nectarine

I wish I could say that I was like a nectarine, ripe and rounded, with skin as smooth as a young peach ... actually, when I was searching for a forum name my eyes alighted on a fruit bowl. 'Banana' was already taken by monsieur woolly, and 'melons' would probably attract the wrong kind of attention. So 'nectarine' it was and is!

Just a heads up to people out there. I heard of a case today of a couple where one has recently died and the survivor is having trouble with the bank because the account is labelled M. ET Mme xxxx. That means that both signatories must sign any document and not one alone, so the survivor is having problems accessing money etc., until legal procedures take their course. If the account had been M. OU Mme then it means only one signatory is needed, either of them, and of course the survivor has full access to the account and more flexibility. So, take a look at your cheque book today. A ten minute with your local branch to get things in order might save a lot of hassle and heartache at a later, more stressful time ...

I admire the efforts to keep the French language pure but it's a losing battle. Popular culture, songs, films, etc., are English language, the internet, etc. I really do like to think of a few elderly gentlemen in a cobwebby room discussing this, scattering their words with the French equivalent of "prithee" and "forsooth" and "bah humbug" ...

I have never used the brick sheets .... do you put butter between them like filo or just layer them on top of each other?

The first case in the article left me speechless ..... never been to France, couldn't speak the language and bought a house online sight unseen. That's got to be pretty silly in any language! However, a chap who worked for an international removals company would tell me alarming stories of people going to Spain who were, in his opinion, generally unprepared. In his words, they'd go on holiday to Benidorm, then return to UK and sell up and come to Spain thinking that they could buy a pub and sit in the sun and drink all day. He said that about three years after moving them out, when they were full of bluster and boasting, he'd be moving them back to the UK again with a fraction of their possessions and they'd be moaning about their misfortune. Fools and their money etc.........

what a lowlife to steal it! Good luck with getting it sorted out and back on the road (!) or pavement soon ...

hmm, after a long bicycle ride yesterday and feeling rather knackered I would have to describe myself as: passé la date de vente ...

thank you, that makes perfect sense. Tres bon etat general. Excellent, big thanks for your replies.

I'm bidding on a board game on Ebay and the description says: "LE JEU EST COMPLET ET TBEG " Now I've seen TBEG written elsewhere on second-hand items but what does it stand for. I assume "Tout ........" something or other. Does anybody know? Big thanks in advance.

Just to wish you well. I can't offer any practical advice and Norman's response is very comprehensive. But good luck to you, keep posting and keep us updated. Hugs to you.

I think guilt is a natural emotion in such circumstances, thinking "could we have done more? Why didn't we know how bad things were?". Unfortunately it's the people left behind who bear the greatest burden from now on. My sympathy, your son will have the "what if I'd done this .." scenario in his head for a while ...

It's worth checking your junk mail folder, and also your 'blocked senders' list to see if the Ebay emails are in there. They are definitely sent, it's automatic from the Ebay system, so have a look to see. Glad it all seems sorted out.

Sounds like you're having a bad experience but that's fairly rare. Firstly, the password change .... do check it's actually from Ebay (hover over the clickable link that they sent you to check it's an ebay web address). If in doubt, don't. However, some months ago there was some security issue and it was recommended that users change their passwords ... in that case, go directly to Ebay (type www.ebay.co.uk in your browser) and change your password there, rather than via an email link. Secondly, always check postage and shipping when you buy. As you scroll down the main page there are two tabs lower down - Description and Postage&/Payments. On the Postage tab you will usually find either a calculator for postage to your area, or a statement saying that the seller won't deliver to France, or to contact him directly. Now with a big item like a rower, there'd normally be a request that you contact the vendor asking you to contact him directly so he could calculate the shipment charge. But he's got back to you and so you have dialogue. If the money has been taken he will organise a refund, and there's Ebay rules about the time frame for this (sorry, don't know the exact rules but everything is weighted on the buyer's side). Just keep communication with him and keep us updated. Good luck

I use Ebay a lot and have rarely had a problem. It's normal for sellers not to reply immediately and take a few days. When you buy something there is always the opportunity to 'add a message to the seller' and I always ask for an email response, although it may take several days. If you paid by credit card or PayPal then you're safe. The amount may not show instantly, the funds approval is just that, but no money has physically changed hands. Let us know how you get on, although I wouldn't be worried at this stage.

there's been some exceptionally hot days in June and July but not lasting for long ... a few days of scorching weather and then the storms and rain. Heavy rain last night and damp today and forecast through the weekend ... but still warm. Strange weather - gone are the days when you could reply on June-September to be t-shirt and shorts weather.

ha ha Dave, I'm really enjoying reading your posts ... the last one made me laugh out loud. Keep 'em coming please!

I know someone who had breeding hens - quite a rare breed - and a neighbour's dog killed the chickens. His response was "it's just a chicken" and offered 5 euros, the price you'd pay for a live chicken in the market. But it didn't take account of the years this person had spent in maintaining this breed to get a particular colour and pedigree which, unfortunately, you can't put a price on.

I'd say rent out your UK home and use the money to rent somewhere in France. You're in a win-win situation ... if you don't like it you can easily move back and your UK home remains yours.

wooly's advice is excellent. This isn't the first time I've heard of trees being cut while the owners are away ... a case of fait accompli and the culprits just shrug their shoulders and wait for the consequences. Good luck with this, getting the mayor on your side is a major factor in getting justice and compensation.

lovely ad, although I did want to open the cage and let the chickens free range a bit! But thanks for sharing this ... hit my soppy-meter button!

I'm having trouble with the fact that so many of these crimes were so long ago ... how can you prove someone is guilty unless there's something in writing or a witness. It becomes the victim's word versus the defendant's ... only they know the truth but how can we judge? Some of it has been like they're jumping on the bandwagon and I wonder if the defendants were not well known, and were old men without any kind of financial assets whether so many 'victims' would come forward. I'm waiting for the compensation claims ...

We used to live at the top of the hill at Epsom Downs. I realise now that saying "we usually go for a walk UP the DOWNS" must have utterly confused our French friends!

We are a football-free household here, Mr. Nectarine is baffled and bored by the whole of it. He doesn't watch rugby, or athletics or anything. Just motorcycle racing and boxing. So thank goodness we have plenty of videos to watch and also record 'Two And A half Men' which is surely the funniest thing on television at the moment (although ITV 2 have moved it from 9pm to midnight!!).

have pm'd you.

Apparently you can't fill in the 2044 online as it won't allow you to enter a foreign address therefore my tax office sent me a 2044 to complete (I have clearly marked the UK address of the properties). I do have an accountant who keeps an eye on this so we will check to make sure it's not attracting a second tax.