MLD

Thanks for your considered replies. M.

We visited the Agence today to say we want to sell and move to UK. I'm going to do some studying there and need somewhere to live. We'll be renting first, unless a miracle occurs and we sell before February! What sort of fees will we have to pay? The monsieur told us 'nothing', but I can't believe that. I hope that someone else who sold a house may be able to help us. Do we pay capital gains tax? Or are we OK in that we're aiming on buying in England? Thank you, Margaret

I use a well known brand in Canterbury. I had to go in the other day to get my glasses adjusted and the shop was crowded out with French people buying frames to take back to France. I suppose the answer is buy British. When I used to live in France I sent to the well known brand, then in the Isle of Man as that was where I had got my glasses from, and they sent me a new pair when I broke the pair I was using. (I hope that makes sense). I, too, use german lenses as my lenses are thick too. M.

idun, Oops. There I go again and put my foot in it. I didn't really mean what I wrote I suppose. Just tired and wanted to say something. Sorry.

We go to a large DIY place in Reims, we needed new windows for the garage and they were the nearest place to buy them. Only 1 hour on the A26, but 30 minutes to the motorway. It would be good to have a meet up sometime. But don't let the whole UK know about Champagne - it is nice to speak French and not have a reputation to counter. I don't really know what it is like elsewhere where there are a whole load of Brits. So I can't really comment. Take care everyone. M.

As I've said on previous posts, we're near Lac d'Amance in Aube - Langres is beautiful. We have been there for lunch a few times.

Thank you both of you for your responses. I now hope it comes as a lump sum!! M.

Yonner and Pomme thank you for your replies. I must admit that I have seen you Yonner and thought that you were probably not too far away, I was just trying to tease out those who visit the forum from the Aube region who I have directed here over the years!! Margaret

I've just noticed it is years since anyone wrote in this section of the forum. We are around near Troyes (30 mins away), there are others close by to us who speak English, but no one is posting what is happening on here! Is it that everyone is feeling very French, and no longer need to hear the English being spoken? Margaret

That is all interesting. I have just had a letter from France saying that I've paid 4/140's of a pension, so not very much. If we move back to France permanently will that mean I have to go through CEAM ? Just wanting to know beforehand - just in case etc... Margaret

French eurotunnel passport control is up and working well! We are getting stopped now every time we go - they seem to be a little more strict in Folkestone at the moment.

Tobin, Just a little word of warning. We earnt a reasonable amount in the year before we moved permanently to France. I needed health care - we ended up paying thousands to the equivalent of medical insurance. We would have done better to have EHIC cards for the first year, and kept closer links with the UK. We were also taxed on what we had earnt as we came from outside the EU. Don't burn bridges! But, go for it - and learn French before you arrive!

Thank you TinaBee, That looks good too, it now depends upon how much internet we all use in one month! At the moment it is between Joe mobile and orange domino! In the mean time I would like to thank everyone for their help. Margaret

Yes, Danny, we do own a house there. We had a phone line in when we lived there all the time, but for study reasons we came back to the UK, and then we have stayed here. We don't have a phone at present, as we use a mobile. Why? Have you got a good suggestion? I would be interested if you have another idea. At present Pickles' idea works out for 15 euro a month for 2 GB of info. We don't pay that the months we're not there.Our mobile costs us 5 euro a month, whether we're there or not.

Thank you Linda and Pickles. We are in the Aube, in the middle of nowhere, but we get a good mobile signal. I will google Mi-Fi and see where we go from there Many thanks. Margaret