Well it seems from the lack of further responses, that this thread has run it course and, as I posted the topic I should (by right) have the last word. I know that some of you will not like thatbut let’s just say that‘John not Di’ has had the sum up for the ‘Yes’ team, and now I shall try to sum up for the ‘No’ Team.
There are many views from those who believe that M O’L is the ‘anointed one’ and deserves a place next to the almighty for breaking what was obviously a Cartel in the pricing of air travel as well as ferry travel. He has single handily redefined the nature and shape of air travel (in Europe anyway). For that we should excuse everything that follows whatever the effect it has on our daily lives. Even I guess to the extent of giving up our enalliable rights as consumers. I don’t agree. I’ll continue till my last breath to exercise my rights.
There are some who are able to simplify the issue to an economic terms vis – ‘you get what you pay for’. Well that is possibly true, however, economic theory alone does not allow any Company to set its own paradigm, which infringes the publics right to fair-trading. I suspect that time will be the judge (to use another worn out metaphor). RA will continue to prosper (I suspect) with more and more people wishing to jet across the expanded Europe until its first air accident. Then I suspect that the more carnivorous of the press will pounce and begin to devour what will be a nearly defenceless M O’L. Headlines like “CHEAPSCATE AIRLINE PUTS LIVES AT RISK”. Evidence will emerge of infringements of safety to cut costs and the public will ask; ‘is my life worth entrusting to this reckless Irishman’. Consequences will follow.
Still others who have posted that RA have decentralised airports destinations. I have no quarrel what so ever there. It’s a good thing.
There is a lot of postings about the ‘Rules’. I accept to a point that nearly any commercial enterprise has the right to set out their terms of trade. And I also accept that is the customer’s responsibility to read and understand those terms and chose to continue or not. However what I do not accept is RA tendency to deny even the slightest liability for anything going not according to schedule. Apparently nothing is their fault and therefore nobody is due a reschedule under any circumstances what so ever. This exists in no other industry (except the military). This is neither stated or true, it is contrary to the statuary rights of any citizen. One poster even supposed that this was like Bus/Coach travel. Well its not. If you miss the Coach in most countries that I have travelled in Europe, then they will recognise the valid ticket and let you on the next one. Even the TGV where there is seat allocation will allow reschedule within one hour after departure. RA is comparable to nothing on this point in my view. Secondly I would never expect as some rather silly posters propose that a plane wait, that is not the point. And furtherI couldn’t care less if a new slot cost MO’L €1k or €10k, that’s his problem, he’s the professional scheduler, I’m just a customer. What is wrong with clearly defining the cases where a customer may be given a seat on the next flight in response to a valid ticket rather than viewing missed connections as a profit centre.
Now to the Nub of my post (which most posters have missed entirely). And that is of the staff, who are only Human, some people say. (Well for some I have encounted I dispute that… it can’t be true, I’m more inclined to think that M O’L has managed a Machine/Humanoid clone thing like Terminator, and I’m talking about the Ground staff only here. NO bad experiences in the air what so ever.. I‘m happy to say). I’ve spoken privately to a number of RA employees and to a man they comment that ‘Its just a job, nobody works for M O’L as a career’. ‘You just don’t know when you’ll get the chop’. And ‘We hate having to enforce the Co policy, its no fun to battle with upset customers all day long’. Well I conclude that it’s the CO policy, which is at fault and the cause of this grief and upset. Personally, I don’t get on a plane with the preconceived notion that I want to have a barny with a girl or bloke behind the counter. NO I would much rather have no trouble, no sweaty moments and get to where I want to go and get on with it. That’s not moaning that’s legitimate expectation.
SO for those of you who have yet to fall foul of RA policy or are willing to accept anything they say as ‘the way it is’, I say good luck and I wish you good travelling. For those of you who have fallen foul of MO’L’s excessive regime then I can only join with you to encourage other companies to compete. WE can draw strength from Marketing theory which states that ‘Price is largely irrelevant, its value which will win customers.’ RA has disproven this axiom for the moment but over time, I think that the laws of marketing will uphold the truth and RA will witness a reversal of their present fortune from their own hand. I guess as they have now surpassed the dangerous medium size and are into mega airline status then they will have the strength to ‘play’ with the game board and will survive. I wonder if he will be tempted into BA style dirty tricks to ward off a new generation of competitors. We watch with interest.
