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connolls

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Posts posted by connolls

    Returning to UK Vet Charges Going Up

    in Pets

    Posted

    We pay about the same price but as with others get a thorough health check from our french vet each time we go.

    We think it IS money for old rope but don't really mind paying out the fees if it keeps ours and other peoples pets safe and healthy. We get the joy and are willing to pay the prices.

    Mel.

    Green card insurance certificate

    in Driving in France

    Posted

    Thanks for all the replies......especially the ones that made sense, but I do enjoy the "banter".

    Its all clear to me now, I am covered with comprehensive insurance in the UK, but just need to inform them of my journey to France so that "the top up" continues to be comprehensive in France and doesn't drop to third party.

    Thanks once again.

    Mel

    Green card insurance certificate

    in Driving in France

    Posted

    Hi,

    We are travelling to France in a couple of weeks, on all the government websites it says we no longer require a "green card".

    We know that we will require a "top up" to ensure that we are covered comprehensively in France for the couple of weeks we are there.

    I have just been reading that "some parts of France" still ask for the green card...........does anyone have any experience of this ? We are travelling through France to Limousin.

    Thanks for any info.

    Mel.

    Dogs' mess

    in Pets

    Posted

    I have every sympathy for the little girl in the article and her parents, they must be worried sick about the outcome of her infection.

    BUT, as usual the rants start to emerge about dogs, cats, birds, and other domestic pets.........I'm sure not many people keep farm animals in domestic settings these days, unless you're unfortunate enough to live in countries where such poverty and food supplies are so scarce that your lifestyle necessitates this !!!!

    I presume not many peolpe who contribute to this forum are in that position so should count themselves lucky !!

    Responsible pet ownership, including picking up their animals poo is for the most part taken on by a huge number of people.

    So lets get things in perspective here !!!

    Mel.

    Dog on the ferry

    in Pets

    Posted

    Hi,

    We travel back and forth on the ferries with our staffie and have never been asked to have him muzzled The only thing I can think of is that when they have to "swipe" their chip, some of the staff may request a dog to be muzzled.

    We have always been give the device and scanned our dog ourself in the back of the car so never been asked to have him muzzled.

    We did once get advised in Calais that if we were taking a breed such as ours out and about in the town that the police may stop us and ask him to be muzzled ( despite the fact that he is now old and has always been the most docile and friendly dog we have ever owned). Far more friendly and relaxed than some of the so called "yappy" breeds.

    Anyway hope that is of some use.

    Bon Voyage

    Mel.

    honest thoughts !!

    in Finding/Owning French Property

    Posted

    Hello Yvonne,

    I suppose it's always going to come down to a personal decision about what you do, but I would think that if your outline of funds is what you would have to live on in the UK then its probably only going to cost you a very similar amount to live in France on a daily basis (apart from your outlay for some extra health insurance).

    Your abiliity to speak fluent French is always going to be a bonus and from my perspective is really a must (I'm still struggling)

    Of course from my point of view the "lifestyle" in France is so much better than the time I spend in the UK.

    I find myself much more realaxed, happier and more content than I do in the UK, but currently can't afford to live there all year, I spend most of my time in the UK having to work in order to fund our long trips to France, but we do usually stay for our permitted periods each year if we can

    We hope to get our B&B off the ground next year so will then become resident in France................lots of praying and finance juggling !!!!!

    So from my point of view, if I was in your position with a guarenteed income and money to buy your "dream house" would definately bite the bullet and do it right now.

    You only live once so go for your dream I say.

    Others may be able to offer you an alternative point of view.

    Good luck in whatever you do, I wish you all the best.

    Regards Mel.

    Tapping noise in wooden interior beams

    in House Renovations

    Posted

    Hi,

    We had the same thing............."heard usually at night when all around the house was quiet as a mouse"

    We ended up taking all the skirting boards off treating the floors etc etc...........and then got so paranoid we have treated every room as our renovations progressed.

    It seems to have done the trick though, no more tap tap tap, apparently it usualy happens between february and may when the adults are "calling" to each other for mating purposes !!

    Hope you mange to sort it.

    Regards Mel.

    Starting out in France

    in The Complete France Post Bag

    Posted

    Sounds as if you have had a bad experience Maude ??

    Life is certainly an experience wherever you live and we know friends that have moved to France and then decided to sell and move back to the uk after 5 years living there, they have had a lovely 5 years but due to other commitments are returning, no non-return valve there ??

    We have had various moves in the UK so always think there are possibilities for changes of mind wherever you live.

    But do think about the current markets, exchange rates, costs of living etc before you decide on your move.

    Best wishes Mel

    Starting out in France

    in The Complete France Post Bag

    Posted

    Hi Mac,

    We bought a house about 4 years ago and have been renovating it since, but only staying over for 4-5 months at a time.

