maude

thanks Tel for the reply.Done a complete Dell diagnostic search-shows no problems.However to continue searching for further investigations,i cannot find Device Manager -it just shows a completely blank white page with the heading of Device Manager!!!How do I find this?any help greatly apreciated.Maude-   frustrated,pixxxd off,broke,too old,fed up,run out of wine!!!!!!

Hi folks-looking for advice if possible.My Brother all singing/dancing fax,printer scanner,has stopped working on the scanning part.always shows "not connected" after a diagnostic check.Tried reinstalling the software and also carrying out the Brother repair procedure.This seems to indicate a software fault,possibly onthe Broadcom 440x10/100 integrated controller-whatever that is!!!!!Done a system check-all indicates o.k.Dell tech services after transferring me desk to desk,finally transferred me to another Asian software company who inform me that it can be repaired over the internet for £40!Has anyone any other suggestions?Thanks Maude  

Same reaso they cant drive on their side of the road-its known as " spacial awareness" or the lack of it.A well known phenomenon in the far flungers!!!!    Chuckel chuckle.Maude

Yes, but comes the old question of responsibilities-especially if mazoomers are concerned.Just tread carefully,and dont fall in the mire so to speak!!!!maude

Hi Folks hope someone may shed some light on this.We have for the past 2 weeks only or so had some scratching and claw noises coming form the almost non accessible roof space above our bedroom.Dont know whether something is returning after the night shift or going out for breakfast!Only hear the noises at dawn just before daybreak-the neighbours cockerel wakes us at this time anyway.Tried knocking on the roof boards just to disturb "it" but nothing helps.At first suspected lizards-the bigger bright green jobs but have changed my mind about this.Cannot see anything due to the loose lay insulation and cannot see any bats-another suspicion.Would like them to move on,so would apreciate any suggestions and /or possible solutions.I cannot see any obvious places of entry. Maude

We had the same thing but within a few days of moving in.Found they were living in,t walls so sprayed some Xylophene treatment outside around the exposed rafters and fumigated the rooms affected with a smoke type bomb.We had to shovel up the varmints for a few days!We no longer have clouds of them on the external walls in the sunshine,and only the odd one inside.    Maude

I,ll endorse the Tarax -now have no niffs like what we had before.Mind you have replaced the ,orrible French plumbing with trapped waste pipes and arranged for a slight slope-seems unknown in this partr of the world!!Unless of course you wanted a dead level set up in which case I would gurantee a slope!!!Maude

we have been told that to wish someone "bon apetit" such as on a campsite or picnic area ,as we have been,is not a la francais and is construed to be a "bad" joke according to our doctor in general converation.Can someone please enlighten us.Maude-more confused!

please send me at least 14 of those snakes.We have a moron over the way with at least 14 barn captive chasse dogsNoise is unbelievable at very odd times of the night Believe the cretin has an automatic feeder,which occasionally sticks.Just would love to throw over 14 boomslangs-preferably into the morons bedroom!!!!!!!Maude. Sorry about your dog-hope a full recovery is in hand!

Has the route of the proposed cables in Normandy or Mayenne been yet published>nothing shows on the forum search?Many thanks for any info,Maude Tuesday-many thanks to all who replied-very helpfull.Now heres another with the ongoing saga-what happens after the area of Buais?not seen any other articles about this.Anymore info appreciated greatly.Maude

Hi Folks-can anyone enlighten me as to whether these can be used on the autoroutes and where are they ordered from.Would be less pain to use than a bucket full of cash.thanks .Would like one for when towing our caravan.Maude

I have completed my online  revenue tax.I Have been told that as we are now both over retirement age of 65 we will no longer have to pay this tax-hopefully! Can anyone point me in the right direction for up to date info and will ,if this is true, be stopped automatically by the tresorie from my monthly outgoings.Many thanks, Maude

Our bedrooms were ,as usual stained dark brown,or at least varnished dark brown.I rubbed down with wet and dry,using St Marc oxydrene,wiped off let dry.and then emulsioned white.No probs.  Maude.    At least it is bright and now light something not known to the locals.

Do NOT part with your property inUK under any circumstances- this is our regret after 6 years of living here full time.We now have no option financially but to stay put or move locally due to the financial situation generally.If I had my time again,we would have rented out uk house,remotgaged or sold my body for medical research rather than be committed here forever.Not too much to complain about but do find life as someone said months ago,"life in France is an open prison"The world ends sept 1st,shutters shut until june next year unless the drinking sessions among other Brits,or the "aperatifs" with the locals are your scene.C.est la vie!!!!!    Maude Ps.  Many people we know do in fact struggle financially with the gite ,B&B scene due to the very short season of holiday makers ,unless you are in an exceptionally popular house hunting area.We seem to be, here in the S.Vendee, but again, it is very competitive for little reward-the market is awash with gites etc.Good luck in your decision,hope it works out.

Diusagree with this one.I want entertainment not the challenge-Maude

thanks chris,this looks like orchis mascula from the web photies Ive seen.Superb!!!!    Maude

Top one Chris,although the lower one is a beauty also. Maude

Can anyone name the lilac/vivid purple orchid type flower that is very common at this time of year in the hedgerows?certainly very striking and a good subject for my watercolour painting.!  maude

We have the same problem-caused by a faulty fosse septique which doesnt drain well when the ground water table is high, and also when the tank needs emptying of gunge!     Maude-fun it aint!!!!

And ugly And noisy-outhouse use only!!!   Maude

We also pay for dustbin services-155 euros,then standing phone charges-32 eu for 2 months.water charges and supply-about 200 eu,standing charge for elec.but this depends on the supply kilowattage-the higher the supply,the more ya pays. car insurance aprox the uk amount but no car tax for the average car.MOT (equivalent) every 2 years-55euros. Income tax if resident.In fact, sorting out papers last night we found old bills for utilities and council tax uk 2002.not a great deal of different to what I am paying here--BUT using the 2002 figures.These have obviously increased a great deal-but we did have services/facilities.here we have no facilities in the semi rurals,apart from yearly ditch gouging to take away surface water.I wouldnt say the cost savings are anything to make such a major decision about. Then of course,there is the ongoing health debate,not exactly cheap,unless you are blessed with exceptional good health.    Maude           

On the same theme.What is the permissable period of ongoing prescriptions.Our doc.says that by French law he can only prescribe the thyroxine tablets to cover 2 months.Our friend,4 miles away gets her repeat prescription for 3 months!!!!same dosage of thyroxine.Although my treatment has been stable for many years,I still have to see and pay  the doc.,for a repeat presciption.Could it be I muse,another way of maintaining his own income.As usual it seems to be different interpretations/different doctors.!!!       Maude

I took some back a couple of weeks ago.,after a reaction/side effects with the prescribed original drugs.Yes they took them,with the remark-allez a la poubelle.!!!!!! So much for pollution control!!!!                                                maude

there are a million different makes here in France-Faur,Brandt,Ariston,Indesit,Arthur Martin et al.Ya pays ya money and takes ya choice.dont forget the cost of home delivery here in France which is normal.All are rated for 230 volts. Electric ovens/and certainly halogen hobs, other than the mini ovens(which we prefer) will normally require a cooker supply which can be difficult or expensive to instal in the average maison ancienne!maude

Disagree Nick re prices>Much more choice in uk and negotiable prices.The guarantee I do agree with,and the power consumption of certain items versus most French houshold electrical supplies being possibly not compatable.Then there is the cost of transporting same.our Friends  were "advised" that their Anglais white goods would not work in France-Cost them a fortune!    Maude n