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milkeybar kid

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Everything posted by milkeybar kid

  1. Sandy, your initial post surprises me as you are known as the "oracle" in the expat club Leggies47 that you so readily raved about and placed a link to the club on this forum to promote it (you were even on the committee), surely one of these many expats would have allowed you to see their S1, perhaps a laps of memory....http://services.completefrance.com/forums/completefrance/cs/forums/2680702/ShowPost.aspx You even offer a helping hand so again have many expat aquaintances....http://47leggies.com/noticeboard.html I can not see why you put yourself over as helpless when you had access to all these expats face to face. Fortunately it did become an interesting post as regards reminding people to take copies of everything so hopefully you will pass it on to all in the expat club. MBK
  2. I have read with interest all these posts . I am bursting just to give you an example of what sticking your toe in the water of an expat group did for me with unexpected consequence . Sometime ago I was in the SWest area visiting a number of friends, I was twiddling thumbs and it was suggested I call in to a group of expats that were having a get together hoping I would learn about the area, I did and learnt things I did not want to know especially people's pedigrees and other things which I have spoken about in a post under Aquitaine where I tried to help someone that was moving to Tonneins where I have a number of friends living. I passed on the name and phone number of a friend by pm to the author of the topic end of story , so I thought until consequences came to light regarding the private pm I sent to the original poster (her one and only post). She was wanting to know of someone in the area they could speak with on arrival.... I contacted one of my fiends near Tonneins and asked her could I pass on her name and phone number but only by PM I have to say she agreed but with reservations. Another contributor to the topic suggested she should visit the same expat group I had visited , so of course I gave my opinion on these expat groups much in the same vain as many of you have done on this topic.....as not being overly impressed. ( But for some it is a lifeline or they would not exist in the first place, I except that.) As you can see the moderators kindly removed some posts that became very unpleasant, 3 new members to this forum came out from under a big stone all praising the expat group and then never to be seen again...what a surprise! but what was worse was that it became obvious that the original poster had passed on the name of my friend to some in the expat group and subsequently my friend received 2 independent phone calls from members within the group confirming this ,each not knowing the other had phoned and begged that she kept their names secret ,each saying they were not "in the clique" but felt it prudent to warn my friend that her name was suggested as the writer of the post on this forum that gave not a favourable report on the expat group. All because it was her name sadly given by me in the private PM to the original poster Personally I do wonder if the first post was dreamt up for the expats to respond and promote themselves ,but if so it backfired. So very interesting to read opinions so similar to my own. Well, I was just so miserable and embarrassed that through my own naivety in first responding to a plea of help on this wonderful forum I caused my friend this grief, she even got a phone call from another somewhat nervous club member to say one of the clique was coming on their motorbike to suss where her and hubby lived. And yes, man and beast arrived on motorbike on said day and assessed the property from the road side much to my friends amusement . Perhaps they were trying to intimidate ! A shame that few bad eggs in the basket spoil it for others, it is just so pathetic you have to laugh. So there you have it, and you see why I was so delighted with your posts, I feel quite vindicated with my original post. Re:anyone near Tonneins Why oh why do these expat groups get so much infighting, I think it's the age old word jealousy , I also think that sometimes their relationships with their partner is not too great and they just have to seek companionship within these other groups. All very sad.
