Gardengirl

Snap, Frenchie. I was surprised to get as many as 2 right! But as a totally non-technical person, I thought the questions were odd. I could have achieved 10th century status on much more straightforward ones! So, maybe we could apply for jobs knitting chain mail? I'd need to take a knitting course first, though - but maybe that's too technical for me. GG 

Had a few already, thanks. Tried staying in bed as the wind is still howling. But have now caught up on emails, read a bit, caught up on the Panorama programme. It's now morning, so hello world. GG

Someone we know tells us they are owed money by an English-speaking tradesman here in France. It's a fairly substantial sum, and he claims he hasn't the funds to repay them. I don't know the details as to what, if anything, was in writing etc. Is there any general advice anyone can give to help with first steps? There is great concern that if a fuss is made, he won't repay anything at all, and are just hoping it's a temporary blip; this blip has lasted several weeks so far.  Part of my concern is also that this tradesman could well be taking money from other trusting people and leaving them in similar circumstances. I know this couple were so pleased to have found a tradesman they could communicate with, who could do just what they wanted. Any pointers based on this small amount of detail would be welcome.  GG

We also suffer from big thunder storms; the phone and Neuf box have already been unplugged because of that. Thanks for the warning, though. GG

Definitely no contract. GG

Won't then. Morning.

Although we do have alternatives, and Ryanair was not a big factor in where we bought, we do find them very convenient at the French end. Nimes airport is just a very short shuttle ride from the city, where we can catch a bus to our little town, then a 3-minute walk and we're home. If necessary, Montpellier, Nice, Marseille etc could be used if necessary, although not as convenient, and we still drive a couple of times a year.At the UK end it's either  buses or a fairly long taxi ride to Luton, so not very convenient. But Ryanair is cheap if you work with them; no checked luggage, use an electron card etc. It's free, a very basic account; we already have an account with Halifax, who do one; I told them exactly why I wanted it, and there it was a couple of days later. I hate Ryanair's announcements, selling attemps, celebration of early arrivals etc, but can't ever complain about how the company works, as Ryanair is convenient for us. I hate flying anyway, but that's not their fault. I am concerned that Nimes might not survive when the navy/air force pulls out in 2012; even the fire engine on the runway belongs to them. There seems little going on to attract investment in to the airport for the future, and all the towns and tourist businesses will surely suffer if it closes; every plane seems full at the moment, so the number of tourists it brings in is enormous. Montpellier isn't that far away, but far enough to perhaps persuade people to holiday over in that direction instead; public transport from there to the east doesn't seem as good. GG

You make a very interesting point, Quillan. We have stayed at many Chambre d'hotes over the years. As far as I remember, only those on farms have actually sat with us and eaten. At other places it has been rare to have the hosts sit or eat with us. I didn't know it was a rule, but can see how it all started out. GG  

I don't remember getting a contract with Leclerc; you've set me wondering. I'm sure there wasn't; when OH wakes up I must ask! GG

Yes, Norman, I believe it is SFR; in fact I think it said 'Neuf deSFR' on the box. I still find it hard to believe it was early and also works! No more wandering up to town to pay a fortune to the young men in the internet cafe, no more hordes of Americans needing to know how to use a French keyboard, no more terrible music playing, or invasions by young people at lunchtime and after college. It all seems very tame now! GG

Thanks for the suggestion, MBkid. It sounds a good thing to try, although I must admit I've gone through almost everything in Boots and health food shops  in  UK to try to sort it out. I'll see if I can get any over the counter in town today. Apart from when the children were young I'd never had any problems with sleep. Now, off to sleep fine almost every night, but come 2 or so, that's it. I generally read, do Sodukos etc in bed; can never decide whether I disturb OH More by having the light on, or getting up, making a brew and sitting doing emails. Sometimes do one, tonight the other. One of our sons never slept for more than an hour as a new-born, and he's not so different now; he spends his nights doing emails, watching films, reading etc. But it's what he's always done; I think his wife finds it difficult, though. I had a good walk yesterday; not exactly a walk, just walked almost 10km during the day, so it wasn't exactly a health walk! We're off to do a few km walk today; again, probably fairly leisurely. I really thought being out in all that wind for so long yesterday would keep me asleep. We went to Aigues-Mortes to watch the bulls in the arena, and brought home plenty of sand in our hair, eyes, clothes! It's past 6 o'clock, so morning all, GG

Our insurer doesn't give green cards, nor did our previous one. We travel to France and back regularly through the year, and have cover for up to 90 days for any one trip. We carry all our insurance documents with us, and have not yet been stopped. I suppose the test would come if we were stopped, but if green cards aren't provided, nothing can be done. I'm not going to be losing sleep over it, but then I'm a member of the insomniac's club already! GG

