Audois

They put in the runway extension to allow for the 737-800 series to land ... it wasn't long enough or wide enough beforehand

Interesting post; whilst re-locating a family down here I met the local rep to the UK removal firm who said the same thing to the family although he thought it would be a bit longer 'you'll be doing the return move in 2yrs & 9months' - what a unfriendly welcome Family still here after a very happy year with no intentions of heading back!

This was a statement from one of my students at a large Carcassonne supermarket, which left me stunned! The same supermarket are going to be putting most labels in English and are currently paying for a lot of their staff to have English lessons. Whilst I'm on the subject, does anyone know the French for 'Red Snapper'?  It's not rouget ... but I can't find the French for it anywhere!

Talked to those in 'the know' the other day about this. Apparently Beziers hasn't had anyone come forward in the shape of Ryanair or Easy Jet etc ... mainly because of Montpellier airport being 35kms away ... They're still looking for lo-costs - peronsally I'd like to see someone new in there - who maybe does flights that Ryanair doesn't ...

Not to 'worry you' or put you off but I've got friends going through one mammoth battle with Free.fr ... They've managed to take over 700euros out of their bank account in a year and the ADSL has never worked ... A long story, but do watch what's happening with your bank account!  Interestingly when going online to see other consumers ADSL complaints most of them in 11 are against Free.fr!

Sounds like you need a HelpX'er ... have a look on www.helpx.net ... friends use it and it seems to work well!

Great that you're doing your homework before making the leap! I moved down permanently on my own aged 34, and not regretted it (I will add that most of my life I've lived abroad so I'm used to a 'big change' and I think that's helped me tremendously).  I had property in the village already and knew prior to moving that the gite (self-contained, own garden etc) would not pay the mortgage or put food on the table all year round. As for your fiancee moving without a word of French, I think if you really try to integrate he'll pick it up fairly quickly. I don't know Normandy, it's demographics or economy but here in the Aude you might struggle; getting work is a battle most of the time.  I'm both self-employed & employed on a salary to make ends meet.  I don't know what the requirements are to set up a garage but if you had the building with accomodation I would go down that route & advertise as much as you can - that with a lot of word of mouth (which is how I've got a number of contracts in the area with French companies/govt.) around the French community (& English) you should do well. The gites market here is saturated, as is B&B .. I would stick to what you know and make it work for you this side of the channel, with your French  you could probably get him set up in business and then get out to find your own work.  You will struggle initially but it should be worth it if you stick at it!! Bonne chance!

I've tried numerous tricks over the past few years but not found a solution and neither has my vet. My cat is stressed, clinically diagnosed as depressed with psychological problems.  It started as soon as I moved here, he licks & licks at the end of his spine/around his tail and when it gets bad he attacks his hind & front legs.  The result is sore, bare skin. Initially he was on hormone/cat prozac tablets of some sort, they didn't work.  Now he has a hydrocortizone injection once every 6months or so - or when he's really bad (but we try to leave it 6 months).  I think the 3rd (French) cat upsets him on occasion and that's part of the problem - it's also jealousy.  Whilst I was away for a month he got back to normal which makes me think part of the problem is jealousy (there's another older cat too so he was always no.2) I keep thinking that there must be something on the market - cream of some sort which might stop the licking?  I've tried a lampshade collar on several occasions, they don't last longer than 24hrs and he's managed to get it off.  Any ideas to keep the poor guy from licking?  The hydrocortizone injections can't go on forever and I really don't want to be faced with a decision to put him down because of all this (the alternative is I leave the house completely!!!!)

Have you looked on www.helpx.net? You may well find a housesitter who will help you out at the same time!

Try Carcassonne Plage as it's been named - Lac de la Cavayere, just behind la Cite off the rocade - head for Montlegun and you'll find it. Alternatively go up behind the hospital on the rocade and there's a road continuing on, turn left off the road onto a track along the vines, down there is a field overlooking the autoroute with a fantastic view of La Cite

Not heard about a Bristol - Carcassonne route yet The Shannon route was originally going to be Prestwick.  There should be a Frankfurt Hahn route soon but Ryanair don't yet have it on their site but we've been told about it. Ryanair lose their 'hold' over the airport later this year and the airport goes to the Region rather than the CCI with that will come more airlines possibly.  However there is a problem on the apron as it will technically only hold 2 737-800's so slots are limited.

I know of a good British surveyor in the Aude, please send me a PM or e-mail & I'll forward the contact details.

Got to a job outside Axat yesterday afternoon in a mini blizzard!! It snowed above Limoux yesterday afternoon & now it's trying to snow, mix of snow & rain & absolutely FREEZING!

Be careful of buying a car in Belgium, I almost tracked a car down there to then have a long conversation with the salesman who told me I'd need to make two visits, the second one being almost a month later due to Belgian paperwork; just wasn't worth it for me!

