Chat Ed : Welcome to this evening's No Going Back chat with Benn and Amy Coley and series producer Billy Paulett!
Amy : Hi everyone, this is Amy. I hope you all enjoyed the show. We were wetting ourselves here! Sorry for the f words! They must have cut a few of them!
Billy Paulett : Hi again! Great show tonight and no we didn't cut any f words!
Benn : Hello everyone, I think Amy and I were just as surprised as everyone else at the amount of swearing and humour in there that made the cut!
Rev Jingle Cynds : Hello Benn and Amy!
Neiko : Hiya benn and Amy congrats
Neiko : What has been your most memorable moment so far
helen : what has to be possibly the best thing about having moved to france?
Benn : Urm.. probably one of the most memorable was being open for business on our first day (well not our first day as Amy broke her leg!). But when we did open we had 2 toilets and 2 sinks missing as I went to the airport to pick the guests up but when I got back it was all in place - it was just a miracle! And the best thing about moving to France is being able to spend more time with my wife.; not having to set my alarm for 7am just to know that I have to go through my routine of showering and going on the tube to work. Instead now it is getting up to do something I really enjoy doing. The weather is great here too which helps.
BA BARACUS : Was the language barrier a problem?
Benn : The language barrier has been a big issue for us. It's been the one thing that has stopped us enjoying life 100% in France. Amy has spent a lot of time studying but we don't have the money or time for her to go to full-time tuition. We still struggle when we just go out for the night to enjoy ourselves. So that's something we will work on.
nitty : What are the French like as neighbours? Have you had any problems with them because you are English?
Rev Jingle Cynds : Whets the best part of French living?
Amy : The day I moved in, in the morning, one of our neighbours came over with homemade crepes and muffins - they were still warm from the oven. Because it's rural here people wave at you as the drive down the road. It's lovely, it's really lovely. The best part of the business has been being involved in people's holidays. When people say 'This is the best holiday I've ever had' that just gives me such a warm feeling. That has been the best part of the business for me.
Georgie : To series producer: Do you think most people relocate because the think it will be one long holiday?
Billy Paulett : Absolutely not...I think that people know exactly what is required and there may be a huge dose of romanticism but that's what it takes. I think that most people are there to try and achieve what they really want to do.
gareth : Will there also be a book about this series
Billy Paulett : Yes, there's going to be a book which will be published next year in the spring which obviously will feature Benn and Amy.
darzet steve : has there been any problems with red tape from the french authorities??
Barry : Is the health insurance expensive or was Amy's accident covered under EEC provisions
Benn : Basically Amy's leg was covered by the UK health service - if you relocate after paying national insurance for a few years you can get a form called an E106 which is what we claimed Amy's leg on. I had done a fair bit of reading up on moving to France - so looked at what kind of corporate structure we might need to take in France. I read a lot of books and discovered the most simple tax structure to take etc. I had to attend a few meetings which, if you don't speak French, is very difficult - there were phone calls and I had to use my dictionary! But I got there! I have also seen an English-speaking tax specialist who has said that everything we did was pretty good.
HiggioUSA : For benn and amy - how did you decide to locate in biarritz versus the rest of France?
Rev Jingle Cynds : Benn and Amy, if you didn’t move to france, where else would you have considered moving to?
Benn : We chose the south west of France because of my love of surfing - I originally wanted to move to Cornwall but Amy wanted somewhere where the climate was warmer.
kelly : do you have a website?
ProPer CrimBo : WHAT IS THE WEBSITE I THINK WE ALL ARE DYING TO KNOW!!!
Benn : We do! Thank you for asking! www.frenchfusion.com
marcos : how long have you been running now?
MC : Any tips for buying a house in France
Benn : The corporate weekend as shown on the programme was our first booking which was either the 1st June or 1st July. We are looking forward to a busy year next year too. MC - top tips: pay an architect to do a survey - it's not obligatory here to get a survey, so don't come a cropper with that. Also consider transport connections between your property and the outside world. Also, if you are inland where you can get better value for money, you MUST have a swimming pool.
Rev Jingle Cynds : Billy, I am planning on moving abroad , would you be willing to film me?
hobnob : how can I be on No Going Back?
Andre Baker : I'm moving to Bulgaria next year to buy a Guest house and Bar
Billy Paulett : Please do get in touch, you can ring me on 020 7251 6966 or go to the Ricochet website
Di : Your initial budget was 10,000 - how much did you overspend on the renovation work?
Dave A : The renovated home is really gorgeous. How much did it cost to renovate it?
Amy : We went £10,000 over budget on the spend for the renovation.
Ben : Question, how much for an adventure weekend for two in June?
Amy : Our holidays are for a minimum of six people so you'll have to find four friends. In June they start from £320 per person with some meals and activities (per week). You can email us to ask for a quote at: benn@frenchfusion.com
nick hodgkins : to the producer, any news on the family who moved to a desert island?
googoomae : oh yes the desert island family, brill watching!!!
Billy Paulett : Urm... I'd rather talk about Benn and Amy's fantastic life. And England winning the World Cup!
Billy Paulett winks
Billy Paulett : No, no news
Daniel : Question for Benn: Are you still free-lancing on the accounting?
mm : Have you sold up and broken all links with UK, or are you still keeping the house as an investment?
Benn : I'm still doing a little bit of work for my old employers, yeah. We still own our flat in Wimbledon. I'd love to sell it but at the moment it's just easier to rent it out. We tried hard to sell but didn't get the asking price so we have kept it on.
angela : have you any furthur plans?
Benn : Our future plans are to acquire another property near us and start another business to improve our income streams through a pure rental business.
Chat Ed : Our time with Ben and Amy is almost up, so last few questions now...
John k : Did you take your cat over or did it live there already?
Amy : I brought them in the car with me. It's easy to do.
sue : ben and amy do you regret anything
Amy : No, no regrets at all.
Jimmy : Do you plan to grow any of your own produce?
Amy : I had a go with runner beans this year and then remembered I don't like runner beans! I do want to try and get a bit more into that sort of thing. I've made my own quince jelly!
McLannahan : Benn/Amy - My parents live quite near you (Lannemazan) but are quite isolated from other English - are there many near you at all?
Amy : We know one couple and know of one other. We are trying to not contact English people because it won't be good for our French learning! So we're trying to have relationships with our new best friends - the French!
Jo : are you not bored being so far from your life in london and your friends?
Amy : No!
Amy chuckles
Amy : I went back for a weekend a few weeks ago but I quickly became bored in London actually. I couldn't wait to get back to the fresh air.
sue : if you could do it all again would you do anything different
Amy : I wouldn't have gone skiing!
kelly mayes : any last hints for someone wanting to do the same before you go?
Amy : LOTS! Please email me and I'll send you some tips amy@frenchfusion.com
Chat Ed : That's it! Thanks for coming and talking to us Ben and Amy and Billy!
Amy : Thank you all so much and thanks to everyone at Ricochet! We've had a fabulous time.
Russ : Love you all darlings
John k : merci et au revoir!
googoomae : good luck
Neiko : Bye Benn n Amy happy christmas and good luck for your future
Billy Paulett : Thank you all and thank you Amy and Benn you have been fantastic. I hope everyone goes and stays there!
Rev Jingle Cynds : thanks for joining us tonight guys, have a good xmas
Benn : Thanks a lot HiggioUSA!
Amy leaves the room
Benn leaves the room
Billy Paulett leaves the room
