Cendrillon

[I]Is Marie at the Mairie like "Maureen" on the 118 118 ads? she seem to be very popular [;-)] LOL Edit Bravo: I see the Mairie has been restored to its proper title.[:)]

" I really like the grow it/cook it programmes (one of the reasons we moved here) and despite his gardener's lack of zip, don't we all have days like that?  And could it be he just doesn't like being on the tele. The good thing is he's a proper gardener, not a plant it for one season, what's the latest fad type but a good, old fashioned, Victorian kitchen gardener/potager gardener - more please."   Tony I think I heard that the doleful gardener on the Jamie's at home prog has since left his employment.

"Anyway, did anybody see the whole programme last night - did it improve?" I saw it. A bit of a "roller-coaster" hurtling from one course to the next and what the cooking challenge with various celebrities in between courses I don't think it was the best of programmes.   I like Jamie but he seems to have re-invented himself recently as a gardener and I don't think that works, the poor lackey who really does all the hard work in the garden always looks quite depressed!LOL   A few too many eating / cookery programmes at present for me!

PS: we ate it anyway![geek] Do you have any teeth left? [Www]

"If you have a home in more than one country and enjoy that...well thats perfect.....but this group[on the forum] seems to be a little smug...maybe!" Don't forget that many people who post here are speaking with the voice of experience Jon, hindsight is a great thing![;-)]

[quote user="jon"]Nothing is perfect...because life is a pursuit of perfection.   The world is nothing without dreamers.[/quote] Lovely words Jon and we all need dreams BUT there comes a point when reality kicks in and it is sometimes wise to be realistic.[:)]

[quote user="mooky"]Yes, about 5 years ago. Yelbid, Dibley backwards.[/quote] I hope life is treating you well, I thought you sounded familiar, it was the religious orders that gave you away! LOL[:)]

[quote user="Jacqui Too "]Knit and natter [:D][/quote] mais en français ça ne marche pas ![8-)]   Looking through the French quilters' guild magazine they seem to hold "journées de l'Amitié" in various regions but those are events for the whole day. What about calling / advertising your meetings "À vos aiguilles, rendez-vous - patch, tricot, brodérie" Edit: My reply was probably posted too late to be of any help, sorry, I was taken out for lunch [:)]

Sometimes these "witty" titles don't translate, you may have to think of something new. I will look for ideas in my Fr. patchwork magazines and get back to you.[:)]

[quote user="Clair"]The Fête des rois or Epiphanie always falls on 6th January (12th day after Christmas). [/quote] Thanks Clair, I thought that Cathy's festival in the village was probably to celebrate the Fête des rois, and that maybe they had just chosen to do so on a different day.[8-|]

Cathy wrote "I spoke to my neighbour and she said that there is a festival tonight (Sat 12th) in the village and after that, everyone takes things down.  However, I don't know if this is what just happens in our village.  I await hearing from others with interest."   Fête des rois   I suspect that mostly the decorations are left up after 12th night because people are too lazy to take them down.

mooky wrote "I feel a bit of a twit. After asking the question in the first place , it has suddenly occurred to me I probably know the answer. Me, in holy orders too." [I]Mooky, were you posting on here in another life and called Yelbid?   Just curious![;-)]  

[quote user="Frederick"]In the market yes .....in the village  it uncovered  so ..... we hope its raining and stick our hands out ! [/quote] Frederic: Your observations probably sum up rural French living....................... just like the U.K. was 50 years ago[8-|]

"I know which property I'm going for ...if we can ever get intouch with the English agent A beautiful house with 2 gites and a private beach  I've never been to the area I have no idea where the nearest shops, schools or doctors are but...I love it. It's perfect! " Best to go and do a recce then.[Www]   "Way over our budget so lots of jigging and begging involved so not 100% we'll get it but I'm keeping my fingers crossed." [I]  Always make sure you have a contigency plan and enough dosh left to tide you over the lean times. "..Although after seeing the beautiful windows on the red house I'm considering buying that instead "

"Yes, the Limousin in great for those who love the country side and all that goes with it.     Wasn't sure whether to post this or not, but just check out the above lake.  I remember someone  having pulled out of a house sale around that area possibly in connection with a high radio active content in the lac from local uranium mines being under investigation."  I too have been told this by friends who live in the area.

"We do not understand which tax system we will be under for all of this or whether we will be entitled to health cover."   I don't know the full "ins and outs" of your situation but if you are earning money in France you do have to declare all income earned in France to the French tax authorities.

"Cathy....whilst in theory the expanded polystyrene works fantastically well for filling gaps, I am assuming here that you don't actually have much of a gap in which to squirt the stuff.  This polystyrene stuff comes out with a bit of a rush and you don't have much control over how much is laid in a straight line, eg. along the inside edges of your shed walls.  If you have never used this E/P before, and it sounds like you haven't, it's going to make a helluva mess."   Some of the people who have been on the forum for years may remember an amusing post by Swissbarry who used this type of product which got out of control and grew and grew!

"apparently they got married last Thursday. honestly the guy is going to lose all credibility." Where did you find that out?   I read (not in The Sun [:)] )that they were to be married before March as they are coming to the U.K. and will visit the queen at Windsor

Deby Thank you for sharing [:)]

[;-)] yes, the thought did cross my mind! We'll forgive him, maybe he's still jet-lagged[8-|]

"Back in the chair now preparing for the Living France EXPO at Olympia in London Starting Next Friday 19th as we have a big stand and will be showing off some new stuff." Just a reminder FRIDAY is the 18th![;-)]

"I defintely get the impression that we will not go far wrong with our original plan to buy IKEA." James, buying a kitchen at Ikea in France sounds like the best idea for you, indeed it might be difficult to bring one with you [:)] (all the way from N.Z. LOL [:D])

It might be better to post this on the Earning a living in France section. Meanwhile, do read through the many postings on the Complete France Forum, there is some good advice to be found. http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/1120498/ShowPost.aspx If you have time to read it [:)] there are lots of replies on the above Post.

"We plan to use registered artisans for major work, finishing off such things as kitchen fitting, tiling etc ourselves".   There are some very good artisans in the area (and we have employed quite a few of them!),just be prepared to wait because if they are good they will normally be heavily booked and you will have to be patient. (I am sure you know this) Re. The Gite: There are already a lot in this area however bookings are usually good for the peak weeks and will at least provide a little income.   Bon courage et bonne chance [:)]

writersblock wrote Hi Goldfish, We move to Limousin/Charente border next week .............................................................................................. .............................. I'm glad we are doing this as I know we would have regretted not even trying (and the weather is better!) - Good luck.   Re. weather !!! Crikey,  I hope you are right![:)]