bubbles

Ah, no, sorry, it was for 2008. Just checked. Glad you asked. I already received an avis for 2008 earlier this year (I sent in the forms late) - this was for zero which was nice! Didn't realise this new avis was for 2008 as well. Just presumed it was 2009. So, they have had a rethink and decided to ask for some money after all then! And there'll be another bill on its way. Hiss, boo.

Yes, it was.

Blimey, you're right. Should've gone to Specsavers!

Would that work with doodahs too do you think?

Well, there's a new French word I've come across! Apparently, in our region the restrictions have been "picnifiees". I love it.

That is probably what the OP meant. When I had a minor operation recently, the doctor told me to have the wound dressed every 48 hours by the nurse. He also gave me a prescription which I later discovered I had to have made up at the pharmacy and present to said nurse - she was not expected to provide dressings, antiseptics and so on.

Our bill was waiting here for us when we got back to France on 13th July. And we sent it in late! We have until 26th August to pay it.

Thanks for that website, Tandem_Pilot. And thank you for asking, Jo - unlike most of us who just thought "What on earth does that stand for but I don't like to ask". Will now admit that I checked on IMAO while I was on the site. So now I know everything there is to know (IMHO)

There really is nothing to it. You don't even need to speak or understand anything. At the risk of appearing too down to earth all you really need to do is take off your knickers. (Wear a skirt and you can keep that on - makes you feel less erm, exposed somehow) They'll post you the results. The last one I had was done by my medecin traitant. I mentioned that I thought I was due for one (a frottis that is). She said "maintenant?" I said "Pourquoi pas?" And Robert was your oncle. Done and dusted in five.

Where was it then please, Q?

Wow. That looks lovely. I bet even you can have a good night's sleep there! Will bookmark it. Thanks.

Of course. Silly me.

If you want to be really typical French people with your picnic then you simply must slam on your brakes at 1200 hours and be sitting down with a little pastis within the next two minutes! Any layby will do - just be sure to stop A l'HEURE

Just a little bit off topic. Have I missed out on learning a good little 4-letter word? I can't for the life of me work out what ****accountants might be.

Pommier, what a good idea!

I'm sure someone will come up with some good stopovers now that you have given more details! Sorry I can't help - it's 10 years since we drove that way - we tend to fly back on our visits to UK. Seem to remember the food was scrumptious round those parts though - and the wine should be really good there too. Actually, we will probably be driving from South to North - Perpignan to Lyon and passing through Beaune - at the beginning of October so please can we have feedback? This is making me hungry and thirsty and it's only 4.30.

I've bookmarked that too for future reference. It'll stop OH reading all sorts of nonsense on the web. Perhaps you could give us all a few hints on how best to use it. And thanks.

France is a big country, Suzy! I think you should give some idea of your route and how far along it you will be when you want to stop for the night!

Davy seems to have covered the answers already. I'm sure I cancelled the internet online last time though. We turn both phone and internet off every autumn and then back on again in the spring. I get told off every year because I can never remember exactly how it worked the previous year. In previous years Davy's penultimate sentence was my feeling exactly! - Send a letter by snailmail to make changes to your internet connection - crazy!

Our Orange internet deal allows us to switch off and on without charge. Only drawback seems to be that they cancel our standing order (rather than simply not take our money) when we switch off and then I have to set it up again when we are ready to turn on again.

You are probably pretty safe normally since, when you are stopped by the boys in blue (or whatever colour they wear these days), your speedo will register zero. Of course, they might tell you what speed you have been doing. In that case it's probably best not to argue or explain that you couldn't translate from kph to mph. It's a fair cop is probably the best line to take.

We aren't quite luddites but we don't use our mobile phones if we can avoid it. However, we realise that one with a camera would be quite useful in various situations - not least an accident en route! Can anyone recommend a suitable, easy to use, pay as you go solution for us, given that we travel from France to England to the Canaries and hope not to use it too much. Merci en avance

I read somewhere that you are now given 2 years grace after moving out of your main residence (in France) before being liable to CGT. The source said that this was because the French tax people recognised that in these hard times it can take up to two years to sell a house. I thought I had read it on this forum but perhaps I am wrong.

Am a bit down on my luck through no fault of my own. Just wondered if you could spare a few k to tide me over. ps This could well be your first begging letter. Please put them in chronological order.

We are close to Perpignan which seems to have all the activities you mention. We have decided to move back to England now - we are missing too much family stuff back there Our house is for sale and seems to fit all your criteria. Please pm me for info - can't do any harm, can it?