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[quote user="teapot"]That's interesting Ame, we are with CA and get charged 2.70 euros avis d'operation.[/quote] It is as ErnieY says, CA have different charges in their regional banks. I'm with CA Pyrenees Gascogne** who don't charge to receive Euro from the UK brokers I use.  That said, they have tried to attach a charge a couple of times, which was refunded on request.  Banks, huh? **Edited to correct CA region name

Hi Ando - I do £ to € transfers through a foreign exchange broker. I don't pay a charge to the broker, although, obviously, they make their cut via the rate they set.  I have accounts with three brokers, get quotes from each on the day, then take the best offer. There is no charge when Credit Agricole receive the funds in Euro. Good luck with your plans to move.

Cooperlola, thanks, now I understand how that can be. [quote user="John Sergant"]Re E121 - This is based on my wife’s disability.  Do E121’s have an expiry date and if so how are they renewed ?  [/quote] An invalidity E121 does not expire. It is valid until cancelled. (at least that's what the DWP told me the day I phoned to ask. [Www])

[quote user="cooperlola"] ...but only once your own entitlement to any E form (probably around 2 years of E106) has expired.  [/quote] Hi Cooperlola, this made me curious, is it a recent change? My experience is from 2005 so maybe out of date... When Mr A requested his invalidity E121, the DWP suggested that I went as a dependent on his form from the outset. The person I spoke to at DWP said that this was the better option because "that way you won't have to renew every year."  I never had an E106.    

Zeb - I renewed mine in the UK, because I was going there for a wedding. I made an appointment at the passport office (by telephone) for a same day renewal. The passport was ready to collect in 4 hours. I think it was £114, so worth looking into if you have a trip planned or can get a cheap flight.

I get the best value from the haberdashers on markets. Last time I asked for a metre of narrow elastic, I was asked exactly what it was for, (cue: demo and measuring [:$]) and then served with just the part-metre I needed. The bill came to 45c.

the twitter is that it's pub for the Peugeot 308

Oh, sorry teapot. I picked the raunchiest version, it's true, but Kate Ryan has nothing on Ms Turner try this one... or changing the country filter (next to the Youtube logo, top left)

Phew! it's getting steamy in here. Bon Voyage, teapot

LOL

[quote user="Christine Animal"]Sorry about that, can you see it now?   [:D] [/quote] Yup, I can see all the its!

Great Clair. Thanks. [:D] It says UK only but I'm in France and have just successfully downloaded and saved it!

Christine, You are a tease. [;-)]

[quote user="Clair"]As for watering, I'm thinking of a drip-feed system from a water butt for the thirsty plants (http://www.ecpgroup.com/Irrigation/DripwateringforBedsandBorders/WaterButtPipe.aspx)[/quote] Definitely, this method uses much less water as it goes straight to where it's needed: the roots. [quote user="Clair"]There's a huge rhubarb plant in another part of the plot.[/quote] Very low maintenance. My (experienced organic grower) BIL planted mine in a semi-shaded spot under a fig tree.  He cut up two old tyres and stacked them to make a double height cylinder (to shade the roots?) then dug in manure.  After one year of not picking the new plant, I now add a cowpat annually and pick lots of rhubarb at this time of year. Have you thought about other fruit?  Blackcurrants are good. Very envious of straight carrots. Mine turn out in rather special shapes but still taste better than anything I've ever bought.

[quote user="Clair"]If you had to start from scratch with the above, what would you do?[/quote] Get a gardener. [;-)] It will be lovely Clair. I'm no expert but here are a few things I've learned. Raised beds = less digging. Make making your own compost a priority = less digging next year. It helps if you set up some (at least) cubic metre bays, as they produce compost faster, and look better, than a nebulous heap. Make the gaps between beds wide enough for the lawn mower. One couple cannot eat the fruit of more than one courgette plant. I started with six [:'(] now I grow two; enough for fresh carpaccio of baby courgette with lemon juice and olive oil eaten fresh, and to make ratatouille for the freezer. One couple can eat the basil leaves of 20+ plants (freeze the leaves to make pesto in the winter) I prefer to grow produce that doesn't require much processing, for storage, at the time of year when you're already busy harvesting. I don't think you had spuds on your list but since Pierre mentioned them, there is a great method to grow them above ground on ChrisPP's site, HERE. Would that prevent the wire worms, Pierre? Do put in some garlic in November, one of the easiest things to grow, I find. (virtually no weeding in the winter, it's great!) I think your ideas sound completely possible and very attractive. We dug too many beds in the first year, gave ourselves too much work and grew far too much produce... start small. 8x5m is fine, another 20sq.m is a market garden! If you're due a birthday/anniversary present, a subscription to The Kitchen Garden Magazine is nice to follow for the first year. There is probably an equally good French language equivalent. Happy plotting.

Good evening. Nice tune (well, I think so ;)) & super footage of the Sultan's Elephant

I don't think that complementaire assistance for dependents of the insured is gender specific. As far as I know it covers dependents of any age or sex.  I can't be of specific help as happily(!) I haven't needed it. If nothing else, there is the La Poste Genius service for domestic help. Best wishes Dragonrouge.

P2, you've just missed the championnat de France du cri du coq in Trie-sur-Baise.  It was part of the fete de l'oeuf over Easter weekend. [:)] http://www.fetedeloeuf.fr/index.html

[quote user="Belle"]Ok thanks for replys, we don't have any credit cards, so we will have to go to the bank and get a bankers cheque. We have an english debit card, but I suppose it has got to be a credit card has it.[/quote] If it is a VISA or Mastercard debit card you can definitely use it to renew your passport. There may be some restrictions on Switch or Electron cards... but it is most likely that you can use your debit card to make this payment.

Delighted to read your news Benjamin. What a great result.

Did a long drive yesterday... I was flashed several times on the motorway:  lots of lorries on a busy two-lane section of the A64, east of Toulouse, so pulling out into a overtaking lane with, of course, quite small gaps between vehicles it was hard to judge whether the gap was car-length + 12", or too small to get into.  On a number of occasions I was flashed to say 'go ahead'.   Maybe it was two longer flashes, it certainly wasn't a warning, I've seen plenty of those! Noticed the change in driving as I passed through La Jonquera into Spain. The traffic doesn't flow as well south of the border, simply because drivers don't pull back into the travelling lane, after over-taking, as they do, religiously, in France. I noticed, in the past, motorcycles flash in the driver's wing mirror, to indicate that they are about to overtake.  Perhaps that was back when I drove a RHD vehicle?  Very sensible, I think.  So, to answer the original question: if a motorist flashes his lights, it means 'I'm going first'. Is this true in your experience?  I thought this when I began to drive in France 20 years ago, but now I perceive a much more sophisticated vocabulary of flashes & winks. [:-))][;-)][Www]

No xylophone here, just one voice and two hands Just for now

Wow! Krusty, that 'Britain's got Talent' contestant is amazing. Rainy days and Mondays.

[img]http://skysthelimitbaskets.com/images/bask_17NewHome1.jpg[/img] Good luck in your new home!

[:D]