britgirl
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Posts posted by britgirl
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For me, it's where I feel content.
I was always the more practical, and the 'Roses around the door' did not appeal. When we bought our home in France, we went against the 'norm' because we chose a more modern house (built in the early 90's). We had viewed many 'desirable' properties, (fairly inexpensive, but the renovation costs.....) but they did not inspire . I loved the fact that it was fairly isolated, but within walking distance of the local village. It wasn't huge, but plenty big enough to be able to have friends/family to stay, without falling over each other. More importantly, we were able to live without having to worry to much about bills etc.
A change of personal circumstances meant I wanted to return to the U.K. If I could have I'd have brought my French house with me.
When looking for my new home, I used certain criteria, and one of them was being able to have a cup of tea in a sunny back garden.. Sometimes it's the most simple things that make the differance.
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My late father had his gall-bladder removed in 1974 and the only thing I can recall is that he said he never felt hungry, and had to make sure he ate regularly. He enjoyed very 'plain' cooking. He passed away 2006 at the age of 78.
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Yep, that's true.
When we bought our house, we were told that the fosse would never need emptying. Naively we believed that, even tho' there were strange noises when flushing the loo.
One day the contents of the bath (upstairs) flooded the downstairs via the downstairs loo.[+o(] Thankfully it was just bath water.
Next problem was to find the fosse, which involved digging several holes until we found the inspection hatches, and yes it was full to the top. A phone call to a local firm and everything was sorted out quickly. It cost us 140 euros, with an official receipt, which I think was money well spent.
When I sold the house last year , having the certificate was one less thing to worry about.
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I am not a great lover of cheese, but if I needed to do a cheese sauce then it had to be cheddar. If you freeze it, it's a bit crumbly, but when you are desparate......
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Yesterday was a hot sunny day in Weymouth. I popped into our small Aldi and guess what?
You've probably guessed already. Lots of Christmas goodies on sale. [blink]
Oh to be back in France where Christmas doesn't start until December.
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Hi virginia.c,
Short answer is I don't have a visa card. I rang Mastercard (telephone number on the back of the card) this morning, and explained the problems I had last week. They needed confirmation of the transactions I had tried to make before the 'stop' on the cards were removed. Having just been shopping all's well
La Panthere Rose,
Due to change in personal circumstances I've only had my cards for a short time, and have used them frequently in the U.K. for large amonuts. I've never had them rejected before. I always pay off the full amont owing every month, so there was never any question of being over the agreed limit. At the time I phoned, I was unaware that others were also having problems.
I suppose it is re-assuring that they are keeping an eye on the transactions, even if it can be embarrassing.[geek]
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I've also had the same problems with my Mastercards, and have had them re-instated. I am expecting problems with them again next week when I return to France. Interestingly my Maestro card worked in the cash machine for me to pay by cash. All 3 cards are with the same bank.[8-)]
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If they are really 'grotty' how about pureeing the best bits and either eating it now , or freezing it to be enjoyed later in the year with ice-cream?
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And therein Dave21478 lies a problem. Most men seem to crave a size 0 woman i.e for most skin and bones. The reality is that we have had children and are not ashamed of that, At least you know what you're getting. By the time YOU have taken off the toupee, false teeth, and allowed your 'six pack' to return to it's normal position, who cares? Beauty (male and female) is skin deep, in the eye of the beholder. [:$]
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As far as I am aware the ALD will only cover you for the specific problem for which it was issued. i.e if the ALD is for diabetes, and you break a leg it may not be covered 100% for the fracture, because they may not be directly linked. You may need a top-up insurance to cover this.
I hope that some-one will correct me on this.
Clair where are you??
Who ever said that life was simple
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Edit: Sincere apologies to Nickel who did a fantastic job
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There is a mail order company which supplies many craft bits and pieces. www.vbs-hobby.fr .A couple of years ago I was able to order a book which gave instructions and ideas for the metres and metres of 'french' knitting, that you never know what to do with!
No I'm not sad, just waiting for my 3 grandchildren to get a bit older.[:)]
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Could you pay 2 years contributions and then get an E106 or am I being stupid? If you could would it be less than buying full cover health Insurance for two years?
