Laurier

I was advised to take a pampas out of my garden in South Africa as I was told it 'searched' for water and could attack the water pipes. It was a new plant I had put in so I never investigated whether that was right, but just took their advice and took it out. Maybe it would have been fine. I also love the different texture it provided in the garden.

Thanks Sweet/Pommier - I think I am a typical Brit - I hate haggling, but needs must! I agree I should cross that one when I get to it. I'm just trying to make sure I do things in the right order. One good thing is that my French is passable (though limited) and I know France pretty well, so I do have reasonable confidence in that regard. It's just a case of "getting stuck in" and doing more research and leg work. Having said that, though, I do find it all a bit scary - hence my reticence over the last two years. That link you gave me, Sweet, has kept me occupied for several hours today. I love the analogy with "finding the one" - that amused me a lot. I'm inclined to think that finding a property must be the easier of the two!! Time will tell. Thanks again Laurier

Sweet Thanks very much. I have done quite a bit of Internet work and looked 'informally' at various properties and loads of areas and spoken to a couple of agents over the last couple of years. If I ask an agent to prepare a list of properties in advance for me to view, and they ask me to sign the Bon de Visite, what happens if one of the properties I am interested in is, in fact, listed cheaper with one of the other agents as is often the case? Thinking logically, I suppose you make an offer based on the lowest price? As advised, I am prepared to be patient. As you said, it is easier if you are in France but I am just going to have to make more visits to view. I have a friend who took 10 days off work one Easter with the intention of going over to France to buy. He had decided which area he wanted and went absolutely determined to buy. Amazingly, he found a place and signed, all within the 10 days and it was his first viewing trip. I do think, sometimes, he has regretted being so hasty as he bought a place far too big in an isolated village, and I then decided I would be far more cautious than that! So far, I am two years more cautious. However, like you, I don't want to make a mistake. Thanks for the link - I have added it to my list! Laurier

I have been following this thread with interest as I have been looking for my 'perfect' property for the last couple of years. I have been up and down lots of different areas of France so am not fixed on any particular area. Like you, Dexter, I would have been better off if I could have sold my UK place in 2007. Thank you, Quillan, for the sound advice and I agree that I don't want to be in the sticks at my age. However, it is hard not to be seduced by some of the lovely rural properties I have seen. Sweet, I have followed your quest for a new house and am going to take your advice and finally put my wish list out onto the forum and see if there are any takers. So, here goes, I am looking for a place reasonably near to 'facilities' since I am a widow on my own and think that I may eventually not want to drive everywhere when I am in my dotage (not quite there yet!). It would be nice to be able to walk to get the basics. I don't have any fixed idea on type of place nor region except that I don't have the know-how nor motivation, nor finances to undertake a major renovation. I know Normandy very well, and like it, but, as was mentioned on the forum, the Orne does have very cold winters and I think a bit further south might be preferable. However, the climate is not the major requirement and I do like lots of areas of France. I would probably have about 90 000 Euros to spend on a place. Please pm me if you know of anything or can put me in touch with someone wanting to sell. I will be in France again over Easter so could possibly view then. Failing that, if anyone can point me to a particular town that might be worth my looking at, then all advice gratefully received! Many thanks Laurier ps. I have picked up some fantastic tips from the contributors in the past.

I hadn't seen this before - just laughed so much. Thanks. Laurier

Parsnips Thanks so much for the info. It really is mind boggling and sounds so dreadfully complicated. I can feel myself getting agitated just thinking about it and trying to work it out. Anyway, I will try and absorb some of it and get some clear focus. It is tempting to think that I will be dead so why should I care how they sort it out afterwards, for the sake of a small pad, but I can't bring myself to do that! Incidentally, my step-children live in USA, Aus and Zimbabwe so I can only guess that the problem is even greater ... Thanks again - really appreciate the advice. Laurier

... also applies to me, Fay. a) and b) OK but c) unlikely also much as I love her! Thanks allanb. Laurier

Re my last posting - forgot to mention that my step-children are not UK residents so I wonder if and how I could will a French residence to them without them incurring huge expenses. Would appreciate any further advice. Thanks Laurier

Very interesting, Fay, as I am also a widow with no living parents nor children and had assumed my sister would be my 'blood relative' to inherit (if and when I buy a place.) That has really surprised me and changed my thinking. Thanks for the info, Parsnips. I am now wondering if there is a similar arrangement I could invoke to leave the place to my step-children. Also, if one has no husband, parents nor children, who is considered the next 'blood' relative, I wonder? Laurier

ok just seen the button for pm !

