Poolguy

Hi Just so I don't bother everyone with a PM there is enough interest to post a comment on Abri/Canopies. They are of course the ultimate in pool protection and serve more than the one purpose as has been pointed out. Security: they certainly conform with ANFOR standards and therefore provide compliance. Heating: They are very effective to heat water and keep hot when the temperature drops of that sudden fall of rain. Debris: They do a great job in keeping airborne dust and debris out of the pool so that the cleaning is down to a minimum. They are very expensive though as an item being nearly €9-10,000 for an average 10x5 pool. Each pool needs to be individually measured and a devis prepared. Naturally there are all sorts of makers and qualities so you get what you pay for. The down side is that you can not really enjoy the look of your pool without the canopy on as it has to be replace when your not in the pool. It also can become quite hot inside in summer so you have to open them up and stay with them a while just to ventilate and let some heat escape. You need to be able to manhandle them when you want a swim... even the 'telescopic' system needs a bit of a push to open up the pool. As for the system based on raised leaves some of them are quite heavy... smaller is better in my opinion. For all of that I am not sure a fence and winter cover is not a better (and cheaper) option. If anyone wants more information then please PM and I'll be happy to help. Andrew

The word is 'Aborist'. Elegage - prunning Abortage - felling desouchage - removing the stump debitage - milling the trunk into boards nettoyage - cleaning up after you bois de chauffage - firewood tronçonneuse - chainsaw tronc  - trunk I am and I can help in Poitou Charante and south Pays Loire. Andrew  

Weedon Welcome to Skype 21 Seicle.... its not so tough. There are two systems running parallel Skype is base from Computer to Computer through high speed internet access. You can talk to another person so long as you know their call sign and they have accept the invitation to chat. Its free and you can talk as long as you like no matter where they are in the world. The reception is generally really good, just like your contact is across the desk from you except for a delay if the call is to say, Australia. But to another part of France its instant. Skypeout is Computer to telephone, landline and mobile. The cost for this call is 1.7c per minute to the land line and a bit more to mobile. You buy credit from skypeout using your credit card in €10 or €25 lots and talk till its gone. The reception is not as good as for some reason I can't fathom, the mic volume is poor. There is a adjustment you can make but I don't know how to do that. Another annoying thing is that about every third call the system automaticallyy opens a 'feedback' form to ask 'how it was for you'. this effectivelyy dumps out any internet window you had open at the time. I've used it a bit over a month now and my phone bill is 10% of normal so I'll put up with the drawbacks. I am sure that sooner of later everyone will be on a similar system and the like of Telecom and Tele 2 will see their revenues evaporate overnight. At the moment I think that there is about 6.5 million users with about 2.7 million on line at anyone time. I can only see that growing exponentially. Hope that this is of help. Andrew

Hey there Opal Fruit I've just taken delivery of the above said Weber Gas BBQ at huge expense and GUESS WHAT>>>!!!!!! I discovered to my bemusement that the much talked about 25 year guarantee is only for the heating elements. The remainder is a 1 year guarantee against rust for the enamel parts and 7 years for Inox (Stainless Steel). My, how standards have slipped. 15 years ago the BBQ's made by Weber we much thicker metal and the guarantee was much better. On the other side of the coin though the price has not risen much in that time making it a reduction in real terms. I guess that is the telling of it. Still, back to more important things, I expect from now on perfectly cooked meat, moist and flavoursome, with little or no effort on my behalf. Feasting a plenty. The First feast will be tomorrow in preparation for the grand family feast (for the wife's birthday) next week. Keep you posted. Andrew

Mags I've replied to your email on this one. Hope that I can help. Andrew

Danish oil is up to 60% Tung oil. As there is no such thing as a 'Danish nut' or 'Swede bush' it would follow that these are brands which are used to market a particular mix of ingredients. Generally Danish oils are do not have enough Tung to be used on the floor unless your happy with the reapplication thing. (I think that I've said this before). I'll research the outlets and post a link when I get a minute. Andrew

that is a VERY big question. What are your nationalities??? We did it and it was a nightmare of paperwork   Andrew

John   I've sent you a email about these covers, I can help you with information on these and other options.   Cheers Andrew

Regards the hygiene aspects of pools. There are recommendations but no real controls. One of the most difficult areas for people who own hotels and gites covers this very issue, as clients could mount a case against you if they are adversely affected from your pool. If your pools looks clean you can be fooled into thinking that there is no problem to the health of you clients. Sometimes this can be far from the case. The function of Chlorine (Sodium hydrochloride) is to sanitise the water, killing all of the microbes and neutralising the health risk from human 'secretions' and external pollutants. However unless you have an automatic pool controller you water can never be completely balanced and hygienic, the best you can hope for is 'within an acceptable range'. On occasions, that is not enough for some people particularly young people who are sensitive to these problems. You can either test and treat twice a day in the heavy use periods or buy a pool controller and have continuous perfectly balanced and hygienic pool water. If you need more information on these them PM me and I offer more help.

