I can confirm that it is JUST as stressful in France

So I told the estate agent that we couldn't let the buyers start work before the transfer of ownership, and she accepted it sweet as a nut. Then I said, "So in principle I'll see you on Tuesday. We have a provisional rendezvous."

"Why provisional?"

"Because the notaire still doesn't have the papers from urbanism"

"Codswallop! It was sent on Monday." (codswallop - n'importe quoi)

"Listen, everyone is telling me different stories. I don't know. I'm just telling you what she told me yesterday."

"I'll ring her."

I think I'll have a nap...

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