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I have purchased a Zodiac Voyager X2 robot pool cleaner. This is the third model of robot I have owned. The first lasted about 4 or 5 years and was quite good. The second I had for nearly 8 years and was excellent. But a major fault has finally forced a new purchase, of the above model. I am extremely disappointed. It seems to be useless. Sticks in the same area, going from side to side of the pool. Does not climb the walls readily, and does not stay on the wall when descending, but kind of back flips/floats down. Both other robots were way better. I would be grateful if someone who has experience of this specific model would be able to confirm these problems. Or, if they are perfectly satisfied, reply accordingly. I need to find out asap, as I need to decide whether to ask for a refund or exchange. Of course, it could be operator error, but my experience with two other models, with the same basic characterisics, leads me to blame the robot, and not me! Thanks.

You are asking about a "jacuzzi". Jacuzzi, with a capital J is a specific brand, who make what are commonly called 'spas'. I will assume that you are asking about spas generally, and not specifically about Jacuzzi, the brand. Sorry to be pedantic, but just so we are not talking at cross purposes! We bought a spa almost 2 years ago, and have not regretted it. Wish we'd made the decision sooner. Yes, they do require more frequent attention than a swimming pool, but it is not complicated. If you are not willing to be scrupulous about hygiene for a spa then you are inviting serious health risks, including possibly Legionnaires Disease. But if you keep a regular check on chlorine levels you will be perfectly safe. Regular? Preferably daily, maybe every other day, depending on use. Very heavy use might mean checking more than once per day, but that would be exceptional. If you have left it for longer (holiday, etc) then you will need to use a higher chlorine dose initially and wait, possibly for up 24 hours before using it. Time for checking and treating? 5 minutes normally, longer if you have a problem. If you go for a big name make (Hot Springs, Sundance etc) expect to pay a lot: 20,000 to 30,000 euros plus? We bought from Angel Spa's, a french manufacturer, based in Nimes. http://www.spaspromo.com/ should give you their website. They regularly (every few months) have an open day, with factory visits, lunch and afternoon test sessions. This is by invitation only. Look for "portes ouvertes" tab on the web site. Quality of construction is good. We had a few minor problems, but I sorted these myself. Their after sales service looks good: look at http://www.eauplaisir.com/annuaire/forums/index.php and find the two spa forums, and check for posts about Angel Spas. Their prices range from 5,000 to 10,000 euros approx. I have no relationship to this company other than as a customer. I would not hesitate to recommend them. If you require further info, feel free to PM.

My understanding of the article is that the results are not obtained by how people have voted. If you look just below the four boxes (showing the top three results), and just above the collage photo, there is a link entitled "Cliquez ici pour decouvrir notre methodologie detailee". This then gives the following explanation (translated using google): "Our survey is based on 40 indicators. Almost all of them has been gathered from official sources: National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), ministries, etc.. The same year was systematically selected for the 96 departments. For each of the 40 indicators, departments were classified according to their results, from first to last place. A coefficient was attributed to each indicator according to its importance. The classification multiplied by the coefficient leads to a note. The different grades were summed within each category (culture, economic power, healthcare services, etc.). 14 rankings for topics. To develop the ranking general, subjects were simply added together. The rankings "young", "families" and "seniors" have, themselves, subject to specific weights, depending on how important a particular topic is in the eyes of the relevant class. higher education appealing more to younger than older, more concerned with the provision of care. Lack of comparable data, the overseas departments have not been studied." So it would appear that the results are nothing to do with where people would like to live, and what they have voted for, but arrived at by L'Express's criteria of what they perceive to be important. As such I feel the results are not really a good guide to an overall 'best place to live'. Which might explain why a lot of people here are surprised to find their department further down the list than they had anticipated.

We have used the following person a number of times: Jacky Dubost Tel: 05 53 82 17 20 He is french, and he cuts, prunes trees for his living. He is properly registered etc and is excellent. We have recommended him to friends, who were also very pleased with the work. He will either cut down only, or cut down and log, or cut down, log and clear everything. The options are in order of ascending cost. We've never asked about him finding someone to buy the wood, as we've always used ours for burning ourselves. If you aren't going to use the wood yourself then maybe we would be interested in it. We are close to Riberac. Let us know.

Many thanks "just john". I will make contact, and pm you at a later stage. If anyone else has any other suggestions, would be grateful. Would ideally, eventually, like a few options to choose from. Thanks.

Hi, can anyone recommend an inexpensive accountant in the Riberac/Perigueux area? We just need help/advice, particularly with tax returns. We have a simple 'gite' business, with a low turnover (micro bic status), and with fairly straightforward personal affairs, so nothing complicated. A local firm of 'experts comptables' were asking nearly 300 euros an hour! We were looking for something closer to 30!!! Many thanks.