liz

Being a grumpy old woman myself I usually get steamed up about things like this but in this case I’d just say ‘chill’. How else can you distinguish, when speaking, between deux cent and deux cents? I am sure that the French had agreement when the Euro was introduced to use centime rather than cent because of the duplication. Personally I find the word centime trips of the tongue nicely. Curiously, I noticed in Greece earlier this year that they referred to the small coins as ‘lepta’ which is the same name they used for the hundredth part of the Drachma. I would not be at all surprised to find that other Euro using countries do the same.

I am no expert but I have taken a fair few successful cuttings in my time, particularly to bring plants to France from my English garden. I’ve never used fungicide and I have never heard it suggested in any of the gardening articles or programmes. I guess you have thought of this as your cuttings have perhaps collapsed with mould. I am not sure if it would do any good or any harm but it is certainly possible to get good results without. I suggest you keep everything such as your knife, pots and compost very clean. I have also found that covering cuttings with a polythene bag tends to make them rot and I don’t usually do this but spray the cuttings with plain water daily. This RHS article looks useful for the basics http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?pid=307

[quote user="Pads"]My UK bank is offering to send any amount of money for 7.50 to my french bank trouble is I cant seem to comfirm with any one what rate of exchange this is at ( is it the current rate or do they take a bit off for them selves?) I understand that it changes all the time and I get the rate as it moves , But when do they do the exchange when I make the request or days later when the paper work is done in an office some where ? Im currently trying to send 41K euros and i normally use a online broker ...but if this flat rate is all they take it seems silly not to take this option .... What am I missing ?[/quote] I'm a bit late reading this so you've probably already dealt with it. But, for what it's worth I've seen Halifax's offer too and it struck me as a good deal but haven't had the need to make a transfer lately. I would not be too suspicious. Now Nationwide is useless we use a Halifax credit card for purchases in the Euro zone, they make no separate charges and give a decent rate of exchange (last week 1.14) so it could be this, too, is a genuine offer. One thing I haven't seen mentioned is the upper limit and I have sometimes found banks to be very coy about letting you know what that limit is. They make it look as if you can do an electronic transfer only to fall foul of some seemingly arbitrary sum.

He's a HE because I have seen his name which is written up over his kennel door. I forget what it is but it is something that could not be interpreted as a female name.

Haven't used one myself but the National Trust near us in the UK has one of these http://www.husqvarna.com/uk/landowner/products/robotic-mowers/automower-305/ He's really cute and seems to be very efficient covering quite a large area. Rechargeable - he takes himeself back to his kennel to recharge as necessary. Not cheap though!

[quote user="sweet 17"]I am fairly sure it's the lobelia erinus. . [/quote] Sounds like the common bedding plant then. Usually fairly tufty but also trailing and then much used in hanging baskets. In the UK it is an annual but in your area it could well be perennial. Either way I would just trim the flowers off with garden shears and give a general fertiliser feed. If it looks a bit scruffy it will soon grow again. Never heard of combing! Oops! Sorry about all the quote stuff, don't know how to get rid of it!

One of my favourites is Euonymus, lot of different ones but all are usually variegated, lowish growing up to 50cm and very tough. These would not crown out your olive tree. If you want taller how about Viburnum (lots of different ones, some evergreen and some not). I also suggest you take a look over the neighbours' fences next time you're in your holiday home. That way you will see what thrives in the area and also what might be in flower when you visit. Liz

The Times picked ths up last week. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article6740746.ece#top . There has been a stink at St Efflam/St Michel-en-greve, two places (which virtually form one long stretch of sandy beach) mentioned in the article, for years. I have known St Michel as the beach that stinks when you drive past for about 20 years. I can remember a local demonstration about 10 years ago when green algae was dumped in the streets of a nearby town. Unlike many demos in Brittany this one obviously did not have the effect of getting something done. I have occasionally come across other smelly areas on beaches in Brittany but none on this scale or as permanent.

To get a holiday without paying accommodation costs why not try a home swap?   There are a number of web sites that provide listings of people who want to do this all over the world and you can also swap your holiday home.  A modest fee will give you a listing for a year.  The only down side so far as I can see is that you have to get your own house in a reasonably tidy state beforehand[+o(]. Liz

It is always said that old tiling makes a very good base for new tiles and we have found this to be true..  We have tiled over old tiles on several occasions with excellent results.  No need for any elaborate preparation, simply clean off thoroughly to remove any soap or grease residue and get tiling!  You won't need PVA either.  Liz   ps  Andy - Two minds with a single thought at the same time.  We must have been reading the same DIY manual [:)]

Every few weeks local newspapers in the areas from which Brittany Ferries operates on the English side of the channel have offers for 24 hour crossings provided you collect 3 tokens from the paper.  We have made these trips a number of times and have never been asked to produce the tokens.  I notice now that on the BF web site for the current offer - travel on the Armorique (Plymouth/Roscoff) for £7.50 - it clearly states that the tokens must be produced or you'll be charged the regular fare.  I'm just curious to know if anyone has been caught by this? BTW has anyone travelled on the Armorique?  How was it? Liz

