levisiteur

Ban on selling properties with land to ‘non-agriculture’ people.   The estate agent tell me that recently SAFER have been blocking the sale of ‘farm type properties’ to people who have no connection with farming. I have 2 alternatives – find a buyer with farming related diplomas, or sell the house and barn - minus the land. Therefore someone who wants a few hectares for horses/pleasure is out. Any one else heard of this situation?   Levisiteur

I did limited market trading in Britain. Insurance was compulsary, but the National Market Traders' Federation sells cheap but excellent ins.5million (01226 749021 www.nmtf.co.uk)  also valid in all of Europe. (If some trips over your boxes etc. V. expensive!)  They may be able to point you in the right direction, as several traders come across. I think belonging to a French org. will be more redialy accepted. France is not helpfull to small traders. I made and sold jewellery in the uk, but here I was told that here I needed  to pay for 2 Chambre de metier/commerce. Too expensive. I think one for artists, someone said you pay them 10% on each picture. Very interested in anything you find out, and good luck!   Les conseilleurs ne sont pas les payeurs! Après la pluie, le beau temps!

I did limited market trading in Britain. Insurance was compulsary, but the National Market Traders' Federation sells cheap but excellent ins.5million (01226 749021 www.nmtf.co.uk)  also valid in all of Europe. (If some trips over your boxes etc. V. expensive!)  They may be able to point you in the right direction, as several traders come across. I think belonging to a French org. will be more redialy accepted. France is not helpfull to small traders. I made and sold jewellery in the uk, but here I was told that here I needed  to pay for 2 Chambre de metier/commerce. Too expensive. I think one for artists, someone said you pay them 10% on each picture. Very interested in anything you find out, and good luck!   Les conseilleurs ne sont pas les payeurs!

There are LOTS of properties for sale in France. Is this house so unique like - on the beach own mooring etc., - that you think it is a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity.’ Post your requirements to this forum and you may be surprised how many people want to sell you their house. (I have a small farm for sale in the [:D]Vendée, house large barn land, lots of potential!!!)  Especially if you rent your house out, ask the Bank if they are happy to continue the loan at a good rate - even after 2 years? I believe interest rates will increase very slightly, another factor to consider. I know of someone who had a house built on a plot next to their home, (deal with a new homes builder) and had a loan from CA for 12 mths, but their old house took almost 2 yrs to sell, they did not think that the Bank after 12 mths, would automatically start charging their standard rate-expensive!   I agree with the other writers, especially wait for 2 buses! Look on the internet to see if you can find more similar dwellings. I am trying to buy a property in England. The interest on the loan is high! You are not alone taking chances. I wish you lots of luck, Levisiteur.

I agree nets are very good at night. I find vinegar dabbed on the bite excellent, but only really effective if treated immediately, i.e. before the swelling & itching starts, just the tingle. When I hear that buzzing I start looking.  It’s only the female before she lays her eggs, that bites. A French lady told me that faintly touching the bite with a lit cigarette takes the pain away. I’m not up to that one!   Levisiteur

Can anyone tell me is it possible to export a pet rat to the UK? She is adorable, and a wonderfull pet! Is it expensive immposible or FREE? (Friends will look after the other animals, but shudder at the thought of the rat.)  Rats make great pets, but maybe it's the tail that puts people off. Many thanks, Levisiteur

Hi I would stick with your present registration, it’s your customers guarantee you are qualified.   I agree it is the language difficulty that forces some Brits to employ these people, (a small percentage of them cowboys).  I travelled on a Feb. Wednesday crossing- the cheap day, I waited in the Brittany ferry (Roscoff) in Plymouth, and it was packed.  There were loads of British plumbers, builders, carpet fitters, and electricians with their transits/vans. Also a Steptoe like army of Brits with their old vans, lorries, diggers and converted horseboxes, must give the port staff some amusement!  I suspect the tradesmen would work to the best British standards, but because regulations in France are so different, the work would eventually have to be redone by ‘French qualified’ artisans to conform to French standards. I think it is so important to employ locally recommended tradesmen. Go and look at their previous/current work, they are normally delighted to show you. A good tradesman is in much demand and you may wait for several months.  These ‘property services’ workers are O.K. to mow the lawn etc. they can’t do much damage there!!!   ‘Les conseilleurs ne sont pas les payeurs!’   Levisiteur

Hi!    Sorry to here you have had such a trying time! This is a sad fact - living in France I recomend you make photocopies of all documents letters etc..  If they lose or misplace your correspondence it can be very difficult. (Also keep household invoices/ receipts guarantees, for the life of the article. You WILL need them not only for replacements but for an insurance claim even in 15yrs!!)  Glad to hear they are getting there at last with your car reg. Best wishes  Levisiteur

