rogerthedodger

"Hey, why do people keep changing the title of the thread!Woot! [:-))] " Forgive me-call it what you will. As a Mac user I have no interest in Linux that appears to be the new topic?

Enjoy http://www.apple.com

Hi, I've been insulin-dependant diabetic for almost 50 years, have hypertension, need to watch my cholesterol & am fit & fat! There is a family history of coronary heart disease-my dad & his brothers all died at 60 or soon after. My waistline has come down to 36 from 40/42 & I need to wear a belt to keep me trousers up! I was recently very disappointed to find I couldn't fasten 34 waist trousers BUT I will get there! I eat low-glucose index food, have sweeteners in my drinks, limit my caffeine intake, only have sweets or cake on Christmas Day (huge insulin injections) & mostly eat white meat or fish. I gently jog/walk several times every day & limit my wine intake. My GP says hypertension is a bigger threat to my life than my well-controlled diabetes. I also meditate & use diaphragmatic/yoga/belly breathing to reduce my blood-pressure. Years ago I read 'Which Way to Avoid Heart Disease' & do not worry was on the list!!! Our 'life philosophy' is 'enjoy yourself' whilst you still can' & I think this helps..? All the best, Roger

You may well be right. Do you think the 'societies' & friendliness varies with the area?. Certainly the motor-homing/camping fraternity seem very friendly-we do wave at one another on route-that can be exhausting!!! We've never really fancied Spain, perhaps because my French is passable & Spanish rubbish. I've been a Forum member for quite a time although not a regular visitor due to moving to France being on the 'back-burner' until I completed my Doctorate in 2010. Have found & do find it to be a good source of information & experience. I have a niece who has lived in Spain for years & a nephew who spends 6 winter months on a campsite near Marbella in his huge motorhome. We hope to see more of them when we move. Do you have any area recommendations at all?

Hi Rabbie, sounds like an exciting time for you to have 'finally' found the right house. Part of the reason for using our low-cost endowment (performance-null-pointe!) to buy a Hymer was that we could buy a cheaper property that needed sortin'. We can live comfortably in the Hymer whilst the refreshing takes place. Seems to be the case that properties that need some work potentially offer much better value for money. I am wary about the 'money-pit' possibility & moving from our comfy house to one that takes ages to sort out. What area have you chosen, if you don't mind me asking? Roger

Unfortunately, we didn't get an offer for our house in South Lincolnshire so cannot move yet. Was really worried that after the offer we'd not have very long for completion & have to quickly find a house-imagining zipping off in Hettie the Hymer to find a house quickly!!! Common sense (& wife & daughter) have now prevailed & our game plan after sale is take on a long-term let so we have time to browse. Check out different areas during inclement weather & what's available locally. As an open question if you could move again where would be your choice & why? As we walked our dog across the fields next door there was a cold wind but some sunshine-we loved it after the grey days & rain-my wife commented 'We could be in France!'. We hope to become far more sociable than we have been in England & hope that walking, motor-homing, having a dog & language-learning will lead to this (although I am allergic to line-dancing & achey-breaky heart!).

Thanks Wendy & Sue. I guess we'll need to adapt to weather extremes. Some years ago we stayed on a site near St.Emilion where you had to wear Speedos in the pool. I was last Speedo-shape 50 years ago but when it got to 38-40 I took the plunge! So hot...My home area is Derbyshire so used to snow. Made me smile when you mentioned everywhere being shut. Years ago I was a welfare officer & had to go to Chapel St.Leonards & discovered in winter all the restaurants, cafes & chippies were shut-very much a holiday place. Our intention is be within reasonable travelling distance of a town in order to join the randonneurs, French classes & other societies that catch our fancy. We hope to become part of the local community. We were in Albi a couple of weeks ago with the TV production company for a new 'Escape to...' series & loved it. If I told you more I would have to kill you!!!! Saw 4 properties that made good TV, but were unsuitable. The first was down a narrow road with overhanging trees-I was thinking 'Crikey we'd never get Hettie (the Hymer) down here so that was no good. We tend to be home birds & decent internet access & TV signal are musts. We know this is a quantum leap for us with pro's & con's. The pro's include the freedom to walk & swim as much as we like-I will lose weight & this will lower my BP & maintain the good control of my insulin-dependant diabetes. As a psychotherapist my glass tends to be half-full (do have me moments tho'!) but we've also thought about the glass breaking-illness, loss of mobility & death! All the best, Roger