  3. [quote user="milkeybar kid"]After a number of very amicable meetings in English with the company who are supplying the kit we have agreed to terms where they will build the shell of the kit house. Originally we were going to build it ourselves but thank goodness for us the company in question had been let down on a contract so they were able to offer us a large discount if we had them to erect the exterior leaving it waterproof and security tight + insulation(the discount we were given was helped by those people pulling out of the their contract and losing their deposit as the company had workmen already assigned!) We have been given a guarantee with penalty clauses should they take longer than 12 weeks from start to finish. The price is set with no coming back to say this was extra etc. Our electrician and plumber who work with this company when needed ,so that is one less worry. Which leaves us to see to walls, ceilings and floors. Yes, of course it is going to cost more but when we weighed up leaving the money to make little interest we were better off having a professional job done with the guarantee (should we ever sell, it will make it more attractive) . And as we have had added confusion to our life with our pony having a foal unexpected it will mean we have more time to watch her grow!!! well thats my excuse anyway! The house arrives in 2 weeks and then its go go go![/quote] Just wanted to scream from the new roof top!!! Fantastic! all went so smoothly it was scary as we kept thinking what's going to go wrong. We have been installed now for a few weeks, we are now going to knock down most of our old house and make the lower half into stables for the ponies and a music studio for hubby so he can re-live his youth in the recording studio. So, I just want to encourage anyone that's thinking of building ...go for it! Our only problem was with a couple of newspapers and a well known brico magazine wanting to take pictures and the magazine wanted to do a story on the stages of building, we actually had to get the advocate to invoke a stop on all pics etc.
  4. Thanks for the replies we have now a few irons in the fire. I have been shocked at the number of B&B that have simply closed down in the area outside of Villeneuve and Gites have minimum stay of 5 nights!
  5. Please. could someone recommend a B&B preferable English speaking. We are going to have a weekend break at the end of July but our usual haunt is fully booked. Near to Villeneuve but not in the town. Please PM me not email. Thanks.
  6. After a number of very amicable meetings in English with the company who are supplying the kit we have agreed to terms where they will build the shell of the kit house. Originally we were going to build it ourselves but thank goodness for us the company in question had been let down on a contract so they were able to offer us a large discount if we had them to erect the exterior leaving it waterproof and security tight + insulation(the discount we were given was helped by those people pulling out of the their contract and losing their deposit as the company had workmen already assigned!) We have been given a guarantee with penalty clauses should they take longer than 12 weeks from start to finish. The price is set with no coming back to say this was extra etc. Our electrician and plumber who work with this company when needed ,so that is one less worry. Which leaves us to see to walls, ceilings and floors. Yes, of course it is going to cost more but when we weighed up leaving the money to make little interest we were better off having a professional job done with the guarantee (should we ever sell, it will make it more attractive) . And as we have had added confusion to our life with our pony having a foal unexpected it will mean we have more time to watch her grow!!! well thats my excuse anyway! The house arrives in 2 weeks and then its go go go!
  7. Yes, thank you Rob Roy. Much appreciated for posting our pics. We are not yet into a digital camera!!!! Christine, yes we saved her in the sense that she was getting catapulted with pebbles by a little boy of about 6 years old as we passed a field on a jaunt out one afternoon, she looked like a hat rack. We made enquiries what was what in the village and then had a French friend go and offer our money. We thought if an English couple offered money the price would be even higher!! We paid € 100 cash for her. EDITED:Hubby just reminded me we actually paid €200 in total. The owner insisted a bill of sale and some papers for €100 but the other €100 I think he called it luck money! Our French friend said it was normal practice for rogues! But worth every penny.
  8. We never fail to be amazed how all this has turned out, we were watching them in the field yesterday morning(just for 2hrs when it gets very warm) and wondered why Hetty the donkey and loppy were herding Puzzle between them in fact we were getting anxious as they seemed to be squashing her so she couldn't move, next minute an almighty jet type plane screamed overhead. Stunned we realize they heard this before we did and by their action stopped puzzle galloping off on her wobbly legs in fright. Amazing. Vet arrives on Monday so she can be chipped! Cant get our head around photo bucket, not very digital minded!!!!is it possible please that some kind soul would allow me to send them an email through my private account (not forum email) with one pic of puzzle and one of loppy and puzzle. If so could some one say what size of pic. Would love to be able to show off our new offspring. If it was possible and that you were happy to post the pics on the forum on our behalf. Thank you.
  9. Thanks Cooperola, its good to know you are there. We have just got in from sitting with Loppy & Co. Its a bit like having a new washing machine, you just have to watch!!
