[Kyuuseishu]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

I couldnt do it - I did teach accountants to pass their accountancy exams but they wanted to be there and got a pay rise if they passed (and maybe sack if they didnt!) so motivation was there...

You may spot that I had a relative who was a teacher and whinged alot - now retired from age 50..) went back doing some supply as and when he fancied it.

In all honesty, with the school I am in, I have it easy compared to the majority of teachers probably. It's an alright job if you get a decent school/department, and turns you off if you don't! it's results day next week and the week after, See how long it lasts

[Bibbles]

Originally Posted by Kyuuseishu

Going to throw Japan into the mix. On day 12 of my 32 day trip, amazing food, hospitality, and scenery so far.



It is however, bloody boiling.

I went to Japan earlier this year. Epic country and people. Can't wait to go back at some point. Currently having to put up with this view in France for the next couple of weeks.

[JD6]

Originally Posted by Bibbles

Currently having to put up with this view in France for the next couple of weeks.

That is fabulous. Where in France is that?

[G50]

Going to guess Lake Annecy? Nibbles

[Nibbles]

Originally Posted by JD6

That is fabulous. Where in France is that?

G50 Aix-les-Bains, about 30mins from Annecy. Much less crowded, we go there every year and it's where I'm hoping to retire. Access to the mountains and you get the lake as well. Couldn't go last year but will be back there in August. These shots are from 2020.

[G50]

Originally Posted by Nibbles

G50 Aix-les-Bains, about 30mins from Annecy. Much less crowded, we go there every year and it's where I'm hoping to retire. Access to the mountains and you get the lake as well. Couldn't go last year but will be back there in August. These shots are from 2020.

Well after a crap experience in the airports flying to Italy 2 weeks ago, I decided the summer holiday has to be a road trip to the continent again and yesterday I booked the eurotunnel for Friday 22nd July to Mon 6th August, think that will be our longest holiday ever at 17 nights.

Currently looking for airbnb's in various locations in France, or potentially Spain. After seeing those pics I'm going to check out Aix les bains area, as we'd like to do some hiking, and I especially like messing about in the water whether it's kayaks, paddle board etc.

It also very quickly dawned on me that the little Up GTI that I swapped my G30 540i for is NOT the car to be doing such a trip in, so on Friday I will be picking up a G31. Was always a bit gutted I didn't do a European trip in the 540, the last trip was in an F31 in 2020.

[JD6]

Originally Posted by Nibbles

G50 Aix-les-Bains, about 30mins from Annecy. Much less crowded, we go there every year and it's where I'm hoping to retire. Access to the mountains and you get the lake as well. Couldn't go last year but will be back there in August. These shots are from 2020.

Looks fabulous and I can see the appeal of retiring there. I'm a mountain person too.

Nearly 20 years ago my French girlfriend (at the time) and I considered retiring to the western Pyrenees which has a similar appeal. One of the key reasons we chose the Lake District over it, was tax. At the time there was an 'Impôt sur la fortune' which in effect meant you had to pay around 1% of your net worth each year in addition to income taxes.

France goes through far left political cycles and when it does they tend to impose this tax. It was abolished by Macron in 2017, but could return with the next left winger. Perhaps less of an issue if you're retiring there say in your 60s, but worth considering. The French tend not to pay it themselves, but that's largely as tax evasion is a national sport!

[Nibbles]

Originally Posted by JD6

Looks fabulous and I can see the appeal of retiring there. I'm a mountain person too.

Nearly 20 years ago my French girlfriend (at the time) and I considered retiring to the western Pyrenees which has a similar appeal. One of the key reasons we chose the Lake District over it, was tax. At the time there was an 'Impôt sur la fortune' which in effect meant you had to pay around 1% of your net worth each year in addition to income taxes.

France goes through far left political cycles and when it does they tend to impose this tax. It was abolished by Macron in 2017, but could return with the next left winger. Perhaps less of an issue if you're retiring there say in your 60s, but worth considering. The French tend not to pay it themselves, but that's largely as tax evasion is a national sport!