Probably the first question to ask is where are you resident?  Generally speaking you wll get higher rates in the UK than in France so if you are still UK resident it is probably wise to stick with UK savings.  AFAIK the £35K applies only to the UK and I must admit I have no idea what the position is if a French bank collapses.  To avoid any problems in the UK just spread the hypothetical sum around 3 different banks or building societies making sure that they are not in some way related. Liz

I did wonder if it was just an oversight, it was Monsieur who made all the arrangements [:)] .  They did have a very posh electric towel rail!  No, I won't be complaining, it was not an inconvenenience to us, they were such nice people and service was faultless in all other respects. Just goes to show it pays to be nice to guests! Liz

That's interesting since it was a Clévacance accredited property.  If it happens again I will ask. Liz

We stayed in a French owned Chambre d'Hote for the first time recently and were rather taken aback that no towels were supplied.  Otherwise it was excellent.  They always have them in UK B&Bs AFAIK.  No problem as we had a couple of towels with us.  I just wondered if this was usual.  There were a couple of little soaps! Liz

[quote user="5-element"] Acoustic - in case the thread posted by Clair doesn't clarify totally: free-range = poulet fermier - (many of those are label rouge too). [/quote] Sorry, but 'poulet fermier' is not necessarily free range .  The previous thread mentioned by Clair says that free range is 'elevé en plein air'  (raised out doors)  which is correct.  I have found free range chicken (and outdoor reared pork) much more widely available in France than in the UK. Liz

[quote user="mossie"]  I have a truly magnificent clump of white arum lillies in the border (just about the only nice plant left by the previous lot!).  However it was very windy yesterday and I woke to find half of the clump lying on the floor (up to 15 lillies looking very sad).  At first the dog was the culprit but no paw prints so I am pretty sure it was the wind.  My question is, what is the best thing to do?  Should I stake it all back up or cut off those flowers which have fallen over and leave it to sort itself out.  At first I was hoping it might just right itself, but no sign of that yet.  Help much appreciated. [/quote] I find this really strange as Arums are usually pretty firmly anchored to the ground and a big clump should easily be self supporting.  Unlike Irises their rhizomes are usually a bit below the ground.  Perhaps you have light soil.  If the flowers are intact I would firm the plant in (a boot in the right place does the trick) and if it still seems a bit rocky support with stakes and a bit of string round until the roots get a good grip again.  If the flowers or their stems are damaged they'll have to go.  It is not too late in the season for more to come up. Liz

In the absence of an agent it is usually the seller that gets things organised with the Notaire.  If they are as keen to sell as you are to buy I am sure they will be happy to do that and it is you, of course who pays the fees.  There is no problem in buying without being present by use of a Power of Attorney (Procuration in French) but the Notaire will have to satisfy himself that you are who you say you are and that the person you appoint is properly appointed, this can be a member of the Notaires staff which will save a family member travelling to France for you..  I would suggest you get the seller to pick a Notaire and perhaps briefly explain the situation.  You can then contact him to find out what he requires to complete the deal.  You will need two goes at signing as there is the Compromis de Vente where you usually pay a deposit (10% is normal), then the Notaire makes various searches and then to complete the deal you sign the Acte Authentique (hopefully) a few weeks later.  French Notaires, in my experience, are not very flexible and have their own way of doing things so I am afraid you may not find them very helpful.  I wouldn't normally suggest it but, in the circumstance, it may be worth appointing a UK solicitor with experience of French property purchase. Mat, I don't wish to be rude but you have seen this place haven't you  [:)]  ?  I would not have believed it possible but I do know of a person who bought a small property in France without seeing it and was of course bitterly disappointed with what she found after she'd handed over her cash.

I agree with Val about Anglo Info, I got rid of quite a few items though them.  No charge and ideal if you want to deal only with english speakers.  Try also Total France for free classifieds where you can also post photos.  I also found the local paper quite effective, you usually have to pay but they are very widely read.  If you want to give to charity Emmaus is the obvious suggestion, they will collect.

[quote user="Rob Roy"]My Queen Elizabeth rose bush in the back garden has plenty of flowers, but most of the leaves seem to have disappeared.[/quote] Did the leaves get discoloured with yellow and brown blotches and drop off?  If so it is probably Rust.  I used to have several Queen Elizabeths and they were very prone to it.  You could spray with a fungicide but the leaves will grow back if you leave it alone.

[quote user="mark and sacha"] How do I go about unlocking my phone so I can go to another network(Virgin) I dont want to have to buy another mobile [/quote] I went into the France Telecom shop and they gave me a phone number to ring.  I didn't actually bother to pursue this so I don't now have the phone number required.  Have you tried the Orange web site?  My enquiries were some time ago and I know they didn't have any info on unlocking then but they might have updated by now.  The word you need is 'déverrouiller'.  Alternatively France Telecom may, at least, be able to get you restarted on the Orange network.

Part of the procees of selling invoves the seller in obtaining various reports on such things as lead, asbestos, termites and (I believe recently) energy eficiency which must be passed to the purchaser.  You do not have to organise a Notaire in advance but it may be useful to ask one exactly which reports are required for your region and, perhaps, seek advice on suitable firms to carry out the surveys for you.  The Notaire will almost certainly have a chum or two he can 'recommend' [:)].  Be careful though, not to get the reports done too soon as some of them have a limited shelf life.