runningdog

Thanks, that's valuable information.  I'm not that well up on the jargon yet, what are RIBs and  i haven't pm'd you because I don't know what it does.

I agree that health care is of major importance.  We have contaqcted Newcastle but have been told to wait until we have a definite moving date.  Nevertheless i take your sound advice. Thanks

Just to say that I have responded to your email.

That's very interesting!  My interests in cars, having spent my entire life involved with that sort of thing, starts and finishes with getting from A to B with as little hassle as possible.

Where do you get the £20.00 card?

All of that is handy to know - I shall look into getting a dish and digbox before leaving.

Thanks for that.  I shall have to find out which banks are in the local village [St Christophe du Ligneron].  I'm with Lloyds at present but it looks as though other UK banks have more of a presence in France.

Thanks - will do that!

Im sure that you are probably right about the car but one of the anomalies of human nature is that we seem not to learn from other's experience - we seem bound to make our own mistakes.  Our present car is a 405 diesel estate, we have a largish dog and a folding camper [subtley different from a trailer tent] and hope to explore France frequently while in residence; hence we would need a car of similar size / capacity.  My preferences are for Peugeot / Citroen as they have - in my opinion - the best diesel engines.  another thing is that modern cars while being efficient are extremely complex - I still like the simple models of 10 years ago with little to go wrong.

Yes, I am sure that our agent will do a lot; I just find it difficult to sit still in limboland when I feel that I should be 'doing'. This house has two phones and broadband at present but assume that that will terminate on present owners departure.  My French is in the 'embryonic' stages and, while there fouind it difficult to make meaningful conversation with present owners and now they are the other side of France house hunting. No, don't have Satelite tv in UK, we have freeview built into television but feel that we shall need satelite to get some English programmes. Will take your tip about Nationwide.  Many thanks.

Don't know when we shall be moving but are hoping for end September - early October.  Yes, we are cutting all ties with UK - my ultimate adventure!  The last sentance was heartening news.

Many thanks.  We're taking the car mainly because I feel it better to get my wife driving on the wrong side of the road without being in the wrong side of the car as well.  It has very little value here in the UK either but is a good workhorse, utterly reliable, and I like it - actually this may be because of my perverse nature.

Thanks for that, I shall have to get moving and find out which banks are in the local village!

Hi - I'm sure that this will bore the established Englisg dwellers in France to bits but, based on the following information, would one of you compile a list of what I must / should do prior to the move. We are about three weeks into the buying and selling.  We have sold our place in UK and agreed a purchase price for a house in the Vendee near Challans.  All is with solicitor / notaire now and we have not signed intitial contracts as yet. I am retired [post 65] and my wife is not, does not work and we have no plans for her to do so in France. Our income from my State Pension and a small private one is around €1,600 per month. Initially we intend keeping our r/h/d Peugeot until we are well settled. Broadband and Satellite TV are high on our list. We have an English 'agent' acting on our behalf in the Vendee What I would like some kind person to do is to give me a to do list based upon their own experience.  For example; when do i have to change my car insurance, do I need to set up a French bank account now, health care - [have stents - on medication - got tee shirt].  I'm sure that everything is littered around the forum but i find finding the basics difficult.  Please bear with me.