Bubbles Have just been over looking at property. Would like to pm you but can't find a button anywhere. Can someone show me what I press please? Laurier

Thanks both. Wow expensive! What a hoot. In our travels through France, we just haven't seen gyms or obvious swimming pools and wondered how much they existed, though we assumed they did - somewhere. Will check out 'piscines'. Laurier

Does anyone know if there are fitness centres such as the Virgin Gyms or similar chain in France? We are starting to look for a small holiday/retirement pad, probably south Aquitaine or further east, but want to be near an all-year swimming public pool - assuming we couldn't stretch to a place with our own pool. Thanks Laurier

Thanks all. I have seen the special offers on at SpecSavers but they don't apply if you want to use at least one set of your own frames, and it was more expensive than the prices quoted on the Internet for varifocals. I've never done it through the Internet before but it does seem that you can send them your own frames to be glazed. Laurier

Hi Colin Are the opticians happy to just do the eye test and give a prescription if you aren't prepared to buy frames from them? Thanks Laurier

Thanks everyone for all the info. My French is quite good but maybe not good enough when faced with a native who might think I was in the wrong, in which case I would be glad to have an English version to hand. I have now downloaded the copy  but if there are carbonated copies with duplicates somewhere (as mentioned), that might be better. I'll give the insurance company another go but am happy to have the downloaded copy anyway  and feel more confident about the procedure - tks again. Lau.

Thanks - I was wondering if it was necessary to call the police and I see that is answered in the MIB doc. One point which occurs to me - it says it is OK to sign the Constat but to 'keep a copy'. I wonder how you can do this on the side of the road. Thinking about it, I suppose you would each have to complete your own form and get each other to sign - would that be what you would do? How else could you keep a copy? I think there must be some obvious answer to this which is eluding me ... Laurier

Thanks Clair. I'll go into the threads and go through all the stuff. Lau.

I have been following the insurance threads and realise I don't know exactly what I should do in the case of a car accident in France when on holiday.  Can anybody please point me to where I can find this out! I am particularly interested in this 'accident report' which Ernie mentioned. Do I need to travel with one and, if so where can I get one from, bearing in mind that I am UK resident but do drive to France several times a year on holiday? I seem to remember some long time ago that I did ask my insurance company for some guidance but they were very vague and, sadly, I didn't pursue it, thinking that common sense and normal procedures would reign! Thankfully I have never had an accident but  feel I should read up on exactly what the procedure is (even if a bit late in the day), especially as the other person involved may be a French native and I would be at a serious disadvantage if I seemed unaware of the exact procedure and did not have the same level of fluency. Would appreciate any help or where I can read up on this. Thanks, Laurier    

ErnieY Thanks. I appreciate the suggestion but it looks anything but 'easy set-up' to me. These things always assume a level of basic technical knowledge and understanding. Normally,  I would have to get a satellite man in to sort out something like that for me. I will keep the info as it looks as if it could be really useful (once you understand it). I feel quite stupid when it comes to things like this. I suppose if I want the creature comforts, I must make an effort to try and understand how these things work. Rgds Laurier

MW Thanks - now have SECAM/L imprinted on the grey matter and I will certainly scrutinise the manuals as you suggest. Sorry if you have repeated all this before - I did look in the 'search' facility but couldn't find anything. I had thought of purchasing in France but I am a TV/Video, etc. technophobe with capabilities limited to the on/off button and, although I speak reasonable French, thought I would be more comfortable buying something in UK where I would have a fighting chance of understanding the manual. Many thanks Lau.

Tks Anton. That has answered all the questions. Rgds Laurier

Does anyone know if it is possible for me to take  a very small portable UK TV  with me on holiday to France with portable aerial, plug it in to the mains and receive French TV? I have no idea if this is possible/legal but  when I travel I often stay at places with no TV and would like to be able to switch something on  for company during the evening. If a UK TV won't receive French programmes, I wonder if I can buy a small French TV but then what do I do about a French licence as I'm a UK resident at the moment? Would appreciate any solution or advice. Laurier

Gardian Tks again. Yep, I enjoy France no matter when or what the weather - was more worried about occupying the old folks with me but will take it as it comes. Laurier

Yes, I had thought about le mistral but had forgotten about the clocks going back.  I am wondering if the Christmas markets will have started in November - that might provide a distraction if the weather is bad. Lau.