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?

Got there eventually on Wednesday a.m....what a pristine little 'cabinet' and equally pristine woman who appeared dressed from head to toe in white complete with matching wellies! Cheese did not disappoint and I tasted the 3 different ages from 2 months to 6 months. We had some friends for lunch that day from over the border in Deux Sevres...we all were unanimous in praise and feel that there will be a well worn path to this little farm just up the road. Thanks Jon for your recommendation A    

On my way then next week....goodbye diet...oooh I wish I didn't love the stuff so much!

Very close to us, can you give me the name of the cheese and also where it can be bought apart from the market at Fontenay? Thanks A

I'm pretty sure that that's the case and because my OH has been on it since the early 80's, they probably feel he's 'earned' a few brownie points....!!!

  'Annie I have lived here for some considerable time so please be aware that long term benefits and certainly DLA is not transferable.  Here the argument is that as a big player in the EU that HMG should continue to pay non means tested benefits wherever their citizens decide to spend their lives.' Sorry Llwyncelyn for assuming that you hadn't moved over here and were still in the UK (as per my privatemail to you); however, I'm not doubting that you're situation is full of frustrations and would hope that in time it will all be resolved in your favour , BUT I think it's important to point out on this Forum that the above statement you made (copied and pasted above as I haven't yet worked out how to copy a quote!!) is not altogether correct and that there are indeed circumstances where DLA is transferable to France...they do look at some cases 'individually' 'Please forget about that lovely blue badge that is not the deal.' Also, not sure what you mean when you say (your quote copied and pasted above) about the blue badge?

You dont say whether you've gone down the UK route yet...as in our experience, if you've been on benefit for a long time you should be able to transfer your benefits over to France. I assume you're planning to move over here full time?

I've being trying to research into the price of French perfumes over here in France. So far I've found it hard to find much info on prices over here. Having searched on the internet, it seems that the UK is very organised re online shopping for most things. Does one assume that its a myth that you can buy perfume cheaper now in France? Annie  

I came 'online' this morning to post an 'update' to let you all know how yesterdays first class went only to discover that you all seem to have been involved in a little 'war' between yourselves...oh dear dear....thought that should have been left in the classroom!!! Seriously though, had some new faces, some victoria sponge and a cup of tea...2 groups which divided really well and by the end of the 2 hour session they all left reluctantly,which would suggest that they'll come back next week hopefuly for more of the same...(only on the condition that they bring the cake next time!) I only ever meant this post to be about encouraging others to do a bit of the same and spread a little 'entente cordial' in their local commune...they have all known from the outset that I was never a trained teacher.

Dear oh dear, I almost wish I hadn't started this post.....I feel its been hijacked a little by a few of professionals defending their position...I promise that I'm no threat...really! As I stated very clearly in my 2nd post, I'm not a teacher although I think I could have been had I trained... However, my motives for posting my initial question was for encouragement and a bit of advice.....even you Kathy seem to have taken a bit of that away in your last post...what a shame...or maybe I'm being a bit too sensitive....It is after all only 7 in the morning!

Thanks Kathy, good to have the encouragement!