Fortunately you have many option to choose from. What you need to ask is do you want sustainable energy source, active only, passive/active system, load of other questions like that.
Certainly it seems that you are staring from the beginning so that you have the chance to get some major works undertaken if you ant too. It all depends on your available cash and how much you are willing to spend now to save it later.
From my point of view i have particular preferences and I don;t like much giving the oil companies more money than I already am. SO I'm for a passive/active system involving solar for hot water boosted by active pellet/chip burning which also does space heating.
Space heating is a big question and I would start with geothermal leading to underfloor (not rads) and the chip heater or whole log burner to back up and create ambiance.
but there are an abundance of questions which need to be answered before one can design a suitable system for your place. If you want any detailed advice then you should email or PM me and I'll be glad to help.
I certainly didn't make it clear which is my fault. That in the process of arguing the toss and lamenting the criminal waste of good wine I received the most abusive and insulting treatment by the supervisor and clerk at the ticket desk. My post was already too long so I didn't go much into that. Didn't help my mood.
So after this tirade upon the Forum, I'm staying at home near the phone because I am sure that O'Leary's PR people are monitoring this post and I'm sure that he's about to ring with an apology and the offer of a case of the very same wine which was so shamefully spilled. He'll probably be a bit sniffy but apologetic at the same time. May even offer me a free flight to anywhere for a month because I was so harshly treated.
That's terrific for you, but its not for me. I too have read and understood the flight rules. They are not unclear.
However, unless your destination is Stanstead and I couldn't imagine anyone's is then YOU'LL HAVE TO CONNECT. I'm sorry if that is too abrupt for you but I'm sure that you will excuse the abuse as it's my commercial right to do it.
So, you say don't use them ... I certainly will not.
I can't expect any plane to wait for me, you say... (silly person who can't read)... I never asked for such a thing, only to put on another flight when mine was late which was down to them. Its also in the notes that they must take responsibility for this.
The purpose of the post .. which must be spelt out obviously, is that the check in closure has changed from 20 min to 40 min. And that a transfer will cost £40.... is that all right with you then?
I don't however, expect abuse and insults from anyone whose offering a service. It seem to be OK with you but its not with me.
Well it’s not the first time this subject has been posted and I’m sure it will not be the last. It seems that there is no end to the amount of abuse we are willing to take from O’Leary and his Airline Ryan Air. I learn that he is just about to buy 70 more planes making him the fastest growing airline in the world and on the way to the biggest in Europe. Set this record against the down right abuse his staff are instructed to level at his customers- the travelling public.
I swore I would never travel with him again after previous encounters. But as needs must when there are few options I relented last week and tried again, I thought with prior knowledge of the possibilities for disaster so I made provision. Now the last time I tried to get out of Dublin via Stanstead disaster struck in the form of air traffic controllers strike which delayed flight no 1. As I was late to book in for the next one, Ryan Air charge me full fare (exorbitant) saying that ‘we are a Point to Point airline and you have to leave at least 3 hours between bookings if you hope to connect’. Well this time I left 3 hours between the connections and ….. well here is where the real message of this post lies.
Rochefort to Standsead was delayed because of their scheduling by about 40 minutes. HHMMM cause for concern but I will still make it as I have left plenty of time. Not so. The Baggage took its usual 35minutes to appear (Standstead is the slowest baggage handling in Europe). Then raced to the check in desk arriving 39 mins before departure only to find the snottiest of put downs from a rotund Ryan air check-in lady that the gate close 40 minutes before take off and that I would have to see the ticket desk. At which time she departed. The ticket desk then told me that they would require £40 to let me on the next flight even though they agreed that it was their fault. But now their policy has changed along with the 20 min gate closure going to 40 minutes. They now say that they are ‘a point to point airline’ and that they ‘don’t recommend connecting to another flight the same day’. This means a hotel and so forth. All this leads me to believe that their claim to be the low fares airline is false.
To add injury to the abundance of insults they heap upon me, a rather fine bottle of St Emillion Grand Cru 94 was smashed in the rushing. So there was a trail of red wine from gate to ticket counter (symbolic blood).
Consequently I would now rather pay double to any other airline than to give O’leary another Euro as I think that it would be cheaper in the end. I hope that they are listening.
