Nell

This is a question that appears regularly in forums which focus on the Languedoc region - I've seen threads on both the Languedoc Page and Anglophone-direct. Worth searching on either of those to see the different views expressed. I come through Girona airport every two months or so, and everytime see more change. There seem to be more carparks springing  up around it too. One lead for you - the Vilobi Hotel is right next door to the airport and offers car-parking which I've heard is less than that of the airport ( and no, you don't have to stay there to park your car there)    

you will get a lot of information about Ceret  on www.anglophone-direct.com It's a website local to the pyrenees  orientales department in which Ceret is situated

I've travelled Ryanair twice in the last three months with my elderly Dad - 81. He uses a walking stick and we had no problem whatsoever on any of the four flights we took. First time I enquired about special assistance/wheelchair (yes, talking to a human being at the Ryanair call centre who was very helpful)  but between us we agreed that  it wasn't necessary. Dad's capable of walking, just needs the stick for extra support. But I did book priority and this worked out well. It was just enough to give us that extra bit of time to board the plane without the crowds bearing down on us. And for anyone flying out of Girona, where there is a  considerable number of steps to get down on departure, a tip - there's a lift which they use  for wheelchair passengers. I asked to use it  - 'no problem' and it helped considerably as stairs are a bit laborious for Dad. In terms of just turning up and blagging a wheelchair - I wouldn't follow this advice. The only way to guarantee getting one and being able to use it all the way through the airport, is to book it in advance.  

Does anyone know where exactly the TGV station in Girona is going to be? The other week when I flew out from Girona it looked as if the  new railway line was going to be very close to the airport and a previous time there was an exhibition in the airport which hinted that the new tgv station was going to be next to the airport. Anyone got more info?  

I bought a very small apartment in Amelie about 18 months ago - not to rent out, just as a bolthole whilst I get to know the area better and maybe commit to something bigger long-term. Obviously I'm not there all the time but I've managed to visit most months so what follows is based on dipping in and out at different times of the year. Amelie is not a town that dies out-of-season. Because people visit 'les thermes'   virtually all year round ( think it closes around Christmas/January) it does have an ongoing life.  Les 'curistes' (the people receiving treatment at the spa) are all French I suspect, although you don't have to take the 21-day  treatment  - visitors can have day treatments too. You might find this link useful  http://www.a-amelie.fr/Amelie/ The  spa has certainly led to a large number of apartment blocks around Amelie  to accomodate the people who come to take the cure and there are always a number of flats available to buy at relatively low prices. But if you were to focus on this market I'd guess there are some specifics to bear in mind - curistes are older and some have mobility problems (but that doesn't stop the tea-dances which are held most days!), budget is likely to be an issue,  as is proximity to Les Thermes. If you were thinking of the tourist, more international,  market, obviously the season is much shorter - but Amelie is in a beautiful part of the world and there's access to a wide range of outdoor activities all around. It wouldn't be the first choice for anyone wanting a family holiday by the beach - but as a base to tour, walk, explore, cycle, climb, ski(?)  etc..it's great.              

HI Pads, I bought using the power of attorney. What happened was, everyone in france was keen to complete very close to Christmas and I just couldn't get over. I was using a UK solicitor throughout and he wasn't remotely phased by this. He helped me complete the power of attorney forms, and off they went to france.  Then when I was able to get out - 2 days after  'completion' - I just picked up the keys from the estate agent who had taken final meter readings for me. It was all very easy. Don't know what your  ideal timescale is but it's possible that everything could be completed before the notaire goes on holiday ( which , of course means you transferring the money earlier) and you can then just pick up the keys from the estate agent when  you're over. Mine was a very straightforward purchase of a small apartment. There had been no negotiation over land/furniture etc  so obviously other people may have more difficult situations in which there are things they want to check for themselves before signing in which case granting power of attorney  would not allow them to do so - but for me, it worked fine.