jon

Guesse I should give up trying!!!!!!I do not live with ideas of opening packets of readily prepared food!If its the easy life you carze well so be it...good cooking does not come out of packets.It is something to relish.....never mind.... 

Is that a real aplology......coming from your heart.However on another note the French economy has risen and most...if not all of eauropean countries have dived in the other direiction.I am not always wrong!!!!!

Katie...we came from London  where we had a restaurant......and this chef cooks in a style unlike all those ghee greasy dishes which most people know.I can not explain without you tasteing that his cooking is light and full in flavour...not merel spices but of the vegetables,meat and fish which he cooks.He will be a prize attraction here in France if the project gets support.

Well I have received some encouragement here from my fav chef...he feels that it is a good idea..and even though he is busy he may well join in on the teaching so we have at least one French chef, an Irish one...a n Indian chef from London involved in the circle of teaching .....and a promise of editorial on the horizon from a small group of travle journalists.So then...perhaps some clients will treat themselves to some gastronomic pleasure.

Well exchange rate good,bad or ugly,credit pop,crunch,.......................France is where I came a year ago from dirty,hustle-bustle London which was so much full of soul and now almost souless.....it is about re-booting your life.Finding a way...from within[maybe others offering positive suggestions]to re direct the energy.I am doing it...so can others!

Russet House there is a new cookery book released by Heston Blumenthal.....your second fav chef.

And there are so many dissapointments in life....so I really hope to bring the real /haute cusine to my area of France.....I hope that it can be achieved becaquse it could be the start of Michelin stared Indian cuisne here....why not!!!!!!!!

Spices from India produce specific flavours.It is a myth that Indian cuisine  has to be "HOT!" to be authentic.It all stems from the original entry of the Indian restaurant which was introduced to Uk as being the place to fall into after the pub has closed and to order vindaloo...and the boys would proove how macho they were by ordering the "HOTEST" DISH ON THE MENUE!"Chilli is the certainly not the only Indian spice.There is a distinct divide between those who know and those who do not.Many of ther French do not know...but when they will....they will appreciate.

I am not sure that you can "import" chefs from India...

Of course I remeber Nigel Farrel[producer of TV programmes]Nipy and the chap who has the Star Of In dia in Old Brompton Road.London.A very entertaining programme....great fun....and  MAN MADE FOR TV.....The chap from the restaurant came to our premises in Chiswick to check us out...forgotten his name.Oh well Star Of India was well known....however the cooking was not exceptional.I do beleieve that there is an un derground tunnel which operates in the Bond Kitchens underground which networks to all the Indian restaurant supplying "CURRIES" pale, almost tasteless..WITH MATCHING TANDORI chicken made from tasteless birds in one massive Tandor oven just outside Chancery Lane Station.Currently for sale along with the frozen peas and carrots which grace the vegetable biyriania.To my mind none of that is Indian Cuisine....and when the French get the real thing then they will love it.You too!

Oh Cerise...like many of you on the France Forum you perhaps look at food in a different way than I do.My best friend was Indian and when he cooked he enjoyed himself....but he was not a chef.The BEST INDIAN food in London is amazing and he has flavours which are rich,exciting and like eatung really good French cuisne.I know that the French do not "LIKE IT HOT" but our chinese restaurants in ny arear...near Libourne are really busy.The Spices were, of course [orginally]to preserve the meats beacuse of the derth of regrigeration and the need to conserve.A good Indian chef will use the best flavoursome tomatoes and a a little corriander[plus a fewother ingredients..of course]by the side of roasted lobster tails] and produce really light breads .....not seen in  London or Manchester.We have just said goodbye to a guest[stayed at our chambre d hote and had dinner with us]She is a French consultant in the food buisness,TV cook and writer of food orientated subjects.She lives in Paris and has bought a second home in our region.She has tryed desperately to find an Indian chef for a client.Well lets see....

Are there any exceptional chefs/cooks living/working near to Bordeaux.....Libourne?Or really good In dian restaurants...

Have you got an accountant?Most people in uk seek the advise of an accountant.That was the first thing that I did after the purchase of my property.The people on this site are most helpfull ....but your accountant will have YOUR full details and will advise you accordingly.

