This French Life

Glad you liked :-) And will be looking to do more. All the best, Craig

Hi Mark, Must admit that is far too expensive and no wonder you drove south instead.
All the best, Craig

Hello fellow AA's !

I am looking for women's sober living in Paris.
Not expensive but safe.

Thanks so much for any information.

Sab

Hello,
we recently entered into a purchase on the understanding that if the mortgage was not forthcoming for the amount the sale was void, the mortgage took a great deal of time with much tooing and frowing , untill they gave us a short amount. Consequently we did not purchase, I informed the notaire and the estate agents and sent them over 38 pages of communications with the bank showing that I complied with all their requests. The notaire told me that they were waiting on funds being released by the seller, and that she was keeping a nominal amount, we are ok with that, however now we have the estate agent asking over a month after the fact what the final offer was? why is he asking now? we have since rented and made other arrangements , do we have recourse? our compromis said subject to mortgage, also I read somewhere that if the mortgage app takes too the long the contract is nullified by the seller?? can you help?

Very well written and informative.

More like this please

Hardly surprising when you look at their prices. I was quoted over 1200 gpb for 2 adults plus a car and cabin - total rip off. Needless to say I headed south and saved over 900 gbp. The previous company superfast was equally out of the ball park with their fares. No competition equals rip.off time when ferry companies are at work.

Looking for an inexpensive self catering accommodation for 3 people in Calvados area. from 25/09/10 to 2/10/10 beevamplew@gmail.com

Hello again. The following I posted on NABBLE.

Aug 05, 2009; 09:20pm
Re: Alarm Bells a--ringing

I genuinely believe that this is an issue worth supporting and fighting for, not only for us, but for the countless others in our increasingly ageing population that are sure to need DLA and on going care.

Government knows this and it is only through their mismanagement of the social fund, and paying the constant flow of ever "hands out" immigrants without question that has probably brought the needy desire to be illegally frugal with our benefits.

My grandfather, a staunch socialist and champion of workers' rights, always told me to be very weary of government, and he would say, never give them an inch, because if you gave them and inch, they would come for your skin.

Recent events seem to be proving my granddad to be a worthy philosopher.

...................................

It seems that at the time, apart form being right in my assessment of the problem I was also unwittingly stealing to glory from the NABBLE site administrators.

Well as they say time always tells.

Sincerely Carol White [Mrs}

Hi Jean, I think in time those in Canada and many other countries will be able to use the service.
Regards, Craig

I guess Brown the clown never did reply!

it should be available for people from canada to

TINA HAMILTON STATES ABOVE IN REPLY TO SUE THAT THESE ISSUES ARE VERY COMPLEX. COMPLEX BEING THE VERY SAME WORDING THE DWP USES.

These issues are definitely not complex, far from it! They are very easy to follow. The crux of the issue is the the UK DWP do not wish to be bound by the ECJ judgement of Oct 2007 when in fact they have no alternative but to be so bound as EU law is superior law to that of the Member states.

I BLAME THE EU AS WELL FOR BEING TOO READY TO APPEASE THE UK AT THE EXPENSE OF THE DLA CLAIMANTS EFFECTED.

I have written to Sr Barasso expressing my concerns as it was he that stated that the rights of the citizen will be central to all EU policy. He said so when inaugurating the EU CHARTER ON FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS.

I would suggest you all write as well as we cannot have this Charter on Fundamental Rights and the UK behaving in the manner that it does.

Sincerely Carol White [Mrs]

Hi Gilly, I suppose it is a bit of a viscous circle! But if you are able to get into Manchester I used Alliance Francaise before heading to France to improve my language skills, more at:
http://www.alliancefrancaisemanchester.org/
All the best, Craig

Good luck with your petition but I was wondering, Ryan air is not very good, why don't you just use the other airlines who have much better customer service.

look at ihateryanair.co.uk

Don't know why but one of my gmail accounts here in France has had the option turned on - but not any of the others - strange.

With respect to all: This column is headed

Fight to reinstate benefits from UK
By Craig McGinty on Nov 7, 2008 in Health.

This is only true in part as this is a fight to ensure that the UK DWP obeys the law. We are all expected to live under and respect the Rule Of Law. All that is except a crooked DWP.

