I think the RHS is being unimaginative and will tell them so. When I changed my GW magazine address from Harrow to Belgium I had to pay a higher fee and they also stopped including the freebies. Things like free plastic trowels I could understand because of size and shape but not free seeds.
As for Brits in France it is, in our experience, very straightforward to organise health cover and was free till we decided to sign up for local extra cover as I needed new crowns and will need a knee. Or two. Same with residence permits/ID cards. We have Belgian driving licenses so no problems there but I gather people who have left it late to change to French ones have had problems.
Leclerc do very good French bacon and I can buy Heinz beans, golden syrup and HP sauce there too but not all in the same one. Don't miss English cheese. I could buy them easily in Belgium but at too high a price so I've substituted mature Dutch or Belgian Gouda for Cheddar and use local stuff for everything else.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Lack of cheddar when holidaying in France, was the biggest downside for me. I love the stuff. Much as I love all the French and continental cheeses, I really need to have some proper Somerset Cheddar as a contrast. We knew what the bus services we like when we moved here, the main criteria were that we wanted to live in a quiet village, but have access to the M5, as OH was still working in Bristol, and I had to use my car for work, and be within a short drive to the hospital. I do like to have that backup of access to public transport though, I would hate to be totally reliant on the car. Before Covid, I got quite a buzz from being able to get around without using the car. Even more so when I got my Bus Pass!
I do the opposite. I come home with goodies - olive oil, wines, cheeses, ingredients for dishes we liked....
We do usually take enough for our first couple of breakfasts in case we can't get to a local shop, market or supermarket when we arrive and don't know how close a decent café will be but then it's all local.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
I remember once being absolutely desperate for a proper cuppa (and some chips!) after 10 sweltering days in Hong Kong. The chicken feet soup we were served most nights didn't really hit the spot.
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As for Brits in France it is, in our experience, very straightforward to organise health cover and was free till we decided to sign up for local extra cover as I needed new crowns and will need a knee. Or two. Same with residence permits/ID cards. We have Belgian driving licenses so no problems there but I gather people who have left it late to change to French ones have had problems.
Leclerc do very good French bacon and I can buy Heinz beans, golden syrup and HP sauce there too but not all in the same one. Don't miss English cheese. I could buy them easily in Belgium but at too high a price so I've substituted mature Dutch or Belgian Gouda for Cheddar and use local stuff for everything else.
We knew what the bus services we like when we moved here, the main criteria were that we wanted to live in a quiet village, but have access to the M5, as OH was still working in Bristol, and I had to use my car for work, and be within a short drive to the hospital. I do like to have that backup of access to public transport though, I would hate to be totally reliant on the car. Before Covid, I got quite a buzz from being able to get around without using the car. Even more so when I got my Bus Pass!
We do usually take enough for our first couple of breakfasts in case we can't get to a local shop, market or supermarket when we arrive and don't know how close a decent café will be but then it's all local.