What is it about French birds?

[Deleted]

John,

I had an exit strategy, I retired from the cops almost 5 years ago, but a big mortgage and the liking of expensive holidays, made me go back to work 8 months after retirement. In any case got fed up talking to the walls just like Shirley Valentine.

Happy Days

Bob

[johnoakes]

Its so easy to look forward to retirement and then dread it--you seem to be well sorted as the hoodies would say.




I had a wander about with the camera photoing through the windows.













The only place for snow in my life is in those glass balls that you shake.

An hour to clear this all because the lady loves milk tray(and fresh bread damb it.LOl)

[johnoakes]

8-)As a St.Helens woolyback I am honoured that members should think I have scouse humour--something I have always enjoyed and envied.LOL ;D

[johnoakes]

And this is the best photo of them all--I shall stay by this until the Spring--my neighbours sell wood(£200 for a Winter's worth--gives me a profit on the fuel payments) and the fire throws out up to13Kw --dont need the central heating on at all when this is on.

[Deleted]

John,

Great pictures, all that is missing is Jack Nicholson saying "here's Jonny"

Happy Days

Bob

[johnoakes]

Good one--I like that.LOL ;D
The isolation is a bit of an illusion--Belley a small but useful town is only 5 miles away and the University City of Chambery is less than 1/2 hour away--still when the snow falls you could be in the Rockies and in fear of manic caretakers.
Being a village ,because I didn't dig out on day one ,we had several phonecalls to see if we were all right---you can't sneeze in a village without everyone knowing and having an opinion.

Is it a caring society or just nosey Frogs?
Depends on whatyou are doing at the time--My garden always seems to be a topic of local interest and as I distribute excess produce( its a French thing!) they often save the seeds to grow on in their potagers the coming year.
Troc its called --its a sort of swaps without paperwork and taxes--the Frogs love that LOL

I will takes some shots of the mountains in the snow to add to this--I rarely go up to the ski stations they are just too busy but from a distance snow can LOOK good.

[Biggles]

"gives me a profit on the fuel payments "

Do the French pay you the fuel payment ?

[johnoakes]

8-)No--but as I STILL pay taxes on my pension in Britain and paid tax for 40years in Britain I DO get some back via the fuel payment (I will never show a true profit unless I live to be 2,047-)-I wonder how much gets sent to Pakistan to people who may not have paid as much in to start with?
Searching for figures like that could be construed as racist so take care if you do any research to prove me wrong in my questioning--which has no basis in fact but is still an interesting proposition.(That should keep the lawyers off my back.LOL)

[johnoakes]

And today 7th December ALL the snow has gone due to to Saharan winds and steady rain overnight--bet its back when the northerlies arrive later next week from Siberia--the Rhone is just a funnel--you win some you lose some.
Just so long as Chambery stays open for the first photo call on the 18th or thereabouts when the ski flights start.
Watch this space.

[ronturner]

Nice as it is on postcards, you can keep all that snow. Here in the Vendee we seldom see it: at most a dusting every couple of years. We don't have the mountains, but we do have the sea and the coastline, and most of all, almost everyday, even if somedays, only for a shortwhile, we see the sun. I agree, for most of us, its only after retirement we can indulge in the lifestyle we have, but why not?
We were in England recently. I enjoyed our visit, especially the curries, the pub food and the beer, but the pace if life there was mainic. I could not wait to get back to the calm, traffic free roads and relative warmth of our home in France

[johnoakes]

Yes I too love the Vendee and have spent many long sunfilled holidays at Lacaneau and Cap Feret just to the South.And then there's Arcachon with all the oysters--yum.
here we do have a more continental climate rather than a maritime one but having holidayed here at all times of the year for 20years we had no doubt about our choice--vive la difference.
As for our snow--been and gone I'm afraid--


Pghotos taken 12/10/2010 at 11.00 hrs. ;D


Back on the mountain tops where it belongs--could still return unfortunatlely but hey you don't HAVE to go skiing at Val D'Isere

[ronturner]

These days, you would be far better off eating Vendeen oysters. For the last three years a disease has affected Arcachon, and even further north at Royan and Talmont. We remain free of contamination and that applies to the mussels too. We buy directly from a local supplier at about 3 Euro for a dozen class 1.
I have just returned from a wonderful flight over the coast and beaches. The old '172 and the even older pilot were on top form. A great day to be out and about. Vive la retraité.

[Biggles]

JN, I think someone in a far safer position than me has already started looking at the various benefit payments which are flooding out of Britain to anyone who chose to now live abroad on a permenant basis, whether they paid taxes whilst living and working in the UK now or in the past. I have heard people say that same thing yet they have chosen to leave the UK and now live in The Caribbean and other exotic locations which, unlike your abode, never see snow or cold weather.

[Deleted]

John,

Great place to live even minus the snow. Great pictures. Enjoy.

Happy Days

Bob

[johnoakes]

;)As I have said before Bobbyefc come down for a week--its easily arranged and I assure you a special price is a lower not a higher one.LOL. ;D