coulimer

I had 40 year old O level French so the locals thought it highly amusing that I could read and write quite well but spoken French was beyond me. After two years of extended visits I am now told I speak with a local accent.  My advise is to spend a lot of evenings in the local bar - you can drink coffee or squash - the locals do. I speak French in reply to our sole English speaker and we have a lot of fun explaining the intricacies of our native tongues. The bar has also opened the door to the social side of the village. Volunteering to help with the fete and other events earns you browmie points as does using local tradesmen, but only on personal reconnendation. This ploy saved me a lot of money on the double glazing and got me a superb new roof with none of the problems recounted in forums and the magazines. Good luck with your French. Boris  

I have just had a new roof installed by a French roofer recommended by the locals. He expected 30% when he started, 30% at the halfway point and presented a bill for the remainder when he had finished. The French builder who rebuilt our chimney also waited until he had finished before presenting his bill. I suggest you keep hold of your money and tell him he will get it when the work is finidhed and not before. Boris

We are hoping to convert our barn to living accomodation but I am getting very confused about what the building regulations are in France eg must comply with local regulations inone posting I looked no regulations in another is it possible to obtain a copy of the regulations.  We are in a small village in Orne. Any help would be much appreciated. Yvonne Coulimer