Hi You can get the forms to send your car to the breakers from the Maire. They can tell you where to send them i.e. Prefecture / Sous Prefecture. You can haggle with the garage whether he pays you, or you pay him! (It cost me €35 to empty the fluids and €40 for transport to la caisse, he no longer had clients with this car) You also fill out your ‘carte grise’, and give to the relevant parties. I hope the garage buys the car from you - better in every way ! Best of  luck !   Le visiteur

Hi! Try contacting the manufacturers (English & French) for their dealer network in that area, most of their sales are to parks. ebay.fr  search mobil-home,  mobile home etc.. you may see a home for sale on - camping tout l'année in your area, also the names of manufacturers.(There are 1000s of 'unsited' static caravans and mobile homes for sale, but finding a site for those is very difficult except self build!) I hope this helps you in your search. Good hunting. Levisiteur

Hi, I hope this may be of interest. Cheaper mobile tarrif to France.  Pay as you go Carphone Warehouse - Mobile world,  7p per min anytime. (3 mths life on credits) ( cost a fortune with Orange) Sims are 5 GBP    plus top ups  (need an unblocked phone) or buy 50 quid top up and get a free (basic) phone. Contract also available at better rates !! UK calls are15p p min I use this every day  so I'm always looking for an even cheaper deal! Levisiteur    

We brought a golden retriever to France 2 yrs ago She was up to date with the usual vacs. DEFRA were very helpfull. We phoned the local DEFRA for an export licience (our vet gave us the number). The vet had to perform a through health check 24hrs before departure.(no rabies jab needed) I believe if you pet has a rabies vac. certain time and blood tests to perform (see very important) DEFRA need several weeks notice.      Payed vet around 80 quid. Suggest you phone DEFRA,   NOW!!   (to check for LATEST regs. and forms.) The other method is a pet passport of which I have no knowlege . VERY IMPORTANT To take a pet back to Britain the pet needs a  rabies jab wait 1 month, then blood test, and wait 6 months before travel - more difficult!! I hope this helps, but DEFRA are the authority. Best wishes and good luck. Levisiteur  

Hi Bunny, I used  P & L Luck Horse transport Liskeard Cornwall 2 years ago. Tel. Fax 01579 345151 They travel regulary to France, and pick up across England (Husbard and wife team). They do all the paperwork etc., my horse arrived like she had just travelled a short distance.  Good luck ! Le visiteur.    

I agree with mpprh that satiliteforcaravans is a 1st class site. I used an audio device around 15 to 20 euros from Bricodepôt, not easy to use, but helpfull. Several sats incuding analogue very close to Astra 2 and sky is not the most powerfull. Network id 0002, Transport system  07d4, in signal test if using a sky digibox, if it locks on another move the dish slightly, unplug it and reconect to reset. I found it needed lots of patience and coffee. A rough guide is point towards the sun  at 10h00 French time. Good luck. Levisiteur  

Just for interest I would like to suggest a different solution! A low tech idea: Use the electic for heating - voltage and cycles variation not a problem for this use.(No water shortage in the winter!) Power up some night stores at night, water heating and convential heating / cooking daytime. Heat is by far the most expensive bill, whether it comes from wood, oil, or mains electricity. If you have a flat lineshaft pulley from your waterwheel you may get away with say 3 v-belts around the pulley onto a triple v pulley on your alternater. Brammer belting is usefull because you can change the length to suit. Above 3kw this may need  a more subtantial arangement. (Home generated electric is as dangerous as mains, fire/electrocution, and needs fuses earths, and if in doubt ..an electrician!) I have some engineering experiance only, and just giving some food for thought for what sounds like an exciting project.  Best wishes, Levisiteur. 

Hi I think you are quite right to be nervous. Just grazing cattle should not be a problem.But if you accept payment of any kind i.e. cash, cheque, bottle of wine, chicken etc you will have rented (loué) the land ,then you may have a problem. Also you pay the rates!   The farmer has a good deal! I think if the farmer wants to plant crops I think proberly a contract like Prêt de usage may be a good idea say 5 years and you give him/her 6 months notice before the new year to quit if you need the land back. I am not an expert but a word with your Notaire could save you problems if  you sell the property.  Good luck!

I used a horsebox lorry (7.5t) about 2 yrs ago on Brittany Ferries (freight office) cost around 500 pounds one way inc.free meals and cabin inc. Mine had living conversion and coverted for horses which considerably added to the tare weight!(did not take that into account).  Each load I mixed household tools and small machines. All freight is put on a weighbridge at the port!! You might say my luck was in that day or everyone at the ports were very kind to me.