cassis

[quote user="AnOther"]Good grief, there's a blast from the past, welcome back cassis ![/quote] I've been a bit busy.  [Www]

I'm only answering because no-one with expert financial knowledge has done so - I think you should ask your tax office for advice or get a tax consultant if no-one knows for sure. [quote user="bkm7"]Can we use the abattements of 50% and 65% "Detenu entre 2 et 7 ans Detenu a partir de 8 ans" ? [/quote] [quote user="bkm7"]I rightly or wrongly declared some ISA losses in 3VH some years ago and have been carrying these forward on form 2041-SP without any questions being asked [/quote] https://siddalls.wordpress.com/2013/07/16/qa-savings-and-investments-when-becoming-french-resident/ and http://www.french-property.com/news/tax_france/bank_savings_interest_not_declared/ Hope this helps and good luck!

Would it be muddying the waters if I were to mention bi-fuel wood and oil CH boiler?  We use wood when the temperatures have dropped definitively to winter levels and oil in the shoulder period or if it's mild, when we just need a background heating for an hour or two, first thing in morning or in the evening. There was one installed when we moved here (dated from the 80's) and we replaced it with the same type of thing about 4 years ago - in fact we kept the same oil burner, just had it plumbed into the new boiler.  It's an open system with header tank.  The wood burner will also last on low burn overnight if you want it to.  PS - there are strict regs regarding safe siting and installation of oil tanks in case of leakage http://www.roth-france.fr/regles-securite-et-installation.htm

Clearly values vary widely - land is typically 35-40€ per square metre in the villages around here.

[quote user="idun"] Nice to see you post Cassis, hope you are well! [/quote] Muddling along, as you do. [8-|]

There are numerous "French" groups and ex-pats in France of various shades on Facebook, if you haven't already posted there. I can put your link up on our Page and post to my Profile if you like.

I'm a bit surprised at these low prices - around Alençon (also in the Orne) you can't get anything for that sort of money.  Not even a small building plot. [8-)] E.g.  http://www.noyauimmobilier.com/   

I'm 100% unprocessed.  I have added a little fat over the years but not so's you'd notice.

It's not something we've done, but on the Douane website it says inherited goods imported from outside the EU are TVA exempt "Sont exonérés de la TVA ... les biens personnels appartenant à des personnes physiques et importés définitivement à l'occasion du déménagement de leur résidence principale, d'un mariage, d'une succession" - which is in accord with your Toulouse official.  http://douane.gouv.fr/page.asp?id=533 I presume you're importing directly to France or via the Netherlands so you can ask them by email, which would at least get you something in writing. Contact details on this page. http://douane.gouv.fr/page.asp?id=263

Bonjour à tous et toutes.   I don't mind how I'm addressed, honest, as long as it's not "Hey, Fatty" as in my own deluded mind's eye I'm a lean, mean sausage love machine.  Facebook is to blame - not enough hours in the day for Forums AND Facebook AND Firefighting.  [:)]

I've had the same experience as Sid except shutting the flap between the wood-fired boiler and the main flue, and dousing the boiler after removing the wood, didn't stop it - possibly because the previous owners had a "regulator flap" in the chimney flue itself, above the boiler, which continued to let in air to the fire in the flue.  The causes were also exactly as Sid describes, according to the chief of 20 or so pompiers who attended.  Not an experience to be repeated and nothing to do with not having the chimney swept - entirely down to the boiler burning at too low a temperature for a long period of time and creosote condensing in the flue.  Not a mistake I'll make again - I'll never let the boiler fire burn other than fiercely!  We were lucky - no damage except to the flue.  It could have been a lot worse.

Thanks for the feedback, CeeJay - I'll definitely give the regular planks a go next time.  [:)] Phil

Sounds worth a try - cheers matey :)

Just to be safe, I always give any red meat a good coat of white gloss before I eat it.

I also considered the "yellow" treated planks as they were about 30% cheaper than the same width and thickness decking planks at Brico Depot; I was put off by the fact they're only treated for use in carpentry (roofing etc) and not meant for damp conditions.   They're definitely an alternative to decking planks but my thought was they won't last  as long.  I can only vouch that the decking planks are as new after 6 years, with absolutely no rot. CeeJay - I've been thinking of doing more raised beds, do the yellow planks last okay in contact with soil?  If they do I'll happily save 30%!