Sorry to be a killjoy but as far as I am aware the only N.I. contributions Dexter could pay are Class 3 (non-employed) and I was told that these do not count towards an E106. [:(]
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I've been back in the U.K. since last November, and I still like to keep in touch with 'french' life, however it would have been useful to have had an 'idiots' list.
I contacted all the usual utilities etc, but I forget one which cost me nearly 100euros. At one time (before broadband connection) we had an account with ex-pat for cheaper telephone calls. As I didn't inform them of my return I had to pay a penalty. Luckily I had enough money in my French bank account for unforseen problems.
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Oh dear, I'm busy that day. Such a shame I was REALLY looking forward to the andouillettes as well. [+o(] Maybe next year.
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Would they let you in?
http://www.ukcitizenshiptest.co.uk/
My score was 15, so just as well I'm back in the U.K. already. [Www]
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As it's the 1st August, I thought I'd cook according to the weather, rather than the season. [8-)]. It's cold and very wet so I'm going more for comfort food. Asparagus followed by lamb shanks, mash and veg, and I can't decide on dessert, maybe treacle sponge pudding and custard.
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Come off it Weedon, methinks thou dost protest too much, you remember the poster of that tennis girl and are watching just in case . . .[:$]
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Hi,
When I sold my house in rural Brittany last year I deliberately went with the local French Agency from whom we had originally bought the house in 2002, I decided that I would get the best response from using them. (Would a French person go into a British estate agency?) All viewings were accompanied by the same person, who spoke excellent English,. and it was sold to a local couple. They also arranged for all the necessary checks to be made.
I could have used the internet, but because of my particular circumstances I didn't want to show strangers around my house.
Best of luck, in what ever method you use. At the end of the day it's what you feel most comfortable with.
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Just John, many a true word spoken in jest!
Travelling from Plymouth to Roscoff just over a week ago, I was asked (told) whether I objected to being 'frisked' by ferryport security personnel.( Not a problem for me, but I'd have preferred a George Clooney look-a-like. )The reason given was that they had to search a percentage of cars and drivers. We also had to declare we were not carrying anything of a 'hazarous' or dangerous nature.
On the return journey no checks were made at all.
Edit. If it makes travelling safer, then I don't have any problems with any checks made.
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in control of the right side of his body. What a problem. He could be dyslexic and therefore.....
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....Wallet. A man has to do what a man has to do........[:)]
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you'll find these (and more, like accents and monetary symbols) in Character Map under Accessories in Programs, which you can then copy and paste, I haven't been able to find direct keystrokes from my english laptop
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Maude,
It's better to have given the 'dream' a go rather than live with 'if only'. I was widowed some 14 months ago at the age of 53 (my husband was 55), and because we had foolishly not discussed what would happen if one of us died I had to go with my gut instinct. ( The care he got in France was superb, and nothing was ever too much trouble. Even I got nagged by the nursing staff if I didn't eat properly. Does that happen in the U.K?) Having sold my house in Brittany last year I am now back in the U.K. I am making the best of a bad situation.
Like you I felt that the cost of living between the U.K. and France is not as great as it used to be, which was one of the main reasons for me returning. At least I thought I might be able to get a job, to supplement my income---obviously wishful thinking. However I do not feel that the time we spent in France was wasted. I never, ever wanted to be 60 and say if only............
The grass can be greener on the other side, but you must be realistic about the shade of green!!
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I've checked the documents relating to my 'succession' and they came to just under 2,000 euros.(October 2007) We didn't have a 'clause tontine' in place, and there were 2 adult children involved There is a fee emoluments d'acte 1247euros, tresor 257euros, emoluments de formalities 133euros, all plus TVA 270.98 euros
As Just John has mentioned it may be due to the value and the length of time you have had the property. In my case it was valued at 130,000 euros and we bught it in July 2002.Hope this is of some use.
Do I need to fall in love?
in The Complete France Post Bag
Posted
Finding a new retirement home which is an incentive for all the family to visit with easy links and where grandchildren find a specially happy place to be for more than a day or two, is simple in a small seaside town (like Weymouth); whether for a day out or all Summer Hol.[:D]