Gardengirl
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Posts posted by Gardengirl
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I take Telfast (Fexofenadine) on prescription daily all year round as I have rhinitis most of the year; it definitely doesn't make you drowsy.
However, I still sufferdreadfully from mossie bites from time to time; I find those clicker things you can get in Boots and outdoor shops very helpful, especially if there are just a few bites to deal with. I have loaned them out to people who have been plagued by mossies to great effect. I don't know how they work, but you don't seem to need to believe for them to work. It's something to do with minor electric shocks - that sounds wrong now I've typed it out; maybe somebody knows what it is they do! It does work for many people, and means no (more) drugs to take.
Hope your itching goes soon! Jo
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The only heating in our living room is a radiant fire, fitted by the developers in a very odd position for heating us up. I understand that a radiant fire may also not be a good way of circulating the heat around the fairly large room.
We haven't needed any heat so far, having moved in during April, with our last visit ending mid-October. However, we are going over for a month soon, and will need heat. We plan to spend a couple of months or so there during winter, hopefully soaking up the sun instead of November and February gloom here in UK, but realise that the lovely blue skies also bring very cold temperatures.
We had thought about a couple of portable heaters, maybe low panel types, which would seem to be fairly unobtrusive. We are now thinking about an electric fire which pretends to be either a log or coal fire; we have seen ads which state that they give out 100% of heat, as there is no heat going up the chimney (which we don't have - it's a modern apartment). I'm thinking it will also give the room a focal point and make us feel warmer just to look at it.
Does anyone have experience of these types of fire, or comments on portable heaters of any sort? The fires I've seen so far need fitting on to a wall, rather like those modern TVs around just now.
Thanks for any comments, Jo
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We are now paying EDF by monthly direct debit. We didn't ask for this to start, but are very happy to pay in this way as we do in UK; we received a letter out of the blue, dated 1 September 08 from EDF. This method of payment started on 1 October, and runs until July 09. When we received the letter we had paid a total of 3 bills, which arrived monthly. The amounts varied a lot, and the amount asked for each month by direct debit seems a good estimate on their part; but as we only plan to be there for half of the year, we will be getting a rebate next July.
Jo
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I have used the EDF English-speaking helpline a couple of times: 05 62 16 49 08. They were very helpful, arranged and re-arranged meter readers for us and arranged for us to change tariffs. There is quite a bit to listen through, American sounding, then some French, then a helpful person comes along. Once it didn't work, so I started again. We were cut off once, but the very helpful person put a note on our file, so when I got through again the new person knew exactly where we had got to with the problem. Ace!
They also have an email address, although I haven't used it, but I understand they are quick at responding: simpleenergywithedf.fr
By the way, we recently had a letter changing our direct debit from quite high amounts to just 25 euros per month. We have only owned the apartment since April, and spend about half the time there; they have obviously already realised the amounts taken were too high and taken action. I'm very pleased with EDF so far. Good luck with sorting it out - Jo
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Cotoneaster, that's the one I meant, not pyracantha, although that's also very nice, but has rather more wayward branches, not the attractive fish taily ones of cotoneaster!
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I think the plant I couldn't remember earlier is pyracantha.
Jo
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How about some lavender plants, if you aren't on v damp soil.? They do v well in the mid to south of France, and don't need a lot of watering, and do very well in my south-facing but a bit soggy south of England garden, giving foliage all year round, lovely when in flower and beautiful scent. However, they need a trim back in the autumn/winter, or get too leggy. I tend to replace mine evry few years.
I'm also keen on salvias; I have some beautiful evergreen mauvey ones of various heights (I used to think they were just the red bedding plants I'd seen all over the place).
Veronicas come in all sizes, and have pleasant flowers; tough as old boots. Osteospermums are pretty, but can get a bit leggy; depending on position in my garden, some die off after 1 year if in damp shady areas (like lots of my garden), or last for years if it's a bit drier and sunny.
