochelle.Its worth mentioning that this system up until 4 weeks ago was working quite normally until the first LIVEBOX broke down. Paul

We took our little westie accross nearly 2 years ago, so they've been carrying pets for some time. The crossing was fine and short and also we found the paper work and the staff really professional and painless!

Good news indeed; I assume that it won't affect the Christmas crossings as our entire family are coming over on Transmanche tomorrow to spend Christmas with us...assume that the fog and the new take over will not have a negative effect?

Help please...I've finally got round to making sweets for Christmas..(been planning to do it now for 25 years!), however, my dark choccy truffles have set beautifully but for some reason the white ones haven't and are still a bit sloppy. Why?, no idea as I've used the same ingredients, only difference was the chocolate. Maybe the white was a lesser quality. Any ideas as to how I can 'thicken' or make the mix more solid? Then I can get on with the serious stuff, like enjoying myself with family and friends and a glass or two... A   [:'(]

same here, we have ours 'programmed' to North West...where's that!!!!!!! Being ex southeners, all we seem to get on the adverts are 'sofa's, sofa's and more sofa's...with the odd Spam advert thrown in for good measure!!!! HELP PLEASE. [:'(]

I know I should know this but can someone help my ignorance and tell me what C.P.A.M. actually stands for?

All very interesting and as in all these sort of things, hard to know exactly what the outcome will be!! We did have a call yesterday from a company who will be delivering the parcel (electronic stuff value $483); to ask our 'permission' to pay duty on the goods, quote 'should it be necessary'. It seems that even they accept that it’s pretty hit and miss but if it is payable it seems that it will be about $83! Ah well, lets hope the spirit of Christmas comes early and Father C will wave his magic wand over the whole situation. In our limited experience though, books and goods from the States under a certain amount are duty free but feel that anything over this amount seems to have no real definate rules.

Anyone understand why some goods sent from the USA  to France are liable for tax or duty? We're waiting for a delivery from Amazon.com (from the USA) which was very reasonable pricewise especially given the exchange rate at the moment. We were speaking to a friend last night who said that he had to pay duty on presents sent from the States....is this true? If so, Amazon certainly dont tell you that when you pay for it.

I really would like to try and make some home made sweets to give as small pressies for our French friends and neighbours this year. I was inspired last Christmas by a Swiss lady who lives nearby who had made the most wonderful seasonal biscuits with such love and care that it made you feel special. I would like to perhaps try and return the compliment by trying to make some sweets or such like....nothing too complicated though...any suggestions?