  10. Thank you so much. Vet called this morning and speaks English, phew! All is well with Loppy and Puzzle .He gave us a list of what to buy and where to buy! The hippodrome is not far and he says there is a private syndicate/pool attached to the hippodrome near Condom where they buy at reasonable price from Belgium! Nutrients, salt licks etc at half French prices. Apparently there is a private stud nearby owned by a Dutch couple that perhaps will advise, the vet says he will have a chat with them tomorrow and explain our ignorance!!, fingers crossed. I have already ordered from Amazon ....http://www.amazon.co.uk/Your-Mares-First-Foal-Skepper/dp/1872119980/ref=pd_sim_b_2/276-8105505-6487252 Your Mare's First Foal [Paperback] Thank you for your kindness very much appreciated.
  11. Still in shock...see post http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/2692927/ShowPost.aspx Please, is there an experienced horsey person living near to us at Condom (to the South) that might consider a visit to us. Will give details in pm/email. Just need assurance that we are feeding the correct diet and put us straight on some management details. Our pockets are not very deep so we desperately don't want to get carried away on spending. Vets coming today to check all is OK and sort out her chip (hope he speaks English), I dread to think of the cost. A bit concerned as our neighbour says Puzzle will be sought after by “travelling people” because she is a piebald !!!!!! Fortunately we are well off the beaten track but we have been advised to padlock the stable and put bars on the windows!! Thanks MBK
  12. Thank you for the interest. We think all is OK but perhaps we should get the vet out to check them both as I think Loppy is a bit anaemic showing in the eyes (so our neighbour says). The language got us in a bit of a muddle - locals have been arriving on and off all day to look at" le puzzle", yes we thought the whole carry on was a bit puzzling and we were asking one and all for a name!! but they kept going on about le puzzle. Slow or what !!! we get the jist now,because the youngster is a skewbald (I think I have it the right way round for a brown and white) Well, the locals have named her le puzzle. Ahh bless they brought us a bottle of champagne, how sweet is that. Will post a pic eventually (dont have photo bucket etc) but as yet we are having to build a new stable on the end as she will be getting a bit cramped. Trying to find a horse feed place better than Terre de Sud.Please, does anyone know what paperwork we have to do re ..le puzzle!
  13. Mother and baby are doing well!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ok, Ok you are thinking we should have known but we had never given it a thought except Loppy was putting on weight wonderfully as she was skin and bones when we bought her. Hubby went to our neighbour (who has sheep) for help, he was delighted to be asked to have a look at Loppy and new immediately what was going on, he stayed with us till 3 this morning when the filly (note technical terms!) arrived. Just been to the stables Hetty the donkey is proudly standing on guard duty and is also now settled, she looks to be smiling and mother and baby look content. There will be some laughter in the village today! We are off back to bed, what a night! As said before are language skills are a not so good but in a crisis like this it made not a jot of difference, it never fails to amaze me. Something tells me there will be a load of official paperwork coming on, does anyone know if I have to register the foal etc etc. Thanks. ZZz
  14. Any horsey people out there please. Would a change of diet for our little cob give colic type symptoms - looking round at her sides , stamping now and again and swishing her tail. We have been sitting with her all evening, even Hetty the donkey is fretting but not the same symptoms, just a bit anxious like us.. We feed mixed sweet feed which has some crushed oats, and light molasses. (Its all but the same diet as before just a different supplyer.) We have had both Loppy lugs and Hetty about 11 months and have had no problems whatsoever. It could be a long night tonight.! I am sure I have read that I should remove water and give no food any advice would be appreciated, but will look it up on google.
  15. Théière - A diary.... it would be a first! But a nice thought. One day, one day. Wilko- I have pm'd you a reply to your question.
  16. Web blog!!! Blimey, it takes all my computer skills to manage to write these replies! We are just going to take pictures of the stages we are at building. Thanks Albert for the info, we are having a meeting soon with the suppliers of the timber kit house so will check it out and if we hear any different I will say.
  17. We start building our new pad in the next month, is it possible to register as "a self build" so we can claim the VAT back. Years ago you could do that in the UK just wondered is there anything similar here?
