Etoile

'Get an expert in' is such easy advice to give and allows a lot of people on these forums to have a voice, but the fact remains that questions are raised in the first place because the member cannot afford to hire an expert or they just fancy doing the job themselves. It reminds me of the time I went into a rural post office in Sussex, miles from any town, and asked the lady where she thought I might be able to buy a car battery. 'Try Halfords' was her useless reply. Why are some people completely incapable of just saying 'I'm sorry, I cannot help you'?

For what's it's worth, my opinion, all cars are just so expensive in France. Better to buy in the UK then do the paperwork for France. I know it's a chore but it can all be done in one day provided you have to certificate of conformity. Personally I rather like driving RHD here, I feel very safe in the gutter.

I have kept my iPhone on O2 in the UK, (Tesco Mobile) even though I am in France. Walking into a French phone store is like walking into Grace Brothers, and if you do not use your credit in France you will lose it, and your number after a time. For data I am logged into the server at home anyway, and the call charges are not so bad as one may think.

Well at least it avoids the teachers having to supervise the children in the dangerous environment that is the playground. Doubtless these are the same people who close the schools as soon as there is the slightest chance of snow.

I believe EDF are responsible for the disjointer. We intend to ask them for a new one as ours has a mind of its own and just pops for the sake of it sometimes.

'Tiggywinkles' - blimey, I expect you have to have a beard to be allowed in there.

Why is everyone so worried about foxes? If it had been rats that attacked those children there would not be a person in Britain, or this forum, advocating their protection. The universal cry would be for a cull. But then rats are not pretty. What a load of hypocrisy.

We are happy running our B&B in the Charente as all of our guests to date have been pleasant. However, for every Euro you can earn in this country you have to pay a doll scrounger and a civil servant a euro as well so money does not go far. We buy as much as we can from the UK but it is a struggle, and we are quite high in our price-range with the business.

They're Belgians.

"Crowdsourcing" - The last thing we need from this government is empty buzzwords with no substance. We had enough of them under NuLabour.

Probably the best car Peugeot have made to date. I have had two, both '97 diesel estates. Of course the petrol won't have the economy but they are well built and reliable. I went on to buy a 407, which is a definite case of style over substance, lots of warning buzzers and gadgets including a crude DVD based sat. nav. A lot more expensive to maintain and service than the 406.

'Banning drugs gives them a certain cache to some and increases consumption …….. banning the Burka will probably have the same effect.' I cannot believe for a moment that if this repressive garment is banned it will become more popular!

I will probably be considered unworthy to write here, but I am delighted with the 'Best Green' electric chainsaw I bought from the Bricomarche last year. I needed to cut up a silver birch that had come down in our garden, and did not want to invest in a serious saw. For 35 Euros the saw came with an Oregon bar and chain and so far I have not had to sharpen it. The tree I cut up was around 16" diameter at the base. I must say I am impressed with the cheap saw, although I would not dream of mentioning it in the pub back in Sussex!

Sorry folks, the rain is my fault. I planted a new lawn at the end of April and alas, it is growing a treat...

Just make sure you will be able to obtain a Certificate of Conformity; if there is not one already it may cost 1 - 600 Euros to obtain, and be a bother. If you buy from an importer in the UK be sure to press them on this. This aside, you will certainly save money buying in the UK. All vehicles are amazing prices in France: 'Deal of the week' here in the Charente - 1996 Peugeot 305 diesel - yours for just 3,500 Euros! (This car would be circa £800 in the UK.)

Hello. I would like to know who did your eye test in Niort, as I now live in the area and need a check up. Thank you in advance, Gerard Saunders

I think the top one is a maybug. You get them in England - they are in the habit of colliding with people. As for the other one I am not sure, I know however that I would not want to pick a fight with it.

Hello, I have sent you a PM.

Certain people of little intelligence on this forum are rather missing the point here. The fact is that senior civil servants have offended a church leader who has been invited by our government to visit this country. As expected the government has done little about it - the offending person simply being relocated to another job. It has nothing to do with ones religious views or lack of them. The are as many non-believers appalled by this as there are christians. If the slur had been made against a leader from any other faith our politicians would now be lining up to grovel and apologise.

Hello. We are in St. Jean D'Angely with a couple of terriers. Your idea sounds like a good one.

UK cards do not always work, In LeClerc or Intermarche. Without a French Carte Bleu there is absolutely no guarantee that you will be able to buy fuel anywhere at night. Essential to fill up during the day. I speak from painful experience!

I've been in the UK for a while so only just picked this up. Still alive, thank you.

Why do people ask about room sizes and materials? You're asking for advice on a daily rate! I don't know why some people bother answering questions on here when their replies are lame and useless. Perhaps they are just bored.

I have decided to carry on with RHD. Cars in the UK are so much cheaper and the reregistration process is not difficult once you get the hang of it. I will either run the car into the ground or sell it to an English person who also likes hugging the kerb and is not to bothered about overtaking.

Moving somewhere is of course different than just visiting. A lot of people tell you to 'get stuck in' with the France and we are doing our best, but sometimes the only way to feel human on a Friday night is to go and have a few beers and speak English for a bit. I would not want to live somewhere where there were no English - they are the first introduction to the locality. The market is excellent in St. Jean, and I know the patisserie you refer to. We are a bit too well off for them - not a good town for a diet.