DMC

I am now the proud owner of a pool alarm. Am I the only one? The only problem is that I was supposed to get it last week and I have only just returned to the UK a few days ago. I'll now have to try and track down someone to fit it as it wasn't my normal pool company who supplied it. An extremely busy friend also got one from the same source so I'm waiting for further information on the installation. Doug

Many thanks - we did appear to be creating more problems than answers. I think I will buy an alarm and consider some form of physical protection at a later stage when the dust has settled.

Many thanks - we did appear to be creating more problems than answers. I think I will buy an alarm and consider some form of physical protection at a later stage when the dust has settled.

For those who are not aware of the latest news in 34, 66, 11 etc - Ryanair have now made Gerona into a larger hub as from February. There are some bargain fares to several Italian destinations starting at about 5. It's also a good option for UK travel - especially 'one hop' to Scotland and Ireland. I'm travelling Aberdeen/Dublin/Gerona in February with 2 nights in Venice before returning to Gerona and travelling up to Beziers direction - all for about 70. Does anyone know a decent budget hotel near the railway station in Gerona for an overnight stay?

I think the most direct route is via Limoges and Toulouse - 659 miles at a cost of 36 in tolls. I've used the route via Clermont Ferrand a couple of times and like the high altitude drive down via Clermont L'Herault and down to Beziers. Try the variables on http://www.viamichelin.com - it also gives the toll costs and distances.

Anyone know of a website that can translate French dialling codes into geographical areas?

Pool owners (especially Gite owners with time constraints) now seem to be faced with the quandary of trying to meet the new regulations whilst being unable to decypher the definitive requirements. I certainly don't want to simply spend a great deal of cash on the ugly and expensive fencing that the pool companies are offering. Could any of the forum members with the necessary intricate language and cryptography skills give definitive answers to any of the following: 1. Can an approved electronic pool alarm categorically replace all of the requirements for a fence? 2. What is the minimum/maximum height of the fence? 3. Can a smooth unclimbable wall replace the fence? 4. What is the minimum distance the fence (or wall) must be from the pool edge? 5. What is the maximum allowable distance from the pool edge? 6. Silly question maybe, but what is the pool edge? 7. Are there any limitations to the leisure facilities (sunloungers, tables, brollies etc) being within the secure area? 8. The gate must obviously be lockable and open outwards - any particular specification apart from the obvious smooth and unclimbable? 9. There must be many cases where the house or other obstruction or building is within the maximum/minimum allowable distances from the pool - is there anything specific in the regulations regarding this? As a typical example, a house may be 3.5 metres away from the pool edge. If the regulations stated that the maximum distance is 3 metres it is a plainly ridiculous situation. 10. And finally, anyone know of other sources of information in plain English?

Pool owners (especially Gite owners with time constraints) now seem to be faced with the quandary of trying to meet the new regulations whilst being unable to decypher the definitive requirements. I certainly don't want to simply spend a great deal of cash on the ugly and expensive fencing that the pool companies are offering. Could any of the forum members with the necessary intricate language and cryptography skills give definitive answers to any of the following: 1. Can an approved electronic pool alarm categorically replace all of the requirements for a fence? 2. What is the minimum/maximum height of the fence? 3. Can a smooth unclimbable wall replace the fence? 4. What is the minimum distance the fence (or wall) must be from the pool edge? 5. What is the maximum allowable distance from the pool edge? 6. Silly question maybe, but what is the pool edge? 7. Are there any limitations to the leisure facilities (sunloungers, tables, brollies etc) being within the secure area? 8. The gate must obviously be lockable and open outwards - any particular specification apart from the obvious smooth and unclimbable? 9. There must be many cases where the house or other obstruction or building is within the maximum/minimum allowable distances from the pool - is there anything specific in the regulations regarding this? As a typical example, a house may be 3.5 metres away from the pool edge. If the regulations stated that the maximum distance is 3 metres it is a plainly ridiculous situation. 10. And finally, anyone know of other sources of information in plain English?

We use France Telecom's online facility where you can view telephone costs on a day to day basis. It is part of our booking conditions that the telephone costs are deducted from the security deposit. Never had any bother and most of the time the calls are minimal and and we allow them free of charge as a courtesy (usually anything under 10).

In the hope that I don't create another long thread of over-complicated answers; there are only a couple of essentials needed before you leave the UK. Refer to http://www.free2view.tv and phone for a viewing card and get it registered on your Digibox before you leave. This will give you the ITV channels. BBC are already free. Take your Digibox and card with you. Dishes are very easy and cheap to buy if your old one is getting on a bit. That's it. Only the installation to do when you get there. Doug

I made about 40 frustrating calls to order a card this morning before I finally got through by selecting a different option to the correct one. Let's hope they send it in time for my next trip. Can someone please enlighten me as to why there are large numbers of these cards for sale on ebay at prices exceeding 40 as opposed to the market price of 23.50? Surely not because of the difficulty of getting through to the phone number? Doug

The web site below is in English and is quite useful for finding golf courses throughout France. http://www.golflounge.com/en/ Doug

Have to disagree with Mazan this time. I believe in keeping life as simple as possible. No need for software programs or satellite finders, your elevation is about 32.5 degrees for Sarlat - this is only relevant when you make sure the mast fixing is vertical using a spirit level - only then can you be sure of the scale marked on your dish. Nearly all receivers have signal strength meters so I can't see why a satellite finder is needed. Set to a channel with tuning meter on display, set dish at correct angle, sweep dish towards 28.2E, wife tells you when meter reaches maximum and then tighten nuts. Tweak LNB angle and that's it. Doug