sunny

Hi lesfsvets, One option could be to invest your sterling in a French multi-currency account. We bank with HSBC in France and they often have good investment options for dollar and sterling investments.

[quote user="Frenchie"]I have muslim friends, I am in touch with muslims at work, and we really get on well, I've travelled a lot into muslim countries, so , your argument here is irrelevant. [/quote] I think what I was trying to get at (and I have expressed myself badly), is that when you really mix with another group, you stop seeing their quirks, mannerisms as alien, you just kinda accept it and it becomes background noise. In my case, when I was young and had less set ideas, I roomed with a white american girl and an american-asian muslim girl in college. I guess the debates we had those days were mostly about feminism and pro-anti abortion rights, not about religion. Both my room-mates were super fun and our muslim roomie could actually drink us all under the table. In her senior year, she took to the headscarf and then the burqa (and totally gave up on alcohol, which was a bummer), no clue why...she just said she felt the urge from within. She had no pressure from her parents who were both doctors, and wore western clothes. Also, her best friend was another muslim girl from the middle east who was *really* hot and had all the guys panting after her! This other girl never covered up, in fact quite the opposite - she wore Parisian fashion with great style (think her parents were very rich). But she always had her brother trailing after her, to make sure the boys didn't get too close:-) Now, was my roomie subjugated and the western dressed one free...? I really don't know and don't presume to guess. All I know is that when I see a covered woman on the street, I think of Waheeda and the burqa-ed woman just doesn't seem that alien or threatening to me... So when I hear of women being symbols of this or that and their dress means that they are repressed...I honestly don't know...I think they are just like the rest of us and don't see why they need to be 'educated' or censured or punished. Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan can keep their dress police to themselves (and frankly, the dress is the least of the problem for women in those countries, methinks)...scary to see intolerance and the dress-police in western Europe. In my opinion, Sarkozy is not doing this to prevent terrorism or help Muslim women, but to pander to the far right and counter the popularity of Marine le Pen. I guess her base is represented more in this forum than I though...

Well, not sure if this is about safety. For example, carnival masks and Santa Claus outfits are exempt from the law, as I understand it. So, around Christmas do you feel threatened by the people dressed in Santa costumes and masks because you cannot see their face...(they could be potential terrorists too)? I suspect not, because it is familiar and comfortable childhood reminder for most of us. It is the burqa and what baggage YOU associate with it that makes it appear threatening/unsafe. I cannot understand how people are willing to forsake other people's freedoms/choices just because it makes them personally uncomfortable. I wonder how many of the people here who are in support of the ban have close muslim friends...? Racial/religious tolerance and assimilation is a two way street. I am surprised to find such little representation of muslims/blacks in France's top echelons - in media, politics and business (except sports) - contrast this to the UK which is so much more diverse. I think if France wants muslims to be more 'French', it needs to show them a multicultural France where the young can see role models of their own ethnicity/religion in the political/public sphere...this would probably be much more effective than such ham-fisted responses

This burkha ban by the French govt, the crazy tea party stuff in the US, all designed to turn us against each other, quibbling about our neighbours, instead of focusing on the real villains amongst us... http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/the-real-housewives-of-wall-street-look-whos-cashing-in-on-the-bailout-20110411?page=1

Just John, Well yes, you can use a regular induction hob, but you won't get heat on the sides, for a proper stir-fry. The induction wok hobs are dimpled, so the wok can sit snugly in and get heat on the bottom and sides, like this one: http://www.johnlewis.com/230504924/Product.aspx I have used my induction for stir-frying with a flat bottom pan, but prefer using gas and a real wok...

We have the Aldi Quigg table-top induction, both the single and double ring models. I think they are made in Germany. Absolutely lovely to use! I can simmer gently using the lowest setting and can boil a pot of water for pasta within 5 minutes on a high setting. I think these are not high energy users, as I can plug into a normal plug point. For the built in one, we have a special induction plug-point. I think our electrician said that we needed a three-phase supply for the built in model, but were ok with single phase for the table top induction stoves. I would like something for quick stir-frying, but I think the wok induction stoves are very expensive!