Yes is seems to just be a property tax now but at some point they'll add investments etc back into it. First bit for us will be buying a holiday home there in the next few years and then by the time the kids don't need us in about 10 years we'll be in our mid fifties so we'll see whether we fancy moving over there permanently then and what the rules are. Also what hoops we'll have to jump through now we're no longer part of the EU.

[Nibbles]

Originally Posted by G50

Well after a crap experience in the airports flying to Italy 2 weeks ago, I decided the summer holiday has to be a road trip to the continent again and yesterday I booked the eurotunnel for Friday 22nd July to Mon 6th August, think that will be our longest holiday ever at 17 nights.

Currently looking for airbnb's in various locations in France, or potentially Spain. After seeing those pics I'm going to check out Aix les bains area, as we'd like to do some hiking, and I especially like messing about in the water whether it's kayaks, paddle board etc.

It also very quickly dawned on me that the little Up GTI that I swapped my G30 540i for is NOT the car to be doing such a trip in, so on Friday I will be picking up a G31. Was always a bit gutted I didn't do a European trip in the 540, the last trip was in an F31 in 2020.

The 540 is a great road trip cruiser. The first year I had it we went across to Strasbourg, had a day there, then headed south dipping into Germany for an autobahn blast, then through Switzerland and back into France to get to Aix-les-Bains.

[mikeoz]

Originally Posted by G50

Well after a crap experience in the airports flying to Italy 2 weeks ago, I decided the summer holiday has to be a road trip to the continent again and yesterday I booked the eurotunnel for Friday 22nd July to Mon 6th August, think that will be our longest holiday ever at 17 nights.

Currently looking for airbnb's in various locations in France, or potentially Spain. After seeing those pics I'm going to check out Aix les bains area, as we'd like to do some hiking, and I especially like messing about in the water whether it's kayaks, paddle board etc.

It also very quickly dawned on me that the little Up GTI that I swapped my G30 540i for is NOT the car to be doing such a trip in, so on Friday I will be picking up a G31. Was always a bit gutted I didn't do a European trip in the 540, the last trip was in an F31 in 2020.

I went Eurotunnel last week and there where long queues from the M20 to check in....hopefully P&O will have all the ships sailing soon as the M20 is contraflow with one side a truck park still and knock on effects to make ET even busier...

[G50]

Originally Posted by mikeoz

I went Eurotunnel last week and there where long queues from the M20 to check in....hopefully P&O will have all the ships sailing soon as the M20 is contraflow with one side a truck park still and knock on effects to make ET even busier...

How long we talking from joining the queue on M20 to getting through check in?

[mikeoz]

Originally Posted by G50

How long we talking from joining the queue on M20 to getting through check in?

Took about 1hr then the train they put me on broke down and didn't move for another 45mins....Hopefully things will ease up before Aug

[MAW73]

Was supposed to be going to Marbella for my mates 50th with a few couples. We all booked the flights and a really nice hotel with BA over a year ago. A very good deal at the time.

Just recieved a notification from BA that the outbound flight is now cancelled.

Such a pain in the backside.

[Rbrown]

Originally Posted by Rbrown

As it's that time of year, thought I would kick it off....

Tenerife!

3 years later…back at the same hotel!!

[MAW73]

Originally Posted by Rbrown

3 years later…back at the same hotel!!

Ha ha GF Victoria

I am going there for a couple or weeks at the beginning of August. I also went there 3 years ago.

I hope it's still a great hotel and have a lovely time.

Martin

[Rbrown]

Originally Posted by MAW73

Ha ha GF Victoria

I am going there for a couple or weeks at the beginning of August. I also went there 3 years ago.

I hope it's still a great hotel and have a lovely time.

Martin

Hi Martin

Don't worry. It's still as good. It seems a bit quieter at the moment - which is really nice!

Enjoy it when you get here!!!!

[mikeoz]

Wassenaar coast Holland. Last week.
Last time we got there was pre covid..

[moonshine]

Sunset on Mt Blanc - in the French Alps in the motorhome walking and MTB

[gangzoom]

My view at 6am today, this is what driving should be like .

[JR1664]

Our view leaving Gibralter a few days ago. Nice tankers

[Kendo67]

Good to have the sun on my back again after four years of dismal Scottish weather.

K