Hi, Thanks Sue & Pierre for the links. I'm 66, & we have reasonable pensions so do not need to work. We've been coming to France for holidays for over 40 years, the last 5 or so, since motor-homing we've spent 6 weeks every June & 3 or 4 weeks in September/October as well. We have visited a lot of areas in France & have some properties lined up for when we sell-maybe this weekend?! Just as a thought, & I've not visited for ages, the Forum does seem a lot quieter than it was?

Hi we are intending to retire to the South West after selling our home in UK that we hope will be soon!? We are looking for a 2/3 bed stone property with a pool or cheap enough for us to install one for up to €250000. We have a Hymer motorhome so poky lane with overhanging trees are out, as are isolated places. I'm looking for area or town recommendations from residents-we know & like Albi & Le Pays du Dropt for example. Any advice or information would be much appreciated, thanks.

Quite coincidental really-the following details made me wonder...? http://www.houseladder.co.uk/Property_News/2008/11/Cant_sell_your_house_1292.aspx Our former neighbour arranged a 'part-exchange' with our current neighbour in UK to reduce stamp-duty. I guess it would be a lot more complicated to do this between UK & France. It could be quite fun to do a sort of 'holiday exchange' with potential swop or part-exchange if agreement could be reached! The 'fun' would be free holiday and the chance to check out the house and the area & maybe even include car(s), tv & the hifi in the deal! Sounds a like a great idea to me Or maybe a daft idea? Perhaps there is or should be a website to facilitate this?

Hi, just to echo Peter D's thanks to everyone for your help. BaF (can't call you Boiling!), thanks for the info about potential English-speaking clients or the lack of them! Wherever we settle broadband is a necessity so that I can continue to provide video, telephone or email therapy to anyone anywhere so geographical location will not be limiting. Plus we have some ideas about 5-day 'Growing Old Disgracefully' Workshops with an old mate for anyone in the UK who needs help with that! Should be fun. Thanks so much to everyone-this forum is great. All the best, Roger

Thanks Pierre & '5-Element'. I'm a UKCP Registered psychotherapist & here in UK would find it well nigh impossible to work in psychiatry 'cos I don't have a qualification recognised in the medical profession-nurse, occ. therapist, psychologist etc.. The status quo suits a number of people despite the research evidence to the contrary! However, I have done considerable research into which if any of the numerous European bodies does one have to be registered with-the answer is none! So despite BACP's advice your friend could work in France. I contacted a French psychotherapist in December 2006 & here's his answer that may prove helpful (I've removed his name & that of a further contact he gave me for reasons of confidentiality), but here's the gist "At present psychotherapy is not a regulated profession in France. A law was passed four years ago, but was refused by the Conseil constitutionel, and can therefore not be enacted. Even if the title were to be "protected" and reserved for DESS psychologists and psychiatrists, it's most unlikely that there would be much eagerness about enforcing it. In reality a french psychotherapist is in the same fiscal category as, say, a yoga teacher i.e. self-employed, with fairly high social charges and retirement/health provisions. You also have to pay VAT unless you are a medical doctor or a DESS psychologist. You might be interested in getting a brochure which the french psychotherapist union, Syndicat National des Praticiens en Psychothérapie, SNPPsy, edits about getting installed as a therapist." Sounds like medical referral are unlikely to happen, but I'll continue to use my websites and les Pages Jaunes as I do here! Thanks again for all the informatio. Roger

