The "Real" tax rate in France...

[Perik Omo]

I also agree with what you say about the friendliness, neighbours even the elderly farmer couple a kilometre up the track stop for a chat when I'm walking the dogs. We have a great pensioners "do" at the local relais 2nd week of December every year all paid for by the M Le Maire, 6 courses plus free flowing wine/champagne and entertainment (read bawdy songs sung by the very elderly locals). As for the UK, my daughter separated from her husband in the summer and moved into a rented house and the woman next door is all aggro and bhes if someone parks a metre over her side of the shared drive and insists the vehicle is moved even when it's just someone dropping something off or a delivery, this is something that greatly concerns me as you just can't be sure who your new neighbours will be or what they will be like.