KathyF

In Scotland offenders with community service orders are being used to clear snow. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8445481.stm

-7 here in Mid-Wales when I last looked at 8pm, so probably a couple of degrees colder than that by now. Mind you, the temperature reached a balmy 0C in the sun at lunchtime today - the highest it's been all week. [:D]

[quote user="Judith"] I remember in 1978/9 it started snowing on NYEve, and there was still snow around at Easter.  That was in the N of England and Scotland.  Glad I'm now in the south of France, 30 years ago I could cope with the cold - not now! [/quote] I remember that winter too, Judith. Here in Mid-Wales it snowed just befor our son's birthday on Dec 1st and there was still snow on the ground when our daughter had her birthday on Feb 22nd. This morning we've got at least 9" standing snow in sheltered areas and are completely snowed in with 2-4ft drifts all down our track, and the snow is still blowing off the fields.  Isn't retirement good?  [:D]

Snowing hard here in Mid-Wales at the moment - the third lot in a week. At this rate we'll probably have 6" or more by morning. Coupled with the almost constant sub-zero temperatures it won't be disappearing in a hurry. Lucky we slithered down the hill yesterday to stock up. [:)]

Portsmouth ferry terminal is being completely rebuilt this year, Gardian, starting this month. They've presumably stopped doing routine maintenance in anticipation. [:)] http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/8377523.stm

I think if you translate manquer as "to lack" it might make more sense to you and help you to remember. "You are lacking to me". Just a thought.....[:)]

It certainly isn't, Wooly, and abused men can have the additional problem of getting people to believe them when they say it's happening.

It's very much a subject that should be discussed, as it happens in all social classes and sadly behind far more than a "few closed doors".  Among my own close friends and family are two women whose (now ex) husbands are professional men (a secondary-school teacher and a university lecturer) and both had to leave their marriages because of physical, verbal and emotional abuse.

[quote user="Scooby"]That's why I asked where NickP lived as UK prices vary considerable - North v South and London v provinces.  We live in what is probably a very reasonably priced area in the UK so we find the French prices scary by comparison. [/quote] Agree with you here, Scooby.  We live in rural Mid-Wales and have a house in rural Normandy, so I think I'm comparing like with like and food on the whole is definitely more expensive in France. I can get a beautiful cauliflower here for under £1 and I've yet to see one under 2 or even 3 euros in France. Certainly I can still get my hair cut here in Wales for under £20. [:D]

I read about this survey some time ago, so have a feeling that the data is at least 2 or 3 years old - pre-recession in any case. It would be interesting to see it repeated today.

[quote user="NickP"] .....come on if somebody can't afford to live in France then they certainly couldn't afford to live in the UK...........[/quote] I would take issue with that, Nick, especially for the retired.  The free-at-the-point-of-need NHS is worth its weight in gold to me with my regular prescriptions for two chronic conditions.  In the UK I can visit the GP and get any prescriptions I need free of cost to me and I don't have to make any annual contribution or buy a top-up. If I feel my utility bills are higher than they need be I can switch provider at the click of a mouse to get the best deal and if I subsequently find a better one I can switch again. Food is certainly cheaper nowadays in British supermarkets, even leaving aside the poor exchange rate, and the choice is much wider. A relative of mine is single, retired and on a very low pension. In the UK she gets housing benefit to pay the rent, council tax benefit, winter fuel payment and extra if there's a very cold snap, and guaranteed pension credit to give her enough (just) to live on. Would any of these be available to her in France? Lots of things are great in France and we love spending time there. I doubt however we would be better off there in the long run.

[quote user="NormanH"]Your post sums up many things I have said before, and should be read by anybody thinking about buying a house in France as a place to live permanently. I for one feel that France has nothing to lose by the return of these immigrants (often Health tourists) to their council flats. [/quote] I do wish you would get off your hobby horse about health tourists, Norman. My experience is that it is often the onset of ill-health which makes people want or need to go back to the UK, despite the excellent French health service. Others go back because they ca no longer make ends meet or because of the pull of family. And your snide remark about council flats is simply unworthy of you.

Thanks for the link, RH.  For once I agree with every word of a Daily Mail article. [:D]  Delia may not set the world on fire, but her recipes work and the food taste great.  What more does anyone need?

Congratulations, Shivy!  Welcome to the wonderful world of grandparenthood. [:D]  My grandsons call me Grandma Kathy, to distinguish me from Grandma Sheila (great-gran) and Granny Helen (other grandmother) Works for us!

[quote user="banyuls diver"]Is there any exemption after reaching a certain age for owners of a holiday home or will the tax always be due for both elements i.e. house and television?[/quote] Afraid not.  Exemption is akwas based on the income declared in your French tax return.

I too had a sore arm after the H1N1 jab, the first time after a flu jab.

[:D] Now that really is a result, Chancer. [:D]  Well done!

More likely to take the colour out of everything. [:D] Until modern times urine was used by laundries and "fullers" to bleach the washing.

[quote user="lucky luke"] Why would you do this? Does anyone else think it is insensitive and presumptuous? A very large number of French citizens, servicemen and women died as a direct result of British action - especially at the beginning of the war. If my relative had been one of these I would be a tad offended at such an offering at a village memorial.  Attend and give your respects but why be showy? LL [/quote] Am I the only one to find this a very odd attitude?  The French and British were allies in both world wars, fighting against a joint enemy. Do you have any links to statistics or reports detailing these losses as a direct result of British action?  It would also help to know which war you are referring to. In our bit of southern Normandy there is still real awareness of and gratitude for what the British did towards the liberation of France in 1944.

To my knowledge there is usually a 2 years period of grace at the old rate after filling out the H1 form after renovation. That certainly happened in our case and then both our taxe fonciere and taxe d'habitation more than doubled (but from a very low baseas the house is small). Try negotiating, Chancer. I've heard of others who have managed to get reductions by arguing their case.

Paying in cash makes no difference to the notaire's fees as these are set by the government. 

The only explanation I can think of is that you accidently chose the "Free delivery and trial of Amazon Prime" (or whatever it's called) option when choosing your delivery method for a purchase.  I've never used i-click, as the ordinary purchasing procedure on Amazon is so sinmple and speedy that I can't think why anyone would want to do it faster. [:)]

Coops, I'm very sorry you're still having problems, but unfortunately badly broken bones can take a long time to heal completely.  A friend of mine (some 10 years older than you) virtually shattered her ankle and shin in a very bad fall.  She too was pinned together and thought things were mending, but it was only when she had a bone graft, plus some very expensive surgical glue, that everything healed properly. She was on crutches for ages, but can now finally walk well and without pain and go for proper country walks. Keep your sights set on that prospect and all the very best for the op and recovery period.

You should certainly inform your local Tresor Public and especially the local Hotel des Impots, since they need to know where to send your bills/notifications in future.  Don't forget the utilities either. Your electricity and water bills will also have to come to your new address.

Thanks, John.  I've yet to have any reaction from the seasonal flu jab, even a sore arm, so I'm hoping for more of the same. [:)]