I also like euonymous shrubs; no flowers, but lovely variegated leaves all year round. If they start to get a bit tall, they can just be hacked back. I have them all around my UK garden, as I've been cutting back on veg patch and borders, due to more aches and pains, plus spending more time in France. You could even have your daffs planted aroundthem, and then the dying leaves would be a bit hidden.
I've also got some of those evergreenish shrubs -can't remember the name (loss of memory comes with the aches and pains!); v small leaves, with red berries in autumn and last in to winter, unless the birds get really going! The stems grow in a fish tail-ish shape. So you'd have green most of the year, lovely autumn colour, and/or birds to see coming to eat the berries - entertainment as well!
Hope this is some help,
Jo
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No, definitely not you, Ian!
I went in to the local branch of our bank, in UK and found 7 people on duty, 3 of whom were just standing around chatting. I don't expect half the staff to be suddenly sacked, but I thought it was just wasting our money - maybe they could have been in their little private areas, tidying up work or something! HBOS!!
Later in the day I had a call to ask if I would like to have a chat to one of their financial advisors!!! I felt I might be able to give them advice, but certainly don't want any kind of advice from them!
Jo
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Memb, all the places you mentioned gave me pictures in my mind! It's a few years since we visited the area, but I really enjoy it, even Sarlat on Saturday mornings! We get a lot of tourists visiting our lovely little town, especially on Saturdays for the market. I still walk down there each week when we're there- I don't begrudge the tourists their treat, and the atmosphere when it's in full swing is great!
The last time we visited Sarlat was at Christmas, and it was very busy, but such a wonderful atmosphere and lots of special goodies to buy. A lovely area.
Jo
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They seem to be back on a sort of schedule; have a look at the notice on their website, then do a 'pretend' booking and see what timings you are offered. That should give you a pretty good idea.
We've booked for next month; booked the dates we wanted and sort of got the times that suit us.
Jo
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We are also with CA Languedoc, but no letter yet! To worry or not to worry.....!
Jo
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Thanks, sweet 17, all goes very well with G and me.
You'd be very welcome down here for a holiday or more! It won't suit everyone, but we love the little towns and villages and the garrigue all around. Local people are very friendly and helpful, and the weather mostly good. It was a joy to have breakfast and lunch outside for all but 2 days in the last 3 weeks.
Best regards, Jo
PS I don't know the Charente Maritime very well - definitely visited La Rochelle while staying near St Jean des Monts around 25 years ago, and thought the area was lovely.
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Sweet 17 wrote:
''GG, when did you last go to a dinner party or indeed any social gathering which is attended by Brits?
Believe me, they talk of nothing else in West London.''
We don't go to dinner parties - haven't for years. But we have meals with people and take part in various social activities both in UK and France. I repeat, we've not come across anyone discussing house prices. I exclude our son, who is about to move house; he obviously discussed prices of houses he was interested in.
The little french town where our apartment is situated gets quite busy on Saturdays, when a very popular market is held. Many British people come to it, amongst many other nationalities - and it was almost as busy as in high summer last weekend - but even in the busy cafe in the market square, where we hear quite a lot of English voices, I can't recall anyone discussing house prices.
Jo
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Interesting end to the last post. I don't talk about the price of our UK house to people or about the price of our French property; the subject just doesn't arise. Do most people really go round discussing such things? We're always talking about all the hundreds of things we are mutually interested in - weather, family, friends, food, health, wines etc etc.
Jo
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I also think the French, on the whole, save when they want/need something. However, not all in the UK have the 'want it must have it' mentality, although the papers often run accounts of people and their spending. We certainly don't live like that, our adult sons are level-headed about money, and so is nearly everyone we know - nobody we know buys all the latest fashions, TV sets, cars etc. Our cars are getting on a bit, the UK kitchen was already here when we bought the house nearly 30 years ago, and appliances have to wear out before being replaced. We sound like misers, but we do enjoy meals out, although not every week, and also enjoy holidays; we did buy an apartment in France recently, which will be used by us and the family for holidays, and will be kept for many years, we hope.
