Welcome to the new member of your family, she has found a good family. For the farmers the sign up down means that we walk on the head and they are right. 45 years ago when I went in England for the 1rst time I had the same problem with hair conditioner I made the mistake because my English was poor and I bought conditioner instead of shampoo. Now seeing what you said that came back to my memory . But it is only one year you are in France we'll see in one year time and you will be fluently I am sure. Stay as long as possible with French or watch French TV that is the only way to learn French which is a complicate language. We are lucky you like French wines because as French I don't drink wine at all that makes a balance.
That does make a nice balance indeed. And now you’ve reminded me, another admission is that I’ve used après shampoo accidentally for shampoo and when I dried my hair after I nearly cried with frustration looking at a big oily mop of hair. Thanks fir your msg and for watching along.
Darlene really appreciate taking us on the road with you both, such an adventure for us here on the Sunny Coast with a Dilmah cup of tea and recliners laid back such a wonderful place and area that you have chosen to reside. “absolument magnifique” we watch a few other Chateau channels that we have mapped out for our National Lampoons French Vacation sometime in 2025. Certainly your area is on the books, you also have a few Gites also in the area. Thank you again for your travels and effort you put into your episodes we appreciate and love what you both do and put together- Gid Bless 🙏😇🏰🇫🇷
I’m so glad you are enjoying my channel. I’m still visiting incredible places and learning so much about the Dordogne department. You must visit in 2025.
Oh yes I’ve been a passenger on the coastline around Positano. Now that was heart in mouth stuff! And thank you, we absolutely love our little community 🩷
Love the confessions (hope the judge gave you a light sentence!!) and so looking forward to your reveals. I am just booking a solo trip to France later in the year (from Brisbane) and the thing that is scaring me a little is hiring a car to drive to a chateau in a rural area!!! I havent driven on the "other side" ever before so your anecdotes have and haven't helped 🤣😬 Anyway thanks for the great videos - you are part of the inspo for my trip. 😊🚙
Hello Brissy Michelle! I’m so glad to have have inspired you! 👏 How exciting ref your trip! If you’re in the area you must let me know. There’s no way to avoid the driving and the best thing is, if you go slow the French will just zoom past you so there’s no pressure. I always get in to drive and tell myself, ‘steering wheel on the centre line’… if you’re on the edge of the road you’re in real trouble!! But you’ll be fine (just don’t sing and drive) 😂
Thank you so much! There’s another one about driving with my phone on top of the dar but Shaun doesn’t know about that one yet… 😂 Imagine losing your phone on the other side of the world. 😱
Darlene, we are going to start to call you Dr. Darlene "Dolittle". You and Shaun are fastly approaching one year anniversary🎉🎉. I'm truly excited for you both! To prepare for a move to France I did a paper in my Cinema and Communication French class in 2009. My partner has dual citizenship and constantly tells me it will be fine. So I researched freight rentals, shipping costs, taxes, customs how to set up banking prior to moving, electrical, phone and water post office services. Where to get started on citizenship everything. One thing that I could not believe was the taxes that the French took "liberty with." That was one of my questions to you when your shipping container arrived. Anything you purchase 6 months or less gets taxed by France. AUTOMATICALLY!!! Anything you inherited from a deceased family member you must provide a death certificate. The only solice is purchasing furniture. If you don't take possession of it and have the store send it to the shipping container your sales tax is returned once the freight is sailbound. But you have to have maticulius records. Everyone received a copy of the shipping rules from my presentation. My instructor gave my email to too many people for my liking instead of giving them a copy of my report. Your friend should have sent the item to you as a gift. So for Future Reference 🤞🏻FYI. Make sure it's sent as a gift. To avoid being charged with circumventing the tax system. And The Protest! The French protest at a drop of a hat 🎩. They truly believe in solidarity to whatever groups are mistreated, disinfranchised etc... So much so that the protests in parts of France have been known to bring things to a grinding halt. I was caught in protests of the Chef's in France. French versus American. Everyone supported the French Chef's. Everything was brought to a grinding halt. Airports were shut down Charles De Gaulle. IT WAS BAD. I had to get military family to come rescue me. And the French will grill you to take up their position. As I stated in one of your other vlogs, The Wine is supreme. The French view Napa Valley as their only competition. As far as faux paus go, the car in the ditch is the only real ooppsie. The wine is part of being indocrenated to the culture 😉😉. So glad that you are diving into 🖌️ 🎨 painting right away! You are so talented👩🏻🎨. Can't wait for the reveal of the guest bedroom! A bientôt.
A cinema and comms background, how intriguing. Can you tell me a little more of your background? Some great advice there too re: tax, thank you! The protesting is really next level. I’ve even heard of disenfranchised employees of the Eiffel Tower protesting and shutting down the attraction for days on end! We’ve had some TGV train trips cancelled because of rail strikes and then gave funded up on the next domestic all stops train. It’s so unpredictable!! It’s a good thing that I’m ex-Army and used to an alcoholic beverage (or two). The wine has become a daily pleasure it seems 😆
Love the trip in the car. Brisbanite here! I am learning French from a woman online in France so that I can be proficient when I go there. She only charges 10 euros for an hour lesson. Can’t wait to get over there. Let me know if you are looking for lessons 😊
Sounds great, you are very organised! Shaun and I have been seeing a French teacher for some time now so we’re all good. We’re learning the curriculum in order to apply for our citizenship (if we want to). I’m also using the app Duolingo which is great.
