lacote0_0

I am intrigued by Frenchie's recommendation of La Ciotat, which was once thought to be in terminal decline following the closure of the shipyard. I shall be near there in 3 weeks' time. Is it worth a visit?

Beware! We have a similar deal with Free. We lost everything (phone and broadband), and had no means of communication for 3 weeks, until, after much badgering, they reestablished the connection.

Is it correct that they can also confiscate the car (particularly if it is foreign)?

Intermarche last week had a sign apologising for shortages in ice cream due to the international milk crisis. Next to it was a large stack of short dated UHT, offered at 2 packs of 6 for the price of 1.

I don't know if it's deafness setting in, but the microlights passing over last weekend for the Coupe Icare did sound much quieter than they used to 20 years ago, and the noise seemed to last for a shorter time.

Everblue sell a version of the Dolphin under their own name, Select, which we find quicker (2 hours) and better (the bag goes in from the top) than the Dolphin 2000 we had previously.

The two settings may be hors gel (otherwise off) and heating water normally.

Cric? Pont?

I am having considerable difficulty raising the PH level of my pool above "low" (6.6, measured with strips). Other measurements are correct. Pool is in ground, treated with chlorine (chemicals, not automatic). Mains water comes from limestone. Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong?

A word of warning; there appears to be a glut of spam ecards containing a virus. Personally, I do not open these "cards" unless I am absolutely sure of the sender.

Does anyone know any mole recipes? I would like to open my field as a pick your own.

I found this quite helpful: http://www.lesmaisonsderetraite.fr/ and this: http://www.personnes-agees.gouv.fr/

My French supplied RHD BMW 5 series has xenon headlights with a switch from left- to "temporary" right- hand dip. The dealer had never seen this before.

I assume that your parents are both UK domiciled. What is contemplated is a gift to you, but with them benefitting from a right to live in the house until they die. Their occupation of the house makes the transfer a "gift with reservation". As such, it would be subject to Inheritance Tax in UK as part of their estate when they die (if the estate exceeds £300,000): http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/ihtmanual/IHTM04071.htm You really need professional advice in UK, as do your parents. You yourself also need advice in France.

Also per Hoffnung, in the particulars sent out by an English hotel: "A French widow in every bedroom, affording delightful prospects".

The perk for those who purchased shares in 1987 and 1990 is rather different, and they were advised to retain their original shares. http://www.eurotunnel.fr/NR/rdonlyres/0800191E-95CE-49CE-A6BB-53F9320D8F34/0/TP_vs_Offer_LETTER.pdf

There is, however, another question; whether the gift of the house would attract droits de donation now because you are a French fiscal resident.  

The perk only applies to those who held 1000 shares prior to the recent share exchange offer and tendered their shares in it, or to those who buy 30,000 now. See para 22.1.4 of the Registration Document of the exchange offer. http://www.eurotunnel.com/NR/rdonlyres/E7E035D3-05D3-4145-8622-261A953A7007/0/DocumentBaseETO_uk.pdf

If further confirmation is needed, here is my experience of this company:     Ordered goods with deadline for delivery, credit card debited     Company advised goods not available for deadline     Cancelled order, asked for refund     Refund eventually received, 4-6 weeks later. Avoid!

No, but I'm about to try.

Thank you both for your help. Sorry if I had missed the original posting.

BBC satellite radio channels are showing on my box (not Sky) as scrambled. The BBC site suggests that they have they been moved. Is it still possible to receive them?

Very interesting. How much do French customs charge?

Oh dear! Like you, all we would want would be a card. We shall just have to go back to hertzienne (although our local transmitter doesn't carry all the free channels).

Thanks for your reply. What happens after 2010? Will there still be free to view channels by satellite or will we have to subscribe to bouquets?