People do sell sleepers e.g.   http://www.toutypasse.com/ but I'd be wary of bitumen/creosote content. A poster in Claire's link suggests searching for "traversée de chemin de fer".  Don't, he can't spell.  Instead search for Traverse de chemin de fer You can buy new, untreated sleepers in oak but they are a fortune. I used decking planks, like Joe.

I see you're well versed in tasteful French decor.  On a practical note, for 4 and 5 Epis it says the mattresses need to be 'haute de gamme'.  Strangely, no specific requirelment to be as bouncy as a trampoline and roll the occupants to meet in the dip in the middle, though I expect this gains bonus points.

As a footnote, with things returning gradually to normal (only 1 in 5 stations nationally are reported out of either diesel or petrol today) the Aire de la Dentelle at A28 Alençon north (exit 18) reportedly had fuel throughout the dispute with no restrictions on amount allowed, according to the daily updates on a fuel crisis forum.

We've got the new grille after asking our GdF relais to send us a copy; we wanted to see how we stood under the new extended classification, plus we wanted to apply for the "Gîte au Jardin" category for properties with notable gardens.  They said in August that they would be in touch soon, to do both at the same time, but I've heard nothing since.  That's fairly normal for our lot - the only thing they do promptly is ask for the annual cotisations. Some of the "requirements" are pretty vague and open to interpretation.  Like 5 Epis requires the house to be a "maison de standing ou de caractère exceptionnel", while the various degrees of decor are "simple" (1-2 epis) "soignée" (3 Epis) "raffinée" (4 Epis) and "exceptionnelle" (5 Epis).  I shudder to think what they will consider to be "raffinée" or "exceptionnelle" - possibly a hideous china doll display, elephant foot ashtrays and grotesque orange and purple feather lampshades. 

Update in case anybody else wants/has to do this: Sous-préfectures are not equipped to undertake this validation procedureBest to go to the Préfecture of the department where you live - I went to Alençon Préfecture in the adjoining department as it's the closest and they did it, but onlyreluctantlyThe form to complete is CERFA #11247*02 - same form as for swapping for a French licence, but tick Box #4 You need an ID photo (possibly only if your UK licence doesn't have one - not sure) You need to sign the form (so had to go back and do same again for OH)They do not process it on the spot, so go armed with a SAE unless you plan to return in personI got the documents back in the post 3 days laterHaving taken a dislike to the MMA bloke at Alençon I went to MMA in Fresnay-sur-Sarthe.  Chalk and cheese, really nice lady there.  She didn't want the stupid documents from the Préfecture but I made her take photocopies and put them in our file 'juste au cas où'. Phil

Hi derf Yes, I saw that yesterday when I was doing a trawl for more info, but thank you for the link. Like it says, it's not a legal requirement, but a matter of choice for holders of foreign EC licences to get their licence validated by the prefecture.  MMA, however, insist on it (or at least this particular agency interprets their company policy this way). All the best Phil

[quote user="Pickles"]Can you not just go through a different MMA agency? Regards Pickles [/quote] Good idea also - there's another one at Fresnay-sur-Sarthe.  I'll get the necessary from the prefecture anyway and go there. Thank you for a spanking good suggestion. [B]

Hi Coops I hadn't thought that Mamers would have the wherewithall but good idea - got to be worth a try, thanks. Re helpfulness nice to know there's at least one more helpful person at Mamers sous-préfecture (the last time I went there the lady I saw was helpful too).  I've only had to deal with the prefecture vehicle offices at Le Mans once and the bloke was really helpful.  But I'm ready to believe there are plenty of jobsworths there, as there are most places.  God knows I used to work with enough of the species. Mamers is a good tip - I'll try them first. [kiss]

I may not do idle chit-chat but after 6 years here my stubborn pigheadedness in an argument has developed considerably. I'm going to set the ball rolling with a phone call to the prefecture at 8.30 on Monday and I've blocked the morning out in case it goes on a bit.

I would if it weren't 150€ cheaper than my current insurer and 100€ less than the nearest competitor for the same cover - I guess this is the price to pay!