NickP

[quote user="allanb"][quote user="NickP"]If you have earned it and are entitled, you are entitled to get it wherever you live.[/quote]Legally, yes, and I don't have any problem with people claiming benefits they are entitled to.  But there is still such a thing as a badly-designed benefit, and a heating subsidy that provides the same amount in Valencia as it does in Inverness is badly designed. In case you think this is just sour grapes (no, I don't get the WFA) I'll give you another example; free public transport for people over a certain age.  My father, living in the UK, was entitled to free rail travel.  He lived thirty miles from the nearest working railway station, and (towards the end of his life) couldn't drive, so the "benefit" was effectively useless.  A few quid for taxi fares would have helped.    [/quote] I don't think it is sour grapes at all, what I would ask is, why didn't he use his bus pass? By the way, I don't get free rail travel

[quote user="baypond"]all the time there are national currencies, then foreign exchange is useful. Without it you couldn't buy and sell currencies and there wouldn't be an efficient way of conducting any form of foreign trade. And if you suggest there should only be one world currency, then Greece, Spain and Ireland would suggest that it is not wholly clear that a single currency is the answer. [/quote] Just a thought. Surely, if there was only one currency there would be no currency dealers, therefor no fluctuations in currency rates? How would that "not be an efficient way of conducting trade"

[quote user="WendyG"]    Happy Christmas to everyone in Centre - and a happy healthy New Year. WendyG [/quote] And the same to you WendyG from us in the Loir et Cher have a wonderful holiday.

[quote user="Théière"] Yes NickP, seen the little sachetes of styrene activator in shops. Dibensoyl Peroxide from their website, bought some the other day. A big tube.   [/quote]   As I said before Théière thanks for the info, but I found this site, sells the same product just a tad cheaper. http://www.leisureshopdirect.com/Marine/maintenance/Fillers_Epoxy_Lubricants_-_General/Plastic_Padding_Extra_Hardener.aspx#

[quote user="woolybanana"] For the best answer to the question posed by Mr. Blair, "Why don't my people love me?" http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1237283/Tony-Blair-Its-Britain-people-dont-like-me.html My attempt:             Because they know you too well.   [/quote] Because he is a lying scumbag, who has disgraced the Labour party with his  money grabbing lifestyle. What a shame John Smith never lived to show him and us what a real leader would have been like.

OK then, when we have stopped people who are entitled to fuel allowance getting it, we can then stop pensions to those entitled to them, next we could stop immigrants to the UK sending money they earn by working in the UK back to their families in their home country.Then we could stop British holiday makers spending their money abroad. Don,t let's be silly? if you have earned it and are entitled, you are entitled to get it wherever you live. Where you live is your choice.

[quote user="NormanH"]Because you chose to leave 'the old country' Leave it and stop taking. What have you paid into the system in France that you expect to have cover for? Would that work in the USA? [/quote] Definitely doesn't get it .

[quote user="NormanH"]I would imagine that the payment of this to Brits abroad may be one of the economies made by a future Conservative Government. [/quote] Hello sounds like someone  doesn't get it then?

[quote user="chrisb"]Can Chris'nJulie or one of the others who deny global warming actually present a reasoned argument for their case that the governments of the world (not known for seeing eye to eye) are deliberately making this all up? And that's not the one about it being an "opportunity to put up taxes". In case you hadn't noticed governments don't need excuses to do that. Also - can we take it that when the water gets up tp your necks that you will gladly refuse all offers of assistance on the basis that it's just a myth? [/quote] It's not the water getting up to my neck that worries me, it's the thought of other substance like the proverbial B*** S*** from  the hypocrites like Bono and Sting.

[quote user="Mickie Hill"]Well, my old mate Mr Baypond hasn't had the time to help me to understand more. Shame really: i was looking forward to some extra info.   [/quote] Mickie take a look at youtube.com   Bank aid- Do they loan this Christmas? & Do they know it's credit crunch time? Says it all really

[quote user="Théière"] Yes NickP, seen the little sachetes of styrene activator in shops. Dibensoyl Peroxide from their website, bought some the other day. A big tube.       [/quote] Cheers mate, trouble is that's another excuse not to repair something gone out the window.

That sounds good Jon, but do you or anybody else  know if or where you can buy hardener for "plastic padding" type products?  The marketing for those products was ever so clever, they told you how much hardener to use and you always ran out of hardener first, therefore having to buy a new complete kit as they never sold the hardener separately.

[quote user="woolybanana"]So, perhaps you meant to say that in your limited experience, and based on the limited range of goods which you purchase during the limited time you are here, and in a very tiny area of Brittany, you and your wife estimate that prices have hardly risen over a limited period of time. On the otherr hand, I do ask people and keep a close eyes on prices on a day to day basis, year after year, and would say that prices throughout France have risen, in day to day purchases, a minimum of 5%, probably more, and the COL may be about to go up again as the price of oil is about to go up (2.5% today) and there are new taxes coming as well. [/quote]  Now look 'ere wooly I said what I said, not what you think I meant  to say, and for your information I don't live in Brittany. I have lived here for over 5 years so my perception of goods, services and prices is not limited. As if you say "price rises have gone up 5%" well I think that's reasonable, but not catastrophic. As for oil going up it's still less than it was this time last year.