Spent the wee small hours reading in bed; the wind's been howling all night, and my thermometer said it actually got down to 10 during the night! Don't know about joining the walk; I'll be with you in spirit, but you know what they say about the flesh! Following a fall in the summer the longest I built up to was 7km, but the flu a fortnight ago has put me back a bit; so what with my arthritic knees and back I'm going through one of those feeling anient phases. We're doing a short walk around Vezenobres tomorrow, but I think that will be fairly leisurely; although if this wind keeps up we might take off, as I understand it's fairly high up. When exactly is your walk? You never know, if we're due to be in France........ GG

Was that both the same day? Sounds like you're in training for your walk next year. One or the other distance is enough for me in one day! GG

Someone mentioned them to me when we were furnishing our apartment. The two I looked at both quoted a price and based  their percentage on that. One seemed happy to keep things for a long time, reducing the price as and when; the other only kept things for a certain period, and obviously wanted to keep new stock coming in; you then had to remove all unsold items. As it happened we didn't use them, but enjoyed browsing their websites. GG. 

Not only is OH up, half the day has gone by! Our policy is with Generali, through Agence Eaton, 1 Parc Doaren Molac, 56610 ARRADON. I read about them initially on the forum. I contacted them by phone and their English was excellent. My French isn't bad, but for things like insurance, nowhere near good enough. If needed, they were happy to contact our previous company, but it wasn't necessary, as we sent the statutary letter by registered post well within the period allowed. Our insurance is only for contents, as we are covered by the owners' buildings insurance taken out together. It costs less than the policy offered by our bank, which we took initially, and we are more content with it. I imagine that like most companies, having more policies with one company berings better value. I realise you can only be sure of how good your insurance company is when you have to claim, but that obviously remains to be seen - or not, we hope! GG

I looked in the market for figs on Saturday, but no joy. I've just come back from shopping, and looked at the figs in the local greengrocer's. They didn't look that good, and were 6 euros a kilo. I do envy some of you with access to lovely cheap figs. GG

Lovely comments! I'd liken it more to pipes leaking. GG

I actually had a good night's sleep; no chemicals involved so it must be this club - a great side-effect of membership! I get off to sleep with no problems, just can't sustain it, and the tablets I've tried from the doctor make my nose stuffy, but have the opposite effect on the other end! It seems odd not to have started reading etc at 2 or 3. I did all my emails before looking here. I've just posted to say our internet has been installed, so I now have another way to pass the hours quietly! GG

We finally have it! My OH has been going round all the shops, reading things on the internet etc for about 2 years now. He always asks me to go along to help out with the language (we're talking about maybe 6 times a year here!), and this time I said it would be the last accompanied visit. So we signed up with Neuf; it's dearer than I'd have liked, but as I've spent 50 euros at the internet cafe since arriving four weeks ago, there must be a saving to be made. So here it is, set up and working several days before the promised date.  We've had problems with every blessed thing in this new apartment from poor workmanship by the builders to JLP losing our dining furniture between High Wycombe and France and lots more inbetween. However, this was early and worked immediately! So now we have internet and phone - free phone calls to UK etc. I'm thrilled, and it gives a member of the insomniac club something else to do in the wee small hours! GG

We originally took out insurance through the bank here, but weren't happy. We read here on the forum about an English-speaking company who were recommended. We moved to them, can understand all the literature, it's a bit cheaper and we're happier. It's specifically for second homes, doesn't include certain things (I seem to remember a wine cellar was one - might be my mind going though!) I can't give details just now, as OH is still asleep.Yes, I'm part of the insomniac group, but dawn will arrive soon! GG 

Another member of the club here, GG

What a beautiful pic! We're off to UK next weekend for a couple of weeks; my son tells me it's grey, damp and cold. I think I might look for my gloves and scarf. Today in the Gard we've enjoyed 28, sunshine and bright blue sky! We went to Chusclan, for the day; locals were in costume, with lots of singing, dacing and provencal music. The blacksmith was shoeing horses, young women scrubbed clothes on washing boards, and the wine flowed. A lovely day out! GG

I haven't tried the lemon remedy, but find the bicarb one works well. GG

At least one of our French neighbours and another who is Belgian are very pleased we are English. Neither can stand French people; 'uneducated, rude, don't care about looking after where they live' are common comments from them. As it happens, we get on very well with all the neighbours in our apartment block, (French, Belgian, English) apart from those (French) who make noise into the night. GG