In we went to find a very old fashioned nurse, wearing a stiff white heavy cotton nurses over shirt that buttons to the side. She glanced extremely quickly at where I pointed to show her that we didn’t have TB and our tetanus vaccination was up to date. I only pointed to Nev's results but she didn’t really seem interested, she didn't want to see mine. She spoke English and ushered us through to a room where the Dr was waiting – the room was full of old character and part of the room was divided by an old glass petition with the examination bed on the other side. I sat at the desk with the nurse and answered questions, she informed me they had 40 medicals to do before 1200.Nev went with the Dr behind the partition but I could see him on the table through a large gap running through the centre of the petition. Every now and then the Dr called things out and the nurse wrote the results. A bit of tapping here and there, chest Xray completed and an eye test – he was done! My turn while he sat with the nurse – same procedure but they must have been in a hurry as I didn’t even do the eye test! 2 minutes later we get the all important piece of paper to say we are fine to live in France, our X rays given to us to keep! The nurse advised us to go straight to the Prefecture and hand in the medical as soon as it opens so we wouldn’t have to wait long.
However we had to go and complete another part of this strange process first.
So, we headed up to the place where we were meant to hear the “rules” of France and be welcomed, also to ask questions etc. When Ghislaine had called them last week she had been told that we should allow half a day and preferably no children but she explained that ours would be coming and that was ok. It also said in the letter that it is obligatory.
So we arrived 50 minutes too early as it was still only just after 8:00 and it didn’t open till 9:00. We found a little café and breakfast out – croissants juice/café! Filled in our time then headed there straight on the dot. We were hoping by being there early that it might not take as long. However….. they just said we don’t need to come at all, the letter just gets sent out automatically and it isn’t required here. What!!! Another bureaucratic marvel. So even after Ghislaine rang 3 times last Friday it wasn’t mentioned that we don’t come at all.
So we headed to another place –the Treasury- where we needed to pay “Tax” €275 each. Before we can get this Carte. You don’t pay at the Prefecture (Official Bureaucratic Place) but at the Treasury and you have to buy stamps and stick them to your paper and then take them to the Prefecture. (I do think this is all set up so it keeps people employed – can’t see the reason for not just paying at the Prefecture!)
Very expensive stamps - we had to have a page each!Having been at the Prefecture before and seeing the queues, also knowing the girls couldn’t get their appointment until 18 December when we booked in the beginning of October we were prepared for a long wait – the girls had packed cards, books, games, food etc.
However we were to be surprised – the place was full of people and they operate a number system and you go to whichevere section you are appointed to – we only had to wait for 1 number! We got the same lady as before – she took the medicals, scribbled over our stamps (presumably so you can’t reuse them) took our letter of our address verification – said ‘That is it’ your carte should arrive in a week!
Can’t believe this whole process – in the end seemed simple but still a long time and much mucking around. Now for the girls in December… they don’t need medicals etc though, I think it is much more straight forward. Let’s hope so!
After this went to do a few jobs in town – it was still only 10:30! Went to the bus office and amazingly my lambs wool gloves that I lost on the bus on Monday were there! Whew! I had priced replacements here – up to €120 for decent warm gloves!
Went to Thomas Cook travel agents to see about deals for the Xmas break- but bad news everything just so expensive as it is the peak time! €3500-4000 for a weeks skiing in the mountains. So back to the drawing boards – came home to trawl the net. Decided we might rent a house for a week and drive around looking at things. So the search goes on…
Town is getting all ready for Xmas, decorations are everywhere, the chalets are getting organised and the town has a big day on Saturday for the “marche de Noel” I think this is when it is officially “opened” and the lights go on!
All the fountains and ponds have been emptied for winter – not a good sign.
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