[quote user="woolybanana"]Hmmmm, too many imponderables for me in that NickP!![6][/quote] It 'aint rocket science me old wooly, just because your shopping bill has gone up, doesn't mean mine has. Where I live in France  prices haven't risen dramatically, The rates have gone up 1 Euro a month, the house insurance has gone up 5 Euro a year. My good lady tells me she is not spending huge amounts extra on shopping, what is there to wonder about? Mercedes still charge 55 Euro an hour service charge, fuel is less than it was last year. Our standard of living is still the same as it has always been. My investments are earning less money, my pension is still the same, but  our outgoings are about the same, a little more, not the huge increase some people would have you believe .But if you say yours have risen, where you live fine I believe you. One minute, sorry; I forgot, I apologise, wood  increased in price 2 Euro a Stère, that's blown the budget, another 12 Euro a year. Nothing else for it I had better sell up and head back to the UK. Oh I can't BA and Eurostar are on strike.  Merry Xmas Mate!

[quote user="woolybanana"][quote user="NickP"]Panda wrote" Nickp is always so strongly defensive of all things France You would almost think he was an estate agent not wanting any negative comments about anything" No Mate, I'm not an estate agent far from it, I just like France and enjoy spending time here in our part of France in our little French cottage. I defend it because I don't understand why Brits who allegedly have properties here, seem to spend a lot time on the France forum, slagging the place off.  Also the fishing in the river at the end of my garden is a bit slow at the minute.  The reason for their moans is that the pound has collapsed against the Euro and they are not as well off as they thought they were. They find this difficult to deal with so they blame France. Yes I agree that in the UK at the moment there are lots of give-away offers, but this is only temporary as the shops are trying to get cash flow. I get the best of both worlds lots of cheap things in the UK and an enjoyable life style in France. But you cannot convince me that my shopping trolley in France has increased in price dramatically, OK there are some % increases but the reality is, France has not got a lot dearer, but  the UK has definitely got cheaper. For how long remains to be seen. [/quote] Must disagree with this. It has got a lot dearer. What has been happening, I think, is that the French supermarkets have been keeping one item in a range cheap or one item of a particular type and calling it Bien Vu or whatever, but hammering up the prices on other stuff. Certainly inflation in food is far higher than the system will admit. [/quote] Ok I'll edit my quote "France has not got a lot dearer" please read now, St Jaques Des Guerets, Montoire and Vendome have not got spectacularly dearer. Please understand, what affects you in the Vendée does not necessarily affect me.

[quote user="Scooby"]It seems certain people on here don't want to understand - they just want to rant.  Their perspective is fixed - fed by an ill informed (or is it sensation seeking?) media.  If someone said that all those working in the banking sector were closet members of the KKK they would whole heartedly agree...nodding sagely that they knew it all along.  [/quote] Blimey, see, I always had you down as a hoodie where do you get your cloak dry cleaned ?

[quote user="Russethouse"][quote user="NickP"][quote user="Russethouse"]  Think you may  need to read the post again : we bought what we thought was a turkey breast joint in Intermarche last week at 5 euros for 500g.  It transpired it was the dog ends of gristly leg meat cunningly disguised as a turkey 'joint' - think Baldrick in the trenches....  This week I just spent £4 for a 575g piece of solid turkey breast meat in Asda Scooby, I think your hair do  in the Uk is well below the price charged generally - locally a colour (tint & foils) is £60, a cut £46   [/quote] My god another one's had a humour by-pass. As for paying £46 pound for a hair cut well maybe you do have a sense of humour after all? [/quote] Nothing wrong with being high maintenance [:)] PS When you are being humorous, a 'smiley' might help let us all in on the joke.... [/quote] Mrs Russett, Forgive me for missing out on the smiley, but technology was never my thing,  I'm a hammer and nails man. Still I just thought as it's panto season a little jollity would not go amiss, and in case we don't get into any more discussions before Xmas a very merry Christmas to you and my other favourite lady the lovely Scooby P.S We booked the tunnel for Sunday as we heard BA were going on strike, now I hear Eurostar is joining them.  Mrs P and I will probably finish up spending Christmas at Sangatte ? I know, you probably think that is where I belong.

Panda wrote" Nickp is always so strongly defensive of all things France You would almost think he was an estate agent not wanting any negative comments about anything" No Mate, I'm not an estate agent far from it, I just like France and enjoy spending time here in our part of France in our little French cottage. I defend it because I don't understand why Brits who allegedly have properties here, seem to spend a lot time on the France forum, slagging the place off.  Also the fishing in the river at the end of my garden is a bit slow at the minute.  The reason for their moans is that the pound has collapsed against the Euro and they are not as well off as they thought they were. They find this difficult to deal with so they blame France. Yes I agree that in the UK at the moment there are lots of give-away offers, but this is only temporary as the shops are trying to get cash flow. I get the best of both worlds lots of cheap things in the UK and an enjoyable life style in France. But you cannot convince me that my shopping trolley in France has increased in price dramatically, OK there are some % increases but the reality is, France has not got a lot dearer, but  the UK has definitely got cheaper. For how long remains to be seen.