What do others think about people in the UK and their spending?
Jo
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Because ours is a new apartment, we had to fill out our form for taxes. Our neighbour came in for an apero and read it through with us, insisting we mustn't put down the extra basin (in the room with the WC) or the WC in the bathroom. She was very concerned that we would be paying higher taxes than necessary.
On reading the forms further she realised that she hadn't put the correct square metres for her apartment or her garage. She then wailed on that we would have to buy her oranges!! She was apparently saying she would be locked up when her error was discovered, and we would have to visit her in prison, taking oranges. Is this like taking grapes when hospital visiting? Or was she just play-acting, as she sometimes does?Iit is customary, where did taking oranges come from - getting scurvy from a lack of vitamin c like on long sea voyages? Fascinating thought!
Jo
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Yes, I gather that is so; I'd often thought it odd that there was almost never one next to a WC. It seems such a sensible thing to have, but I suppose if you have to fork out extra taxes.....We had similar comments about the WC we had installed in the bathroom!
Jo
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We have been told that it also applies to basins in the room along with a WC. We had one installed in ours, but French neighbours who have been in to look around (it's a new apartment block) were surprised to see it. They all said it would cost more in tax.
Jo
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Great news - could hear that 'whoopee' from Reading!
Jo
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How reassuring that must have been, Ian. Best wishes to you both; keep strong,
Jo
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I second getting early attention in case of reaction to wasp stings.
I had my first sting years ago; the second a few years later was worse. It turned out I was allergic to wasp stings, and was given epipens to carry around to use if stung. I understand reactions can get worse and worse; it's not namby-pamby to get medical help immediately there is a reaction - it can be a matter of life or death!
I had been using epipens for ages on children in school when they had reactions to peanuts etc, so it seemed odd to have to inform the staff that I was also a candidate! They are often used on the thigh, directly through clothes, and are very easy to use - no needles to cope with!
Jo
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We wanted to change companies, so sent a registered letter to the original company telling them, and also stating that a renewal notice hadn't yet arrived. In fact a renewal notice never did arrive. We then sorted out with the new company. A letter arrived from the original lot apologising and telling us the year's fee would be repaid! They had actually taken money before the due date, and without sending a renewal notice!! This was repaid to our account immediately.
The original company was via the bank, and I'm told they rely on inertia, and that many people from UK are with them. The new company seems very on the ball, and their staff speak good English; they were originally recommended y someone on thos forum.
My understanding is that the rules changed on insurance, and the 2 months you mention can't be reinforced, but others will no doubt be along to set things straight.
Good luck, Jo
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My husband has snored for years, but has got worse with age. He has used the snore nose strips over a period of time; they worked, but not continuously, and ended up costing a lot; we found they were cheaper in France. We bought some in a small town one summer, and when we went back to the pharmacy the next year, we were asked if we had gone in to buy more! I guess they didn't sell that many; I also had trouble sorting out the words for snore - tried siffler before ronfler!
He is much worse when on his back, so persuasion to turn over helps. He has been using 2 jars of essential oil in a sort of gel by the side of the bed for the last few months; marjoram and lavender. This has helped quite a lot, and gives a lovely scent. Unfortunately I have lost the web address, and need to find it to send for more, as the gel is hardening and gives off less aroma. They were from the UK, so presumably P & P to France would be high.
As Will says, sleep apnoea can be a very serious condition, usually, but not only suffered by people with a wide neck.
Jo
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I tried the new Meteo
However, I prefer www.accuweather.com as you can get a 15 day forecast, although I know it can change a lot over that period of time. It’s more detailed over shorter periods. When withdrawal symptoms set in when away from
Jo
Electric fires and other heaters
in House Renovations
Posted
Thanks for the replies; we'll have a few things to think about, and then some heater shopping when we get there.
Jo