Callandclan

We are just up the road from you, when did you move in/over?   [quote user="DerekJ"][quote user="Callandclan"] This took me straight to where I'm based and we are only on orange alert at the moment.  I think we have got away with it, if you click the link again it takes you to the five day forcast.  It a bit sleety and the winds droping, so its sort of good news.   Hope this helps some. [/quote] I think we are just up the road from you at St Cernin. We've looked a the Meteo link from the village website which seems to say things aren't too bad but I get the impresion that might not tell the fiull story... don't really know though. Clair... thanks for some local(ish) feedback. [/quote]

http://france.meteofrance.com/france/meteo?PREVISIONS_PORTLET.path=previsionsdept%2FDEPT46   This took me straight to where I'm based and we are only on orange alert at the moment.  I think we have got away with it, if you click the link again it takes you to the five day forcast.  It a bit sleety and the winds droping, so its sort of good news.   Hope this helps some.

Your absoloutley right, # 40 Klm from Cahor 40 Klm from Grammat 40 Klm from Grourdon 40 Klm from Figeac   As you can see, we are right in the middle from all these wonderful towns.   Can't believe i've been on the forum for all these years.  It does seem strange being back in the UK after living and working in France for three years but at least we get back often enough. We are so looking forward to biking in France and continuing down into Spain this summer.

Well its been ages since I've been on the forum.  We moved back to the UK January 07 and are still here for the next few yrs, still have the house in France and get over for at least 16 weeks per year, annyyywaayyy.   Ages ago I said about doing my bike test in France, alas this was not to be, so last April I did my CBT in the Uk, got myself a nice little maruder 125, did my test in November and passed.  I now have a Honda CBF 500, hubby also did his test and he has a CBF 600 (why do men have to go bigger!!).  So anyway, new trailer is on order for Easter visit, I can't wait to get blasting out on those wonderful roads around the Lot, I'm really looking forward to it.   If anyone else is around in the area at this time on bikes, please drop me a pm and maybe we could meet up?   Lavender

Any news on around the Cahors/Labastide Murat side of things with regards dammage etc.  We are not over at the moment and won't be until March.  Any info appreciated.

Well, I think I went to AVF and they didn't have a clue, maybe I went to the wrong place. We are in a bit of a similair postion, we are in our very early 40's one son 11 in college in Cahor.  We would love to meet more people, be they French, English, Dutch, German etc.  I'd love to improve my French, but only having 4 hrs per week and then never speaking it again for the week, means I'm not as good as I could be, but I really do try and its very important to me. We would love more friend of any nationality, we are trying to be as self sufficient as possible, echo friendly and also, love nothing better than a good drink, board games, putting the world to rights, a bit of dancing on the patio, to just about any old rubbish (northern soul for me).  We are right in the middle between Cahors, Figeac and Garamat, our nearest town is the Labastide Murat. We are not your normaly aged retires either, hubby finished his 22 yrs in the Army and me, well that would be telling! Please get in touch anyone if you fancy a chat and making new friends.    

Hi   We have eaten at the Indian at the bottom of the hill, Gambetta, Cahor and have to say it was a lovely meal.  We have only done this the once and it was just like eating at an Indian in the UK.  Didn't like the fact that you could smoke inside, but thats my problem! The meal was really nice though, Nann bread lovely and my son adored his Chicken Korma and my Lamb Biriani was lovely. I did go the the Chinese off the roundabout, by the Irish pub.  It was a nice Chinese, but I have had better. Hope this Helps. Lavender

Dick A simple no would of sufficed in answer to my question.  To all the other contributors, thank you for your time and for your input. I do know the french education system is totaly different to that of the uk, one of the reasons why I am here.  I also made sure my son had french language lessons before we came here for a yr and continued them this yr. Once again many thanks.  I now have all the information to proceed.   To Dee Sivell, I couldn't agree more!!

Professor Caroline Fitzgibbon of Durham University (a most estimable woman, a superb research statistician and a great teacher) stated in her book 'Ofsted schmofsted' that the average Ofsted report would fail as an MA dissertation on methodological grounds and the quality of statistical work, poor sampling etc. The latest style of inspection seems to compound this, despite giving less notice to schools. What is the relevance of this to my origional question? I thank all useful contributions to my origional request.  I guess the answer is no, there is no similar organisation.  So I shall continue on my quest and ask around. Thanks

Dick You may call it a British Obsession, but as I have only lived in the Uk for a total of 6yrs out of the past 15, in various countries.  It was the only example/comparison I could give.  My reasons for asking is that we plan to move in the next six months and I'd like to know the reputations of the local collages in the area, as this will influence where we settle. I'd love to be able to find out through word of mouth, but alas being in the middle of no where, with no neighbours makes it slightly limiting.  