Hi you might be interested in this thread (from another forum) http://www.totalfrance.com/france/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3892&highlight=tung+oil This issue is discussed at length, I'm sure that there is a similar thread on this forum (I know that I've contributed to it)but I can't find it. Tung oil is now available in France. Andrew  

As what you are proposing is an 'above ground pool' then you are exempt from the requirement to install an ANFOR compliant security device. If the paddling pool (of what ever depth) was 'inground' then you would not be exempt - as I understand it. But the regulations do not exempt anyone from the 'duty of care', or in plain speak, you are not exempt from exercising common sence. If you think that there is a risk, then it probably is and you'll need to take some action to minimise it. Be safe. Sleep well. I hope that this is of some help.

Did anyone see the programme last night on Channel 6 CAPITAL which dealt with this issue - mobile homes. Some of the segment was shot in IRM and the rest in a region of SW France I think. The fact that Mobile homes are being used as primary habitation for extended periods was the topic being examined. I found it to be rather interesting that the Mayor of this area seemed to think that it was the single issue which 'spoilt' the 'most beautiful region in France'. The number of loopholes in the law seem to be endless. I guess that this particular law is a toothless tiger. Andrew

HI Benson My good lady works for IRM in the Vendee. they are the biggest manufacturer in Europe, as I understand it. If you have any question you need answering let me know and I'll do the asking for you.. Sounds like you need help .. like pronto. I wouldn't bother bringing one from the UK there is literally no advantage to you. Where in France are you? Poolguy

I'm using AVAST! Its also a free down load and Its been excellent.   There has been a spate of nasty nasty worms and trojans lately. Fortunately Avast seems to have got to them all without any consequences ( I hope) but i have to say that the frequency of new ones thought the 'pipe' is getting somewhat alarming.   I will be setting up an old 'banger' computer in network to rn the internet connection and firewall. This I am told will provide an extra layer of protection to the main workhorse here 'on desk'   good luck (to us all) (and a plague on the hackers and virus authors everywhere) Andrew

Danni I suggest that you contact a company called GF services. email: [email protected] they seems to be able to source just about anything.   What instruments are you specialised in. I make Harps myself.   Andrew

firewood A+

Yes in all seriousness I think that you are right about the lower end being less than 'the real thing'. I think that the yanks are suffering the same cost pressure as the rest of the world even thought this particular brand has consistently maintained is dominance ignoring price as a driving dynamic. When I was consulting to them in the late 80's they were all made in the US. But now who knows. Certainly the 'kettle' range might have dropped of in quality but the gas oven range are still the market leaders in my opinion. I take BBQing very seriously, we will use the Weber every day during summer. Its a better result than any kitchen based appliance by a country kilometer. Andrew

Opel fruit If your 'weber' is made in china then it is not a real Weber which are made in Chicargo USA. You might consider the 'real' weber gas BBQ as I imagine you have a gas kettle. We've just bought one which is something I've wanted for years. http://www.weberbbq.com/bbq/pub/grill/2005/gas/gg_gen_p.aspx Its largely self cleaning and it has 25 year guarantee. That should take care of your concerns Of course the gas weber has the same marvelous taste as the charcole version Bon appatite Andrew

I council to use a great deal of caution for this job. If the trees are 12m or more high and they are near the house then they are heavy enough to demolish it if they go the wrong way. Anyone who attempts this work should be very experienced tree surgeon and carry adequate insurance to cover any damage. If anyone things that this is not necessary then its proof enogh that they do not know what they are doing.   Tread carefully steve.   Andrew

No I don't charge for advice.. but I need to analyse the problem and at the moment there is too little information for both problems. Sometimes, a recommendation put on the basis of too little information can backfire and cause more problems for the owner than none. I invited the first poster to a email or ph conversation and invite the same for you. Certainly, I would like to help, and If I don't know the answer I know where to get it. Andrew

Hi Dave   I'd be happy to give you advice as you need it. Send me an email with your contact details.   Andrew

 Friends of mine have sold up and bought a house near Oban in the Averyon. The house will need extensive rennovation and so the Family (3) needs a house to rent for about a year. If anyone has such or knows of anyone who has then please email of PM urgently.   Cheers Andrew  

Friends of mine has sold up and bought a house near Oban in the Averyon. The house will need extensive rennovation and so the Family (3) needs a house to rent for about a year. If anyone has such or knows of anyone who has then please email of PM urgently.   Cheers Andrew    

Hi Lurcher Yes you can resaw your beams and use them as treads for the new staircase. I would say that they will look very handsome. However they will need to be dried carefully otherwise they will cup and distort, perhaps split. I would suggest you refer to someone with some experience in this. You said that your beams were "one meter wide" Do you mean 1 meter long? I would scan them for metal first as most old beams have the od nail still in residence. Sorry to hear of your fire. Must have given you a fright. Hope that the damage was not too extensive. What department are you in? If you don't find anyone local and you're not too far away I can help you with the resawing. Andrew (zeb .. what in heavens name is your problem???)  

Hi Manxie I can help you with an alarm and/or a pool cover. I sent you an email. Andrew