[quote user="Russethouse"] Think you may  need to read the post again : we bought what we thought was a turkey breast joint in Intermarche last week at 5 euros for 500g.  It transpired it was the dog ends of gristly leg meat cunningly disguised as a turkey 'joint' - think Baldrick in the trenches....  This week I just spent £4 for a 575g piece of solid turkey breast meat in Asda Scooby, I think your hair do  in the Uk is well below the price charged generally - locally a colour (tint & foils) is £60, a cut £46   [/quote] My god another one's had a humour by-pass. As for paying £46 pound for a hair cut well maybe you do have a sense of humour after all?

Kathy I understand what you are saying, but we find that staying in France as much as we do doesn't cost any more than when we are in the UK. If you unlucky enough to suffer with chronic illness in France, treatment is free of any top up obligations. The choice of food is much wider in the UK? yes it is, if you like food that has been stored in a cold store for months on end, and has flown round the world. As for social security benefits, don't worry the French get them as well. In fact lots of Brits living in the sunshine in Spain and France still get the UK winter fuel allowance. The French get a winter fuel allowance if they have oil fired heating. There is no need to keep switching suppliers in France for utility services, they are a lot cheaper. Also anybody with any sense has a log burner, you get 40% tax refund on the burner when it is fitted, and wood  a  sustainable product is cheap, the other bonus is they also look great.( no pun intended)  We love England but enjoy the French culture and pace of life so we live in both countries. We benefit from the best of both worlds and consider ourselves very lucky.

Scooby, I think that we had better agree to differ on this subject. My experience of the UK is West Sussex not Mayfair, and in the Loir Et Cher they don't pay silly money for haircuts,  they look at the price list first. As for your example of buying scrag ends well that's your choice. P.S. I thought a banker, as you described yourself in an earlier posting, would  know that 500g @ 5Euro is not quite double of 575g @ £4. Having said that maybe that is why the banking industry is in disarray.

[quote user="milkeybar kid"]For this post can we leave out the exchange rate -simply " do you find the day to day living in the last 12 months has gone up dramatically in France or not"? Without exception all our visitors this year have said they are shocked how expensive things are in France. Perhaps its because things have gone so cheap in the UK - what do you think?[/quote] France is the best place to live in Europe, according to a review of seventeen quality of life factors carried out by a leading UK based consumer website. The study examined a range of variables, such as net income after taxes, the cost of essential goods such as fuel, food and energy, along with lifestyle factors such as hours of sunshine, holiday entitlement, working hours and life expectancy, to provide a picture of the quality of life experienced in each country. The study shows that money does not buy everything, for the UK has the highest net household income in Europe. At £35,730 it is £10,325 higher than the European average.  However, people living in the UK also have to contend with a high cost of living Drawing on official figures from the EU, the study shows that the same basket of goods that costs £134.48 in the UK costs £124 on average in Europe and only £118.76 in France, which enjoys the lowest food prices amongst those countries in the study. While they earn less, the French also have some of the lowest alcohol, electricity and gas prices. France is the biggest investor in health, spending 11% of GDP on health, closely followed by Denmark and Germany. If visitors to France think in pounds sterling, and compare this years spend with previous years, well yes France is getting a bit pricey for them. But not any pricier for the inhabitants  apart from the usual % increases on rates etc..

Well Scooby, I don't know what you put in your shoppong basket, but it's obviously  not the same as goes in ours.We like to  think we live to a reasonable standard, and as we spend half our time in France and the other half in the UK. we feel that we have a pretty good idea of relative costs in the two countries. For you to say "the cost of living in France is double the UK" is your take, but isn't our experience. As for the health system, well The UN says that the French health care is the best in the world. I am sorry that you had a bad experience but that doesn't make "the system" all bad. My better half  was an SRN, who worked in Hospitals in the UK for years, indeed was a tutor nurse, and before retiring was a Practice Nurse for ten years at our local surgery, had the misfortune while we were in France to develop Peritonitis. She says that the care and treatment she received during the illness and after was the best that you could possibly get, so our take is, we think the French system is wonderful.

Sweet 17, you wrote, " your income (such as it is) is barely sufficient to pay your way" come on if somebody can't afford to live in France then they certainly couldn't afford to live in the UK.  and "if your own children are begging you to live near them" ,why did you come here in the first place. As for illness, that I understand, but personally I would rather be ill in France than the UK

If you get a truthful answer Mickie let me know?   What from a banker or accountant  I bet you don't?  But then maybe I'm cynical,  I paid for my own pension, stupid idiot that I was.