If you're resident in France then try the mutuelles - MAAF, MACIF, MATMUT,  etc ... I have 2001 Renault Megane DTi and it's got every option going with MACIF for 426 a year (& I'm usually more expensive as I drive for work and am travailleur independant which they take into account!) Shop around, beware of AXA, AGF etc they are paying shareholders & if you insured your house through them with the agent holding your hand you're paying even more - you're best off insuring all your 'belongings' & health with one insurer.  I've moved several of my clients when they've become resident and they've got very similar policies as before but for a lot less!

Carcassonne - Frankfurt-Hahn (aka nr the Luxemburg border!) Ryanair Thanks for the tips on Baltic Air, will make my life easier to see my Eesti godchild!

1) No.  I'm VERY confused about the SIRET but I work with someone who has a registered business in Germany, works in France but usually under the 183 day rule and pays taxes in Germany.  He has a No de Siret in France (but having a hell of a job getting a bank account re-opened as he closed the old one & doesn't have a 'solid' address in France).  He works in the building trade, maybe Nick would know why he's in that situation????????

You do need to use common sense and ask for proof if you don't feel easy! I work with a variety of builders in the S.E. and act as a translator/interpreter for them & the client.  Whilst I have my own professional insurance which certainly doesn't cover buildings!  But I make it very clear to clients I am not a builder but a facilitator.  However, all the artisans I work with are registered/insured etc, I often have English speakers asking for work (I don't employ anyone) but I always ask if they have the necessary paperwork as I don't want to mis-represent clients. There is also the issue of giving X% up front ... do negoiate on that!  And as someone else said, if there's a waiting list then it's a bit like eating in a busy restaurant with lots of locals, you know the food's going to be good (as a rule of thumb!) Bonne chance!

My first year, six years ago I had guests from hell who left the place in a state - they'd already blocked the drains and  I 'kindly' offered to pay for a hotel room for the night whilst the plumber unblocked it all. This year I had my first complaint, people who moved onto the Bourgogne (ring any bells anyone?!) who left saying that it wasn't up to their normal standards, when I asked why they said they'd found a (notice the singular) cobweb.  I apologised (although I am very fastidious on my spiders in the gite as they get everywhere!) and felt it was a ploy to get money back.  They'd not tidied up at all but I gave them their security deposit back wanting to see the back of them. The bizarre thing was, that when they arrived, they were the first people that I have ever had a 'bad' feeling about ...    

The SW is a big area ... it would help forum members if you could narrow it down to department names/numbers. If you're coming to Aude (11) which is technically in the SE then I may be able to help you.  

Interesting that; my accountant in the UK said it was fine, since being here permanently I have been under the French regime and told them of my previous declarations in the UK; they said that was fine and there wasn't a problem at all with that ... Maybe my experience is different, but no one seemed to have a problem by doing it that way and I've certainly not kept anyone in the dark!!!  

If you are resident in the UK then the easiest way to do this is to NOT declare it in France but just in the UK on the 'Foreign' pages, usually you'll need to ask the IR for those extra pages.  I used to run at a loss so was never taxed on the income I made from the gite.  This is perfectly legal under both tax regimes as the UK has the tax treaty with France; so as long as it's declared in one of the two countries you're fine!!! Declaring it in France then doing it in the UK again sounds like a pain, I would ring the IR office for advice, possibly asking for the expat team who are very helpful usually!  Next year, if you're still in the UK regime, I'd just stick to that!

I'm shocked by some of this. AXA, AGF et al are owned by shareholders, mutuelles are owned by those who put the money in.  So in this day and age of economic money grabbing, who's going to want more????  It's quite straightforward to me ... English speaking or not?  You really want value for money ... if I'm reading between the lines correctly?  Find someone who offers this type of service in your area; I do it and it costs little to clients and they get a great deal; instead of all the immobiliers you've used who've 'taken' you to AXA etc to get your insurance done for your house, the agent has been 'kind' to you and so has the immo ... think about this a little, YOUR money is keeping them both sweet!!! OK so I'm going to get 'flamed' for this post but I may as well tell it as it is! Consider, a peugeot 306TDi, two houses, (one rather larger than the other) and a preyvoyance for a total sum of 832euros this year!  Just about to send them the first cheque.  Last year (due to being with a mutuelle) I got a discounted rate, obviously not too many people have claimed! Also, remember to insure your house, car, yourselves ALL with the same company, brings the premium down heaps!    

This doesn't suprise me at all I'm afraid. Many of these companies, are national and are nothing but a sales facade; ie. they have a sales team but not a building team.  Instead they use 'local' builders to the site that they don't know, are unaware of the quality of workmanship, and often don't know the local mairies etc which causes a few too many problems.  Once they've sold you the package, that's all they're interested in, you've signed the contract with them and they now have you firmly in their grasp financially!  It's a sad state of affairs ... Woods2, I'd love a PM with the name please if you don't mind!

Join the autoroute (D62) at Garons heading towards Montpellier (centre) and after a few km's turn onto the A9 heading east.  Nimes is about 40mins on, you either take Nimes Ouest or turn onto the A54 and take Nimes Centre just after you've joined it. Any problems then look it up on www.viamichelin.com