I really wish the DWP would claim Liable against me Carol White, and take me to court, at least that will expose them for what they are and for what they have done in contravention of settled EU law. Carol White is ready, are you DWP ready too.

So many people have been injured by the DWP illegally withholding of their rightful benefit entitlement. How many people will die waiting?

Justice will be served.

Sincerely Carol White.

I Carol White, have no hesitation is stating that I consider the DWP, in this matter to be worse that the Nazis we fought WWII.

AT LEAST WITH THE Nazis WE KNEW WHAT TO EXPECT.

THE DWP IS A BRITISH ADMINISTRATE ARM OF THE GOVERNMENT. YET THE DWP IS QUITE HAPPY TO INFLICT SUFFERING AND PAIN UPON MANY PEOPLE THROUGH WANTONLY DISOBEYING THE LAW OF THE LAND....EU LAW!

THE DWP HAS TO ADHERE TO THE CIVIL SERVICE CODE OF CONDUCT....BUT IT DOES NOT!

WHY NOT? BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY ARE NOT ACCOUNTABLE TO ANYONE...NOT EVEN THE BRITISH PEOPLE, NOT EVEN OUR BRITISH DEMOCRACY.....AND THIS IS AN OUTRAGE AGAINST US ALL!

I CAROL WHITE, HAVE NO HESITATION IN MAKING THIS PUBLIC STATEMENT, IF I AM WRONG THE DWP CAN SUE ME FOR MY COMMENTS AS I BELIEVE THEY HAVE GONE TOO FAR IN COMMITTING THEIR CRIMES AGAINST VULNERABLE DLA CLAIMANTS.

This tells me something is very very wrong here.

Sincerely Carol White [Mrs}

Hi, I am not sure if it is the children turning their backs on the French language, or ir is the system.I have been trying to arrange to study French GCSE as a mature student in the Manchester area of Lancashire, and I am finding it almost impossible,interestingly I have been offered Spanish and Italian as an alternative, not much use when we have a house in French.
Keep up the good work with the newsletter,
Regards,
Gilly

Hi Craig. Many thanks for prompt help as always. Kind regards.

Somebody spent a fortune on tarmac for the new terminal, and about 10 euros on Portakabins. But if you run an enormous boat with a nightclub and four restaurants on a 90 minutes service - and only open one restaurant - what do you expect. When I used it I had a whole saloon to myself. There is a market for a no-frills basic service on this route, but not with this sort of boat.

I've checked the price both way UK and My conuntry Korea. There's also differnce between two.
Is it possible to get a UK Price ticket eventhogh I'm in Korea??

It's now 24 August and still nothing on the website!

Yes, a pity to lose LDL completely on this route as Boulogne has a lot to offer as an entry port - especially using the old rather than the new berth!
It looks however as if we may now have a several year gap before a new operator sees supply/demand and prices at a profitable level.
Are LDL leaving one boat as freight only? The statement seems unclear on this point, and I have heard that their freight-only routes work on minimum manning and minimum facilities.

It seems that this route is doomed to failure, whosoever trys to operate it, hardly surprising news as on the occasions I have used the service it has been half empty, coupled with the fact that there were very limited facilities such as eateries and shopping, so no profit from those. I am intrigued by the comment that people who have booked in advance will receive a voucher for future travel valid for 12 months, is this in addition to a refund?, and transfer arrangements to what.?
If my memory serves me right there used to be a service from Folkestone to Boulogne many years ago which ran OK, now it appears that some sort of Bermuda triangle has descended on the channel, which is a pity as I for on prefered the Boulogne destination.

A pointless exercise by both Sarky and Popey. I understand that the Roma people will use the free flight and cash handouts to visit family, then come straight back again. As European citizens they have a perfect right to be in France; or elsewhere in the EU.

I have personally informed the DWP that they have acted illegally in this matter from the outset. The ECJ Judgement of October 18 2007.

The have continued to do so. In doing so they are guilty of the Common Law Offence of Misfeasance in Public Office, and in due course a private prosecution will be issued.

What in fact the DWP has done is to set a precedent. The ECJ being the highest court in the EU, it now means that when it rules and indeed or other court in the EU, those found guilty or ruled against no matter what the crime, can now site the UK DWP and state....I will need to consider your decision.

