Lee & Elin

That's great that you provide a meal the day they arrive. After such a long and tiring journey the last thing you want to be doing is standing over a hot cooker.  Most people don't tend to make it to the shops until the following day for their groceries etc.  When holidaying at my parents gite, having two small children it can be easier to stay in the gite and prepare meals,than dragging them to a restaurant and not enjoying our meal knowing that any second they will start to play up and get bored and run around the place.  Hence a lot of picnics and BBQ's and meals at the gite.  So to target families holidaying together in large gites is qppropriate, and people who wish to stay in have a meal with friends but nobody wants to drive.  We'll do a few trial runs with family and friends that own gites to get their recommendations.  Have put this in the gite section also. Thanks for your replies.

We are considering moving over to France in the not too distant future and would like opinions and feedback on our idea. Usually with Gites they usually occuped during the summer season with about 10 people. For the holiday makers to have a night off and enjoy a meal being cooked for them, I would say would be quite pleasant. My husband is a chef (has been for 15 years) and wondering whether there would be a call for offering his services, i.e. Preparing a meal, from a set menu at a cost per head. Or even a curry night, BBQ's or take any meal request. We are fully aware that this would only be seasonal work through the summer months. Advertising through leaflets in the Gite and word of mouth. Your honest opinion would be appreciated. As we have family in the Haute Vienne this is where we will probably settle but he is willing to travel to other regions.

We are considering moving over to France in the not too distant future and would like opinions and feedback on our idea. Usually with Gites they are usually occupied during the summer season with about 10 people. For the holiday makers to have a night off and enjoy a meal being cooked for them, I would say would be quite pleasant. My husband is a chef (has been for 15 years) and wondering whether there would be a call for offering his services, i.e. Preparing a meal, from a set menu at a cost per head. Or even a curry night, BBQ's or take any meal request. We are fully aware that this would only be seasonal work through the summer months. Advertising through leaflets in the Gite and word of mouth. Your honest opinion would be appreciated. As we have family in the Haute Vienne this is where we will probably settle but he is willing to travel to other regions.

Pension is not taxed becaused he was medically discharged, it is index linked also.  Will have to get confirmation on whether it will get taxed over there as I believe it could be a substantial amount if it worked out to be, correct me if I'm wrong.   Children are young enough to adapt.  Husband and I are extremely enthusiastic.  OK we'll forget the goats for now,  thanks for your advice.

My husband and I are very keen to move over to France with our two three year olds.  The Limousin region preferably.  My mum and two sisters are currently over there.   They have settled well.  We have been over for holidays since my sister moved over 12 years ago and love it.  Luckily her husband is a builder and the other soon to become a farmer.  Mum and dad are retired but live on a farm.  We are very anxious mainly if we could survive on his army pension alone to begin with.  (Will it be taxed, it's not in the UK)  He is a chef and we have a few ideas for him to top up his income with the help of myself also.    We wouldn't need a mortgage, and we also have the option to live rent free for a year in one of my parents houses.   Also when is the best time for the children?, sooner the better I would say? Can they really start school at 4 years old.   The main reasons for moving are for the children, we want a different upbringing for them. Quality of life for all. Better weather, apart from the winter. Less traffic on the road, good food,wine, chicken, goats in the garden, bilingual children, Sod it! House is going on the market!!Are we dreaming or can it be reality?

Point taken, thought I may have had responses like that. My appologies for even thinking it.  Looks like I will have to sell it and get a boring 106 bhp bike until the French may see sense in the future and allow new bikes like the 180 bhp ones like in the UK. I cannot understand why bikes are restricted but you can drive a car with a 1000 bhp engine in France !  

Could I ride it on UK insurance and pop up to Calais and jump on the tunnel once a year and get an MOT done in Folkestone ? I believe people do that ? Regards Lee

Hi Could someone please advise if I can bring my immaculate 1998 TL1000R into France when we possibly come and live shortly. It has 130 bhp at the back wheel, I believe in France 100 bhp is the max ? ! Would I be able to register it etc ? Regards Lee

Hi all We have family who live just outside Bussiere Boffy, my wifes parents aged 60's and her sister with husband and kids aged early 40's. (Haute Digardeche Farm). Her parents are retired, but the brother in law is a builder and have been out there for 12 years. We are very keen on taking the step to come and move over, I am 39, the wife is 36 and twins aged 3, its just a matter of taking the step. Also I am a keen biker, I have never been without one since being 17 years old. What scares me is moving over and finding work, my previous career was as a Chef and catering manager and 15 years in the Army,  I was medically discharged and pensioned out for leg injuries.  As I have problems with my legs, I cannot stand or do heavy lifting anymore, hence not being in the catering game now.  I now basically work 4 days on 4 days off as a communications officer sat behind a computer. I want a better life for the wife, kids and myself instead of what we get here in the UK. We have talked about possibly opening a fish and chip bar somewhere, with my catering experience I have. My wifes family keep saying to just come over.  We have been coming over to France since 1995 every year and love it, visiting my wifes sister and now parents out there in the Charente and Haute Vienne area's Any thoughts or advice. Kind regards Lee & Elin