David J

To all in France it's now Christmas Day so Happy Christmas.  For those in UK sorry can't wait up but in an hour Happy Christmas to you also.   David J   "Always on the ball"    

Makes my £50.00 return booking for 9 days a bit of a bargain!!!   David J   "Always on the ball"

Hi Anton, Try an early morning crossing with P & O.  I've just booked a  9 day return for £50.00 but it's very early at 3.15 am Calais - Dover on 7th Jan and 2.45 am from Dover to Calais on 16th of Jan. Sea France also have cheap crossings in the early hours. Hope this will be useful.     David J   "Always on the ball"   

Hi, I posted result on 10/11/07 on another message "Big Match - Result" with all the details and viewed currently by 59. Could be another Big Match this weekend if selected!!   David J "Always on the ball"  

Hi All who wait for the result!! My first suprise was to find that having expected to play in the doubles and rely on my partner I was chosen to play in the singles so no hiding place.  My ranking had slipped to 40/1 from 30/5 as I hadn't played for 8 months.  The second surprise was that my opponent had a better ranking of 30/3 and during the knock up all shots were going out or in the net and his seemed faster and more accurate so the omens were not good.  The first set started badly and though the first three games went to juice I found I was 5 - 0 down but  I won the next two but couldn't save the set and lost that 6 - 2.  However I seemed to gain some encouragement from the two won games of the first set and games went evenly until the ninth game which I lost and unfortunately I lost the 10th as well to loose the set 6-4. On reflection I should have won this set as there were chances which I didn't take and who knows a third set decider could have gone my way. However the good news was that the team won the other singles 6-0 6-1 and the doubles 6-1 7-6 to win the match 2-1. Will be practising mid week but miss the next 2 matches due to returning to the UK but it was good to be back playing again. Bon Weekend   David J "Always on the ball"    

Hi All again, Well after 8 months off due to injury I'm back playing tennis again and am selected for the local team tomorrow morning playing at Montguyon (17). Had tennis elbow and suffered but kept the faith and now after a couple of sets warm up, won one and  lost one they have put me in the doubles so that I can hide if need be. Will post the result tomorrow pm. Weather forecast is good and expecting a crowd of at least 3!! Just hope the legs will keep me going for at least 2 sets. Bye for now     David J   "Always on the ball"      

Hi, We have 4 goldies and all are bitches.  We know someone who lost a golden aged 13 I think who was thinking of getting another. Won't be able to make contact with them until Monday at the earliest to check if they are still wanting a replacement for their lost loved one. Await your update in due course and will get some data on their current situation.  I know that they have fallen in love with our 4 and this brings back happy memories I can tell. Regards     David J   "Always on the ball"  

Hi, I'm currently in the UK but travel monthly from district 17 to the North of England ( North Yorks). I will be returning to the UK on the 2nd of September via Speedferries.  I have not booked this yet but it will be organised in the next week to 10 days when I'm in France. If this will be of help then please contact me. Look forward to your contact.     David J   "Always on the ball"

Hi All After last nights storm in the Charente Maritime another has just started. 2 of the dogs are doing cart wheels and the other two just want to go to sleep.  It started about 30 minutes ago in the distance south and probably moving north. No rain yet but if the same as last night then will get strong winds and torrential rain. Anyone else got the same. Will go and try and calm the dogs.  Chicken and horses seem fine and OH into a book!! Night all     David J   " always on the ball"    

Hi Just seen your query. If you could get to Boulogne for 9.00 there is a 9.50 from Boulogne to Dover with Speedferries which costs £28.00 single. Vehicle + up to 5 passengers. See their website www.speedferries.com for timetable.  I selected Sunday 10th of June. Good luck     David J " Always on the ball"  

Hi I did the same as you and got 10 for £190 in Dec 2005. Have just used this on my trip today and the return on the 17th.  I also booked 10 for £240 in August 2006 and needed to book a crossing on the 31st of May so phoned up, gave my security code and had it confirmed immediately. When I come back I just phone up again, give the same security code and choose my date and time subject to availability. As I now know the return date I can get this similarly booked and confirmed using the same security code. Job done!   David J   "Always on the ball"     

