flunch

Power and water back to us this afternoon (from 10am Saturday) 47/24 border.   It really makes you appreciate having these things once more.   Seen a lot of devastation around with trees uprooted, roofs/tiles off, floods.     Worrying thing though, we changed to Leclerc pay-as-you-go mobile beginning of January and could not gain a signal no how, we had to revert to our English phone which searched out Orange France (who we were glad to dump beginning of January!),  that was the only way we could contact family/friends to tell them we were ok.     Can anyone explain why Leclerc mobile would not show a signal?

[quote user="Callie"]I'm not sure i really understand the problem. If you are in receipt of a UK government state pension, and you have the E121, why do you need any sort of top up for health cover in France ? As I understand it, once you reach French pensionable age, all health cover is free. Please somebody correct me if I have got this all wrong !!! I have to confess that I am not entirely up to date with the ins and outs of health entitlement for expats who are not working here, are on UK state pensions, or those who have taken early retirement but are not yet entitled to a state pension.[/quote] Callie, hopefully I can make you understand how it works.  When you come here with your E121 you are placed in the same position as a French pensioner, ie you have 70% cover, for the remaining 30% you must take out a top-up insurance (its known as a mutuelle).    We took this out knowing our cover would now be 100%.  From Jan 08 the rules changed and people now have to pay a "franchise", the ceiling per year is supposed to be 50 euros, but I know lots who have paid more than this amount to date (us included).    The rule of thumb now is if CPAM won't pay it then your mutuelle won't either!   It depends what your medication is for and they fall into categories.   Initially our pharmacist said "mainly not life-threatening, for example, a skin cream to aid a skin rash", however, throughout this year we've found that we've had to pay for medication which does not fall into that type of category!   Its all in the labelling, white and blue are covered, anything with a yellow label has to be paid for, we don't know we have them to pay for until we get them from the pharmacist!  However, if you need them - you need them!       People who come here with the E106 have up to 2 years cover from the UK but still require a top-up insurance,  and as per the new rulings of Nov 07 they have to take out full medical insurance once that E106 expires, until they reach pension age and can claim their E121.

Of course no-one forced us here, I gave our reasons for coming here in my post, and it was down to choices.  Of course we knew of the E121 and what it entailed, we still made our choices.    Our opinion STILL has'nt changed that the individual's NI payments should be taken into account and cover given accordingly.    However, as stated, we made our choices.   Its the posts being changed thats the stumbling block, of course we knew the euro could go down but we never foresaw it tumbling like it has.   We arranged top-up insurance immediately but the posts have been changed on that score too and we have to fork out fully for some medication.   We took it out believing we were covered up to 100%, we're not because the posts have been changed and keep changing.

Big Mac hits it bang on. I've always said the same. The UK Govt should be able to very easily determine what N.I. has been paid by any individual and give cover accordingly.  We moved to France because we wanted to and it was our right to, the whole of the world is on the move and constantly within the EEC.    We never expected nor wanted to take anything from the French system, we've paid nothing in to it, and came here to retire.    I still say its a pity the UK had'nt worked on the same kind of system as France and it would'nt be in the state its in.      Having said that we have to take the good with the bad but I expect 100% no person retiring here to live on their UK pension would have imagined such a drop in the exchange rate, we've almost lost 1/3rd of our pension and that can't be right.   Yes - some will say "you did'nt moan when it was good", well of course we did'nt, but the fact is life is becoming very difficult for lots of us through no fault of our own.    Lots of us did'nt come here for the cheap plonk and cheese (neither appeals whether cheap or expensive), we came here for a better quality and more peaceful life.....and no, we hav'nt got the massive conversion and 7 hectares either.   Its a travesty we have to assess for any top-up insurance and more worrying that from Jan 08 we've had certain medication to pay for fully.     I think all pensioners on a UK OAP should write to their MP in the strongest terms if they feel that they've paid their full dues and should receive the same benefits of healthcare as if living in the UK, we are still British after all.      Let some of the "expenses" be stopped and make some of them live on our OAP payable to us for 3 months, I guarantee they'd soon see where we were coming from!

Hello Frenchie and Krusty!  Hope you are well.   Just a quick one...not sure if you have seen this one, but even if you have, its worth another look! http://users.telenet.be/leukelinks/flash/queen.htm    

Can't remember that one ?    Sorry short and sweet tonight.....up very early in the morning to meet friends.   Goodnight. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhPCqQj5TQY

Is'nt that strange I spoke of Will and you spoke of William at the same time?       A lovely name, my French friend has a little boy Thimeo, we like that name too.

Whats happened to Will, liked his singing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6uP4gBrvX8

Thats a nice song Frenchie......Avril used to be a popular name in the UK....maybe now back in fashion as other "old" names are back.....Jack / Emily / Daisy etc etc. Don't do EBay Krusty, but thanks anyway.

[quote user="krusty"]just one dish but with a quad LNB[/quote] They easy to come by? (Thanks for answering).

How do you set them up .... 2 sats?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGDx6Erw5Yw yes they were singers too ( I think ! )[;-)]

[quote user="krusty"]Actually I am going to tape Ant & Dec , because I am watching The one & only ...........BBC  do this type of show really well and its final night so some great stuff happening now.[/quote] Bonsoir......Evening all....How do you tape one side and view another with one satellite receiver please?

First song I heard on Nostalgia station today, always liked it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sr645Ti4ju8 (Remember the title Frenchie when you get back to work.....we are behind you wishing you luck)

Simon looked a bit like Elvis !!!!!!!!   Well I think he's richer than him now!!    Speak tomorrow.......must see Masterchef (I like cooking)....goodnight