from January 2019 Simer are introducing a "waste pass" which will be required to collect sacks and to be able make use of the dechetterie in Montmorillon. To obtain the pass it is necessary to create an account on their website and request one. They will start sending them out from mid December. remember without one you will not be able to obtain sacks or use the dechetterie

We have a new neighbour (French) who is continually complaining about bits of our garden over hanging hers.

I've told her to cut the bits back herself.  She is not amused.

Now....she is moaning about two hazlenut tress "banging" against the tiled roof of a lean-to that she parks a car in.

She says I am legally responsible for cutting the hazlenut tress back to "an acceptable level."

We rather like them.  The branches are about as wide as large twigs.

Does she have a case in law or should I just tell her to prune herself?  Not the trees, just cut herself down to getting a life.

hi y'all


Did anyone notice ?


https://www.centre-presse.fr/article-632...trees.html

mandatory access badges to SIMER effective January 1st. 


Badges to be ordered from SIMER either through their web site or at their site https://www.simer86.fr/gestion-des-dechets/pass-dechets

google translation:

Recycling: a pass to control the entrances
A smart card will be essential in 2019 to access the dump of the Simer and get the bags. Users will have to request it this fall.

This week at the dump of Montmorillon. An individual card will soon be needed to open the gate at the entrance.
skerouanton

From 1 January, it will be necessary to dispose of the "Pass garbage", an individual electronic card, to deposit garbage in the dump stations of Simer and to recover there the collection bags. It will also make it possible to invoice, without handling money on the spot, the purchase of compost.
A step towards
the incentive fee
[i]"We want to make sure that the waste disposal service is well used by the people who pay for the service,"[/i] says Jérôme Sazarin, Director of Simer. The sixteen waste stations represent 36% of the budget of the waste service. [i]There will be no limitation of passage per year with the pass[/i] , he says, [i]this possibility was not considered.[/i] [i]Professional users already have a similar card since 2015. "[/i]
The Waste Pass will not be sent automatically to the 36,000 households: [i]"We have chosen a voluntary act by the user to prevent a card sent by mail with the invoice being thrown inadvertently"[/i] , explains Isabelle Plisson, responsible billing service.
To obtain the Waste Pass, you will have to fill in a paper form (a T envelope will be attached) or on the website. [i]"We recommend that you proceed as soon as possible to have the Pass at the end of the year and use it as of January 1st.[/i] [i]We know that we will still receive many applications in 2019. "[/i]
This smart card should, over the years, have other applications in a logic of waste reduction: [i]"We are working on the implementation of the incentive fee and this card could identify users who deposit their bags. in the points of voluntary contribution[/i] , indicates Jérôme Sazarin. [i]The elected representatives of Simer have decided to deepen this scenario in 2019 for a possible deployment around 2021. "[/i]
A reflection on the frequencies of collection
[i]"We are also thinking about reducing the frequency of collection, the incentive fee must create a direct link between the production of waste and the bill,"[/i] said Daniel Tremblais, vice president in charge of pricing and the relationship with users.
The Simer hopes to quickly reduce the mass of black bags buried in the Vigeant: 200 kg per year and per capita now. Territories ahead in sorting and the incentive fee drop below 140 kg: [i]"The general tax on polluting activities from 16 € per ton will increase to 65 € in 2025, if we do not reduce the weight significantly, the invoice will explode,[/i] summarizes Jerome Sazarin. [i]Individual or collective composting should be preferred where possible, black bags contain 40% compostable waste.[/i] [i]"[/i]

Just reading on another page about fines being increased for people not picking up after their dogs. We always clean up after our dog and it's not nice when you see areas where other people aren't doing the same with theirs. 

https://www.connexionfrance.com/French-n...he-streets

On my journeys around the area, I keep coming across small, home-made looking signs by the side of the road exhorting the viewer to "cueillez vos pommes".
Is there a French organisation dedicated to increasing the number of apples that are picked?
Is it the work of one person?
What if you don't have any apple trees?

Answers, please!

I understand that after BREXIT , there is a possibility that our Uk driving licence may not be valid in France.
I am considering (like countless others ) , changing my licence. Apart from anything else , since I am over 70 years old , it would be more convenient - no necessity to renew every 3 years.
However I have an important question.

If I did so , would i be able to drive in UK after BREXIT on my French licence ?????

I await the thoughts of all you knowledgeable people.

Just a reminder this weekend is the festi gartempe in Montmorillon at led Illettes (big park down by the river at the hospital end) lots of bands and entertainment - all free along with food and drinks at usual cheap prices. Community sponsored event that's a fun weekend for all ages

I'm sure I droned out on about a possible glyphosate ban in France ages ago but now the French National Assembly has voted not to ban glyphosate for at least another three years.

Maybe this means we can buy it freely again in garden centres and supermarkets without having to search out a spotty youth with the one and only key to the herbicides cupboard.

In the meantime, possibly communes like Montmorillon et al can start cleaning up the roundabouts, verges and trottoirs.....

Having said that, only the French could go against the latest thinking on the dangers of these sort of chemicals.

I keep hearing rumours of a new supermarket in the shape of a Lidl due to open in Monty?

Anyone know if these scurrilous whispers are true?

By good if they are because the over-priced SuperU and appallingly limited Leclerc need competition.

This is a bit off our patch but the World Sheep Shearing Championships are being held in Le Dorat next July (2019)  starting on July 4 for several days.