Thanks, P-D, that's very helpful. Sounds like there's some potential for growth in our field & maybe to challenge the status quo (from my doctoral thesis relationship & not pills made the difference!). The 'auto-entrepreneur' system sounds like it would be great for me. My reason for wishing to continue my practice in France and pay cotisations is because I would never get health insurance with my diabetes & will need regular prescriptions. I could not be resident unless I work & pay into the system, which I'm happy to do. I am 60 & my wife is 57 & both of us are fortunate enough to have private pensions that are enough to live comfortably on. I also enoy what I do! Thanks again, Roger

Thanks for your quick reply. I do know of that site. However, they specifically exclude your contacting those listed about client numbers, distance would-be clients will travel etc.. I have done a lot of research into how to practice legally so I'm OK with that side of things. My query about 'attitudes' towards counselling & psychotherapy of English-speakers stems from the fact that most people are guided by their doctors. In UK there is something of a swing away from medication towards psychological therapies which may not be the case in France-hence the question. Thanks, Roger

This is perhaps a bit obscure, but any info would be very welcome. We are hoping to move somewhere between Angouleme and Limoges, as soon as we sell our house. I need to work as a self-employed counsellor/psychotherapist in order to pay into the system because I am insulin-dependant diabetic-I am 4 years away from retirement age. My question concerns the attitude in France towards counselling/psychotherapy-whether it is seen as the treatment of choice for anxiety and depression or whether medication is preferred-in other words is there potential? Our choice of home is based on loving the area & choosing to be within travelling distance of a good-sized city for potential clients. I don't need to work financially but need to have some work so as to be seen to be 'legitimately' paying my dues, and so be able to live in France as our permanent home. As I said, a bit obscure, but if anyone could shed some light on the potential this would be very much appreciated. Thanks, Roger PS I would be looking for English-speaking clients.

Sorry! Bit of addle-brain re code for France, Thanks again, Roger

Thanks Alex, I've tried the number you gave with various numbers of 0's in front (!) but get 'number unobtainable'. I've also Googled the name & cannot find anything useful. Perhaps they've moved on, but if you can provide further info I'll try again. Thanks very much for your time & trouble, Roger

Hi, wonder if anyone can help? We are intending to buy a property midway between Angouleme and Limoges (once house sold!) & wondered if anyone has a Gite available. 'We' are a couple with a well behaved border-collie, so it doesn't have to be large & we would need an 'in-ground' pool. Struggling a bit to find anywhere suitable probably due to being pretty area specific & 'no pets' seems to be a a general rule. Please pm me if anyone can help, Thanks, Roger Hope I haven't broken any rules by asking!

Well done Mooky in getting off the pills. Bit late with this perhaps, however it may be useful. I'm an insulin-dependant psychotherapist so have my own 'funny turns' not only related to excess alcohol!!! I have worked professionally with people coming off SSRI's & your experience is 'par for the course' unfortunately. What may help generally is daily exercise for the endorphins (our natural 'opiate'), hot shower pre-bed, and hot milky drink (natural source of serotonin) & some progressive muscle relaxation-there's some more stuff on my website www.VinePartnership.co.uk , that may be good. Apologies for pokin' me nose in, but was just looking for some more up to date stuff on my 'I've got to work for 5 years to pay into system to get me insulin problem'! We hope to 'emigrate' to Sud-Charente as soon as I complete me Doctorate & we can flog the house. Mooky I imagine you to be fairly tall, creative and down to earth! All the best for your new life in a great country-we feel better as soon as we land.

Hi Barbara, just spotted your question. We're intending to move to France (16) later this year & I will continue working as a psychotherapist, because I need to pay into the French health system. A site that will probably be of interest is this http://www.counsellinginfrance.com/ . They have a list of alternative therapists & their locations as well as one counsellors & psychotherapists. I don't need to earn a living in France because we have company pensions & I intend to continue my practice in UK after completing my doctorate concerning spirituality & 'madness'-I think this will cause confusion for the accountants-but that's what they get paid for! I guess what is important is living reasonably close to a city, perhaps with a university, and being able to speak French if you want French clients! What is Hopi ear candle therapy in French I wonder? As I type this my wife is finishing 2hours plus of Rosetta Stone French & I can hear the improvement-it's good. All the best & au revoir, Roger

