Panda

[quote user="TWINKLE"] From September this year ALL schools will be open just 4 days a week.  September 2nd is first day back here in the Tarn. http://www.lepoint.fr/actualites-politique/semaine-de-quatre-jours-dans-toutes-les-ecoles-a-la-rentree-2008/917/0/202986 [/quote] Really, wow thanks I didn't know that as the school here is already 4 days.  Last year the 4 day weekers went back on something like the 26th August to make up for the .5 day week less.  That is great news as I can now extend my holiday! Thanks

Thanks Clare but that's for the 4.5 day week schools, helpfully on these sites whenever I've checked they just sya the 4 day week dates will be different, great!  It's usually in August

It's a common issue with border collies isn't it, my dog learnt it by copying a border collie she stayed with whilst we were away.  It is really scary, I might try one of those collars.

Hello Any one know the date the 4 day week primary schools go back.  I know, I know I can ask at the mairie but most of the time it's closed and I want to know today if poss!  I know also that I'm a bad mother as I should have asked before the break but hey ho.. Panda  

Hello I have a similar issue from time to time with my rescue dog too, never had the same issue with dogs I've had from pups.  Mine is better though if I ignore her and make a fuss of my other dog.  I am often seen in the woods telling my spaniel what a lovely dog he is very loudly, this makes the errant dog come bounding back to me for the same treatment.  Mine chases cars,bikes etc.  very dangerous but luckily we only get one past a day!  If I walk her somewhere unknown she generally sticks with me, when I walk her locally she takes off at will and not calling seems to be the best way to bring her back, along with fusses for the 'good' dog.  I've heard or read somewhere that shouting for the dog that runs off makes things worse as as long as they can hear you shouting they know where you are, if you keep quiet and carry on then they come looking, this works for me (to an extent). Latest problem with mine, disappearing at bedtime to bark for an hour in the woods at hedgehogs, my old spaniel, who would pee himself if he can't see me for one minute,  just looks at me with disgust as if to say where did you get her from?? Sorry no answers just sharing in your frustration... Panda

[quote user="red"]  Perhaps I have'nt been in France long enough to understand how the forum operates [/quote] OK, red I'll explain how this and any other forum works: Someone posts a comment, other contributors post a response (read slowy this is the important bit) to the posters comments Just for clairity: No one said everyone should speak french (you will actually find that most contributors have a good grasp of the language) No one said France was the UK with cheap housing No one knows why you went off on a rant, come on give us a clue...  

Flybe do Bordeaux - Geneva, not sure if travel options from Geneva are any good though.

[quote user="ali-cat"][quote user="Russethouse"] Frankly it is very interesting to see how many people who are genuine claimants get so quickly offended by others being tired of applicants who are not genuine, claiming. What is that about ? Surely if the non genuine claimants were weeded out there would be more in the pot for them and other genuine needs. Just FYI there is a  trade in 'blue badges' and they are sold for cash in many instances. [/quote] If I came on spouting about gite owners not filling in tax forms & taking "cash in hand" payments I suspect you would have a rather heated debate.  Generalisation is a very hard thing to take & incredibility insulting to those affected. [/quote] Just coming in on the end of this debate but I am confused here, to use the above analogy, if I were a gite owner not filling in tax forms then I would be annoyed at the point being made perhaps but if  was a full tax paying gite owner I would be glad that those people who are taking my business whilst not paying taxes are being found out, surely that's the point.  If you are getting IB legitimately then I would be happy that those who do not qualify are found out.   

I agree on the Avantix front, Frontline just does not work for my cats or dogs anymore.  The vet here says the same contents are in the pesticides sprayed on the fields in France and so it's affects are much diluted.  You can't use Avantix on cats but there is no reason why you can't use it on the dogs and use Advantage on the cats in the same household. This year is my best yet in France, I swithced to Avantage and Avantix half way through last year and have used it ever since.  My cat has a really bad reaction to fleas one bite and she starts removing fur, she was really poorly last year despite being up to date on frontline, hence the change.  So far not a single flea and the cat has all her fur and at 21 that's important to her!

Hello There are lots around here working and driving in Polish vans etc..  The look on the face of our little builders merchants when they try to order anything, you can see him thinking, jeez I've only just got used to the english then this lot turn up!  They are literally throwing new builds up here in a small private holiday village, nice job too and VERY quick, they work all week with no apparent long breaks either. Panda

Hello I'm with you on this, I gave up last year after spending 4 summers answering the same dull questions every Sat, about life in France and how they'd love to do it and how they hated the UK now.  The cleaning up was a nightmare for me  too, the worst was  two teenage boys, tissues everywhere enough detail I think!  I only had one bad booking like you Macky but it stays with you.  I don't really remember what they moaned about but moan they did and it feels like a personal insult.   That was in my last season and was a large factor in the decision to give up.  I sold up last year and bought a small place with little room for visitors let alone guests.  I am now free each weekend and it's great. Do it! Panda

Hello As has been pointed out this is not charged only to non French but to non french residents, I didn't have to pay when I sold a second home because I am a Brit but fiscally resident in France. Panda

Hi I had a recent visit form a number of family members and my BIL had inadvertently booked his wife  twice and missed my brothers wife from their joint booking (same christan names different surnames), they didn't notice until they came to check in and it was changed on the spot by the check in clerk for the return journey with no charge so you may have been better to just explain it was a mistake at check in, a risk of course as you are in the hands of the check in clerk, if they are human you might get a way with it as my family did. Panda    

Yes, just a little.  I still have both but only actively use one. 

Hello My branch of CA is in the Vienne, when I sold a property there and moved to the Charente I went into the CA bank in Angouleme and tried to pay in a very large cheque for the proceeds of the sale.  They said they could not accept it and I had to post it to my own branch, they couldn't even post it though any internal means, let alone let me pay it in and credit it electronically!  So I went in to CIC just up the street with whom I also had an account in the Vienne and they took it, their systems are linked so now all my banking is via CIC. Panda

If there is one person I can not listen to it's Catherine Tate so thanks for the info but I'll avoid it.  At least I know now what you were getting at..I think

[quote user="odile"]If you can't be bothered- just don't bother, simple as. Regardez mon visage  - et pas nickel, ta reponse, vraiment! [/quote] no sorry Odile, read it a few times, still don't get it!  A strange youth speak/franglaise mix I think, anyone?

Hmm, no probably not.  My experience with plumbers here has been dire and mine had really bad BO too!  I did the classic thing of signing and not dating a devis only to wait 3 months for the g*t to start, the work was expensive and sub-standard but it taught me a lesson and I'm sure your experience has too.

Yes put it down to experience and move on.  Was he cute though?  Any silver lining at all??

[quote user="Cat"]I'm with you on that one Coops, if anyone says for the sunshine I shall thcweam and thcweam until I'm thick! [/quote] Ditto! The weather is depressing, was hoping for some light relief on here but no joy so far, come on someone post something interesting.....I know, I know and if I could think of something I would!!

Why or why??  What does that mean?  Most of us on here have been here for years and have answered this kind of post far too many times to bother again, sorry, better to do a search if you are genuinely interested.

Hello Sooo, what happened to Mr ValB, I for one am intrigued?  Panda

I loved this book too, can I have a pastie now? (I love those more!)

Thanks coops I will, I'm not convinced on the whole all drivers are covered line though.

Is that the case though or is it one of those myths?   Others have said this to me but have been unable to point to where their policy states this. My policy states me and OH named, nothing else about other drivers, I'm with Groupama.