minnie

Veolia letter quote "Il rappelle qu'un entretien régulier d la fosse est obligatoire (au moins tous les 4 ans) et que l'usager doit pouvoir le justifier (bon ou facture)

We wouldn't have bothered at all if it hadn't been there in black and white in the documentation

We had our first one done in 2011. We'd actually had a vidange a few months before they came. We've just had a letter to say that our next inspection is due next week. When I looked at all the paperwork I noticed it's 4 years and 1 month since the vidange so we're trying to get it done before the inspector arrives. I believe that the law says that the fosse should be emptied at least every 4 years. The appointment said that they inspect all documentation including receipts for previous vidanges. Hope we don't get into trouble for being 1 month over limit......

Thanks AnOther. We wouldn't be going back to UK just because of the driving licence issue but it's simpler to go through the immigration procedures for New Zealand from UK than from France - especially with pets who require quarantine. Even sorting out containers for personal effects is easier. However that may happen sometime in the future, partly dependent on whether UK stays in EU.....

That could happen to us if we moved to New Zealand. UK licences would be swopped directly but French Licence would mean a test. If we were thinking of going down that route I'd probably, temporarily, become resident in UK and then swap back to UK licence.

There's quite a lot being made of inability to hire a car with UK plastic licence and no paper part, due to inability to establish points. What happens with hiring with a pink cardboard French Licence? There's no pints recorded on that and we've never had a problem with hiring a car in either UK or New Zealand using that.

Here's wishing you a good and speedy recovery Norman. Hope that you don't have to look at those views for too long.....

All you need do is google and the following link comes up http://www.anil.org/votre-adil/

We travel economy with Singapore airlines but pay a little more than the basic price which allows us to change flights or cancel for a small fee. We can also choose seats. As we normally travel in the A380 double decker I normally choose to sit in the economy section upstairs where there are more business class seats and less economy. There are also more pairs of seats as opposed to threes, fours and more. I do reiterate that Singapore airport is so relaxed with relatively few passengers in the transit areas, loads of comfortable seating, easy listening music and always really clean. There are plenty of food outlets which remain uncrowded. A couple of times we have been via Hong Kong and have had difficulty in finding anywhere to sit such are the crowds. It's a no brainer for us.

I have used the Cathay Pacific lounge in Hong Kong and you can have as many noodles as you like there....You get drinks also and can have a shower, towels provided. We go to New Zealand every year and I've come to the conclusion that my favoured airline is Singapore. We change planes in Singapore and the airport is superb. For a small charge you can use the facilities of the transit hotel, including en-suite rooms for sleeping or just relaxing. I believe that it is regarded as the best airport in the world. Consequently, personally I'd rather travel economy with Singapore and pay for extra facilities, using the money saved as spending money.

Bon courage Norman. Thinking about you.

You're right there idun. I do get the bio chamomile here which is drinkable. What I like to buy in UK is the pukka three ginger tea which seems readily available in most supermarkets but is pricey if bought through amazon. I manage to get the Twinings the vert here and that is what I have during the early part of the day with the chamomile later. Makes for a restful sleep. At max I'll have 2 cups of coffee a day, the last one immediately after lunch.

Well done Grecian. Hopefully you are now turning a corner. Happy Birthday too with many more to come. We were all so concerned as we'd not heard from you. Best wishes to Mrs Grecian too.

Had my normal e-mail from EDF asking me to read the meter. Went to read the electronic meter to find that the screen stayed blank - no readings possible, neither was the little red winking light on the aparatus operative. Nevertheless the electricity's nworking normally. I rang the english helpline to tell them and she said to me that sometimes it doesn't work but might start working again tomorrow. Ring us again if it still isn't working in 2 days. Seems a bit ridiculous....but there we go. Anyone else had this happen? I reckon that eventually they''ll have to replace the meter but are probably short staffed for the moment with all these bank holidays

How are things progressing for you Grecian? It's a couple of weeks since you mentioned staying a t Bordeaux for a little longer.

I agree with Mint here. If Grecian actually names the nearest town to his home surely there must be some kind person on this forum who lives in the vicinity and who could spare a day to take his wife to visit him. I know that Bordeaux is a long way from his area but I know I would hate to be in the position of being in hospital without seeing my partner for many weeks if not months. After all this forum is aimed at giving each other mutual support.

Thanks all for your contributions. Normally credit card is solid as a rock at Leclerc - but obviously not today!

Looks like the problem is solved as I managed to use the card to prepay on my Moonpig card account. It took a long time to process but it worked....Happy now!

It is used twice weekly at Leclercs (now that the pound is strong). I suspect it's a Leclerc's blip and I'll try using it on line later. Let you know outcome.

I will eventually but think it's just a blip in the system. Strange for 2 banks to decline cards without reason. I've just checked my Lloyds account and there seems to be no earthly reason for it. Suspect it is Lecelercs system. Will buy something online later (or try to). Thanks mint.

Anyone have any difficulties with using UK credit card today? I tried to use my Nationwide credit card at Leclercs and then tried to use Lloyds Bank and both were declined. No problems with lack of funds in either. Any thoughts?

I've just weighed our cat Ianto who is now 9 months old. He weighs 3.1kg. He still has a healthy appetite but in small doses - he likes to graze. He soon complains if there's no food down even if he's just eaten and doesn't really want it! On this basis his weight doesn't sound too bad as Ianto has been sterilized. Good luck with him.....

We live in a country area and almost all the Doctors around here work without receptionist or admin assistance. They work hard enough without having to deal with the admin involved in dealing with CPAM and waiting and monitoring receipts from CPAM and the various mutuelles. They would have to collect money from those patients who have no mutuelle. At present all they need to do is collect x number of cheques for 23 euros and pay that in. It is bound to create more work for GPs and no saving for CPAM.

The government do not reimburse the mutuelles. The mutuelles are covered by our top up policies. What happens in our pharmacy is that at the beginning of the year the pharmacy confirms and photocopies mutuelle details so that we don't have to show evidence of top up each time. They know then that they will be paid by the mutuelles. At least the pharmacies are retail traders and if there's no evidence of top up you pay the difference yourself. Doctors cannot afford all the admin required when they only get 23 euros per visit anyway. There's also the time involved chasing money. For this reason I'm on the GP s side.

The problem, as put to me by my GP, would seem to be that at present you submit your Cv and pay your 23 euros. Were you just to present your CV and did not have a mutuelle (which the GP would not know) they would only get paid 70% of the 23 euros and would have to subsequently chase you for the balance. The admin involved for GPs in sole or small practices would be enormous.