Gardengirl

Thanks for the info; enjoyed looking at the links. Having looked at the HDRA site, I see it says Bocking 14 is the best variety for gardeners, not 40 something as I had thought. The plant can be a real thug if a variety suitable for gardens is not grown. I also find it best to wear my gardening gloves when picking leaves, as they can be a little spiky, and can cause a rash. Thanks again, Jo

I haven't tried comfrey for the bath etc, but grow it and use it around the garden. It can be a rampant grower, so the best is a variety called Bocking 40-something,  I think, which doesn't go mad. I still have only the half dozen plants I started with 20+ years ago. It's wonderful in the garden, on the compost heap etc, as I garden organically. Perhaps I ought to try it in the bath; do you use the leaves? It does have a foul smell when left to drain down to a liquid for garden purposes; I now tend to just lay whole leaves on the veg beds etc and plonk it whole in to the compost bins. Jo 

Now that we spend longer periods of time in France, we are looking for cover for our house in UK for longer than 30 days, as provided by our current company. Have any of you in a similar position found companies providing maybe up to 45 days? If so we'd be very pleased to hear from you; PMs might be best, I suppose, so that advertising rules aren't broken. We have the additional problem that many companies on 'umbrella' sites aren't interested, as we live in an area subject to subsidence, and our house was monitored about 18 years ago because of some cracks we were worried about. In fact, no problem was found, and no claim has ever ben made, but a lot of companies do not want to know. We'd be glad to have any suggestions. Thanks, Jo 

What are they called in French, please. Do the French have them ? I haven't seen any. I've bought some for our N Y's Eve party in France. Jo

We talked a while ago about having a section on dying in France. Would it be possible to put Clair's info sites together under health or something? I have put them in favourites, but so many of us feel able to turn to this forum about so many things we need help and guidance on, this one would be a great boon. Thanks, Jo

KathyC, did you get them in Lidl France or England? We have one in UK, and would like more for France, but haven't been able to find them. It's an excellent idea. I do need to get up in the night fairly regularly, and putting the bedsidelight on wakes my husband; it's an excellent light for reading by, but v bright otherwise. With the shutters closed, the room is pitch black, so some form of light is needed. Jo

We drove from the south of France to the Tunnel last wkend, and saw lots, particularly in the few small villages we went to. Some were really pretty, but I hated the vivid blue ones. (Probably just stepped on someone's toes!) I had hoped to get one of those waterproof Santas to bring back, but couldn't find one anywhere - tried several garden centres, plus the various DIY places. The only one I saw was a set of 3 little ones - quite jolly, but not the fellas for me! Jo

Friends have just done exactly that last wek! It was an excellent saving. We bought several things from a well-known store in UK, who arranged for shipping to the south of France earlier this year, on buying our apartment. We also added other items, at extra cost. A shower we particularly liked was dearer in France last year, but the rise earlier this year was just silly, so that was added to the shipment. Having searched for light fittings, we took some out in November. A couple of weeks later we saw them in Leroy's at a higher price. They weren't in the lighting section, but on a display just as you enter, called ma maison; eco lights, too! We seem to have filled the car on each journey, with tools, bathroom fttings etc, but think the next trip will be the last for a while - we've booked the trip for New Year by plane! On another subject, just got back earlier this evening for Christmas after a month down there; what awful damp weather in UK! We've had mostly blue skies, sunshine and some cold winds, but so pleasant to be out and about down there. Feeling very cold just now. Also had 3 people either barge past me or walk straight in to me in a local M & S section in the local garage while stocking up on milk etc - 5 minute visit - not used to such rudeness! Jo 

We also found we were paying more than expected and checked things out. We apparently had the 'confort' level account, and I asked for a cheaper basic account; we now have the 'equilibre', which is several euros each month cheaper. It's a basic account - cheque book, a few direct debits and internet access. It is also a non-resident account. This is with CA Languedoc Jo

After reading the post yesterday I thought I'd try our bank machine - not short of ready cash just yet, but soon will be, come the weekend. No problems with CA in our part of the Gard with Nationwide card. Felt v relieved I didn't have to wander the town for a machine that would pay out, but was glad to have the warning! Jo

