Georgie

Montbron, which is on the  Charente/Dordogne border, tends to celebrate St. Pats night with gusto.  This Saturday 14th March is when it all takes place.   You may wish to contact the Tourist Office to get more details.    Have fun!  

Does anyone know the procedure for challenging the amount of taxe fonciere being charged on their property.  If so, has anyone managed to get a reduction in the amount paid?  

We too use CA Charente-Perigord and have just gone on line - no problem

This guy heard two girls talking about the same subject in a bar in New York.  One said to the other, 'I've heard that American Indians have the biggest ones.' The other one said, 'Well, never mind that, I've heard that it Jewish men.can keep going longer than anyone else.'' So the guy walks over to them and says, 'Ladies, let me introduce myself, My name is Running Bear Goldstein.'

I have come across an interesting website for e-books, a medium which is big in the States and which seems to be becoming more and more popular here.   What's interesting about this site is you are able to post your own writings, as well as read others, all for free!   There are some lovely pieces on there - including short stories and poems.    I think it has only launched fairly recently as the number of works is quite small.  If you are a budding author, poet or playwright, you might like to take a look - www.mybooklive.co.uk.    I particularly liked the poem entitled 'It really is a b*****r growing old!

Thanks for all the helpful comments.   Our lettre a recommande has now been resent, and we will just have to keep fingers crossed for the time being.

Thanks for that.  Haven't heard of Huissier before, but will look into this.   As I write our French friend tells us that he managed to speak to the business owner, who seemed very contrite and said he didn't know why he didn't get the Lettre a Recommande and has asked us to resend.   We are still suspicious because of the delaying tactics he has used in the past, but must try to remain positive.    A complication to the matter is the fact that we are in the States visiting our daughter for an extended break of 2 months.   The guy knew this and I think he thought we would not find out about the letter being returned until we got back to France.   Watch this space . . . . .

We were planning to fit some porte fenetres and placed an order with a company, paying a deposit of 1500 euros.   After 6 months of excuses and delays the company agreed to allow us to cancel the order and return our deposit on receipt of a Lettre a Recommande, which we duly sent.    The letter was returned to us 2 weeks later, undelivered.    A french friend has been trying to contact him, but to no avail.   We are obviously concerned that the company may have gone out of business.   Has anybody had any similar experiences and if so, is there any advice they can offer.

We are looking for an English speaking Accountant in the Charente area.   Is anybody able to help?

Most of the major DIY catalogues give standard sizes for windows.   Try Brico Depot or Lepeyre catalogues.   Hope that helps.

We currently have a Godin woodburner, but it is very inefficient and smokes constantly.   We are thinking of changing it for an insert coupled with a hot air system to sent the heat from the fire to other parts of the house.   Has anyone had exerpience of this type of system and can offer us some advice and an idea of costings?  

Hi Cathy    Thank you so much for your advice.   Have followed the link and now have a better idea of the advantages and pitfalls of our desire for an indoor pool!

Thanks for your comments.   We are aware that condensation can be a problem, but have been told that as long as you have a humidifier man enough to deal with the problem, and you do not go in for a glass roof (which was our original plan), then we shouldn't have too many problems.   What does your cousin think caused his condensation problems?

We are considering installing a small (8 x 4 metre) indoor pool.   Does anyone have any experience of such a project, and can offer any advice.

Hi We are looking at installing a small (approx 8 x  4 metre) indoor pool.   Does anyone have any experience of undertaking such a project.   Any helpful hints would be much appreciated! Many thanks