peter@pons

 I have obtained several left hand drive cars for clients over the past ten years and in my experience Holland is the best place to go. The Dutch have a luxury tax on cars(as do the Spanish) as well as tva and so the manufacturers supply the dealers at a price that tax inclusive brings them into line with the neighbouring EEC countries,eg Belgium, so their tax free price is lower. Be aware that specifications vary from country to country, for example Hyundais that we know as 4wd are not necessarily so in Belgium or Holland or France, and so on. The other advantage with dealing in Holland is that most car dealers have at least one person that speaks perfect English which can be very useful regards strange specifications, extras,insurance,temporary registration plates and paperwork for re registering. They are also in my experience very polite and helpful! I have made some very good contacts over the years so if anyone wants advice(no charge) please feel free to contact me. I am about to arrange collection of a new Ford from Holland for a friend. This car has to be registered in Jersey, which entails an inspection of lights, speedo and rear fogs to ensure that they comply with RHD legislation, and then are to be changed back to LHD regulations. The Dutch dealer has been as helpful as normal and makes everything so simple that it is a pleasure to deal with him.   Peter    

Have you thought about basting your mace flavoured chicken with Castrol R? Then clean the roasting dish with Gunk,works every time! Bon appetite.   Peter.  

 We live in the Channel Islands, wanted somewhere in France,not east, couldn't afford south,know Brittany and Normandy well,very nice but weather same as Jersey if not worse. Having had great holidays in Dordogne looked there and then looked again in February,dead and so cold I wanted to be dead! Gers similar, really liked Landes but really damp.Charente maritime ticked most of the boxes, La Rochelle is fantastic but too expensive for me,eventually looked around a bit further south and found a town with a fresh fish shop,most important to me, and a few kilometres away a market(Cozes)with a stall selling live spider crabs, the best tasting crustacean by far,lobsters and crayfish included. So eventually bought a property near Pons,having spoken to three local estate agents and made appointments to view 3 or 4 at a time,and saw one offered by an agent in Gemozac that had for us the wow factor,which meant that we could afford it,it wasn't in need of bulldozing and rebuilding,it was light and airy,have since been conned by local electrician and plumber, eventually asked my very French neighbour for advice and am just about sorted. I am no longer determined to do things myself without bothering local friends and neighbours,they are not only very helpful but only too pleased to help. I found that internet property sites were useful as price guides,but largely out of date regards specific houses.I am very happy with my work in progress house and now that my wife has retired we are looking forward to spending much more time there and hopefully making a house out of what we already regard as a home. Peter. Happy New Year to All.  

M.Hulot's Holiday Slapstick Debbie does Dallas   Happy New Year   Peter.  

Have you tried a Pecharment, lovely red wine from Bergerac region, also Cote de Blaye, a Bordeaux but not really a fashionable one so very good value. I hope you enjoy tasting them all!   Merry Christmas   Peter

It would appear that there are two versions of the penguin game! 300 odd seems a very good score with the baseball game, but try "lethal penguin" for far greater distances. Unfortunately your penguin finishes up somewhat less than intact,even if much further away.   Merry Christmas,   Peter  

Please someone tell me I am not the only here old enough to remember " the rag trade" Perhaps I am the only one daft enough to admit it!   Peter.

Official website of Charente Maritime has advertised in Haute Saintonge amongst things to do accompanied walks for amateur mushroom gatherers.   Peter

another site to try: www.myp2p.eu Good luck   Peter

Look at www.immoprix.com its all there   Peter

If the car is pre type approval it probably wouldn't matter but you will still be required  to register the change of engine number. However you will be left with a car that is not original and as such worth a fraction of the genuine article for example Triumph Stag with Rover V8 engine or rhd TR6 with carbs.   Peter

Never take sleeping pills and laxatives at the same time. Heard on phone in Radio 5 live.Wise words.   Peter

Starter - very quick and easy. Two or three large fresh scallops per person. Wash the scallops, cut into old penny size slices, and place in a shallow bowl of freshly squeezed lime juice for 15 minutes. This will cook the scallop slices. Drain and serve with a few drops of good olive oil and pepper to taste. If the scallops have the pink coral attached, keep it for a fish stock.   Peter.

What the f*** was that?   Mayor of Hiroshima, 6th August 1945.   Peter

Charentaise melon with pineau   Peter

Try Les Deux Charentes on the road from Archiac to Barbezieux - very popular with the locals and truck drivers   Peter

Seperate bathrooms. Peter

Try contacting States of Jersey Social Security department - go to www.gov.je   There is a reciprocal agreement between France and Jersey regard the provision of medical care.   accord franco - jersiais du 29 mai 1979 sur le Securite Sociale regards, Peter 

I need some furniture for a house in Pons - are you anywhere near?