If your looking to buy new books at normal prices, then Play.com send to France with no postage costs.  I use them all the time. Jan

Can anyone tell me if there is an offical internet site similar to Ofstead in the Uk, with reference reports on colleges.  That would give me a clear indication on the quality of the teaching.   Many thanks  

Shas Thanks for the info, but i'm in the Lot.  Could you tell me what I'm looking for in the phone book, under what heading.  Many thanks Jan

We have reached the point where your beloved dog needs to be put to sleep.  Does anyone know of an company in France that can provide cremation services.  I'd like to scatter his ashes.  If this is not possible we will bury him in the field, but we would like cremation if possible. I hope some of you can help. Regards Jan

Val How brilliant, I hope you can find an agent soon, this is a fantastic read so far.  I've really enjoyed it.   Jan

I order most of my books & DVD's from Play.com.  Its free postage to France and most of the stuff is cheeper than Amazon UK and especialy Amazon France for english books.  I always check the prices between the sites.  The return policy is good as well. I don't think it would be worth it Russett, unless the people you where trying to interest did not have internet access.  With Ref the childrens books, I recently got my son a load of Sat books to make sure he keeps his hand in on his english and to check they covered the same stuff in school here.  That might be the best kind of stuff to look into. Hope this helps Jan

I'd like some advice folks.  I have a good collection of British/American  Classics from the 40's onwards eg, The thin man, 39 steps, some Sherlock holmes, St Trinians, Citizen Cane, Billy Liar, Alfred Hitchcock,Whistle down the wind, Georgie Girl, Alfie, Italian job, you get where I'm coming from I hope.  What I would like to do now is start a collection of classic french films, I've started by getting La Reine Margot on the recommendation of my teacher.  I'd like any titles you can think of from drama, comedy, thrillers etc from the 40's onwards. Your input will be greatly appreciated. Many thanks Jan

Thanks Viva Thats what I found out today when I visited the ANPE.  They also gave me a list of stuff I would need to take.  What a really nice bunch of people in there.  The lady I spoke to in my broken French was really helpful. Many thanks Jan

I've been here a year now and would like to get a part time job. Does anyone have any advice on what I need to take to the ANPE (job centre) or what they might ask me.  I know I will not end up in the same employment I used to be in, but many yrs ago when I was a teenager.  I worked as a home help for a couple of years and would like to do this again.  Does anyone know what this type of work this is called and what the organisations are called that run them. It used to be social services in the uk, so any ideas on what the equivalent is here? Also what are my chances of getting this sort of work? Once I'm registered I plan on doing the French course in Figeac that Clair mentioned on a previous thread in Figeac.  I have had private lesson for a yr and know the basics. All replys will be greatly recieved. Jan

There was an advert in French News this month looking for fruit pickers. Jan

My White GSD now aged over 13 yrs has always had dry dog food and any other food we saw fit to give him.  He had DRY puppy food, which was then changed to the young dog, next the mature active dog, especially as he ran at least 7 miles a day with my husband.  He then went on the the less active and is now on a senior food.  I will say when he was young he had a supplement for his bones, but only as a puppy up until maturity at 18 months. He teeth have remained pretty good which I am sure is down to the dry food.  He has never had any major health problems.  He now has arthritis and has a bit of a John wayne walk.  We don't expect him to be around by Christmas, but he has had a very good innings. Jan I forgot to add, he loves Pigs ears, bones and especialy the leather ones.

Clair   I looked into this at the beginning of the year, but it was way above my budget.  My husband and i have been paying for private lessons, 13 euros an hour.  I would love to study more, but at 8 euros for 4 hours this would prove to expensive for us. Could you explain how we could apply for European funding and what the criterior would be.   Many thanks Jan

If I was you, I would build breeze block units, put shelves where I wanted, have the work surface of my choice, I would then put lovely gingham curtains across for a very reasonable price...........as you may of gathered I wish I had done this before buying my very expensive IKEA units.....which by the way, if anyone would like to make me an offer on......Birch free standing........I'm dept 46.. Oh how I wish I had built my own....I can give you a complete listing ref the IKea cat. Jan

I never had to remember my dogs microchip number, its on his disc on his collar.  I was advised to not have his name as its easier to steal them, when you know the name.  My dog has lived in the UK, Cananda, Germany and now France. He was registered on the pet passport scheme.  We neve returned to the Uk, so now in Dept 46 he does not need to have his rabies vacc anymore. I have never had a problem registering him in any country.  He is now registered in France.  Sadly at the age of 13 he looks like he may not be with us much longer. My cat was chipped the same day he had his vaccinations as a kitten.  My vet said there was no necessity to tatoo. The next dog will be Chipped and Pet passported for trips to the UK. Jan

I never had to remember my dogs microchip number, its on his disc on his collar.  I was advised to not have his name as its easier to steal them, when you know the name.  My dog has lived in the UK, Cananda, Germany and now France. He was registered on the pet passport scheme.  We neve returned to the Uk, so now in Dept 46 he does not need to have his rabies vacc anymore. I have never had a problem registering him in any country.  He is now registered in France.  Sadly at the age of 13 he looks like he may not be with us much longer. My cat was chipped the same day he had his vaccinations as a kitten.  My vet said there was no necessity to tatoo. The next dog with be Chipped and Pet passported for trips to the UK. Jan