Nell

If you go to the supermarket, I think I am right in saying most of the large chains sell sugar by the make "Beghin Say"... If you look on the box of sucre poudre I think you will find that is also says "caster sugar" in smaller print underneath - Well it does on my box from the Auchan ..... Could be wrong but I thought ordinary sugar was sold in cubes (in boxes) or sold in bags like the UK. Specialist sugar comes mainly in a box or these new plastic cartons with a pouring spout.

OH has ordered DVD's from USA. The findings, regards import duties - If he orders one dvd, he doesn't pay anything, it just gets put in the post box. If he orders a box set say (more expensive) the post lady knocks on the door and collects the duty from him. Not clothes I know, but maybe you could assume the principal is the same.... He seems to think that the cut off point for paying duty seems to be about 20 dollars (As you know the value of the package is printed on the parcel, so that is probably what they look at, before deciding to complete the paperwork involved [Www] )

I think Ken Livingstone made a relevant point on a TV interview this evening. Gritting may not have been done in some areas because it was a Sunday and the councils did not want to pay double time [Www]

Talking Snow - Thinking if heading towards Puy de Dome at the weekend - What's the snow like there?? Anyone close by?? Cheers

English speaking service for France Telecom is 0800 344775 (from UK 0033 800 344775) open Mon-Sat 08.00 - 20.00 This is what I have used in the past, but must admit it was a long time ago, so not 100% sure it is still available As you say all other numbers seem to be these silly 4 digit jobs Good Luck

Rockstitch - I have sent you a private email. Sorry for the delay - I missed this posting, only spotted it when Rosienoo posted yesterday Cheers

Looks more like Dancing on Ice [:D][:D][:D]

Traveled to USA last year and when looking into travel insurance, we were told by the bank (credit agricole) that because we had paid with our CB card we were covered with travel/medical insurance. The only thing in question then was lost luggage, but after checking with airline we found we were insured within the price of our tickets. As for your annual UK insurance - you can probably just bin it... I know this from experience when first moving to France. After we had been here a month, we we called back to the UK because a death in the family. To cut a long story very short, I took ill, was taken into hospital and there I remained for 6 weeks. My husband ended up staying in a B&B for the six weeks. When we returned to France, we telephoned the insurance company and asked if they could help with the costs and the short answer was a big fat resounding NO as we were no longer living in the UK. Even though we took out the policy whilst living there it made absolutely no difference

[quote user="Gardian"][quote user="Nell"] I know it's a bill, I know I need to pay it [:D] , but it's just the date that puzzles me [8-)] [/quote] OK, you're set up to pay 2008 later this year - fine.  All that the Impots are doing is giving you the opportunity to pay some of your estimated 2009 liability upfront. For some, that's doubtless helpful, for others, forget it. [/quote] Sorry, but I'm not following this !!!!! Are you saying they want me to pay my estinated tax for 2009 and my actual tax for 2008 all within the year 2008 ?? and yes I do have to pay it as I am above the threshold mentioned by BJSLIV

[quote user="carmelle"]no: it's for 2009 : it's an advance . it's not an error . Tomorrow , I will try to search documentary in english  about that .[/quote] In September 2008 I paid my taxes for the financial year 2007 By September 2009 I expect to have paid my taxes for the financial year 2008 This form says 2009 - I don't expect to pay taxes for 2009 until 2010 I know it's a bill, I know I need to pay it [:D] , but it's just the date that puzzles me [8-)] Carmelle - Thanks for your time and I hope you can find the documentry you mentioned

From someone who's OH loves roasters and is fussy with it...... We have found the best roasting potatoes in France are BINTJE - Here in dept 24 you can get them in Grand Frais in big 10kg bags... I haven't found any others that are any good for roasters. On a trip to Barcelona once, we brought Caesar's and Mona Lisa's and they weren't too bad, but they were Spanish grown. When we tried the same varieties French grown they were not roasting quality - The lengths we go to for spuds [:D] Anyway, the Bintje's are the best I have found so far. I know 10kg is a big bag for 2, but they only cost about 2.95 euro and if kept in a cool place they will last ages. They are also good for all other uses. If I get to the stage where I think they won't keep much longer, I peel, slice thinly, and bake in the oven with salt, pepper, chili flakes, sage and a chicken stock cube. I then freeze them and re-heat when I want them - lovely. As for roasting, I par boil and then let them go cold, before they go into hot oil in the oven Good Luck

Thanks Sue - 3 installments is fine, but I still don't get why it is dated for 2009, surely it should be 2008

I have just got this tax  bill in the post. I looks like a one third part payment of this years tax bill based on last years figures with payment is due by the 16th February.... A few questions - Has anyone else out there got this? I thought I filled out my tax form in May of each year and paid my annual bill mid September, so why am I being asked to pay 1/3 up front in February? Even more perplexing - why is this for 2009? Shouldn't my next tax bill be for 2008? Can anyone throw some light on this - Paying 1/3 of my tax bill in advance next month does not really appeal, especially as I am still waiting for tax back from the UK from last year!!!

