dragonrouge

Dear Grimaud Dreamer I have travelled through France for over 40 years and lived here for ten. Initially in Normandie then now in the Vendee. I wish you well in the Var but with a very good knowledge of the area I think (but not hope) that reality will hit you and hit you hard. Some people will and are well able to criticise me (and I respect their views and their rights to be heard) for retaining a house in the UK and nothing on this planet will convince me that this is one of the best decisions I have made in my life. People argue foot in both camps not committed and the like. So be it. Unfortunately I do not have children thus am not able to comment and it is always problematical to so do without knowledge and experience. There are some on this posting who comment upon business life here in France and it is difficult and if you see a rate of say 37 euros an hour you can in rough terms write off 50% in overheads. The system here is the system and it takes some getting used to but you seemingly have some experience so not so much a problem. However I am in the law and whilst a corporate lawyer and still continue in that area I have seen some absolutely horrendous situations in custody suites in the UK. Undoubtedly there are some thugs there and prison is and will become a way of life. Nevertheless I try to think behind the offence and to see what the background is to the offending. But I could write and probably will write a book on that subject. Once I was called in the Police Station when two young people were let us say in a compromising situation in front of the War Memorial. Somethings in the UK really sadden me and I am somewhat old school but equally some aspects of life in France also cause me concern. Finally this is an active forum and within it there are some individuals with a bucket full of knowledge on France and who comment accordingly. Life is a decision making process if it were me (and it is not) I would see what people have to say do some research and then return to the subject area and then make the decision. I would love to be able to live in the Var outside the summer for the roads are unbelievable. However financially for us it is not feasible. For an exercise in house values look at Vendee in general then go to the Ile de Re and you will see what I mean. It is like the Var.

In my friend's case she had lots of people going through the house and valuing things and then the other side disagreed. Then back to square one another valuation another fee. Seriously back to the UK

The modern way of email is a pain in the backside in that it is easy to push the button without first thinking through what you are and are going to say. Reflect before sabres at dawn over the internet. I can find nothing wrong with Chris's response but there again I am not Woolybanana and there may be previous.

thanks what a good idea

thanks

Does anyone have experience of these guys please. We have been with Groupama for years and are looking at reducing premiums but not cover. Do understand this may not be possible. However I do have some concerns as to S/E brokers and where their loyalty is. rdgs

I am grateful and it shows its an age thing. I contributed to the posting rdgs

of course there is a spelling mistake sorry. I should have written loyalty points

Please is it possible to donate these to the charity of one's choice. In our case the Cancer Charity here in the Vendee. rdgs

I have really tried to find this in the archives but without success. It is probably an age thing. However we have substantial loyalty points from Hyper and Super U. We would wish these to go to the Cancer charity here in the Vendee for we have no use for them. Is this possible please. Please excuse me if there is already a posting on this subject. rdgs

Hi I am an English legal guy but with no knowledge of divorce save for an earlier divorce. But I have sat in on divorce here for a Scottish friend. It is horrendous takes for ages and the Avocat's with the greatest of respect tend to milk the system. It takes as I say for ages and with tongue in cheek the male of the species tends sometimes to get the better judgment here. My advice go back to the UK and serve from there.

Ok I will buy an electric steriliser. Any ideas as to where. Do the grand surfaces do it? kind regards

Hi I have seen what looks like a wonderful tomato recipe on Allrecipes UK and Ireland. However the finished product needs to be sterlised in those sorts of tin contraptions the French use. Whilst I could buy one our hob is induction and it will not work. I know the reasoning behind the sterlisation for I really would not wish for anyone to become ill but does anyone please have any ideas on this point. Our casserole is not that large enough to take many bottles and the thought of boiling water in the kitchen and up to the rim of the casserole is a bit scary.

Dear Tony have sent you a PM rdgs

We always try to get down every July me for the wine my wife for the lavender. Could not do it this year. There are competing thoughts as to the best area for lavender? My list has a list I have forgotten!

I really do not know anything about the background to what I have heard and read both in the UK and here in France. Obviously political considerations are at play again here and in the UK. However surely it is a logical thought process to compare this flu with let us say a more 'conventional' flu and to bring a sense of balance into this. I have friend in the UK and who happens to be in the Police. Would you be suprised to learn that certain arrests have taken place where people have 'fiddled' the script on the telephone line and these flu products are now both on Ebay and also finding their way to other countries. This is not gossip it is fact. You need to compare apples with apples and not apples with pears. We are just seeing banner headlines at the moment and reality may well be different one way or the other.

History is littered with those of short stature and big mouths. Hence Hitler Mussolini Napoleon and of course the now President of the 5th Republic. They tend to try to compensate with lack of stature with lots of rhetoric.

I recently had granite worktops installed by let us say a major marque here in France. It was to be correct a franchise of a major marque. Then the franchise went bust. I ended up with graveyard quality granite not worktops. Be absolutelysure that you are buying granite and it is sealed and sealed and sealed. We now have to replace everything for the SARL has gone bust. The sub contractor now confirms that the franchise holder tucked us up.

Frenchie I do not agree with everything that dog says being a lawyer and I will not try or even attempt to justify our fees that is not the purpose of this response. However Frenchie I have seen at first hand here their system be it civil or penal. I agree with Dog think hard about the issue. Think even harder about the money and then think again. It is easier and quicker to get judgments in the UK as against France and time is money so the Avocats let us say go with the wind and the Tribunal system here can take for ages. Again the Avocats know that and quite often they insist on up front money from you and you must have a fairly bottomless pit to keep pace with it. The secret both here and in the UK is one of ok I have got the judgment but now what do I do. It is one thing to wave a bit of paper about like the guy coming off the plane immediately before the second world war but totally another to obtain ones cash. Even if this 'alleged' conman and please he is not guilty until so proven has assets I bet by the time you get the judgment there will be no assets.

thanks to everyone for their so helpful replies. I think I will revert to normal sugar although on this occasion I followed the amounts to be found on the back of the packet. I truly prefer damson or blackcurrant jam but use apricot as a glaze for pork chops or gammon or ribs or indeed some lamb.

I have just and for the first time used Beghin Say Gelsuc sugar. The setting point was reached within minutes and this must obviously be as a result of what has been added to the sugar. It was a batch of apricots and I am truly amazed. Has anyone used this product please and the results where? for obviously the proof is in the eating. rdgs

I was on the Ile de Re last week at La Flotte. One restaurant was totally empty. It had reduced its price of one dish of turbot from 47 euros to 42 euros and St Pierre from 38euros to 33 euros!

Why is it just about impossible to buy white wine vinegar in France? We have to wait until trips to La Rochelle or Niort and specialist shops to buy it. Yes lots of cidre vinegar good for pickling and the like but not for much else (in my opinionh)

Sorry what I meant to say was both of the cases heard by Judge Mesher were cases were the claimants had appealed against the hearing of the Tribunal. I am not too sure if that is the only thing that sets these cases apart.

The two Mesher cases involved appeals by Judge Mesher. I do not know the background in this case but certainly in the first case and where the claimant moved to Germany the Judge said something like 'The way is now open for the Secretary of State to go back to the date when the benefit was stopped and pay all the arrears' I wonder if they have done so. It is also my opinion that any outstanding cases should have been held in abeyance until the outcome of the 2007 case became known. I am currently working on another submission so we shall see.