Think on it, its almost as good a a get of of jail free card! good luck one and all.

Carol White [Mrs]

Hi Jon, it does make you wonder what opportunities will open up to those who show willing and decide to learn a foreign language, sounds as though your children are well set.
All the best, Craig

I probably ought to care more than I do, but it's their loss. Also, it makes my (and my children's) skills just a tad more valuable.

I understand that the fashion in the UK these days is to learn one of the Chinese languages. Quite how children are to manage this when they can't even manage to master a language as closely related as French is to English is not clear to me.

Hi Lesley, it is a sad story and makes you wonder how detached people's lives end up. Regards, Craig

A recent storm has damaged our otherwise sturdy teak garden table. The table top only is broken in several places but I think can be put together again by someone with some carpentry skills.

I could replace but its weathered now and matches its set of chairs.

We are on Ile D'Oleron near Marennes, Charente Maritime 17 but could possibly transport or offer accommodation.

The Telegraph reports the mother as saying her son 'had been buried like a dog'. If you have complicated family lives up and down the generations then this may well happen. I thought that the grave and position looked very good for a pet.
Does your Marie want to hold details of next-of-kin? I often wonder if an accident, say, carries off the two of us at the same time, how our leavings would be managed.

Hi Gina, head to the top left hand corner of the site, or go direct via:
http://www.france.fr/en
All the best, Craig

I'm being hard of thinking at the moment. I looked at the site, but cannot find the link for the English part of it. Has anyone any ideas/links? Momentarily dozy - sorry.

Hi,

I live in Paris, but am vacationing with my parents in the Loir-et-Cher area (about 20 mn from Vendome). Since being here, we've met a wonderful, sweet kitten (about 8 months old, I would guess) and our next door neighbor said she's the "chat du village." But the fact that she's constantly at our rented house, looking for food but also for a good rubbing, makes me think she'd be better off adopted by someone.

Unfortunately, I cannot adopt her, as I already have my two cats from the US waiting to rejoin me here in a few months. And in a tiny studio with my boyfriend, that wouldn't work.

So, I'm looking for some advice. Is there somewhere I can take her? We leave in 4 days, so any quick thoughts would be great.

Many thanks,
Katherine

The DWP really have behaved most shockingly dishonest in this matter. I suggest we all get as public as we can. This is my bit.

http://uk.search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A1f4cfN6RGxMxjgA8B9LBQx.;_ylc=X1MDMjc2NjY3OQRfcgMyBGFvAzAEZnIDZnB0Yi15ZmYzNQRob3N0cHZpZAM3ckVteEZmNGNBaDFsbmZtVEd3Xy53Z19XYWlhV0V4c1JIb0FDbXgxBG5fZ3BzAzAEbl92cHMDMARvcmlnaW4Dc3JwBHF1ZXJ5A2R3cCBjYXJvbCB3aGl0ZSBleHBvcnRhYmlsaXR5IG9mIGRsYQRzYW8DMQR2dGVzdGlkA1VLMDY1MA--?p=dwp+carol+white+exportability+of+dla&fr2=sb-top&fr=fptb-yff35&rd=r1

Hi, can anyone help me, I am looking for someone to foster my very lovable black lab cross and her best friend (cat)for 6 months while they get their pet passports. I am returning from Bodrum in Turkey to the UK, and as Turkey is not in the EU they would have to go through the distress of quarantine as Turkey is not in the Pet Passport scheme.
Many Thanks

Here in the Lot, tobacco is being replaced by saffron. Tobacco used to command a high price, in the days before health warnings, so our farmers looked for a valuable crop to replace it. Picking the flowers by hand is back-breaking but the price makes it worth it, and le safran du Quercy is big business here now.

Yes, good system with good coverage. Another useful feature is the fact that via the website you can arrange to have a monthly statement emailed to you so you can keep track of your calls and remaining balance.
Rob

Just returned from a motoring holiday in France via Eurotunnel. No way is this the best way to cross the channel! It took longer queing to get through controls than the crossing itself. We missed our booked slot along with all the other letter N cars in the queue with us despite leaving the terminal nearly an hour in advance! Total chaos. I have always considered the Chunnel an Engineering marvel - what a shame it is unusable due to the incompetence of those who operate it!

