Received my new card a couple of days ago. Put it in and away it went! No need to call the UK at all! Result!

GOOD TO HEAR IT§

Shhhh. You been at the sherry again dear?

Sorry, but you haven't met me. In the 16 years I've lived (worked and retired) in France I've never had British TV nor felt the need for this "umbilical cord". The sole exception was BBC World which was included in the French standard TV cable package we had while we were in Antibes 1994-2003.

Wonder how many French in the UK insist on (and move heaven and earth to have) French TV??
This "SKY drug dependency" which I find on all expat forums to which I belong never ceases to amaze me.
I also got by happily in Switzerland for 24 years with nary a UK TV channel, just the local German, French and Italian Swiss ones, plus the main German and Austrian channels.

Roger, you are a model. We are weak. We do though use both, French and UK TV. Radio is hard to abandon, some comedy progs can't be replicated here. I confess to being a news and politics nerd 'cos of the work I used to do. Humphrys and Naughhtie are heroes. It is a drug and, sadly, I am hooked.

So what? Live & let live. I have both too. I'm not fluent, never, ever will be as I'm English to the core. But, I like to watch the news, I like the English commentary on the rugby. My ancient mother-in-law NEEDS the UK TV, else she'd stagnate without it. My wife likes to watch stuff too, and we like to be reminded of our roots from time to time. Our kids would have died without the 'umbilical cord' when we first arrived in France. It didn't do them any harm, both are now fluent and both rarely watch TV these days anyway.

Horses for courses.

oops! Was it that obvious!!

Only to another old soak!

Mind you, while on the PC.. I usually listen to Riviera Radio (Monaco).. mostly for the music.. as they play lots of my old favourites!! I always had it on the car radio driving to/from work while in Antibes..
http://shoutcast.radica.com:9010/listen.pls

Roger, that Riviera Radio appears to do well considering it seems to be a 3 person radio station. Lucky to get away with so much auto playout I'd say.

I worked near Antibes 1994 - 2003 and they were always there, though without a website but with a monthly glossy magazine (maybe still going..)
There is such a huge expat community - including masses of well heeled "boat people" that they've got plenty of support. RR is an institution on the Côte, not "just" a local radio station - they broadcast as far as St Tropez, at least and can be received up in the Ski stations, etc.!

I know Geoffrey's the local Brit shop has two charter freight planes per week - maybe more now - and huge trucks bringing provisions over from the UK daily. Those people order stuff from him by the ton.. the shop itself in Antibes is more of a sideline which hardly does enough bulk trade to pay expenses. The company I worked for employed some hundreds of Brits locally and there are many more in the Sophia Antipolis companies, apart from all the celebs (e.g. Roger Moore) who live on the area. Check the flights from/to the UK daily from Nice to get a volume idea!
10 pages from all over..
http://www.nice.aeroport.fr/vols_en/...0&tps=&start=1

Hello all

Been MIA for a while, but just popped in to ask a question.

I think this may be a good enough thread without starting another....



We have never had satellite tv, English or otherwise, but recently saw some programmes on Channel 4 (?) whilst visiting my mum. We were quite impressed and seeing as how my Dad has a spare set top box, we were wondering if anyone knew where to get one of those mini satellite dishes from.

(We live in an appartment building with a small balcony and the back windows may be able to support such a dish, but we cannot put up a full size dish).

Has anyone any experience in mini-dishes? Or has any alternate suggestions?

I would be very grateful

Camping/caravanning suppliers. They come in a case that you can leave them set up in!

Lovely to see you again. You've been missed!

Hey Stu!! Missed you guys too, hope all is well with you and yours

Ok...sorry to be dense, what comes in a case that you can leave them set up in?

I'm having visions of miniature caravans and people, all packed in a handy carry case.....

Lol! The dish and the receiver both come in a handy little cary case. Google the Towsure website?