What should I take to France? ( we are moving there)

[smellymelly]

We are trying to sort our things out, for selling, charity, packing etc. And I need advice on what we can take with us...

We know we have to leave washing machine, fridge etc, but can we take and use things like the kettle, toaster, hair dryer etc?

take all those things - with a screwdriver!
all electrical appliances will need new French plugs, but will work fine.
We've moved back and forth from France more than once, so we now have a vast collection of useless 3-pronged plugs!

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what area will you be moving to, if you don't mind me asking?

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Can you take me along? I'd love to move back!

Barm cakes.

Hi, pas grande chose...
s'pposed to be working, my ds is at the nounou's (he goes there 2 days a week)
do yours have nounous, or are they of school age?

When we moved to Switzerland we brought all small appliances - kettle, toaster etc - and they have been fine with an adaptor (bought in UK). TV may be a problem as it depends how the cable/aerial works as to whether it will be comaptible - here they aren't. We are contemplating taking back to UK freezer, washing machine, tumbler and microwave from here. Some are 230v , some 220-240v - any opinions on whether they will work ?

I think the voltage difference is negligable, no need to worry
we took a fridge to the UK - it's still there in fact, going strong after 8 years!
the tv/video has to be PAL

Plug adaptors for all your English things.

Children's videos and storybooks so they don't forget their English (also comes in useful if you ever take up teaching).

Big tub of gravy granules and HP sauce.

DVD player is useful as you can hire DVD's when you get tired of watching French TV.

Good luck!

Wow, I have never had so many responses so fast!

Hi Teeavee, Where are you? We are moving near La Rochelle, haven't found a house yet, but we are driving there in 2 weeks, with all 4 kids (aaaggghhh!) to find a house to rent, until we find our dream house to buy. We have decided to look in the surrounding area of La Rochelle, as Dh needs to be near a marina for work, and I still like my winters, and dh wants better
summers.

Didn't realise we could take practically all our stuff, that's good. Tv's we knew about but freezers etc we will have to think about then.

I am a little scared, I have to say, but we are hoping for a better way of life, esp for the kids, who are 5, 2 and 5 months old twins!!

GGG - they are fine thanks, doing really well, except for constant coughs and colds. But putting on weight well and looking quite large!! People always expect them to stay small as they are twins.

risotto rice! and parmesan!

Marmite.
Proper tea.
Calpol.
I am soooo envious
I hope it really works out for you smellymelly.

good luck to you, smelly, sounds lovely.

I would just like to second the PROPER TEA suggestion. Whenever anyone comes to stay, I ask them to bring a pack of tea!
and heinz baked beans too...for when you want to rustle up a good cooked breakfast.
and vaseline, germolene, calpol (although you can get french paracetemol medicine for children called 'doliprane'

Have just made a note of Doliprane thanks teavee. You never know...

Yep, I use it when my ds is teething, and its prescribed by my doctor, so free.

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gggl, ou es-tu? A Londres ou toujours en France?

Je voulais dire en ce moment. Je croyais que tu venais a Londres cette semaine?

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Weeeelll, not yet I haven't. But it's on my to-do list
Just relieved I haven't missed you, although sorry to hear of the reason for your disrupted plans
Arts and Crafts still on at the V & A - how quintessentially British and lovely can that be?

Mmm, Teisseire...(to hausfrau)

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Hmmmwould have thought that the pleasure of living a l'etranger was in leaving all that is familiar behind.....
(Or maybe I'm just being sour and jealous living as I do in a place where you're stuffed if you don't want a kebab every time you dine out.