  18. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Mongie If you are near that way ......fantastic. Well worth a visit. Edited. Latest addition..... http://www.grand-tourmalet.com/fr/webcams-domaine.php
  19. Yes, Paul I do agree with what you say here..."The best thing that a forum like this can do is to tell you what is there and nothing else" but Paul we are all allowed to discuss and express ones own opinion.The whole point of my comments (that seems to have totally missed its mark!) was originally to make a newbie aware that she could be approached by persons (as I was) that were wanting to make a quick few quid. Arriving to a new home makes you very vulnerable and you can be so desperate to integrate that you accept any offer of help without thinking of the consequence. On hindsight I hold my hands up and admit I worded it very badly for which I am sorry. I should have promoted its positive side as offering support and a place to socialise for those that have a need of English company, it's not just making Christmas cards, etc.[:$] Nevertheless, I will stick to my guns and say it is better that a newbie is forewarned that often there is a network of DIY ers within these associations making a few hundred here and there from tiling around swimming pools to installing bathrooms, selling digi boxed and fitting satellite dishes... Well, we are off skiing for a long weekend having fun![8-|] Edited by the Moderators
  20. Thank you for the invitation when next visiting but sadly not for me. Edited by the Moderators
  21. It does sound that "leggies" has moved on since the last times I visited and I certainly wish its concept well. As you are on the committee Sandy its good that you are aware of the problems I had and perhaps others might have had. Edited by the Moderators
  22. Re: 47 Leggies. My personal general observation is that these "women institute" groups (I did attend this one nectarine mentions when I was staying with a friend in your area) is great if you are a "womens institute type person" but goodness me u could have stayd in blighty for this. What I found very disturbing with this "leggies thing" is that some of them thought I had just arrived ( as green as grass so they hoped!) in the area and quite simply I was bombarded with either" my husband is a great handyman no jobs too small just €15 an hr or I know a man that can do very cheap for cash!! Another problem is when you start going to these "English cliquey do's" u just get sucked in and before u know it you revolve around only English people, surely the reason u come to France is to enjoy the French way of life. At the end of the day u make your own decision but do keep your own council as these groups can sometimes be like vultures! Gail, I sent u a pm on the 15th.
  23. Please could anyone advise, I have been asked by a friend of a friend ..... how they go about bringing a classic bike into France a Triumph 1932. Are there special insurance companies for these oldies ( I am told whenever it got it's MOT in the UK, it was especially marked for Daytime Use Only. As the magneto doesn't really put out enough power to run spark + lights.) Is it a normal procedure for letter of conformity if so would anyone have the address please. I have tried searching on this forum for relevant info but found nothing for an old triumph. Thanks in anticipation. MBK
  24. Double check your bar code and price. I was fuming to say the least. We go into Castorama specific for fuses. It was marked clearly a pack of 3 at €3.80, we go to the till and she asked for €5.80. What! no I said it was marked clearly at 3.80, she phones a bod and says No its €5.80, so we trundle off back to the shelf to those long spikes that had 200 of these packs of fuses on, so I thought I would take the mountain to Mohamed and lifted all 200 and the bar that supported them stating the price was €3.80!!! hubby goes and hides and says he is too embarrassed to watch , I go back to the same till and in my best sign language and charades I am able to convey that this is the price I intend to pay as it is the law that they must sell at price stated, and said I would stay here blocking the till all day! She phones a bod up who confirms I am correct and says he has to get a special paper, 15 minutes + waiting and have to put up with this sniggering girl telling all and sundry I brought the whole shelf to prove the point, eventually the bod returns with specially printed paper saying what I have no idea asks me to sign it and I refuse and put the exact money on the table and managed to convey my husband will be writing to Castorama of your conduct. Poor hubby emerges just on cue, and they let us pass with the fuses at the price advertised. Oh, how we laughed afterwards, but I am sharing this to say stand up to them, look at the fiddle thats going on and I might add my hubby says the bod put the shelf back and did not correct the price so even more folk will think its only €3.80 and what with other things they buy might not spot they have paid 5.80. Bas****s , no wonder they can afford to sponsor yachts.
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