Hi Chris, Just wanted to thank you for your comments. My wife and I hope to move to France later this year & need to improve our french. We saw Rosetta Stone at the France show at Olympia & were impressed BUT not by the price-£300 for the first three levels! I've found Rocket French on the net with a free trial AND whats seems a good offer for the full download. Key thing that I like about Rosetta's offering is the opportunity to speak into a mike linked to computer & get feedback on pronunciation, plus it uses 'total immersion' i.e. no translation-just naming people, objects and saying sentences just like we did as kids. However, I'll try Rocket French and give feedback if anyone's interested? Thanks again, Roger

Dear Llanthony, my understanding is that with the E121 on retirement you're fully covered for healthcare. If your husband is self-employed in France he can pay the minimum into the 'system' with low earnings & be covered-I hope so, 'cos that's what I need to do for my diabetes. However, we intend be permanently resident in France & are then in the French tax system, but if you still have a rented out home & pension in England life may be more complicated tax-wise. I don't have the answer but I will be talking to an accountant to make the best choice, Good luck, Roger

Thanks Will & ErnieY, my wife is not 57 until next June & I hope she doesn't find this forum since her age is a state secret, to make it public is treason & I would probably be beheaded, which would at least sort the French healthcare problem! However, I really like the idea of continuing my practice-maybe a 'work'-shop called 'Growing old disgracefuly-the theory & the practice', which an old friend of mine said she would be interested in running with me-what fun that would be, with good food, drink as key factors. I've spoken to my accountant who has contacts with a group called 'Euro 2000' for French tax/contributions advice, have found a registration body in France for integrative psychotherapists & will seek advice from an old friend of mine who has a retreat/training premises in Basse-Normande. I've also discovered that Angouleme to St. Pancras is 6.5-7.5 hours and 'from' only £109, it's looking good, & if only The Rams can beat Chelsea cold South Lincolnshire will be a much sunnier place! All the best, Roger  

Thanks for your suggestions Will. However, since my wife is an exhausted community midwife-exhausted because 80% of her work is with mums from EIC & beyond (who don't have to provide 'right' to ante or post-natale care!), our choice is to move to France next year. It might be feasible for me to commutefrom Angouleme to St.Pancras (7hrs) & B&B in UK, but at 60 that does not appeal as a 5 year-plan. I guess, as you say, I need to find a lawyer & accountant who are well versed in the professional registration issues in France & the taxation/?cotisations of small income from  therapy & workshops in France & our private pensions. It all seems very complicated, but I'm sure I'll find a way through the maze. Thanks again, Roger

Hi everyone, Apologies if my question is an 'old chestnut' that has been covered before. I was really concerned to listen to the Jeremy Vine show & hear of the healthcare changes. My wife & I intend to sell up in UK & move to Charente (Rochefoucauld hopefully) next year. The big 'however' is that I've been insulin-dependant diabetic, for 43 years, am now 60 & my wife is 57. I am a self-employed UKCP registered psychotherapist currently completing my Doctorate & had intended to maintain my therapy practice in UK via TGV at least for a while. Don't worry the questions coming! From the research I've done here my wife & I would each be covered by an E106 & get the ? certificate sejour in order to buy a property & live there. To work as a psychotherapist in France I believe I would have to register under 'Profession Liberale', secteur medicale et para-medicale, psychotherapeute BUT I can't find whether this is a regulated activity with presumably special provisions. I've tried the links from www.french-property.com 'More information on regulated business activities can be found by visiting Inforeg or APCE ' BUT can't find anything on psychotherapy regulation. Our plan is for me to work, anybody's guess as to what earnings might be, in order to pay into 'the system', I don't believe the cost would be problematic since we both have reasonable company pensions & savings, and the main objective would be to be able to be resident in France to retirement age & beyond. If there are any flaws in our plan & if anyone can point me in the right direction regarding being a self-employed psychotherapist that would be great. Sorry about being a bit long-winded & not being able to find the 'e acute' on my computer keyboard!  PS, Helen, what does your last line in French mean, particularly the bit about 10000 euros?