Chezstevens

Dick, Top tip if it only goes 'woof' when on fire it is probably a cat. Hen-pecked husband (especially after above statement), keeper of 2 sons. Owner of 2 GSDs, 1 cockerel, 5 chickens, 12 ducks plus one chicken that thinks it is a duck (just as well the paddling bowl is shallow)!!

No power restrictions? Interesting. So your french insurance company is aware of, and accepted, your horsepower above 100 bhp? If so this is good news for all those that have had their bikes refused above 100 bhp.

Have you considered Ryanair from Stanstead to Poitier? Using the link coaches to get you there from Bristol. I am often on the M4 and there is a plethora of coaches labelled 'Flight this and flight that'.

There we go - our card maybe coloured gold but isn't expensive so I am surprised it isn't the basic one.

Ah. I thought Turkey managed to have a foot both in Europe and Asia Minor. Now where is my Atlas .... you know the one with all the pink shading.

.. On following your instructions about negativity there is only full stops left I am afraid. Retirees and commuting workers, like myself, have an almost idyllic lifestyle here.

[quote user="Clair"]No problem here either! It just pays to be aware of all possibilities... In fact, my CA branch did their best to discourage us to have one of these cards, by saying we would not be able to get petrol or go on motorways and I had to REALLY insist to even get a leaflet about it! We already have a Mastercard and did not need another all-singing-all-dancing card for our other account, so this is perfect. [/quote] I am now wondering if we are talking about the same card. Ours is a debit card with mastercard accreditation.

No arguement with your posting. At autoroute pay booths, manned and automatic, our CA card has been accepted - likewise with petrol stations. We have never come across a scenario, either in France or abroad, that our CA card has been refused. That includes USA, Canada, North Africa, EU and the Far & Middle East.

Ours works fine on the motorways and in self service petrol stations.

We would not be without one. Works worldwide, giving a good exchange. Works throughout France - we have opted for the insurance against fraud as well. Yes, these add ons are normally free in the UK but not in France - that is why the basics normally work out cheaper than the UK.

Sunday Driver, I agree completely. What I grow weary of are individuals that receive advice (that does not fit their wishes) so they trawl other sites looking for someone who agrees with their warped idea of right and wrong. Still let us hope nobody has an accident with a vehicle then find out the hard way - perhaps the problem lies within the UK with the criminal sub-culture of cloning cars, tax dodging etc and that mentality is unfortunately exported with a minority of the ex-pats.

Sunday Driver, Well put. I contribute to this forum as well as several motorcycle forums. I note that several motorcycles have not been matriculated for over a year!! As I said folks are delusional if they believe their bikes are road legal in France with this extended period of grace. If they have an accident, whilst in this predicament, then their dreams of a happy retirement, or productive employment, may turn to ashes very quickly.

We bought our house through auction in 1993. The auction part was simple though the transaction took nearly a year due to creative accounting by the english staff member of the immobilier. To give an example he phoned us on the day of the sale and congratulated us on purchasing the property at the top of our price range. We thanked him and asked for the details to be passed to our french notaire working in London - he commented that we did not need him. Needless to say we had another phonecall that week explaining that they had received ''the final figure'' and it was £2000 cheaper and that we did not need our legal adviser. We used the chap in London who also later spotted that they were trying to charge us additional fees when the contract was 'acte en main'. My wife then endured many phonecalls at work and home - due to the nature of my work I was abroad a lot - these phonecalls threatened us with everything including the plague. Having asked them not to contact us but go thru the London Notaire I had to phone the gentlemen and explain that if he phoned my wife once more I would be forced to visit him in France to discuss the matter further. That was the end of the threatening phonecalls. Needless to say the signing at the Notaires was a quiet affair with no celebratory drink afterwards!!

Probably find the german electrician has a lot more to explain when he is stopped than driving a UK plated vehicle. You are obliged to have the plates of the country you are resident in for more than 183 days per year. I know that individuals ''drive'' back for their MOT and Tax and declare that it is for the authorities to prove that they are resident for 183 days but they are frankly deluding themselves. As a matter of interest did you return the tearoff on the V5 for your wife's motorcycle declaring it has been exported? This also gives a timescale for matriculation.

Bob T, Those that drive UK registered vehicles with a CT and french insurance are going through the matriculation process and are given 30 days by the insurance company before they ask questions. Sadly there are plenty of UK vehicles that blithely continue with no current MOT or Tax and have not started the matriculation of their vehicles - these are the individuals that are flouting the law. When, not if, these individuals are stamped on I hope that those vehicles are impounded, just like the UK, then crushed. It is not the way to start a relationship with your adopted country.

No tax on UK registered vehicle = no insurance and illegal. Have an accident and watch your dreams disappear as you find your assets are seized to pay 3rd parties. It still beggars belief that folk delude themselves about tax and MOT on a British registered vehicle. Pleading ignorance will not avert the problem either - the type of folk that drive illegal vehicles are also those that flout the rules by working 'on the black'. If you cannot pay your way then you need to rethink your strategy. Having ignited touch paper I will wait for those that feel there is nothing wrong with potential charges driving an illegal vehicle - after all they don't give us all a bad name or do they?

The only cautionary advice would be reference insurance. I have a R1200RT that will be restricted by a plug in chip 'cos your french insurer will insure on the basis of

Is it not worth considering an artesian well, I think that is the word. Have a contractor drill a hole down 100m or to a good water pressure. You can then tell your neighbour to shove it and the initial cost will be offset by free water and the knowledge that your neighbour's greed has been thwarted.

There is also www.sim4travel.com. Same deal but cheaper calls. Have used them for some 18 months with no problems.

If your pool is suffering from osmosis - same problem for fibreglass boats in the sea - then you may find the best solution is to put a liner in. regards Vern

Grateful if you would PM with contact detailsof dealer.

You normally get your first 2 years at reduced rates. You may find that if you check your notaire paperwork that the first years' taxes were included in the sale. We pay some 900 euros a year for both taxes. To give you an idea our house is some 3000 sq ft on 1 acre in Dept 79. Anyway you look at it a damn sight cheaper than the UK!!

VMT for the advice - looks like a chat to a tax adviser. I thought that the french taxman would like a nibble or bite out of the proceeds!! regards Vern

I know it is difficult but could the thread stay on the topic. Obviously for offshore accts a new thread would be appropriate. regards Vern

Hi, We have 3 x 25 yr maturing endowment policies that are not required to settle a mortgage. They are substantial, to us, and I would be grateful for informed advice as to the treatment of the policies by the french tax system with the following scenarios: 1. Arrival in France after maturity. 2. Arrival in France up to 2 years before maturity. Thank you in advance for information furnished.