Yes Pads I came accross these friends of friends to/I also came accross people who advertised with a very very very well known French prop mag in the prop for sale sections.....and they were"brokers" based here there and everywhere.Not sure how thay can receive their commission as it is the notaire who receieved the final cheque...as you all know...so there may be some very complex money divides at the end of a sale.However I bought MY CURRENT  home directly from an agency[French] not far from my home here in France.Some years ago I purchased from a well placed....and, I thought very correct agency who insisted that the seller was within her right to remain in MY HOUSE....I had signed the act at the Notary[and obviously paid for the house in full]She could remain in my house for another week as her house was not yet ready for her.She commanded the kitchen and all other areas.Later when I had more problems with local politics etc....I decided to sell....I kept my faith in the estate agent...as I viewed most people with kindness and hoped! .After one year of feeble excuses I advertised my house and sold it to the first person who read my description.I sold my property in Brittany....myself....and for double the price that the agents[all of them]had suggested.Well...the law...I always want to respect and always will.But I can not deny that I enjoy property dealings[except for the technical aspects]and feel that I can continue to find that I can help others buy and sell their dreams.The dark side of life is always there......and for those getting "crunched" it is rather more obvious.

      May I please point out that at this moment I pose questions.....and this is a topic to discuss not the battleground.Please advise me what the "property finders " do...who do they work for?How the immobiliers link with the UK companies like VEF who scout for clients in UK .What qualifications are required to become a....an immobilier.....and b...an agent commercial?How is Granny structered?                                    

Yes Mr Frog there are many people doing many things all over the world.It is how and why we do what we do.Nothing is unique.Howe legal is this service within the French system?How much would I charge?That is not my main issue at this point.I like to work for myself...[as I do]

The present system in France is that Immobiliers charge in the region of 6% for each transaction....5 % FEE AND 1% tax.It is now going to be much harder for the seller and the agent to achieve a sale.There are obviously less buyers with less money and they will need a bigger bargain package in order to sustain a decent life style in the present financial climate.Is there a way  forward with the current system[obviously legally]for someone to set-up selling properties in France[based in the region and area of point of sale] without having an immobiliers shop-front and the formal identity as an" agent commercial".In other words working with local Maries and Notaires and finding them buyers[from UK or Ireland...or anywhere for that matter] and remaining "self-employed" under the French system..It would mean that the person involved in finding clients to purchase properties would have to find exceptional[and often very exspensive]routes to approach/reach clients who would be interested to move to France...so it is not just about a little paperwork, a few phone calls and some time.The Notaires are reall not very specialised[or interested....perhaps]in finding buyers.And agents are either ....perhaps a little exspensive and others not at all dynamic.

can you advise where one can be medical  products on line from UK

Rose thank you....I have looked at the two flight situation...and because of the conecting flight times it seems to me that swe would have to stay in Bristol for two nights......not so delighted to do that.Somehow I would prefer to get to Carcasson ....it is a three hour drive.....but  being there for a night rather than Bristol.I really do prefer France to UK...its more fun  for me.Ryanair is still the leader....as I mentioned BA and Air France can do something for about 700 euros.....but to Dublin...not Shannon...we need to be in Shannon.

not poss with irish carriers.....700/800 euros for the other routes.however....we can go to Carcossanne to Dublin.....which is possible .thanks everyone

We need to travle fromSW France...near Bergerac to Shannon Ireland[OR Cork...or Dublin and drive]  in Nov or early Dec....interested if anyone can find a good way of doing this....not easy!

I am aware of the woes of the world....and it will be a bumpier ride for a few years.But....there is a but...a good agent tells his clients...."IT will not sell...it is over priced...and it will not grace the portfolio.On the same token purchasers have to note that even in a buyers market people will not give their property away for zilch!The types of property are so different...and the types of agents too.As I have mentioned before.I have studied agents for a number of years!

Odd.....not so easy but not odd...properties are still selling here.....not one a min....but lets not be negative...and lets remember people look for different things in different areas.

Judie good to meet you.How are you finding the property market?I am just joining the ranks......have been involved in buying property for myself for years and Agents thought that I was an agent.....so now I am llealrning how to become one.

Will did you say that your wife is an immobilier....basedin 50?Working with French agents.....or she is a French agent?