I'd have to say that your problem is not uncommon and not unknown to the French. Look in the phone directory and get a Professional pest extermination inspection/devis.
Doing this yourself will probably not solve the problem (if there is one). Professionals generally know how to get at the source of the infestation and finish it completely. Spreading a bit of spray around will probably do little or nothing - it'll do you and your family more harm than the bugs.
Well furniture is a different story. I too have lots of these pieces of furniture. You have three options:
the first is to leave it alone and the bugs will much their way through over time and that is that.
The second is you could do as Iceni suggests and poison the lil critters but you have to get every hole as you can't be certainly that a hole has not still eggs in it.
The third and most effective is to deliver the pieces to a Autoclave facility which will zap it. The microwaves will toast everything which is alive but not harm the furniture. My friends who are master Antique restorers us this technique and tell me it is the only way to be sure. Although I don't have a contact in France but I am sure they exist - mainly in hospitals.
If the rot and the woodworm are in your beam you have mercifully few options. Replace it, would be one of my favourites.
Taking care to burn the old beam. Don't leave it lying around.
There is no point to try to treat a piece of wood which might be structurally undermined. Most of the applied treatments are not effective as you have to poison EVERY hole where the lil critters might be hiding. If you miss one or two they will lay eggs and they are off again. The net effect is that your introducing nasty poison into your house for little effect. Bad idea.
Rot is rot and can't be reversed. You can slow it down by drying the beam to below 14% moisture content which will require a constant relative humidity of under about 45% (very dry). Its very hard if your beam is large as the centre will NEVER dry no matter what you do. I have cut open beams which have been air drying for 400 years and they are as fresh on the inside as the day the were cut. This wood is usually protected by bark or a 'case hardening' process which take over in the 'skin' of the dressed timber. It prevents the egress of bound moisture.
If you need more help, or my points do not cover your situation then I'll have another go if you give me more information.
Gee I'm glad that the formatting has got back to normal... Wonder what is causing the distortion on the last page. Hope its not me.... or something I said... opps!
If your quoting someone its customary to use the “quote” marks and to attribute the quote.
Nevertheless, after reading those articles, which you linked, I can read nothing of any concern at this time. Any link with cancer or the promotion of cancer has not been proven nor is there even a hypothesis offered.
The Epstein Barr Virus is one of those ‘common as dirt’ bugs that nearly everyone has like Herpes Simplex (cold sore), both are commonly transmitted through saliva by kissing. The fact that there was a link suspected (in one study only) between the virus existent in the soil under a group of trees and therefore extant in the extract is not conclusive of anything. To gain even a mild dose from oil (assuming it was present in the oil which I don’t believe is the case) you would have to drink it. That’s not what its for.
Besides, the above pales into the minute insignificance compared the commonly accepted malignancy of the CLASS 1 carcinogen status enjoyed by the accelerator products used by most paint companies. The big problem is that most of the ‘safer’ alternatives either have a colour or darken the wood as a result. The only ‘clear’ alternatives available and cheap are nasty. Naturally, the commercial imperative of the conglomerate is to go with ‘cheap and nasty’. Malignancies especially in children can be caused by breathing particulates, or absorbed through the skin; neoplastoma is occasionally fond in children of parents who commonly use these products. There are alternatives.
Dave me old mukka
I appreciate the camaraderie but sadly I’m not Welsh.Similar is my interest in Rugby. But I am Celtic/Norse none the less
My reference to the place in Wales was more a throwback to headier days when I understand on or near that site Lu of the Silver arm, Great warrior of the Tuatha De Dannen was abashed by satirical poetry from the Bard of the Fir Bolg King which later resulted in the Battle of Moytura. I apologise for the misrepresentation, I am also confused about the quotes thing and the missing first lines…??
I am guilty of antisocial thoughts, in short – ‘thought crimes’.
4 out of what must be 5,000 people do not wish to hear about ‘the product we must not mention’.
Well I’ve learnt my lesson and certainly I will not be mentioning ‘the product we must not mention’ again as I don’t want to be beaten up by ‘THE BIG RED LETTERS’ again, really once is scary enough. Therapy is my only hope.
I guess that misguidedly, I have been obsessing about improving things, which is TOATALY UNACCEPTABLE, ANITSOCIAL BEHAVIOUR.
