Rain24

My advice would be to bring everything!!! you can always start to replace items at your leisure later as you find them.  My mum packed up my whole house for me, as we were initially renting fully furnished in France prior to buying our own place, and I was so grateful when it all arrived.  I had said that I would giveaway or sell everything and buy new here and I was glad my mum talked me out of it (they are always right!!)  You never know what you miss until you haven't got it.  After living with someone elses furniture in the rented house it felt so good to have my own stuff to move into our own house with, it made the move so much easier and I really don't think I would have found the same style/quality here in a hurry, after all it does take quite a few years of searching to completely furnish a house to your taste.  If your existing furniture in the UK is of good quality and is worth the expense of bringing it that would be what I would suggest.  It does also depend on the condition of the house you are moving into of course, and you may have to include storage costs into the calculations.

We have a natural pool at our house which was installed by the previous owners.  It was a hive of wildlife activity, including snakes, lizards and frogs. After our Jack Russell caught 2 snakes around the edge and was bitten by one of them, we have put fish in it and have never swam in it. It is a shame because it is very attractive but very difficult to manage the unwelcome 'visitors' I would opt for a normal pool set up to be assured of the safety of it.  Also you can only really have a security fence system without a cover.

Hi Matt, We moved from Uk and set up a building and renovation company (SARL) here in July 2006.  The setting up of the company was easy, a short course, a good accountant and loads of money. That was the easy bit.  Finding work, thats a whole new ball game.  My husband has nearly 30 years as a bricklayer, running his own business and also sub-contracting major developments from the largest construction companies in East London. With his partner they have over 40 years experience in construction and renovation. The problems they have had are mainly down to trying to compete on price with unregistered 'builders', ( people who suddenly morph into builders as they get off the ferry, they get on as Postman Pat and get off  Bob the Builder) Potential clients are being advised on forums that if a builder isn't booked up for the next 2-5 years they aren't any good, how on earth do you 'get busy' if you are up against this?  My husband has seen the most unbelievably disgusting workmanship, and knows that he could have done a better job with all the guarantees to go with it, but is not being given the opportunity.  I know it takes a while for a new business to establish anywhere, but here experience, knowledge and quality of work , do not seem high on the list of attributes neccesary to succeed. Sorry to hijack your thread and i'll probably get shot down, but I needed to give you another view from a 'newbie'

Does anyone know how to register an agreement made between two parties as a legal document.  This document would be need to be included in any future discussions/decisions/wills etc and be recognised upon the death and subsequent dealings of the estate of each party. We would like it to be registered somewhere so there is no problem with the authenticity of the agreement and that a legal person can act upon this agreement if need be.  (just a bit more info: it involves money invested in a project which  two parties are recognising a third party has made) Is there such a thing!?! is this too complicated? Thank you for any advice

Hi, I live between Nontron and Augignac.  There are loads of English in this area.  We mostly have friends, french and english, in the village Piègut.  You will soon meet people if you visit the bars and restaurants, even if its just for a coffee.  Piègut has a large market on wednesday mornings and during the spring and summer months it is absolutely packed.  You can buy all your fresh produce and then have a coffee or lunch, it is a very nice atmosphere.  Try and have a mix of friends, not just english.  We have many french friends through visiting the bar in Piègut and playing pool etc, you soon strike up a conversation.  Make sure you find out when there is music, entertainment on in the restaurants, its a good way of meeting people. Let me know when you are over, maybe meet for a coffee. Susan