Gunner

When my hubbie was 18, he and his mate decided they wanted to join the Foreign Legion, so they took took a day off work, got the ferry to calais, then a train to Paris. Managed to find the recruitment office, but guess what... when they got there it was closed for lunch .... so they left a note and got the next train/ferry back to England. I said to him, why didn't you wait until they reopened after lunch? He said, well we had to be back for work the next day!! They joined the TA instead and he left after a month as he thought it was too tough. To this day, I love recounting this story.

The English Stall at St Jean have Clotted Cream & Double Cream too! Again I think it's best to order but worth getting in touch with them.

Glad to have been of service Tresco! Shame JC didn't read my email properly. If he had he would've seen that they buy their crumpets to order when they go back once a month. Or was it meant to be a joke?

The English Stall at St Jean D'Angely will always get crumpets for you. They go back to UK once a month to buy their stock and will get anything you want. We have crumpets from them all the time. You can contact them through their website www.homefromhome.info  

We have some space in our van which is going from dept 17 to Portsmouth and then on to Devon on 12th April and then returning on the same route on 16th April. Anyone need anything taken or brought back? If so drop us an email.

Hi Tia We went to the GP last year and didn't have seats in any of the stands which meant we had to stand on one of the banks which was about 5 rows deep by 9 in the morning. I don't think I would go again without having a reserved seat. All said it was a fantastic trip even though it rained on me half way there and half way back.

It's arrived in the Charente-Maritime! 2 inches in the last 30 minutes and guess which idiots used the last of their wood yesterday?!!! Just lost our satellite, was so looking forward to the 2nd part of 'Five Days' the new 5 part BBC thriller. Tres typiquement.

I have to go from Saintes (Dept 17) to Exeter next week (Tues 5th out & Wed 6th back) to pick up half a van load from my in-laws house. I have an empty van going over and a half empty van coming back so if anyone needs anything shifting in return for some contribution to my fuel bill please let me know. 

Anyone need anything taken back to UK or brought back from UK next week? I have some space in my van, both ways. Crossing Le Havre to Portsmouth 5th December then travelling to East Devon and returning to Portsmouth on 6th December.

Have just found out I am pregnant and was wondering if anyone can share their experiences of having a baby in France? Should I go straight to my GP - have done 2 tests which are positive, but am a bit unsure of the normal procedure. Any words of wisdom would be gratefully received.

Go to the La Cervoise Bar at Sainte Meme (17) - run by a South African chap & English wife.

There is also Nous & Vous who are based in Matha. Can't find their number at the moment, but will post again as soon as I have found it.

Having worked in insurance in England for some years before coming to France, I was quite disappointed by the increasing practice of one off charges (normally £10 or £15) for certain straight forward administrative procedures ie, for issuing a duplicate cover note, changing a vehicle. So you can imagine my disbelief when trying to change my address with the Chamber of Commerce for my micro-enterprise, to receive a 'facture' for €120,00 for the privilege of doing so!!! I will never moan about a measley (not sure of spelling) £10 charge in England again!

Hurrah, we've just moved house and now have mains drainage. I had a bleaching frenzy to make up for lost time. Ah, bliss.

I'm trying to find something that I can paint onto a damp concrete floor to give it some kind of seal before tiling. I have sourced this kind of product in england, however have no idea what I am looking for over here. Does anyone know what this product might be called or even if such a thing exists?

Or get Alistair Sawday's Special Places to Stay book (B&B in France). It covers all of France and has the most fantastic places to stay, ranging from 30 euros a night to 150 euros per night. We never use anything else when we are travelling.

Does anyone have some space in a van coming from England to France. Can come from anywhere in England to Dept 17, although we can travel in France to pick up from you.

Try St Ninian Guest House. Website address [email protected] and telephone number 0033 546310073. Run by a really friendly Scottish couple. Not far from beach.

You are right, I'm afraid. A friend of ours arranges all the festivals in Saintes and he told me some time ago that they would not be repeating the Roman Event. It's a shame as we too enjoyed it, particularly the Chariot Racing at the Amphitheatre. As I said his job is to arrange all the events in Saintes, so there will be plenty more festivals to enjoy throughout July & August, I'm just not too sure what the themes will be. When I can find out more will let you know.

Should have mentioned, they don't have mint sauce with the cheesecake.

Mint Sauce!  We cooked Roast Lamb & served it with mint sauce and now our french friends eat mint sauce with everything, including salad & pasta. Yuk! They get through a jar a week. Oh & they love cheesecake too.

My plan is to concentrate on airport for work for English clients, rather than a general taxi service (I had enough of those hours in England I'm afraid). Of course, it is necessary to have a good understanding of French to run a business here (I do have a business here already) but obviously it would be easier to be able to speak to someone in English regarding a potentially complicated procedure, but many thanks for your advice. I will start at the Chambre de Metier and see what that brings.

Thanks Val. Was the lady english & if so, is she local enough that you would know how we can get in touch with her? It would be really interesting to talk to her as I am sure there is more to do in terms of licensing. We currently run a taxi business in England, which is a nightmare in terms of licensing & I am sure it must be just as bad over here, knowing how they love their red tape!!

Does anyone have any experience of licensing a taxi in France? Or, any ideas where we would start with finding out?

Thanks for your replies. Having looked into this further, it seems that we only have the small variety which are in fact woodworm (not Death Watch Beetles). Having compared surveys, the house we are selling has more than the house we are going to, so that makes me feel a bit better!!