jon

Ron....what is wrong?I asked questions about a region.... Is the forum about helping each other find and enjoy life in France or about looking for blemishes? What would you all like to know about me before we talk about a region.Yes I do know a lot about the leisure buisness....and I have given it the best years of my life and when I come to France and stay in hotels and B and Bs I can see why the busy ones are busy and why the others are not.I have learnt by early mistakes....however I am not rude to others.......I pay my bill and go. I think that I have told you a lot about myself.......

                                                                                                                                                Thank you Woody and co...yes indeed we know around Cognac...but we have only spent a week in Deux Sevres.Throughout the years we have traveled from Pas De Calais, Sommes,Normandy, Broittany, Paris, Loire,     Vendee.          cote d, azur, Provence, around Montpellier, Arles....near Couloure, Biaritz, Bayonne, Arcachon... and toowards the Spanish border from both sides.There are places in France where I have not been...as yet...my life is not over.The problem is that I have enjoyed almost all of the regions. My heart is not just ruled by the surroundings but by the property....and when you fall in love ...some of us are ruled buy our hearts not our head! However....wherever we go it seems to work because we put our heart and soul  into the project and we have been known to be an asset to our area....but this is not a CV...and I am not applying for a job or approval. My favourite areas are near Valmont and Veules les Roses. Near Coutances and the coast of Manche. Bayeaux town.Bidart near Biartiz. Dinan. Saumur and some of the small towns aroun...Chinon. And, of course round and about St Emillion.

Thanks Michael I will suggest it to them.

Sid  what is all this. I was having a friendly conversation....asking about the area of Chef Boutonne and  somebody comes along and calls it A ONE HORSE TOWN......it was not  me! However I think that it is crazy to assume that I will fail.Why are you judging  me? No I  am not going to produce wine.....but I have friends who have owned a succesful vinyeard and I have been directly involved with the fine wine buisness.What, infact Sid you talk with great omniscience. You have assumed that you are talking to someone who has no buisness experience......but you are wrong Sid.

just curious...why St Malo and where was the B and B?Are you living in France?

 with all these bars in France and all the coffee beans...why is it so hard to get really good coffee?Do they clean the machines properly I wonder...each night the machine needs  a special clean...not talking about the areas visiable...talking about the arears where the coffee and water pass through ...as, of course stail coffee collects.Also are the bars interested in quality beans?

This looks as if it is going to be a story with a sad ending. The house in question is really special annd needs to find new inhabitants as the present owners need to get back to live with family in England.We felt that the area was wrong for our project...however had hoped that we had miss judged. So what sort of people would want to settle in a  very large house in this area?I have no problem with the matter of where I should be...because I know.....I also realise that coming from London so many things will change.That is another topic.....anybody out there living in France, originating from London?

As it happens I owned a house in Cognac....did not live there.I did not venture to Chef Boutonne...which was an hour away, obviously in the wrong direction. So where is a lively  place to be...to your mind ..Where are you based?Well this was begining to take on the complexion of the dear old Chiswick web site in London.So never mind the lovely house  I will have to go towards  the vines and the prosperty in order to sustain my apperitite for good food and making a living  from providing it to others.. Sorry that some of you got a little flustered on a sunday afternoon....I was only researching.

Van Houten drinking choc...available in METRO and some supermarkets.....rich and real

Reply to Sid...... We owned a home in Cognac and near St Malo              You are, with respect not talking to someone who has not owned property in France.                                                                                                       .. May I say there are many British people  offer simplicity because that is "their way" and they are not familiar or interested in Chic. Some people venture on holiday to find luxury and like to be pampered.There was no pin in the map by the way! It just happens that we have seen a house in that region which we find especially  lovely.I have to say that wherever I go in France I am sure that I will enjoy being there more than I   enjoy London life..I am have spent more than 30 years holidaying in France and some of that time was in Jan and Feb. Dull does not have to mean british..... but maybe Charente is not a gastronomic paradise....

We have to decide between ....where you are and near to St Foy Le Grand just outside a village...well about 1 km.It is to set up buisness and attract  tourism.The house in your arear obviously lacks vines and the other house is in a parc surrounded by grapes. Funny how we all want something different....but the buisness aspect is important.

Sid are there good markets in the area to buy sea-food and organic foods.We are concidering moving to the area and plan to cook for guests. Can you tell us a little about life in the are?Do you find it a good place to be.

Are you near Chef du BOUTONNE......WOULD LIKE TO ask some questions re supplies of fish and finer ingredients.

                      WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM PEOPLE LIVING IN THE DEUX SEVRES REGIONS....near chef du Boutonne.

By the way they have said that they will offer a sunstantail  deposit......and  want the property unfurnished.

Our friends are looking for a long term rental in France.....open to ideas...must be old house with garden.They have good references etc.Any suggestions welcome.

Anyone selling a house with a garden...old house...our friends have 100.000 POUNDS and are looking for something interesting....open to ideas on area.They know about web sites but wondered if any-one had first hand info....

But not in London.....crazy traffic...massive cues in banks...misserable faces....sad memoreies of real fish and chips.....Pubs with character or characters inside.Milk bottles broken  and other waste collecting in unused underpaths.There are still some birds and creatures around....thank goodness.

Come on Panda let me know about your chateau search.

I have stayed in several rental chateaux and know of many but the price and number of people is always a factor....come back with your answers and I would love to help.....

What is the situation with her mood...does she get depressed at all since she is off HRT?Or maybe she is not aware of this

Thank you Clare

thank you

 Di    .......Good  morning/afternoon would like you e mail address in order to discuss the matter of Walnut Trees......etc

however...can not reach your directed address!!!!!!!!!!