mogs

I think we have been extremely patient Theiere, we were meant to be moving in by the end of November but thanks to their delays we are now approaching a month later and still no guarantee that we can move in. The problem we have is that we have given notice to be out of rented accommodation by 31 Dec otherwise we’ll be clobbered for another month’s rent and habitation tax. They delayed in switching on the underfloor heating which would have helped, so far everything has been behind schedule and I think it is fair to say we are pretty naffed off. Going back to my original question, without a damp meter inside the house, how can they tell at what percentage the house is damp? The house is warm, there is no condensation on the windows either inside or outside and the jar I left on the floor upside down is bone dry. Thanks for help.

Are there any underfloor heating specialists out there? We had the chappe laid 6 1/2 weeks ago to cover our underfloor heating pipes. We were told it would have to dry for 4 weeks before they could lay the floor tiles. There hasn't been much activity from the plumber for several weeks but they are saying it is not dry enough to lay the floor tiles. If they haven't been inside the house for a few weeks how would they know? Is there a way they can check from the equipment on the exterior? We have put a glass jar on the floor to see if it develops condensation and it doesn't, so we think the plumber/tiler is using delaying tactics until after the New Year.

Thanks for all the advice, I must say perhaps my nerves will improve as I do it more and more ??? To be fair, she did fair better the last 2 times. John I thought I should just mention that as you are in 46 (like us) perhaps you should keep an extra special look out (LOL).

Woolybanana – I had thought of your suggestions (in fact I dived into a strict drink once we got back from the experience) but, not allowed to accompany whilst under the influence – I can see me becoming an alcoholic in the next year purely from stress LOL. I like the idea of dark glasses might give that a go, or perhaps I should just keep my eyes shut???? Eurotrash – very funny anecdote! Keep em coming!

Any suggestions? I accompanied our daughter today when she took to the roads, my heart was pounding, I think my hand didn't move from the handbrake and OMG when she approached junctions ;) She has been passed off by the driving school to drive "accompanied" and in fairness she isn't used to driving an old banger, more a new small citroen! We all know that an old car feels very different to a new car I'm sure. She has to drive 3000 kms before taking the test in a year's time, but how do I cope with my nerves?????

Babbles, I can't offer much help as others have already suggested things, but I do sympathise with your situation. I am not alone, but my OH works away for 2weeks each month, these 2 weeks I just about get by, I do go to an aerobics class twice a week but apart from having a 16 year old daughter, that is about it. I am very lonely the weeks he works away and feel like my right arm has been cut off. The 2 weeks he is home seem to fly by so I spend my life drifting from happy to alone! Some suggestions have been very useful, I myself like walking so might enquire about the local randonees group. Good luck and I hope you find a happy medium!

If having this biopsy how long usually is it before you get the results? M thanks

Just wondering if it is possible to re connect on what was an existing landline and internet line with France Telecom? Both were stopped just over a year ago because of a house fire which totally destroyed everything, but the house has been rebuilt and is almost ready to move into. Is it possible to organise this via the internet or is a journey to a FT shop necessary? I dread the latter so hope it can be done via internet. Any help with how to arrange this would be most appreciated.

With SFR do you still have to pay the standing order for FT landline?

Thanks for your replies. I have sent them an email today explaining, and tomorrow our Maire is open so I might call in and ask them to phone on my behalf (my French isn't too great for telephone calls). I didn't declare it on the impot form, didn't realise I should so hope they accept a genuine error. :)

We've received our 2011 tax habitation which states 0 (as we haven't lived in the property for a year) but they are asking us to pay the audiovisual amount. How do I explain that the property was completely destroyed in a house fire, hence the reason for not living there? Surely we do not have to pay the audio visual? Thanks for your help

We've given 3 months notice to leave our rented property but, should our new house not be ready for us to move into, am I understanding this correct that legally the owner cannot make us leave on that date (should be 24 Dec), as we asked if we could stay on month by month if necessary. We pay the rent on time and the agents have requested that during the next 3 months the house and garden is clean and tidy (we don't live in a pig sty, I like to think we have a hygienically clean abode) in case they want to show new prospective tenants around. We assumed that it has to be left in the condition we found it on the day we move out, so was a bit put out by this request. We have areas of mould where there is damp, is this something we should repair or the landlord? We have reported it but nothing has been done. Another question - if we are ready to move out in 2 months rather than 3 do we still have to pay for 3 months, or just 2? Our contract is for a year - Nov to Nov but giving 3 months means we are here a month longer than the year. Sorry to hijack your thread

I'm in Dept 46 (near Cahors) and haven't seen them yet, but don't want to miss them. I have seen them before and it's a magnificent site, this year I'd like to have the camera at the ready. Is there a way to track which way they're going, i.e. Dept wise as I have difficulty telling my north to my south LOL. Obviously I know they are heading for warmer climes but don't know which way that is from my location.