Idun, I agree that we need to address issues of equality and freedom for women. This affects all of us, not just a small minority of muslim women. Now, if Sarkozy came up with laws that provide greater maternity benefits, loans for women starting new businesses, quotas for women in boardrooms, more help for women suffering from domestic abuse, more stringent rape sentences, and so on, I am all for these measures. But what on earth does banning veils achieve, in terms of women's equality? I see some of my male colleagues sniggering and making comments regarding the physical attributes of female co-workers or acting as if women who have just returned from maternity leave are not serious about work because they have kids now. All these things are discriminatory and demeaning to women. And how would a ban on veils help...? I personally don't find the veil a problem (although it does seem a bit OTT to me)...maybe because I have had friends in university who were muslim and some wore the veil and they went on to become research scientists and professors... they didn't seem timid or brainwashed. They face the same issues at their workplace and home as I do - juggling family responsibilities and work, the old boys network, lack of female role models in the work place after reaching mid-senior level ...again, how would a ban on the veil solve these? This law is simply stupid, if I may say so, and is an affront to all women...if Sarkozy had to ban something, why not men's beards/ mustaches that cover their face...just leave us women alone to dress how ever we like, and address the issues that *really* bother us and hold us down. BTW, I am an agnostic and don't really care about any religion...

I don't understand how this law can pass in a democracy... a) i think it is an infringement on my liberty that I cannot wear a hat with a veil or a ski mask - this is my right and I don't see why I should give it up! b) if it is a religious/secular type of debate, then the govt. should either allow or ban all symbols - crucifies, jewish hats, turbans, burkhas whatever...but how can they justify banning all of these...after all, what about freedom of individual expression? c) finally, as a woman, i am sick of the law/ society/fashion saying what I can/cannot wear, whether it is a miniskirt (supposedly no-no if above a certain age) or burkha - if I want to go out in wearing a purple velvet mini-skirt and a burkha top-thingy with slits for the eyes, by god, that is my birthright and I don't want that twat Sarkozy or his minions telling me what I can and cannot wear in public This law is so daft, i can't believe it has passed...now that we have the dangerous burkha/veil/helmet wearers under control, can we focus on th minor task of the world economy and those pesky banker bonuses please...?

You might have a higher rate mortgage if it is a commercial loan. Also, you will probably need to show a proper business plan etc.

Hi BonnyLass, I can totally understand how difficult this is for you! First of all, can you put your money in some bonds that offer you a good rate of interest? For example, I think CBS had some one year bonds with 6.5% return...obviously there is a risk of losing the money, but imho, quite low. In any case, you or your investment advisor can find reasonably safe investments yielding 5%+ returns. That way, you might be able to pay rent from the interest portion, keeping your capital intact. Second, it might make sense to leave you stuff in storage in UK, till you know where you are going to be. This way, you won't be paying to move twice. But with hindsight, our experience is that selling your stuff and buying again when you are in France may be cost neutral or even cheaper...and it could give you a greater sense of freedom as you don't have to worry whether your furniture is too big or out of style with the properties you look at. Third, don't rush yourself. If you find the right house quickly, great, go for it. But don't stress about finding something right away - you lose your bargaining hand, that way. So my advice, focus first on investing your money so you can get a decent return, divest yourself of furniture etc - and then with a free mind go and find your dream home. best of luck!

some great advice here, and so true! But do trust your judgement - one of the first few houses you see might be the right one, so don't wait just because you ought to see lots before you commit. In addition to all the great advice from others, one thing I would recommend is to either buy either a ruin or something well renovated...we bought a place that was habitable but shabby and where ever we looked, there were niggling things to do here, there and everywhere. This just ended up costing us quite a bit - we paid considerably more for the house than if it had been a complete renovation project and have to redo lots anyway. Oh and another thing, I would be wary of buying a house which someone had bought and was selling in less than 7 years or so (unless it was a job move or to a nursing home or something similar)...don't know why, but I feel that if the house did not work out for someone else, there is a possibility that the property/location may not suit me either...a bit silly perhaps, but there it is for what its worth:-)

Hello, Has anyone got any experience/ thoughts on the Rosetta stoves from La Nordica? http://www.lanordica-extraflame.com/en/55/3/0/173/products/wood-burning-products/rosetta/rosetta.html Love the red tiles and the little oven, but not sure what the build quality is and how well (or not!) they work Thanks!

Many thanks Coops!

