RicandJo

Cooperlola isn't strictly correct in how they work. If you're resident in France for example but continue to pay full NI in Uk, as I do, then it is renewed each year.

Anytime I've ever damaged a sidewall it's written the tyre off. Sidewall repairs are simply not allowed. Good luck trying to get just one tyre replaced by the way..........

You don't say if your work itself will be carried out in France or if you will be 'commuting' back to the uk for work and spend your time off in France.    

As long as it is less than 100ml then you can take it, but be aware ALL your liquids/toothpaste/perfume etc etc must fit into 1 clear plastic bag of 1 litre volume, the bag must be able to close.  i.e. you cannot take two bags! Ric.

I had a terrible experience with NFU when my car was stolen in uk. Took them 4 months to pay up meanwhile I still had to pay my car loan thus couldn't get another car until they paid.

Footman James will do exactly what you require. Traditionally classic insurance but they do modern car policies too. Competitive ones at that! I used them when I was working in Italy for two years, no trouble at all

Dave you can't start one thread banging on about how everybody should be honest law abiding citizens then go on another thread and advocate fraud!

CPAM Carcassonne - in and out in 20 minutes.  Following week went to CPAM in Narbonne to get the attestation and number - again in and out in 10 minutes with everything we needed. IMPOTS Narbonne - in and out in 15 minutes with Quittus Fiscales for two cars, 15 minutes before closing time. Called EDF from a friends house one Saturday and by the time we walked back to the house they were outside waiting. Even FT (Orange) in Narbonne were great - connected 10 days before they said we would be. The list goes on! Actually I can't think of anytime things have gone slow!

Cool site - 143 movie appearances for a CJ7 [8-|]

I just wanted to try and do a little to dispel the myth about French inefficiency!  Since arriving in France we have been constantly amazed by various departments and found ourselves walking away saying to each other 'wow - that was easy!!' Anything from CPAM registration to Quittus Fiscales (for car imprts) to EDF coming to the house 10 minutes after we call them (power failure - main fuse blown), on a Saturday! In fact the only time we have seen inefficiency it's been from English tradespeople who then use the phrase 'well you're in France now' as an excuse for being lazy.

Dave I'm guessing the aircraft you were waiting for was probably 'downgraded' for whatever reason (which can be one of many).  For aircraft to land in less than 850m visibility both aircraft and crew must be properly graded and current. Procedure at CCF has changed slightly - 100% baggage (cabin and hold) weight and size checks enforced at the request of Ryanair. Ric

http://www.thelanguagemachine.co.uk Native French teachers across the nation. Got my first lesson next week!!

So you gain 1300 per year which means you have recouped the initial outlay after 31 years, by which ime you're probably 6 ft under. Reckon I'd rather spend 40k enjoying myself........

Cheers but I can't see me ever selling it - not after spending 4 years of my life restoring it.......[;-)]

Thanks SD. Guess I'll try the normale route first.........

Do you automatically get a Collection carte gris if you register a car 30+ years old or do I need to apply specifically for one?  If so how?? I've heard there are restrictions for Collection cars i.e. mileage limitations, inter departmental use etc etc - anybody know anything about this???   Thanks in advance! Ric.

Our plumber quoted us for one of these; http://www.dedietrich-heating.com/products/product_ranges/wall_hung_boilers/gas_condensing_innovens Innovens MC25 BIC, for 75 sq metres heated floor downstairs plus hot water to one kitchen and two bathrooms..  Can't remember what the exact price quoted was but I think around 4500 Euro for the boiler plus installation.  40% of the boiler cost is redeemable against your income tax in France too if you are here permanently.  Like you I intend to lay the pipework myself and get the plumber to connect the boiler and certify the system.  I specifically asked if these can support an external pump, which was confirmed by the plumber. With these boilers, no need for a separate ballon d'eau. As for the heating stuff itself we are getting that from UK - http://www.underfloorheatingsystems.co.uk/ £1700 plus VAT for the design plan, pipework, manifold, pump, control computer and 4 Danfoss zone stats inc delivery to France.  Our plumber has seen the spec sheets from UK and is more than happy to certify it. I'd say shop around a bit!!!!

[quote user="Quillan"] They are also doing away with checking in. You will do it online a drop your luggage at a preselected place and get on the plane. You only need to turn up 30 minutes before it flies. Starts on selected routes this summer or so they said on TV at lunchtime today.[/quote] And they'll be charging everyone a fiver each way for checking in online........even though you don't have a choice.

I have never been asked for a fiscale number.  We opened a non resident account when we bought the house.  When we moved here permanently we contacted the bank (LCL) who just wanted a household bill to change the account status.   Easy peasy.

I spent 4 years as a soldier in N. Ireland during the period when the IRA were actively shooting down helicopters and the current situation deeply saddens me. I sincerely hope there will not be a return to the bloody tit for tat murders we have seen in the past, but it is very very easy to slide down that slippery slope.

[quote user="valB"]Many thanks, Clair, for those recipes and I thought the Puff Pastry one looked very easy comapred to the ones I have tried in the past. Scooby, I have not found any frozen pastry here yet only pre made ones in the chiller cabinet.  It would make my life a lot easier if I could find frozen but never mind.[/quote] .........why don't you buy the chilled stuff and..........freeze it..................??

Just checked the box - 'Saint Louis' sucre en poudre. Says Caster Sugar in 8 languages on the side.

Carrefour sell caster sugar too - can't remember the brand but it comes in a container similar to the cardboard orange juice containers we are all used to. Says 'Caster Sugar' on the back of the container.

[quote user="ErnieY"]I've just come home with a sweet little Samsung NC10 in my bag, [/quote] How are you getting on with it Ernie - I've been considering one for a while.  Will it run Microsoft office happily and do you need to buy an external CD drive or is there one built in??

Must be a mighty big sink if it has a 100mm waste pipe........ [;-)]