Lottie in Lot

I'm getting an increasing number of calls with nobody there. The line disconnects after a few seconds. Is this automated dialling by a call centre? It's extremely irritating as I am up a ladder stripping wallpaper! I'm getting about half a dozen calls a day now. Anyone else suffering? Anything I can do? I am already on the liste orange. Thanks Caz

Hi Margaret Where and when do they meet? I might make the effort to join you! Lottie

There's an English library at Villefranche de Rouergue, they want to increase their stock. Where abouts are you, maybe we could collect? I have a contact name if you are interested. Thanks Lottie

Hi Shelly, Can you give us a cue where in 46 you are? It's a big department. East or west of Cahors? Thanks Caroline

Hi everyone, Does anyone know an English-speaking accountant that I could consult over tax issues? I am based in 46, Cahors is the nearest big town, but I imagine a lot of this could be done by phone. Any leads much appreciated. Thanks Lottie.

Hi Rover, There are some early-fifty-somethings east of Cahors. Whereabouts are you? Maybe you could send an email to my mailbox? My partner spends his life in China and the US so I know how you feel! Bonne chance Lottie

I've bought an HD ready TV and thought I would try to get a Sky HD box, but of course they want to install it, and I'm guessing they aren't going to get a cheap flight to France to do so[;-)] I know all the problems, and already have an ordinary digibox through a UK address. Are there any companies doing HD for us in France? Thanks Lottie

I moved two chatty Burmese from Essex to the Lot a few years ago. We all went Club Class on Eurotunnel (well, they are pedigree cats!) as I thought that might help avoid any delays, and it went without a hitch. From Essex to the Tunnel there was a lot of "are we there yet?" but they settled after that and were fine. They definitely preferred being with me, and we lived in an empty house for a week until the furniture arrived. That day I shut them in a kitchen as I thought it might frighten them. They were pleased to come out when the men went, and find all their favourite things back. From then on it was home. For the actual drive, I borrowed two dog boxes, so plenty of room to move about. I put a small litter tray in each, but neither were used until we arrived, even though it took around 12 hours! My vet advised against sedatives, and in fact the cats slept most of the way anyway. I wish you good luck for the move, I would think again about keeping them with you for the journey, they will appreciate your company and reassurance. Lottie.

A few years ago I found a shop in Toulouse that sold beautiful panel of fabric for curtains. I bought ones with large red poppies. I want to find the shop again but don't know where it is! Does this ring a bell with anyone, or can you suggest good places to buy curtains, bed linen, towels, lamps etc. Many thanks Lottie

Les, You are brilliant, thanks so much. All the best, Lottie

This is a beautiful area. The scenery is breathtaking, varying from rocky cliffs near the river to open views of green hills and forests. Cahors is a good town, it has all you need in the way of shops, restaurants. OBI have an English dictionary at the Information desk as they have so many Brits doing up properties! I hope you like duck as restaurant menus can be a bit repetitive. Can't help you on schools but the doctors are fine, dentists too. Plenty of both in Cahors, where you will find an English-speaking notaire too. I'm sure you'll be very happy here. There are not too many Brits but you'll find enough to have some English friends as well as French friends. Good luck Lottie

Oops, I find that my Carte Grise has gone missing. Anyone got any idea as to how I replace it? I take it for granted that it will involve a fee and lots of forms...but who do I ask? Thanks for your help. Lottie  

Many thanks for your reply, I will take your advice and see the English-speaking notaire. I agree that even the best tenants can be a problem, and this would be their only residence. Thanks very much for making me think about this very seriously and in much more detail. All the best Lottie

I am about to rent my gite to a couple on a long-term basis, and I want both of us to have a contract that gives us security. They will live in the gite and act as caretakers for the main house as I need to move to China for work.  Does anyone know of a standard contract or is my best bet to consult a notaire? Any other suggestions most welcome! Thanks, Lottie

Have a look at www.leplanas.com I stayed there last year, the gite is small and a bit basic but in a lovely spot. In July you would be outside most of the time. It is well located for the Gorge. Otherwise try the Aubenas tourist office. Good luck! Caroline

There is a brocante in Limogne en Quercy on May 8th. Lottie

Thanks everyone, problem solved with the help of the local pharmacy who helped make contact with a Paris company, finding someone who spoke English. Really appreciate your advice. Lottie

Thanks so much, we will go and find them. I really appreciate your help.   Lottie

Has anyone had any experience of getting a new prosthesis? My neighbour has had a mastectomy and needs to get a replacement. The clinic were surprised when she asked, and said she should go and buy one...but where? Are there special shops? We're not likely to find one in Carrefour Any advice much appreciated. Lottie.

I paid €0,50 at the end of January, her in the Lot. This too was cheaper than the last lot. The price varies according to the time of year, so fill up in the Summer not late Autumn when everyone else wants it. It is also cheaper if you take over 1000 litres in one go, so the bigger your tank, the better price you can get. Lottie

Here's an update I received yesterday from the Passenger Traffic Manager at Toulouse Airport: EUjet flights from Manston was planned to operate only during winter season for ski travellers. - Flybe is going to continue to operate Bristol and Birmingham routes to Toulouse as daily flights. We do expect to have a second daily flight to Bristol as the traffic is important and needs additional frequencies. Only Southampton will stop from April 2005 due to lack of profitability of the route (too much cheap tickets sold). - Bmibaby is going to stop East-Midlands as they have decided to reduce the number of aircrafts based in East-Midlands and so they have decided to stop routes where the operate only as weekly frequencies (instead of daily). - All big airports in France are going to change their structure. We are talking about private investors but nothing has been done yet. There are negotiation between Chamber of Commerce and French Government. Airbus is not involved in this issue. This does explain things a bit. Lottie

By a "business" operator, I was thinking of an airline that was more likely to be used by people travelling on business than going on holiday. For example BA, with 3 flights a day, can have me in the London office by 9.30am if I get the first flight, and then I return two days later on the evening flight which means I don't leave the office until 5.30pm. Although RyanAir's flight from Rodez is nearer, it wouldn't give me that flexibility. A number of the airlines at Toulouse serve European cities like Frankfurt which are more likely to be used by business travellers. Just look in the departure lounge, everybody is clutching their laptop! Maybe these airlines who charge higher fares, are prepared to pay higher landing fees. Lottie

I have made a posting in the Travelling to France forum, which may give a clue about Toulouse. There is a rumour that Airbus is taking back some of the airport, in order to fly this new plane they are building. It seems some of the smaller airlines are losing out. One presumes BA will keep flying there but I wonder if it will become more of a business than a leisure airport. Maybe the leisure carriers will start to use more of the local airports like Cahors..who knows. Lottie

From Easter this year, FlyBe will no longer fly from Southampton to Toulouse. Bad news for anyone that switched to that route when Buzz went down taking the Bournemouth route with them.

It seems there is an issue with Air France. Apparently they cancelled their Heathrow/Toulouse route because so many people were flying that route then taking BA across the Atlantic as it was cheaper than doing AF via Paris. FlyBe is also cancelling the Southampton/Toulouse route w.e.f Easter. This is bad news for those who switched when dear old Buzz stopped flying from Bournemouth. What next? Bristol? Birmingham? What about Easy Jet? Has anyone else heard the rumour that Airbus are taking back more of Toulouse airport in order to fly this huge new plane from there? Lottie