Addendum to article above (septic tank compliance)

Sale of property not connected to public drainage system

French law provides that mandatory surveys must include a document established by the commune assessing the compliance of the installation (usually a septic tank).
This obligation that should have been enforced on 1st January 2013 has been shortened to 1st January 2011.
From then on, the compliance document will have to be issued by the vendor less than 3 years before completion. If the installation is not compliant, the buyer will have to carry out the necessary measures to meet the legal standards within a year after completion (unless other arrangements were agreed with the vendor).
If these modifications seem to fairly answer the need to accelerate the compliance of septic tank and equivalent installations, the enforcement of this measure within 6 months may be difficult to carry out in practice.
In effect, the rule committing the communes to have checked these installations by 31st December 2012 at the latest has not yet been modified. Moreover, some communes have not yet carried out the necessary structures to check installations.
Great confusion may stem from this new arrangement and it may be advisable to systematically provide a compliance document before completion even if in some cases its requirement is uncertain.

Hi Paul, great to hear the article helped out. All the best, Craig

Hi, thank you all for your postings. I to have just recieved a letter this morning from inforeregister for 143,56 and now it is safely filed in the bin..

Dear Sand Hep,

I understand the frustration that one may feel when going through the French conveyancing process on either side of the deal. In particular, the pace of the procedure added to the differences with the UK system can at times be off-putting. The property market for the last two years has also not been that easy to navigate.
However, please note that my perspective is mainly a legal one. As a seller, the knowledge of the property itself means he or she will not have the same uncertainty that a buyer would face. The seriousness with which a buyer will carry out the procedure to completion is the main element of uncertainty for the seller. In case of doubt, there are ways to strengthen the compromis in one of the parties’ favour.
Certain estate agents can be more difficult to deal with than others but this is not always the case and depends more on the level of reactivity of the agent than on the legal system itself. Their main role is to find a buyer for the seller or vice versa and some agents may strictly stick to this role.
You are absolutely right that the compromis is the most important part of the sale/purchase procedure as it is the one committing the parties to each other. But as a private agreement, it is the responsibility of the parties or their legal representative to make sure that their interests are protected. The compromis is therefore not an unalterable document and can be modified accordingly before it is signed.
Unfortunately, despite all possible efforts, the risk remains that one of the parties may not act “honourably” although this can be the case in any contract.
Should you wish to reduce the level of risk, I suggest that you seek advice from a professional to assist you and make sure that what could be a difficult ordeal becomes an exciting journey. The fact that you have gone through this process before does not necessarily protect you against this risk in particular because the market and the legal aspects of property matters change relentlessly.
As you mentioned that you have purchased and sold property in France more than once, I am guessing that the outcome has outshined the difficulties you may have faced.

I wish you all the best for the future.

It did seem a strange move, especially considering how many other options are available to travellers.

I am puzzled by the comment "selling a property in France is generally more straightforward than buying" - having done both more than once we have been frustrated by the lack of activity and apathy on the part of the agents, paid for(directly or indirectly)by the buyer of course.
In addition the seller is locked into the "Compromis de Vente" and has their hands tied even when the buyers behaviour would lead to terminating the agreement if it was in the UK.
Having the protection of the Compromis does not prevent those people who do not conduct themselves honourably from making the transaction fraught with difficulties.

LD lines have shot themselves in the foot with this service.

why on earth did they replace the fast craft with the traditional ferries?

i would always choose the dover to boulogne route, but not when it takes 1 hour 45 minutes to cross the channel!

I best get my invoice in if I am ;-)

Craig McGinty....
Isn't he working in Public Relations... For ITER ?

Hi Roger, must admit it's a tough job and here's hoping other opportunities are available.
All the best, Craig

hello good people,we were traveling from Lithuania to Ireland with a dog name Deira,everything was great till we arived in france.We couldnt take our dog to ireland coz of lithuanian veterinar foult.We had to leave our dog in france caring by a truck driver,bcz we asked to take her back to Lithuania.The truck driver left the dog as we received a call, that he taked the monney and he left our dog in the streets on france.Now we cant take her back from france,coz of ppl who are working in pet stations they dont understand us that we cant go in that city to take our dog back we are to poor ppl,we have woken whole europe to help us now good ppl are helping us to take our dog back coz its only happyness it left for us :(((we are praying.