Higgy

Bernard the plumber in our village had his very high Leylandii cut down to size, after a couple of weeks they started to go brown and sadly die.  I think once they have reached the headyt heights that you mention they dislike being chopped.  They cause more problems with neighbours than enough and should not have been brought into   the country.

I have mentioned this before but our friends who have a holiday house in the Correze have been trying to get rid of their Fat Tailed Dormice for 3 years. They hibernate and wake up May/Jine and yes they are noisy at night being nocturnal. Best of luck getting rid of them, they can get through the smallest of gaps and make runs behind the walls.  

My advice being an ex plod is if it looks too good to be true , then it will be. You don't get owt for nowt is the Yorkshire saying.

We hired a big sander brushed and washed several times then gave one good coat of Boiled Linseed Oil when dried a coat of Polyurethane vitrification .  It took time but looks very good, the lounge has only had the Linseed Oil and is perfect.  We bought the Linseed from a Newcastle specialist and was a reasonable price.  All our floors are oak.

Well I hope it has all cleared up by Easter as we will be at the house in Salon la Tour brrrrrrr. Arctic weather has just been mentioned for Scotland and Northern Britain minus 4 at the weekend, so we may cop for it here in Bedlington Northumberland and then in France.    

We have had the same conversation whilst walking in the forests around our neck of the woods. They are sooooo big and bright orange, now someone will have tested them but yuk the thought. Thinking about the cute fluffy huge eyed Dormouse on a kebab stick isn't much better.

The French are trying to get this ratified before July so they are in a position to fine and then pass details on to the UK authorities to then put 3 penalty points on the offenders licence.  At the moment no scheme is in place between France and the UK. The French also want access to the DVLA at Swansea. Foreign speeders caught on UK cameras do not get prosecuted - seems unfair  So in answer to the should I pay well at the moment nothing will happen as there is no official agreement, there will be soon though you can bet on it.        

Hello from Higgy. Our friends have a holiday home near to us in the Correze just outside Uzerche. They have been doing the house up and for the last 2 years have been trying to get rid of their squatters namely Fat Tailed Dormouse or is it Doremice. They are beautiful to look at big big eyes fluffy fur with a bushy tail about half the size of a squirrel, but noisy. They come out of hibernation about April/May and get playful when it gets dark, being nocturnal they would. Our friends have got rid of most but they can get through the tiniest gap. They nest in the cavity wall areas but dig out runs and will be scurrying about behind the plaster. They have been found in the attic, caves, and all rooms of the house.  Easter will be the crunch time for Howard and Denise but IMHO the little devils will still be about. The French used to eat them as a delicacy.      

Scrap yards, criminals and large oil covered Rotties what are you trying to say tut tut. Next you will be saying park it up near to a Gypsy campsite and watch it disappear from under your very eyes.  Now hush my lips.  No offence to any Minority or Ethnic group meant or intended. !!!!    

It is nice to get the views of others who have made this move, but each and everyone of us are different, so the needs will change in each case. Find out if you know where exactly you would like to live in France then make a list from ; Important must have ; down to could live without.   The TV programmes all state Research, Research, Research, seems very good advice. Best of luck Shane, Carole and Kai   

Bring over the paints especially a good Undercoat.  The French one goes on like a watered down single cream and takes several coats. 

Our Mazda Bongo has a space saver fitted underneath.  Everyone who owns them change for a full size spare wheel and tyre and it fits in the space provided, so that was a cost cutting exercise.  Our Honda does not have room for a full size spare so they fit in the space saver but I would not want to drive very far on it.

I checked our friends Surname in Dept 19 but it does not show up, others with the same name do up North. They have lived in the village for 7 years.  I thought I would check how up to date or factual it is. 

For anyone using P & O Ferries from Hull you can get a good discount by booking and paying for 5 journeys . They can be 5 return or 5 single crossings we are going out at Easter with DFDS North Shields but returning by way of Hull.  All the journeys must be made within a 12 month period. Higgy  

Excellent photo's thanks

Hello to everyone. We have a little holiday house in the Correze in a village near  Uzerche, we bought it over 5 years ago. We are looking  for a larger property in and around Jonzac and will be moving out full time next year, we want to view some properties this August. Shane, Carole and Kai