Forms - Grrr

Well the long awaited package arrived from the bank. No details of our current account just another pile of forms with a note attached to call the bank when we received them. I duly telephoned and struggled through the conversation in French and eventually managed to get connected to our advisor (who, fortunately, speaks English). Apparently the forms are for sickness and death insurance for the mortgage, which is mandatory in France. Our advisor said that, of course, we could answer 'non' to all the questions? Ahermm - no. Question one was a fairly straightforward 'non' - and from there it went downhill. Which means I have to fill the forms in in detail and have to complete supplementary forms. I'm just trying to work out the French for 'key hole surgey on knee' :S and resigning myself to another pile of paperwork. Needless to say other half could write 'non' to all questions.

Had an email from the vendor - both have now signed so the contract is on its way to us by recorded delivery. He is visiting this week to empty the house of furniture - except for those pieces we are buying - which, after much debate, is now down to a dining table and six chairs, a bed and the fridge. Looks like we will need to shop for furniture pretty quickly.

I have bought some basic kitchen stuff - pots, pans, cutlery...that sort of thing - and started packing some boxes of smaller things to take with us. We had hoped to be able to get some 'cheap' table ware (living in the mecca (or should I say former mecca) of the 'potteries') but it seems that the only things available locally from the factory shops are horrendously expensive fine bone china (albeit heavily discounted) or really naff designs. Only been to the Doulton and Portmeirion shops so far so will keep looking...

Just as an aside - I hate having to talk on the telephone in French. I keep hoping that, after all our lessons, the penny will drop but each time I prepare, plan what I am going to say - and more importantly what they may say in reply. I start off fine - then I get the volley of fast incomprehensible French back and my brain turns to mush and I stand at the other end of the phone with my mouth working but nothing coming out. Feeling like a complete idiot - again!