[quote user="Bugbear"]I love corned-beef hash, with a grated-cheese topping. . [/quote] And Brown HP sauce - [blink]

How about the Ikea "billy" Range Ikea in Bordeaux http://www.ikea.com/fr/fr/catalog/categories/range/10364/11683/ We used this for storage of hundreds of hardback and softback books as well and tons of dvd's and cd's. The standard high shelving units were real good value and I think we bought extra shelves to get more storage....

This may sound like a daft question - but what is a card reader?? I opened a NW flexi account, and then a savings account when I got on-line. They also gave me a credit card (how nice!!). I opened the said accounts, while back in the UK over Christmas, so that I could then use the cards in France (after reading here about all the great exchange rate deals [:)] , that and the fact that the Halifax is really p*****g me of at the minute, but that's another saga....) Anyway, nobody mentioned anything to me about a card reader. What is this? I have not yet tried to use my debit card for shopping or withdrawing money. When I do, will I be refused because I don't have a card reader thingy? Do I need to buy an even bigger handbag to carry round my very own card reader ??? [8-)][:-))][:-))] (and OH's card reader too by the sound of things) I have read through this posting a couple of times, but I am none the wiser. I feel I want to bury my head and pretend I never read it, but it would be very embarrassing to have the check-out woman in the Auchan take all my shopping back because my card was refused [:$]

Yes we did purchase in France. I think this WW plate stuff is normal. The insurance company were quite happy with it and the dealer just said we need to go to the prefecture within a month. Really just trying to get some idea of how much it's going to cost to change to permanent plates.. Thanks

We took delivery of a new camper van today, but the registration number is temporary (A WW plate). Have been told this needs to be changed within a month. Fine, I knew about this strange way of selling new cars.... but, can anyone point me in the right direction to a site where I can download the forms needed for the prefecture (I like to be able to fill in forms before I get there if possible..) and any ideas on the costs of re-registering a new vehicle to permanent plates? Any help greatly appreciated.

[quote user="allanb"][quote user="Nell"]...it amazes me that any otherwise upstanding citizen would even consider this option...[/quote] How do you know that he's "otherwise upstanding"?  If he's the sort of person who contemplates tax evasion, he probably parks on double yellow lines as well.  [/quote] See I knew you were a fine upstanding citizen Madame Llantony [:D]  I have just re-read my posting as you seem upset at some replies. Sorry if you took my post personally - I was speaking Generally and trying (albeit not very well) to say that as general law abiding people, I don't understand why some then try to evade their taxes. [:-))]

Hero or not..... It was lovely to watch the news on BBC tonight and hear a GOOD NEWS story as the headline, rather that the misery of Gaza and the state of the banks [:)] Happy Friday everyone [:D]

I can only agree with all that has been stated above. I think the way to look at this is - Would you knowingly try to defraud the UK tax authorities??? I the answer is No, then why on earth would you even contemplate trying to defraud the French authorities .... If the answer is Yes, then you deserve all you get when the walls come crashing down around you (That may sound a bit harsh, but it amazes me that any otherwise upstanding citizen would even consider this option)

[quote user="Benjamin"]Nell Looking at the shank part on a full leg this morning they seem a bit smaller than those that we've bought in the UK. Do you find that's the case? [/quote] Just checked some I have in the freezer - they weigh in about 1lb 6oz (in old money[Www]).

Oh Wooly - You do make me laugh - [:D][:D][:D] I can just picture the rocking chair on wheels, for ease of moving from room to room... My New Years Resolution - If feeling a bit down, log onto this forum and search for your latest postings [:-))]

2.5k per employee - To train shelf stackers and miseable looking cashiers - Morrisons must be laughing all the way to the bank......[Www]

An onion cut in two and left in a room gets rid of the smell of paint ..... May work for other smells - I don't know, but I can vouch for it for paint. [:)]