I now realise that I need readjustment to accept that the way things are is the way things are, and that that is the way everyone wants them. Unless I can give everyone access to this new invention I have discovered in secret – a search engine, then I must not be saying anything at all.
I am foolish I know. But help is at hand, I do know of a small but significant behaviour readjustment college in the more socally acceptable Llanymddyfri deep in the heart land of God’s own country were I might learn more acceptable obsessions – perhaps Rugby.
Now there is a topic we can all chat all day about.
I never cease to be amazed how some will trivialise issues, which affect us all.
“Don’t worry” they say, “you have to die of something”
Well I guess that they previous two posters will be condoning the practice of all and any manufactures that use products, which are lethal.
“That’s OK boys, bring it on… it looks great”
Well I guess that your part you’ve been spared the experience of seeing anyone dying of cancer…... I have not.
The year before last my business partner’s Wife died of a brain tumour. It was horrible.. A once lovely vibrant woman who didn’t smoke or drink and was even devout and loved in the community was dead in 6 months despite constant Kemo therapy. Her God was of no help either. What was the culprit?. Nobody knows. The family was devastated to loose their mother. Last year I learned that my business partner himself has been diagnosed with Lymphoidema. Coincidence?????? He’s undergoing massive therapy and out of danger for the moment.
What is his profession you might ask… He’s a builder.
My point is that we all know that there are a million things in this world, which might kill us,… but you need to know that lots and lots of them are in your house. They don’t have a big effect in themselves perhaps. But the cumulative effect is a much more significant. The tragedy of the Family above is a wake up call for me and consequently I will continue to do everything I can to make informed decisions on the environment I choose to live and work in. Those of you who don’t care are of course entitled to remain asleep or secure in ignorance of the issues. That is your right. But there are those of us in the world who will be watchful and continue ask questions, that is our right.
If for example a product is Banned by the WHO, EPA,EAPC then I willpresume that they have their reasons. I will take their advice and avoid it. The fact that the paint companies still use such products is not in the presumption that it is safe only that the relevant agencies lack the teeth to prosecute effectively. For my part I will do my best to promote ‘safer’ solutions over those, which are clearly hazardous. For if Consumers are too lazy or lack the mental agility to do their own research then they must either use their wallet to gain security or own the consequences and along with it , the responsibility.
My research is looking into other topics along with paint options: Pest control; Dust free insulation; Radon gas emissions; Water and air quality; Damp proofing & condensation; Fire safety; Sustainable heating systems.
Solutions to all of these issues are available in most every modern country including France. But they are not usually as obvious as your average Brico or corner shop until they have a demand to provide it. That’s the point, Consumers have to demand what they want only then will retailers stock it.
I am puzzeled about you comments. They are wrong. I am not sure from your post whether you have any expericne with either oil.
The project for whcih I have been using Tung oil (3 other oils included) including oiling floors in 4 countries have left me with many satisified customers. The reason is that Tung oil is the ONLY oil which dries hard. And you don't need successive coats if you saturate the wood in the first place. Linseed oil does not dry hard, it will only prodcue a plastic state and so will eventually leech out of the timber. The use of an accelerators or a thinners such as polychlorinated Biphenyls as are extremetly toxic and in some cases carcenogenic. So what you are doing in the above post where some person asking for expert advise - you are recommending a class 1 carcenogen (no not the oil the accelerator).
The range of Tung oil products avaialbe on the market today nearly always has naturaly accelerators (Check the tin). They dont need much else to be an excellent protective coating. The Chinese have been using it to protect their wooden ships for more the 2000 years. Human have still not invented a better product in my opinion.
As I've posted before on this forum I recommend Tung oil for this job an not Linseed oil as posted before. Ther reason is that Linseed oil will not harden and so you will find it needing more work over time to maintain the same 'protection'.
Tung oil is once ... for ever.
It will also protect against the effects of moiture, condensation oe what ever. But what ever you do.. don't use lacqurer or varnishes... they are toxic.. when you apply them and from there after.
Maybe you would consider changing the system in your new house to a cheaper and more efficient fuel.
Oil is the dearest and getting dearer every year. You might find yourself in a few years wishing that you had invested in a more sustainable system when you first moved in.
That's great. Sheep wool is a terrific insualtor as we all know and it makes no sence that this resource is dumped (as you say).
Other great insualtors are hemp wool;the fibres of this plant are very long and make a terrific material if matted densly.