Thanks Ernie, I hadn't spotted that! Jo

What a lovely surprise - you sound to be making excellent progress. Reading your news makes up for the rotten weather! Jo

Clair, that was really useful. We've had a quick look at the sites and will study further later. We've found we aren't dégroupée from one of the sites - so we are definitely a bit better informed now. Thank you so much for your help. Jo

Thanks for that, Clair. What does 'dégroupée' mean, please, and how would I find out if we come under this? Jo

I asked recently about phone lines etc, and had a couple of useful replies.   However, I need more help. In our new apartment there are sockets for telephone, TV aerial, and satellite TV and our main need is for internet connection.  We are also hoping that the internet will also give us BBC UK radio stations via a WiFi radio.    I have been looking at the neufbox adverts at http://adsl.sfr.fr/offres-adsl/internet/ and would be grateful if someone can confirm that I have understood it right; my French isn't too bad, but there are words that wouldn't even mean anything to me in English!    I believe the cost is €29.99/month plus an initial €20 to get the telephone line connected.  For that I think you get 20Mb internet connection, WiFi, free phone calls to various countries including France and UK, and 75 channels of television.  Assuming I’ve got that lot right,  am I right in guessing that the telephone is VOIP and, if so, will I be able to call and receive calls from all the numbers that you can with an ordinary phone.  Also, does anyone know what additional equipment would be needed for the TV?   Lots of questions – hope some of you can help out. Thanks, Jo

I hope Bugbear doesn't mind me quoting the following - I just loved this reply when I asked for similar info: You,ve got more chance of a dead donkey dropping through your roof with a winning lottery ticket in his mouth than getting anything from Ryanair. I did send a letter to them, but didn't get a refund - they said their admin charges amounted to more than my requested taxes etc. But at least I got a reply from them! Good luck with exchange etcJo

Please assume I have no knowledge on this subject. We have a new apartment in France, which we will be using for varying periods during the year. We now would like internet access, and think a phone is required first. There are phone points installed, but I don't know how to go about getting any phone we buy to work. Also, having looked at France Telecom website, I see there is an option for second homes, with the option to have it switched off up to 6 times a year; does anyone know if this is applicable to our situation, having homes in UK and France, or is this just for 2 homes in France. Thanks, Jo

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Planning starts. Jo

Can anyone give me ideas for food  for our first New Year in France? Probably for New Year's Eve. We'll be spending it at our apartment, and a few of our neighbours will be around. I thought it would be fun to get together, but am now wondering if I'm biting off.......... We are in UK just now, so can't consult very easily until we return in a couple of weeks, and not everyone will be there then. It will involve French, English and Belgian neighbours. Ideally some of it could be bought in, but as I have no real idea what would be expected, I'm beginning to get cold feet. Buffet-style would probably be best, and everyone could/would bring contributions to the feast. Thanks in advance, Jo

Well, NormanH, I guess we just didn't realise it was against (your) rules! Jo

I did go on the ramble on the Downs today; cupboard-turning-out didn't appeal at all! It was absolutely beautiful, with sunshine, clear blue skies, lovely autumnal colours; very parky, though - despite lots of layers. The snow has only stayed till now where the sun didn't penetrate. Jo

Here in Reading it's snowing! We've lived here for 30+  years, but don't ever remember snow here before in October. In fact, we get very little even in the depths of winter, and any that does fall doesn't usually lie for long. The snow this evening also doesn't look likely to stay - there's just a nice covering on the cars, but none lying on the roads. However, I might back out of the ramble up on the Downs tomorrow; the wind chill has made it very cold this evening. Maybe it'll finally be time to turn out some cupboards! Jo

Thanks for the update. We spent 3 weeks in Sept/Oct in the Gard, and expected rain - we took full waterproofs with us. We had nothing but clear blue skies and sunshine for the whole 3 weeks, and we ate breakfast and lunch on the terrace every day. But we still remember the floods of 02, so we always go prepared at that time of year! Jo  

How bad did the storms get; was flooding very bad? We've noticed a lot of flood preparations over the last few months, eg around Nimes; hope they helped! Jo

Great stuff - it sounds like a very positive arrival. 2 physio sessions daily should get her firing on all cylinders! Jo