Hello, Not sure I am posting in the right place, but would love any suggestions you might have. We need 2 people to help us pack our stuff and put it in storage in our garage, in anticipation of our house renovation. At this stage, we are leaving the furniture in, but need the loose stuff packed and out (i.e., clothes, kitchen stuff, books etc). Not sure who could help us with that - it is a lot of fiddly work of wrapping breakables and moving loads of boxes. Someone suggested we contact an organisation called Village Douze, which might be able to provide people to help. Has anyone done this, and if so what is your experience? How much should we expect to pay per hour? Also, does anyone have any suggestions on where to get cardboard, or preferably plastic boxes in bulk, at a reasonable cost? Many thanks for your thoughts/advice Sunny

[quote user="Clair"]There should be a section marked "Annulation" in the contract T&C, which should give you guidelines to follow (delay, method, address). By law, insurance contracts can be cancelled within 14 days of purchase (provided no claim has been made). As always, cancel in writing, sending your letter via registered post with proof of delivery (Recommandé avec Accusé de Réception) to the correct address, which should be marked in the contract. Keep a copy of all your correspondence. [/quote] A follow-up... So, I went into BUT today, to see if I could annul the warranty. The guy was extremely reluctant to do so,and kept pushing me for a reason. I told him I just had second thoughts and did not want the extended warranty. Then, he said that I can cancel only within 7 days, and since it was now eight days since I bought the machine, I couldn't cancel. Ah-ha! Armed with the information Clair provided, I said" Nope, it is 14 days according to French law" (very confidently, because I know that Clair is never wrong). He had no come-back, so threw a bit of a tantrum, and then the front desk gave me a refund for the extended warranty amount, but only as store credit. I don't really mind, as I have a couple of additional things I need to pick up anyway. So many thanks Clair!!! :-) When do the Jan sales start so I can spend the refund...? i saw a really nice falcon stove ex-display model on sale, but someone had already bought it:-(

Many thanks Clair! Will do that tomorrow, then.

hello, I bought a dishwasher from BUT today, and somehow let the salesman talk me into buying extended guarantee for 80 euros. I regret it now...is there a way I can cancel it? Many thanks!

Aidie, When we moved from North America to France, we used a shipping company that shipped to UK and they then delivered via a truck to France. The company preferred to do it this way, as it was easier regarding customs.

I need to get a microcar - thinking of a chatenet ch26. Anyone has any experience with these? Would love your thoughts! Many thanks, Sunny

We are not next to a listed building and this is just one of the terraces within our land, and not bordering any one else. I was hoping someone might have rebuilt a stone wall, and could provide some guesstimate...there are so many things to get done that I am trying to prioritise what work to get quotes for. I had in my mind a figure of 5,000 euros...if it will be much higher than that, I will not bother to get quotes at the moment, and wait for a year or so before fixing the wall...

[quote user="Polly"]Can we have a bit more info on the wall please, is it a garden wall or what? What's the subsoil like? Are you in a special area where you need permission (eg national park, near a listed building)? Are you asking for a DIY price or an artisan cost? [/quote] Hi Polly, It is a garden/terrace wall. Not sure what the subsoil is like...probably rocky? We do not need permission - the wall exists, it has just crumbled in many places, and the whole thing needs to be rebuilt. We are looking for artisan costs and any suggestions on the right way to rebuild so that it stays put for a long time. many thanks!

Hello, We will probably need to rebuild a stone wall, that is 6-10 feet high, and 15 meters long. Any idea on cost? Also, should we rebuild using traditional stone and lime, or put steel beams and cement with a stone facade...what are the pros and cons? Many thanks!

we soak nettles in water for a few days and then spray the infusion on roses and veggies...seems to work on bugs and aphids

Thanks for your suggestions. I will be researching and experimenting. New Yankee Workshop - used to catch a glimpse of that show when we lived in Boston. Of course, then we weren't much concerned with building work and renovation.

Hi, Some renovation work has started on our old farmhouse, after a long wait. Some rooms are quite dark so we'd like to 'paint' the beams and ceilings. We do not plan to put plaster boards between the beams. I've often seen beams painted in a nice white or grey in magazines, a thin layer which shows the wood nicely. I thought we could use a distemper, either soft or oil-bound, to get that nice distressed look. Also considered limewash/whitewash, but that is perhaps not as suitable, and it is messy to apply (we tried a couple of walls... the mixture was too thin and it splattered and leaked all over). Is anyone familiar with using distemper on beams? Or do you recommend a different paint? And would this be available in France? Thanks