Im so happy you adopted that precious kitten. She's gorgeous. Lol at some of your confessions. 😂 it seems you are adjusting well to me. It has to be a challenge for sure. Hugs to all the furbaby family members.
Thank you Angela they all send hugs right back! ☺️ The puppies and kitties are living like one big happy zoo with two servants looking after their every need. 😂
I’m so happy you gave a home to that gorgeous little kitty, bless you both ❤. I hate to think how hard it must be to get used to driving to the other side of the road, I’d be hopeless, especially with a truck bearing down on me! Take care and looking forward to the room reveal 😊
Aww thanks for your lovely msg! Pumpkin is cheeky and not scared of anything. Macy is twice her size though and reminds her of the pecking order! I still have to concentrate when driving, and not sing along to the radio. I was singing Flowers by Miley Cyrus when I drove on the wrong side of the road. No more Miley and no more singing! 😂
Hmm... I am sure the next vlog, will be confessions of your hubby? I think that may be fair, after all, it was only a wheel in the ditch, as opposed to an entire car. Jogging/workout/yoga, pants, love it...it may be time for setting some new trends over there, for this century!! P.S. Wine is a necessity for any renovation project! P.S.S. lmk if you'd like me to ship conditioner! Happy too!
You can wear whatever where I live in the southeast on the Mediterranean ….maybe small, rural places full of older retired people are different though…..more conservative and old school. In big cities you can wear what you like ! Actually, maybe people were just looking at how beautiful you are !
Awww I don’t think I am but thank you! Like you say, smaller towns may be different. I have noticed everyone dresses well here. It’s fun to dress up more and wear a button down with smart pants a scarf and jacket too. I’m starting to wear old clothes I’ve had for years. Summer here is a little more casual though.
Hi there both!! Another lovely vlog from you.. thankyou for taking the time to show us all how you are getting along! Little Pumpkin is gorgeous ..I hope the other pets befriend her!! 😊. Looking forward to the big bedroom reveal soon! ❤❤❤
Thanks so much for the lovely feedback 😊 I didn’t know what I’d done when I got pumpkin home but the storming, forming and norming has gone well and the girls play together all day long now. Macy is twice the size of Pumpkin but she’s a fiesty street cat and can’t be beat up easily.
Dear Darlene, unless I am wrong, I made some research about your purchase (the lights) and this is what I found : you should not have paid an extra VAT because it is a tax that you are supposed to pay just once. The important point is to decide, before the purchase, if you pay the tax to the supplier, or when you pick your item, and this choice must be registered. Obviously, there was a mistake here : either the file was not properly filled, or you did not pay attention that the price was excluding tax. As I said, since Brexit, trade between UK and EU has become tricky for some goods.
Thanks for doing some research! How tricky it all is! All online purchases I have paid the total and taxes so I’m not too sure why this one was different. I’ve had other deliveries from the US that have been delivered straight to my door without any extra tax required too. I definitely need to look into it more.
@@DarleneLavett Yes, definitely. I am really sorry I can't help you more. But as for me, I stopped buying items in UK the day I realized that the prices had madly increased after the Brexit. You can find information on the official website of the French government, but I am afraid it is only in French language, and a quite technical one 🙁 Anyway, courage, as we say here, and I wish you the best !
Les vins de Dordogne : Bergerac - Montravel - Pécharmant - Côtes de Duras ... excellents vins ! vous avez raison de les goûter "raisonnablement" pour savoir lesquels vous aimez. Bienvenue au nouveau chaton dans votre famille. Dordogne wines: Bergerac - Montravel - Pécharmant - Côtes de Duras ... excellent wines! You're right to taste them "sensibly" to find out which ones you like. Welcome to the new kitten in your family.
Ah yes, French driving styles. If you appeaar timid, hesitant or apprehnsive they will be all over you, cut you off etc. If you are assertive and as agressive as they are, you have their respect, you will fit right in and all will be well.
It’s has been a real shock on the roads here, one day you’re fighting to keep your lane and the next day every driver will let you in and be so polite. I’ve also found drivers on the road after lunch tend to swerve a lot too. 😂
Since Brexit shipments from the uk which has now become a third country (outside EU) have to go through customs and subject to taxes and sometimes customs duties. It is normally paid through the PO. Once I hosted an American friend of the family. For her birthday, her parents in the US sent her some jewellery to my address. The mail carrier requested a huge payment in custom duties and taxes. I just refused the package which was sent back.
Actually that's incorrect. France will tax you for anything that is not "a gift". And when you move anything that you have purchased you just show a receipt. Anything 6 months or less gets taxed.