    The estate agent we bought from was a real source of help in the whole process, she arranged all the contacts with the utility companies, tax authorities, and even assisted us with opening a bank account, I don't know if this is usual, but it came as a very pleasant surprise to us.............and this was all done on her fixed fee for the house price purchase, she is based in The Limousin so will be of no use to you but we wish you the same good luck.

    Just a little note on expenses.................since we bought the house we have noticed a sharp rise in the cost of living in France, so just a note of caution, it doesn't seem to be a cheap way of living anymore, but I'm sure you will be clued up on that by now.

    Wishing you all the best.

    Mel.

    Depression without medication

    in Health

    Posted

    Hello louis,

    Before we bought our house in France I was a community mental health nurse.

    I agree that any reduction or removal of anti-depressant medication should be done under the guidance of an appropriate health professional as withdrawal can be a problem if not done correctly.

    I had patients in the past that did this very succesfully and found that the advice of people (above), of exercise, daylight,(light boxes in the winter) fresh air, and the taking of St Johns Wort helped a lot.

    I wish your husband the best of luck in whatever decision he makes.

    Kind regards Mel.

    Pet passport mistake?

    in Pets

    Posted

    Hi,

    Yep, Bernice is right, we were eager to travel when we first got our dog done and wanted a particular day but had to wait to "the day" to be able to travel.

    Don't forget to have your dogs Tic and flea treatment done 24 hours (and no longer than 48 hours) before you travel.

    Maybe the "easiest" way around your dilemma would be to change your husbands travel plans on the ferry ( I know what a pain this all is) so that you don't incur costs with your plane flights.

    I hope you manage to sort it all out and that things go well for you.

    Bon Voyage.

    Mel

    Chambre D'hote

    in B&B/Chambres d'Hôtes Owners

    Posted

    Hello,

    Been renovating our village house in 87290 for the past 4 years and it's nearly done.

    We are hoping to open next year and are just putting in place the last details, web site etc etc. Our Maire is very keen to have us open in the village as soon as possible and says she is gettng enquires at the Mairie about accomodation in the village quite regularly.

    Just wanted to know how others are finding things what with the "global recession", exchange rates etc.

    Have you seen a change in business, drop in customers or the opposite ?

    Thanks for any views on this.

    Best Regards Mel

    Tax Habitation/ Tax Fonciere from 2006

    in French Finance

    Posted

    Hello all,

    Don't know if this will be a stupid or irrelavant question but thought i'd give it a go.

    We bought our house in July 2006 and paid the half year remaining of the taxes (above) and then received nothing until 2008 and have been paying them both since (we didn't move into the house until april 2007) We did not receive any further bills for the 2007 period and when speaking to the marie was told we would not owe anything for the 2007 period because we had not moved into the house (we did think this strange). We did visit the Centre Impots but they said we were up to date)

    This month we received a statement (not a bill) saying we owed 1441 euros from 2007 (with penalties).

    This had been sent to our old address in the UK from 4 years earlier and had only just reached us !!!!!!

    Has anyone had this experience and if so were you liable to pay the whole sum?

    How do we pay the amount showed on the "statement" as there is no paying in slip?

    We are back in the uk until may and don't have enough french to ring the office.............is all this totally irrelavant? should I just go into the office in May and pay what they say we owe, Im sure they will show me how I can pay without a slip ???

    Sorry just waffling on now so will sign off and if anyone has any suggestions let me know.

    Thanks.

    Regards Mel.

    bed advice

    in B&B/Chambres d'Hôtes Owners

    Posted

    Hi,

    I can only go on our experience, but we bought beds and mattresses from Ikea.

    They have been excellent, and had loads of positive comments from people. My brother in law, who has a bad back, and paid £1500 for a bed in the UK says that he sleeps better and with no back pain on our Ikea beds !! (We only paid about 400 euros all in)

    Good luck with your choice.

    Best wishes Mel.

    Firewood??

    in House Renovations

    Posted

    Hi Jonzwood,

    I hope you're going to sell this fantastic stuff, i know I would be really interested and I'm sure others too................or do you already sell.

    Good on Ya mate, Fantastic work.

    Best wishes Mel.

    Painting the ceiling

    in House Renovations

    Posted

    Hi,

    Had the same with our ceilings..............pain in the A"^E !!!!

    Tried all sorts of things (brands of stain sealer on the market) all to no avail.

    Eventually went back to my old dad's remedy. A thin layer of gloss paint. (Of course it works because it's oil based)

    We used the cheapest own brand on the market from Bricomarche. We then just painted it with the usual 10 coats of french emulsion !!!

    It works really well and can then just be painted as normal with emulsion when required and no more stains.

    Hope this is of some use.

    Best wishes Mel
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