Hi Mrs Bertiebe I had breast cancer treatment in France 3 years ago I do understand what a difficult time it can be. For the transport for your husband you can claim with a bon de transport saying you used your own private car and then the other form which you detail kms, tolls, engine size etc. etc. Make sure the hospital stamps and signs the Bon de T. Send it off to your securite sociale and they will reimburse you. Take care

Please could someone help with the translation? I am talking about the terracotta/ bricks that are on the roof with that hat thingy over the very top. The metal liner from the woodburner would be inside. Am I making sense ?? Many thanks

Good luck with the first round of chemo x

We have only lived in our hamlet for 3 years, the first year we moved we built a house during a very difficult time health wise (I had cancer and underwent chemo, radiotherapy and surgery). During this time the said neighbours complained about noise, however we never made a noise during lunch hours, sunday afternoons, bank holidays or early/late. They also complained about bonfires (we adhered to restricted times), our children playing in the swimming pool and laughing, shreiking and even the smell of the farmer muck spreading and disco music from a nearby campsite!! Sadly our newly built house caught fire after 11 months of living in it, we all stood and watched the house wrapped with flames, we totally lost everything. Fortunately we were well insured so the rebuild has begun since May this year. We've again been getting complaints that our builders are making too much noise, my OH has had the cement mixer going on a Sunday morning (for 10 minutes), we thought Sunday mornings to make a noise is ok but the other neighbour ganged up and said only a lawnmower. We've yet to check this point with the Maire but in any case, we apologised and turned the machine off when they moaned. BTW when we had the fire all the village offered help by way of clothes, and small items (except for these neighbours) and we made sure our thanks and appreciation was sent to everyone, people's kindness really touched us. We've decided we are never going to win with these people, last year they called out the gendarmes 3 times because the neighbouring campsite had children playing in the pool and making a noise, during the day so we know it is not just us. When we move back into the house once completed I have decided I will not tolerate this bullying any more so I will call out the gendarmes. I just want to be allowed to live without harassment, intimidation and aggro for everything we do or don't do!

I have internet via alsatis and we have a little receiver pointing in the direction of the signals. The internet speed is VERY slow and often won't load up pages at all, it tends to vary from day to day but has definitely been worse during the summer with trees blooming and possibly obscuring the view. Weather also affects it. It costs around 34 euros a month and I can't wait to get back to REAL internet probably with orange. We also initially had the internet phone package, Wimax, but after several frustrating months of not being able to hear people or make calls, we cancelled this. I don't know if our system is the same as what you are asking about, but if so, all in all I am not very happy with it.

I just wanted to sympathise with your problem, as we too have had harrassment from our 2 neighbours. We went to see the Maire who told us that they "complain about everything, so call the police if they bother you again"! We've lived for 3 years with problem neighbours, it has got to the point where we just want to tell them to "go forth and multiply", but have so far managed to bite our tongues. Why should we integrate with people, trying to be friends - would we do this if we still lived in England? We never had any problems from our neighbours in England, we had a very nice little cul de sac where the motto was live and let live. With so much distance between us and our neighbours I can't see why there should be a problem. I think the only problem is that they're French and we are not. Good luck

your story rings some bells for me Coops, 3 years ago when I had to have chemo, my hair started falling out after 12 days and made my head so sore. In the end I had other half shave it for me, both of us in tears, but it felt so much better once it had gone. I did have a wig which I found very uncomfortable and hot, so most of the time I had the buffs, covered up a baldy head and kept it from getting too hot/cold. Having said that my hair grew back the same as before and this summer it has been driving me crackers being hot and sweaty! Life was more comfortable and easy without hair. Good luck with it all, it will soon be a memory of the past.

I think you would know about it if you'd been bitten by a horsefly. OH was and was in pain, with a severe swelling around the bite area and had to see the dr. She prescribed anti histamine and steroids. Since living in France (8 years) I've always found the black flies bite, exactly how you describe.

Just caught up with this thread. We've had an Ikea credit card and for our first kitchen purchase we spent the maximum (4,500) and spread it over 10 months. It was quite hefty to pay it back but a bonus was that we did get a "gift" voucher to use by a certain date. Recently we made a purchase on the credit card, but decided to pay it off as soon as so when the bill came in we sent off a cheque. However, the cheeky blighters also took it from our bank so in fact we paid twice, as the statement shows. Does anyone know if they will deduct this off of our next purchase? A few phone calls to Norskken, and a letter sent by post have not proved successful so just wondering how we can get back our double payment.

Take it easy, take good care of yourself and try to remember live life to the full. Great news you are home after all you've been through.

When my brother in law died 8 years ago (in UK) my sister found out after his death that he owed a credit card some considerable sum of money. She was liable to pay the outstanding amount (although assumed the debt would die with him)and fortunately the insurance paid out and he was well covered so at least she didn't have that worry too. The credit card company were sympathetic and did in fact reduce the amount my sister had to repay, so it well might be worth your friend sending a letter to explain circumstances.

OK, maybe I should have said Alsatis internet phone. Either way it didn't work!