@@flojolivet512 Everyone is NOT paying attention to what Darlene said inside the question and answer part of her video. Firstly, the item, Pendant Lighting from Wayfair WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR SHIPPING TO FRANCE. Until you understand that your comment isn't important. Secondly, you ordering a package online that originates from the USA will require YOU TO PAY TAX. That is not what Darlene stated. That's not even close to what I stated either in my original post. If you "listened" to Darlene, she had a friend ship the Pendant Lights to her from Ireland. That was done because shipping to France WAS NOT AN OPTION when Darlene tried to order them. So again , you are not "LISTENING TO DARLENE". Third, because the item wasn't available to ship to France, being lighting certain items are subjected to additional tax. Voltage differs from country to country. This maybe why it wasn't available for shipping. Fourth, If someone is SENDING YOU A 📦 PACKAGE. IT NEEDS TO BE DESIGNATED AS A GIFT. To not do so IS WHAT DARLENE ENCOUNTERED. Again you are "NOT LISTENING TO DARLENE". As I stated, Anything SIX MONTHS OR LESS is subject to the tax. Customs saw the package and subjected it to "ADDITIONAL TAX". It was they way the package was sent that got Darlene in trouble. Even if Darlene had her twin sister send her something from Australia, she would have to prove the validity of the purchase. Otherwise it would be subjected to the tax. EVERYONE IS FLOODING ME WITH SCENARIOS. But no one is "LISTENING TO AND COMPREHENDING" what Darlene said. So my point still stands. My point is still VALID. You can't get around a package being sent without it being designated and labeled as such. I asked Darlene about their items being sent from Australia when she and Shaun were waiting for them to arrive. I was aware then of this tax. I thought Darlene would share the rules and regulations one must go through when Moving to a country outside the UK inside the vlog highlighting the differences FRANCE places on household items. I knew that this would've made an interesting vlog from a newly arriving family to France. So in conclusion, people please read, listen and comprehend prior to addressing a comment.
I made a huge faux pas early days of living in France when I said in a shop ‘ Je suis chaud’ ‘ instead of saying ‘ j'ai chaud ‘ oh la la has a different meaning all together 🤪🤣
@@DarleneLavett Haha, and the worst thing was it was a young lady I said it to! 🤣🤪 I’ve not made that mistake again but it always makes me laugh 😆 I probably still make mistakes but the French appreciate that I try and that’s the most important thing. We’ve found our locals here so lovely and have always been made to feel accepted which is lovely. I hope you’re settling in ok as I know it’s difficult at times not having family close by ❤️
Thanks Julie. It has been challenging but we’ve made so many lovely friends in such a short time. The locals are so accepting of us and our pigeon French, they are amazing. Where abouts are you located?
Aah yes courier prices since B Brexit. No rhyme or reason sometimes. Just paid 11€ charges on an item costing 8£. Embarrassing stories? Most common is people asking for bio jam as sans preservatives….sans condoms?!! Safe jam🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😳😳
Well, dear Darlene, be careful : because of the stupid Brexit, costs increased between UK and EU : shipping and taxes among them. Northern Ireland being part of the UK… Try not to buy anything from the UK as much as you can : money speaking, it is not worth it 😉 Thanks for the video, by the way… and a question : did you buy any truffle ? 🙂
Postage from UK to Australia is not as costly as postage from America to Australia. We do not get any additional charges re customs or tax etc when goods arrive in Australia, that is obviously a French tax imposed.
@@janetpendlebury6808 This is what I found on the website of the French Republic : "Depuis le 1er janvier 2021, le Royaume-Uni a quitté l'Union Européenne. Désormais, les achats en ligne expédiés depuis ce pays sont soumis aux règles et formalités douanières d'importation applicables aux colis postaux expédiés depuis un pays tiers au marché commun." "Since January 1, 2021, the United Kingdom has left the European Union. From now on, online purchases sent from this country are subject to the customs import rules and formalities applicable to postal parcels sent from a country outside the common market ." You can see that this applies to the common market, not only France.
@@JPayne-ul4qd Hello ! "Since January 1, 2021, the United Kingdom has left the European Union. From now on, online purchases sent from this country are subject to the customs import rules and formalities applicable to postal parcels sent from a country outside the common market ."
Thank you for adopting another kitty, she’s lovely. With a new Kitty in the home, it’s best to let them introduce themselves, I found this out on Google. As you know there’s a pecking order so Macey G is the boss. Re hair conditioner, I had the same problem when I lived abroad, what you look for is the different shape bottle, the conditioner bottle tends to be upside down with the cap at the bottom. I also drove on the wrong side of the road, easily done, North Cyprus was great though as they drive on the left the same as England. Look forward to seeing your finished room.
Hi Sheila thanks for watching and for your msg. I’m glad to know it’s not just me to suffer from small issues like hair products 😂 I’m much more settled driving now even though sitting in the passenger seat is weird without the steering wheel. The girls are getting along like lbest buddies now and Pumpkin has taught Macy how to play.
