Nicos

We fill up there too- B'card Visa used with no problems! Are you intending driving on through the night? - if not, why not arrive with 1/4 tank so you can top up the next day?

Here - have a look at this ... http://www.humanism.org.uk/site/cms/...sp?chapter=309 and here is their quiz... http://www.humanism.org.uk/site/cms/contentViewArticle.asp?article=1208

Can you get lambs lettuce out there??? Would need to be fleeced though!

Garlic[:)]

Ha! I hope it's not that!!![blink] Would have to be wearing clogs, taking dancing lessons and be at least 5 times bigger to make the munching noise we hear!!! ( at least it's not all the time or the roof would have caved in by now)

Thanks Chris...but any idea what would chomp through wooden beams????

Could I ask how the finished results differ comparing oiled to waxed oak beams? We have orange/brown varnished oak beams and I'd love to sand blast them and then either wax or oill them ( I'd never heard of oiling them until I'd read this thread!) Anyone got any photos to be able to compare?? Anyone advise one more than the other??? ( sorry- don't mean to redirect the OP's question!)

Higgy in the seond posting suggested it might be a doormouse- what do their droppings look like - what sort of noises at night do they make compared to a fouine?? We have something living inbetween our insulated stone walls and into our enclosed apex of roofspace in the bedroom. Munching of wood ( presumably our roof joists??????) and  padding/scratching around in the early hours is common. Sounds like there is just one at the moment....but come spring????.... We have only found large mouse (rat??) droppings in the cellar so far and have no access to the roof space. How could I determine if it was a doormouse instead of a fouine? ( same questionas OP really)

Family tree???

I'd go for the higher level- it's not much more per year and then you won't have to worry about the whole house tripping in the pitch black . Hairdryers, washing machines, kettles, microwaves..... But maybe I lack a sense of adventure?????[:-))]

If you are in the UK meg ( I presume so because of the mince pies/pudding etc ??) You can buy loads of special fizzy drinks such as Elderflower, Ginger- all made by Dutchy Originals ( and other organic type companies). The secret is in serving in a nice wine or champagne glass. You could refill just as quicly as the others in the house, but it will be more special than a glass of orange juice!! They're not very cheap, but cheaper than a bottle of wine! If you are in France I'm sure they must have something similar??? By the way....well done, you must be noticing a lot of difference to your health by now![:)]

There are certainly more in France- that's for sure!!! Can hardly even find the North Star there are so many others around it!!! Last week the Milky Way ( what's it called in French again???) was so thick ..... -We cold hardly make out the Plough ( cassoulette????) Anyone seen the comet in the western sky??- we had thunderstorms last week and missed it- is it still there??? Mars was so bright- wonderful!![:)]

I think part of the secret of keeping it alive is to buy one grown in the pot. We have bought ones which have been dug up (from a local supplier ) and they can't lift them without chopping off a lot of the roots. Keeping them in a cool place indoors as well would help reduce their shock. Maybe now is the time to buy one and slowly get it used to being indoors as you would in reverse with seedlings ( softening up as opposed to hardening off I suppose) and then reverse the process slowly after New Year. Some varieties certainly grow more slowly than others, but I can't advise on that![:)]

Well I suppose if it is banned , all the lasses waiting to board at the port would help consume it rather than have it confiscated!!!![:-))]

Can you take chocolate over to France now?? When I was over in October there was a ban on all dairy products, and I presumed it was still the same?

Thanks for that Cathy!!!![:)] Well- I have to admit that I picked up that phrase from here!!![:-))] ( have to say though.... it's still WONDERFUL to have it!!!!) Something new every day eh??[;-)]

Ha!  ...Well we'll soon find out if his quoted price includes the tax!!!! ( doubt it though!) Our new neighbour had already told us that he is charged 13E per hour , so I don't think we are being fleeced. So far he's been a quiet, hard working, reliable and skilled workman which I understand can be hard to find. Thanks for all your advice- wish I'd sorted out the cheque d'E earlier now..... ( everyone else has taken an ordinary cheque)

Ok -that's fine....can I order the special chequebook via email to the bank or will I need to make an appointment and call in?? And how do I register...and with whom?? I presume I can do this, being a UK tax payer n all???

Thanks Claire...I've managed to have a quick look through! Is anyone able to give me a quick , rough idea, (whilst I do the reading up) a quick answer to my questions such as yes...no....20E... just to give me a rough idea where I'm heading at the moment????[:-))]

Well- thanks for all your interest folks! I'll certainly let you know the outcome of the sale of the car!![:)]

We have been asked to pay for some work done for us by a Cheque d'Eployee ( sp????) Our house is a maison secondaire. Can someone please explain a couple of things?? We only have a 'normal' French chequebook,so I presume we need to ask for a different book? If so- do we need to take any documents to the bank when ordering  it , or is it as simple as sending an email requesting one?? ( don't want to get to France and find we don't have an important document with us!) The work was quoted at 13E per hour...what would we be paying per hour when we write the cheque?? (I believe we have to pay tax and ??insurance on top of the 13E??) Thanks[:)]

Thanks ErnieY. Nice and clear! All would certainly be above board. Yep- think it would be better to suggest they fly over and collect it- they would also have the opportunity of declining their offer if needs be,without putting us out too much!

Can't find exact info on here to answer my fairly urgent question- can anyone avise me please?? Father in law has died in UK and an English couple (who live in France)have asked us to drive his car to France when we next go over ( next week) with the intention of them buying it off us ( and we would fly back). My OH is an executor of his will. In effect this would be exporting his car, and selling it on behalf of Mother in law. This seems potentially very complicated to me.... Should it be straight forward or can we expect problems????

How about a few nut trees ?? Almond jumps to mind- you'd need to check up on other types though.

Glad about that Tony...sometimes we worry too much...and other times not enough eh??? I'm pleased for you!!