Fortunately we decided to head over the day before and get ourselves organised.
A very stressful time leading up to this point.
It was 35 degrees and all the historic centre of town had been dug up.
Our accommodation was on the top floor of a hotel without a lift and because I had requested a quiet room, we were placed into what we thought was a room built in the fire escape at the back of the hotel.
Very very hot and stuffy and the shower was as big as a shoe box. So not much sleep that night.
We planned out our route from the medical centre where we had to be seen by the Pneumologie Dept at 10.30am and then get across to the other side of the city for our 11.15am interview at the OFII - easy you say.
We were held up at the hospital as we were seen separately. Just to make the day more interesting, no gowns were supplied when we had our xrays.
After all our preparation with paperwork, even listing our vaccinations from childhood as was requested, medical history provided by my Australian doctor, none of this was asked for by the Doctor.
Only a few questions regarding our private health insurance, any prescribed medications and weight. Then the Doctor just stated that the xrays were all clear and placed a stamp on the medical form.
The Tom Tom went stir crazy, cars were pulling out in front of us, trolley buses to contend with, round-abouts that would bring anyone to their knees.
But with Bill driving like Daniel Riccardo, we made it with seconds to spare.
Once we arrived at the OFII, out of breathe and stressed, we stood at the counter, passed over the documentation along with the medical certificate and xrays from the hospital.
They then asked for more paperwork which after a few minutes we worked out what they were asking for.
Once provided, they printed off the visa and placed it into our passports and stamped them. All good to go after a few instructions about showing the two visas in the passports when going through customs.
A celebratory drink of French Champagne coming up!
For anyone attempting what we just completed, my advice would be to make sure you have all the documentation even though we weren't asked for some of it doesn't mean that others won't.
So relieved and excited about the prospect of now staying the whole 12 months.
Look out France!
A few more pics of Limoges......
Some more pics of places we went through on the way to and from Limoges.
Bourganeuf is a beautiful village with the Castle being converted into a cinema.
We also found the most amazing brocante shop absolutely jammed packed with stuff - could have spent all day in there but Limoges was waiting.
They are so picturesque.All the little villages you pass through on your way to somewhere excites us the most.
All the flower pots so wonderfully placed at window sills and doorways, along stone walls, hanging pots overladen with flowers.Seeing many Chateaux in the distance.
The pic opposite is of a 14 century hall in Treignac - just amazing.
The French forests are just beautiful.
A new Francophile
Wendy
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