The reason I mention it here is because I can see a massive business opportunity for B&B/gite and bar/restaurant owners as the organisors are expecting 30,000 visitors (you read that right) on top of the 300 professional shearers.  Oh....and 5,000 sheep play a key part.  But they won't need beer or overnight rooms.

Details are all over the interweb for those interested in following this through.....which translates as I can't be bothered to put a link in.

Anyone know what the rough price is to set up a table at a brocante? Does anyone on here trade at markets or brocantes by any chance? Just wondering what the rules are, thanks.

Please see our main website for full details, prices and to book
https://www.wisdom-gites.co.uk/
Wisdom Gites is a small complex of 2 fully self-contained Gites made up of a 1 bedroom Gite that sleeps 2 and a 2 bedroom Gite that sleeps 4 Games room, solar heated swimming pool and a fishing lake.
 
Orchard view is a well equipped one bedroom holiday cottage with Kitchen / Diner, Lounge, Double Bedroom and Shower Room. The Kitchen is well equipped. There is ample room for four people to dine in comfort. The Lounge has two comfortable tub chairs and a two seater sofa, cosy wood burner for those winter evenings and a LCD TV with DVD and satellite receiver for free to air English TV channels. The light and airy double bedroom, has plenty of storage and pretty views over the countryside to wake up to. The Shower Room has a large fitted shower cubicle with mains pressure hot water.

Meadow view is a well equipped two bedroom holiday cottage with Kitchen / Diner, Lounge, Double Bedroom, Twin Bedroom and Shower Room. The Kitchen is well equipped. There is ample room for six people to dine in comfort. The Lounge has two comfortable two seater sofas, cosy wood burner for those winter evenings and a LCD TV with DVD and satellite receiver for free to air English TV channels. The light and airy double bedroom, has plenty of storage and pretty views over the countryside to wake up to. The Twin Bedroom has ample storage as well of pretty views out to the garden. All beds are made up before your arrival. The Shower Room has a large fitted shower cubicle with mains pressure hot water. Outside each cottage there is an enclosed garden as well as a patio area for sitting out or dining out while enjoying the countryside views.

Is it just me or is the CPAM office in Poitiers a total shambles?

One hand doesn't know what the other is doing to the point of sending me a letter in July telling me we no longer have health cover in France.

The English speaking helpline eventually sorted it out.  One department had'nt registered documents we sent from England in February.

In the meantime, we are still waiting on our Carte Vitales - applied for in December 2016.

I keep being told we'll get them.  Eventually.  Except no-one knows when.

A shambles or just French bureaurocracy at it's finest?

My view is that if we don't get them before Brexit happens (if it happens at all) we'll never get them and therefore have to sell up and be off-ski to somewhere where people actually know what they're doing.

Impossible question:  how do I circumvent the pen-pushers and bean-counters and get solid and meaningful results?

Hello!

My parents have a house in Thollet that we stay at for the month of August. 
We LOVE a brocante, and aside from the Montmorillon one and the La Trimouille one (just been and gone), does anyone have any other listings of upcoming brocantes? Small village ones, big town ones, any!... realistically within a half an hour radius. 


Many thanks in advance. 
L

The Vienne is now on an Orange alert on water usage.

This means farmers must cut usage by at least 50% and we are not meant to wash our cars, specific restrictions on garden watering and no topping-up of swimming pools etc.

I suspect the farmers will pay no attention to this whilst we may get caught out by a random drone whilst watering the begonias.

Jet wash the motor at Leclerc anyone...?

Quite how you find out what the specific restrictions on gardening watering might be I have no idea but I'm not going into the Mairie to find out.

It might look like I want to play by the rule book.

Blimey, don't time fly?

Annual prods market August 3 behind the church.

Usual drill; kick off 1800, beer/wine tent, rock hard leather " steaks" on a grill and expensive ham and cheese, hideous accordion music over the PA system    etc etc.

Having said that, quite a good laugh especially if you choose to have a sit-down tucker jobbie and eat with our French chums.

But...beware getting drawn into a converstation on Brexit: a lot of them think it a good idea and wish France would do the same.  A minefield.

Beware also of the danger of tottering home with that €25 lump of cheese that seemed a jolly good idea at the time.

Hi I received a new password from you yesterday, a mixture of letters, capitals and a number, BUT, when I tried to change it, it would not recognise these letters and number. Help please. I also could not find your "contact us" bit!

Does anyone know if the lake at Bourg Archambault is open for fishing this year?
It was closed last year....

Hi everyone, has anyone got any info on events going on around Montmorillon this August please? We shall be over again to work on the houses, but we have to have a break too. I do like a brocante, although I manage to miss them every time I'm over. We arrive the 4th and leave on the 19th, so preferably in between those dates, thank you.

I hope most of you are aware of this but if not, please read!

On 1st July 2018, speed limits on many roads have changed.

ANY road that used to have a 90km/h limit, and that does not have a central reservation to divide the road into two separated carriageways will now carry a limit of 80km/h.

It is yet to be confirmed what the limit will be when it is wet. It is widely anticipated that a 70km/h limit will be in force whenit's raining. Apparently signs "will make this clear"...

I noticed on a drive today that all of the 'Rappel - 90km/h' signs seem to have been replaced with 'Rappel- 90km/h so at least we are being warned!

I have read in the French press that speed cameras have been reprogrammed centrally, and the traffic police have been told to be especially vigilant in the early days.

If you are caught doing between 80km/h and 90km/h the penalty will be a fine of (I think) €68 plus 1 demerit point.

Keep those eyes peeled!
Brian