NormanH

It is often given and works well. Be aware of the slight possibility of side effects (this is something my pharmacist is always very hot on; I am not just being negative. I have had reactions in the past to some frequently prescribed medicines so always check) https://www.drugs.com/omeprazole.html

At La Victoire perhaps. https://www.facebook.com/barlavictoire/?locale=fr_FR Certainly NOT at Le Cristal https://www.le-cristal-beziers.fr

We seem to agree about La Poste, but I have never experienced a carrier texting to say the package had been left at a point relais. In fact more and more call and say that they will be there soon just a few stops before they get to you, and several have in place a system by which you can follow the progress of the delivery van on an inter-active map. Nor do I agree about the old chestnut about customer service in France. It may not be top in large national chain shops, but if you deal with local individuals it is often superb. My Pharmacy, local food businesses, the cafés and restaurants I visit offer personal and thoughtful service, and the Nurses and Physiotherapist who call several times a week are wonderful.

Both of you live in small villages. That may be the key to the difference. Here the 'agency places' are tabacs or other shops that are open at least as much as the PO is. There are many all over town https://www.bonial.fr/Magasins/Beziers/Mondial-Relay/v-r679 and so far more convenient than having to wait in the interminable queues of people waiting to withdraw their RSA. In contrast to menthe's story I had one postman who refused to deliver letters because he said my post box wasn't "conforme"..but I am not allowed to have that type as I less than 100m from an historic monument in a classified area. How is that for being obstructive? h

I haven't had that problem, but La Poste is woefully incompetent, so none of my deliveries are from them. Anything I receive is delivered by one of the Services such as UPS or DHL. In my quartier there is no point expecting a parcel as the post people have the yellow slip that says you were not at home when the called filled in before they come. The same thing is true for accusé de reception. In both cases a trip one of the Bureaux is needed, and even then it may not be the one indicated on the slip. It says something when renewed UK passports have to be sent by one of the private services. In 2003 I never received my new one, and I had to sign a form to sweaR that it had not come. A replacement was then sent out by a messenger service and as far as I am aware this continues to be the case.

This is what Le Monde says about the situation: https://www.lemonde.fr/en/opinion/article/2024/08/27/france-s-unprecedented-and-dangerous-political-situation_6722301_23.html

I was reacting to the content of your post, not to you personally, so I don't need (or want) to know anything of your circumstances. Your French friend seems to have had a fine line in Gallic irony, since that comment may be taken in more than one way.😂

You may have this: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hiatus-hernia/

I always thought that mint was very good for settling the stomach as opposed to causing reflux. After all Gaviscon menthe is often given to help: https://base-donnees-publique.medicaments.gouv.fr/affichageDoc.php?typedoc=N&specid=67557241 My Pharmacist, in whom I have great confidence, often gives me phytotherapy remedies (not in place of ones properly prescribed, but for passing things) and recommends mint for indigestion and ginger for nausea https://www.cooper.fr/nauselib-36-comprimés

Why so bitter? Why just not stay away from France, which didn't want you as a resident, unsurprisingly given your attitude.

Free have a cheap 2€ deal which gives you SMS and calls, so it's useful for receiving things such as confirmation codes from the bank but almost no data so no use for Internet access. Why not pop into one of their shops when you are over and ask them? We have one in our local shopping centre . https://www.free.fr/boutiques/

Do you take this too (or the UK equivalent) ? https://www.cleiss.fr/particuliers/ceam.html

I have often used this excellent glossary of French culinary terms: https://www.patriciawells.com/glossary

Some humorous Limericks about 3 worthy Renaissance composers: Hildegard of Bingen; Christopher Tye; and Josquin des Prés ...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgWMwiyFL5A