Hi Mandy & Tony, What a great opportunity you have.  We are about to celebrate our third anniversary in our property in France in the Charente Maritime near Montguyon and it has been probably the best three years we have had.  However not without some challenges. Could have said problems, but treat them as challenges that have to be overcome either together or with assistance from new friends, neighbours both French & English. We initially created our budget on purchase price and estimated annual expenditure from income and then put together a property checklist on where we wanted to be.  Then added the property type, condition, location and the extras.  Also looked at travel arrangements for ourselves and visitors with the airports in the UK to airports in France that would be within about an hour of the location.  Also the road link for driving back to the UK. Our property is 8 hours drive +stops from Boulogne and then the 5+hours up to North Yorks so is a 16 hour door to door trip with stops and ferry crossing. Suggest reading back copies of Living France for information. Look at websites on properties and what you get for your Euro and talk to those who have done the same.  I commute each month and fly either Manchester - Bordeaux or Stansted - Bergerac with BMIbaby & Ryanair. You can check their flight times etc on their websites  www.ryanair.com &  www.bmibaby.com for more information. Could spend more time to help you on this but have to go to work shortly but please email me if you want some more practical help. Having been in Financial Services I now try and help and direct those making the move to the contacts with specialist information etc and I have put together a pre departure pack from my experiences. Good Luck. Regards     David J   " Always on the ball"              

Hi Athene, My wife and I play bridge and are in 17. We are near Montguyon so not too far away.  I'm in the UK at present but spend 50/50 time in France/UK monthly. Hope we can make contact when you move over. Regards       David J "Always on the ball"

Anyone else caught up in the Bomb scare at Bordeaux airport this morning. Arrived at the airport at 9.10 for 10.20 flight to Manchester and walked in to booking area and found bomb scare and total evacuation of terminal building for 90 minutes in the freezing cold. An abandoned vehicle was blown up in a controlled explosion near the drop off point near the departure hall. Eventually flight left at 11.45 and arrived in Manchester at 12.35.  Then back to N Yorks and blizzards.  Know I should have stayed in bed!!  It wasn't a dream. Regards   David J   "Always on the ball"   

Hi, There are a number of UK sites for selling privately and if looking for a UK buyer then this might be worth viewing for some ideas etc. Try  www.buyitprivately.com I have a list of others if interested. Regards     David J   " Always on the ball"  

Hi Tresco, went out at 10.30 and all cloudy so thought I 'd missed. it. However just seen the end of Match of the Day, taken the dogs out and looked up and there was a cloudless sky. Quite brilliant here from near Montguyon.     David J   "Always on the ball"  Look out again the skies may now have cleared for you I hope.    

Hi, Not sure where you are going to live in France and whether you intend to make any driving trips back to the UK.  Getting a 10 ticket special from Speedferries Dover - Boulogne to use over a 2 year period will save you some funds but if you return to Devon there could be better links for you. Good luck David J   "Always on the ball"    

I agreed , great talent. David J   "Always on the ball"

hi Dave, I do part of your journey from North Yorks to Montguyon (17) and I leave at 2.00 am, arrive Dover at 7.00 for the 8.00 am Ferry and am normally at property at 7.00 pm.  The only saving I can suggest is to get a 10 ticket voucher with Speedferries which you can use within a two year period.  I bought one in December 2005 for £190 and another in 2006 for £240. I have saved a bit on some non toll roads.  I also purchase as much cheap diesel upon arriving in Boulogne so just have enough in the tank 1/2 full to get from North Yorks to Boulogne and then fill up and then do the same on the return. Re the Accommodation you might be able to check prices out with a B& B in Dover or Formule 1 in France to make some savings. Can't help with the tiring bit I know the result other than type of vehicle to drive. I've a 407 SW and very comfortable. Hope this may help. Regards     David J   "Always on the ball"    

Hi, I'm returning to UK on Wednesday 7th to catch 3.00pm Speedferry. if anyone wants a lift then please let me know. Will be leraving at 5.00am from near Montguyon (17) via Angouleme, Pioitiers, Tours, Chatres Rouen, Abbeyville to Boulogne. When in Dover it's up to N Yorks via M20, M25, M11, A14 & A1 Regards     David J   "Always on the ball" W  

Have seen the same from Stansted to Bergerac for late Feb.  Total cost with taxes about £38.50.  It will cost me more to travel from North Yorks to Stansted return! However will still book it as BMI baby from Manchester to Bordeaux is £60+ Have a good flight.     David J   "Always on the ball" Have new racket for 2007 from Santa so watch for the results!!    

Hi Polly, Just seen your message regarding wanting a penpal.  My french friend who I play tennis with, his son aged 12 I think was wanting an English penpal.  Would you like me to make contact with him? Regards     David J   "Always on the ball"  

As long as it's the straight & narrow, keep away from those rocks!! Married 31 years and 4 more years before the 5th 7 year itch!!   David J   "Always on the ball"

Absense makes the heart grow fonder!!   David J   "Always on the ball"

Hi, I'm returning from Montguyon (17) all being well on Tuesday 6th of February in a 407 SW up to N Yorks and will be travelling with an almost empty vehicle other than clothes and a few small boxes so could have some room. Any good for you? Regards   David J "Always on the Ball"