Nell

My next door neighbour (when I lived in Ireland) had a heart attack and is now wheelchair bound. The doctors said that was down to Red Bull. He owned a pub, worked long hours and said he drank Red Bull to keep him going !!!

I showed UK bank statements and CA bank Statement. Yes we probably did meet the criteria. I remember a question of monthly income, I think that was why I showd the UK statement showing our monthly pension income being paid into a UK bank

We rented for 12 months from a very good Immo in Gourdon (dept 46). We signed a 3 year lease, but were told from the outset that we could cancel with 3 months notice at any time. The house was rented from a French couple via a French Immo. No Problems at all.... They also contacted all utilities for us and set up all our direct debits etc.... They even got phone and internet connected for us, which was way past their responsibility. I could not have wished for a better sevice. When we gave notice there was no problems at all. everything was dealt with accordingly and we moved to our permenat abode, with regret that we would miss 2 great French friends from the Immo in Gourdon. I know I cannot mention the name here, but if anyone wants a recommendation of a good Immo in Gourdon that also cover the surrounding areas, I would be more than pleased to tell you the name via private email

Thanks for the replies. Ron and Bugear - hopefully I have followed the correct procedure. I telephoned the Bootle tax office yesterday to chase our P85 forms (OH got confirmation of receipt of his a few months ago, but I didn't). Anyway - the lady in Bootle said that, both of our tax files were in Nottingham awaiting tie up with our FD5 forms, so hopefully they won't go astray in the French system (or the UK one for that matter !! ). Now can I please ask another question - There is another form (don't remember the number off the top of my head) but it is to claim back tax taken from savings if the bank won't change my account to "tax exempt". When do I fill this in and send it off? After I see what I get back from the tax office? After annual interest is posted to my savings account? or after 5th April each year?  Who said retirement was easy? [:D] 

Thanks Clair for the helpful dates, we can now look forward to 3 months of paying bills [:'(] Also - Why has the heading of this thread changed from "Payment of French Tax" to "Renewing rights of L'assurance Maladie" ??? Do we have a gremlin in the works?? [8-)]

Today, I paid my 1st French Tax bill and took my FD5 forms to the Tax office to be forwarded to the UK. Any ideas on how long I have to wait until I see my refund from Nottingham? Oh the joys of paying tax and dealing with bureaucracy [:)]

Correct Clair, I'm glad you could see where I was coming from (I don't know myself sometimes [:D] ) Sorry Ernie - I obviously followed the wrong link, There are a few on that thread, I think your first one takes me to a magazine.... Maybe youself or Panda could help this poor old confused person and post the link again on this thread - please [kiss][kiss]

[quote user="ErnieY"][quote user="Nell"] But you can't use this in France - Can you?? When I tried it said it was available in the UK only [/quote]Many things are possible - if you know how [;-)] Check out THIS thread   [/quote] Ernie - I checked out this site. I then paid my 2.50 GBP to Chris for the price of a pint.... to get a 1 page PDF file to tell me how to get bbc etc on my PC in France. Now I know it's only 2.50 (hey - lets take a chance here [;-)] ) that's not a problem, what IS a problem is I am in France, After receiving the PDF file and reading down 8 lines, I then find the bit that says "What do you need - The most important thing you need is access to a PC in the UK with Broadband connection ..." I don't have a PC in the UK... Am I missing the point here??? I can be a bit thick at times [8-)] Regards

A neighbour is getting married tomorrow, but since last Sunday day and night we have had cars drive round the area horn blowing and there is even a very loud musical horn playing over and over (thought it was quite fun at first, but is wearing a bit thin now [blink] ). Anyway, my question is - does this mean something to the village/surrounging area? Am I supposed to respond in any way? I know that when someone gets married they drive round in convoy blowing horns, but for a week before !!! Any explanations and advice would be much appreciated - Thanks

But you can't use this in France - Can you?? When I tried it said it was available in the UK only

And if you want to hear Bugbears Rockstar song go here - http://www.flixya.com/video/28594/Nickleback:_Rockstar

I remember many years ago in Greece spraying my feet and ankles with the old Deet stuff. One problem - nice shiny new gold sandles left on while spraying (OH was in the "aren't you ready yet" frame of mind, so I was in a bit of a rush [blink] ). Half hour later sandles stuck to feet - melted Och [:'(]

OMG - A handbag inside a bigger handbag [blink][blink][blink] - But Clair I notice you still have your UK licence too [Www] Regarding the 1st question about the stamps - any answers anyone - where are you Sunday Driver when I need you???

I have pretty "Prefecture rf Dordogne" stamps down the right hand side under the heading timbre (4 in all - one against each category I seem to be entitled too), but the OH has no stamps on his. According to the dates we can see his entitlement same as mine but no stamps!!! Should we return to the prefecture forthwith or is all okay?? Any ideas guys ?? Oh and out of curosity 2 more things - If I had points (I don't - but you never know [:-))] ) where would they show on the licence, and one for the ladies out there - Looking at this flimsy bit of pink paper I can't see it lasting long in my handbag, can you buy any kind of plastic wallet or something to protect it. The amount of rubbish I carry round in my bag it would be like a screwed up paper tissue in no time [:D] Cheers

Five years may not be quite right. OH and I have just had this medical. I was told I would need another medical in 5 years, OH told 2 years. Me 55 at present and he is 63. Could be milestone ages rather than lasting for a set period...

Sorry - should have said on my last reply - As soon as you realise you have a bite use tea tree oil, it really works. I only found this out last year and using this early on the bite, then it dosen't develop into a really bad blister.. I don't know about putting tea tree on an open blister though - ouch [+o(]

That's how I react to mosquito bites. Large painful blister, itches like mad, swells up yuk....[+o(] I end up getting the blister lanced to relieve the pressure and then walk about with yellow muck seeping out through the dressing and the flies following me down the street... Oh isn't summer wonderfull!!! Don't think it would be a horesfly as you certainly feel then b***ers bite you, whereas the little mozzie is much more sneaky

When I see chicken or lamb on offer in the supermarket, I bring it home, marinade it and put it in the freezer ready for the BBQ. Great, and also stops the need to plan ahead marinading meat 2 days before use.

I have to log on and take a look at the original posted picture at least 3 times a day - Brilliant [:D] I think this has broken my "Bubble Shooter" addiction [blink]

I opened a bank account with CA Britline - I produced certified bank statements to show my income and a utility bill to confirm my UK address. Oh yes and also a certified copy of my passport. All banks now ask for this because of money laundering. I really think the issue here is - Is your French good enough to cope with telephoning a bank in case of a problem with say direct debits/standing orders/money transfers?? I am very pleased with Britline. I bank on-line, but if I have any questions I phone and speak to excellent English speaking personnel who are very helpfull. Good Luck

Ernie - That has got to be the best picture I have seen in ages - I love it [:D][:D][:D]

I was going to stay out of this one (last time I slated Ryanair I was the butt of al kinds of Liverpool jokes) but fingers are twitching.... Water Rat - I don't understand how you got a flight with Ryanair for the cost of using your credit card. I have just been on the site to book a flight for 28 sept - 5 oct. Flight cost (and it also says on this page including taxes etc..) ZERO. Brilliant I think, so I continue to the nest page and confirm the flight. What do I see  -- Taxes/Fees 50.18 GBP (where did this come from, it says taxes etc are included in the price on the previous page??)  OK - go to the next page and I get - 1 checked bag 24 GBP,  priority boarding 8 GBP,  insurance 10 GBP....   I went no further.. (just an exercise to prove my point really [:D]) So, add to that debit or credit card fees and we are at near enough 100 GBP. Not bad for what started of as a big advert for free flights [8-)] So Hagar - when your Mum complains - show her this.... I can't work out whether I am doing something wrong (No I don't want replies along the lines of "flying to Liverpool!!![:P])  or some people just lie about what they have paid. After all that rant - Yes I will still use Ryainair xx

http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/a/index.asp is another handy site if you want to identify with English names rather than the French. I can spend hours on this site - I was never that interested in wild birds until I move to France - now I'm hooked!!![:D]

I had a cheque to pay into CA Normandie (Britline !). I just posted it to the bank and when I checked on line a few days later - There it was on my statement. I remember thinking it seemed faster than paying a cheque into your own branch in the UK.

Paint brush?? Yard Brush?? Lawn mower?? Hoover?? Duster?? The list is endless......[Www]