Cellulose, whcih can be made from any suitable wood resource such as recycled paper. It is blown into the space rather than laid in as a flat mat.
All of th above are exclent choises and have none of the dangerous dust problems from fiting and cutting. However they do require some treatment to supress mould, vermin and fire. In the case of Wool, fire is naturally suppressed by the lanoline and other composites, it is also a hydroscopic material whcih will wick away moisture from the undersurface.
I guess that you should consider some basic cleaning of the fleece to maks sure there are no extraneous vegtiable matter whcih will cause you problems.
Ryan Air-Abuse and Insults
in Travelling to/from France
Posted
Well it seems from the lack of further responses, that this thread has run it course and, as I posted the topic I should (by right) have the last word. I know that some of you will not like that but let’s just say that ‘John not Di’ has had the sum up for the ‘Yes’ team, and now I shall try to sum up for the ‘No’ Team.
There are many views from those who believe that M O’L is the ‘anointed one’ and deserves a place next to the almighty for breaking what was obviously a Cartel in the pricing of air travel as well as ferry travel. He has single handily redefined the nature and shape of air travel (in Europe anyway). For that we should excuse everything that follows whatever the effect it has on our daily lives. Even I guess to the extent of giving up our enalliable rights as consumers. I don’t agree. I’ll continue till my last breath to exercise my rights.
There are some who are able to simplify the issue to an economic terms vis – ‘you get what you pay for’. Well that is possibly true, however, economic theory alone does not allow any Company to set its own paradigm, which infringes the publics right to fair-trading. I suspect that time will be the judge (to use another worn out metaphor). RA will continue to prosper (I suspect) with more and more people wishing to jet across the expanded Europe until its first air accident. Then I suspect that the more carnivorous of the press will pounce and begin to devour what will be a nearly defenceless M O’L. Headlines like “CHEAPSCATE AIRLINE PUTS LIVES AT RISK”. Evidence will emerge of infringements of safety to cut costs and the public will ask; ‘is my life worth entrusting to this reckless Irishman’. Consequences will follow.
Still others who have posted that RA have decentralised airports destinations. I have no quarrel what so ever there. It’s a good thing.
There is a lot of postings about the ‘Rules’. I accept to a point that nearly any commercial enterprise has the right to set out their terms of trade. And I also accept that is the customer’s responsibility to read and understand those terms and chose to continue or not. However what I do not accept is RA tendency to deny even the slightest liability for anything going not according to schedule. Apparently nothing is their fault and therefore nobody is due a reschedule under any circumstances what so ever. This exists in no other industry (except the military). This is neither stated or true, it is contrary to the statuary rights of any citizen. One poster even supposed that this was like Bus/Coach travel. Well its not. If you miss the Coach in most countries that I have travelled in Europe, then they will recognise the valid ticket and let you on the next one. Even the TGV where there is seat allocation will allow reschedule within one hour after departure. RA is comparable to nothing on this point in my view. Secondly I would never expect as some rather silly posters propose that a plane wait, that is not the point. And further I couldn’t care less if a new slot cost MO’L €1k or €10k, that’s his problem, he’s the professional scheduler, I’m just a customer. What is wrong with clearly defining the cases where a customer may be given a seat on the next flight in response to a valid ticket rather than viewing missed connections as a profit centre.
Now to the Nub of my post (which most posters have missed entirely). And that is of the staff, who are only Human, some people say. (Well for some I have encounted I dispute that… it can’t be true, I’m more inclined to think that M O’L has managed a Machine/Humanoid clone thing like Terminator, and I’m talking about the Ground staff only here. NO bad experiences in the air what so ever.. I‘m happy to say). I’ve spoken privately to a number of RA employees and to a man they comment that ‘Its just a job, nobody works for M O’L as a career’. ‘You just don’t know when you’ll get the chop’. And ‘We hate having to enforce the Co policy, its no fun to battle with upset customers all day long’. Well I conclude that it’s the CO policy, which is at fault and the cause of this grief and upset. Personally, I don’t get on a plane with the preconceived notion that I want to have a barny with a girl or bloke behind the counter. NO I would much rather have no trouble, no sweaty moments and get to where I want to go and get on with it. That’s not moaning that’s legitimate expectation.
SO for those of you who have yet to fall foul of RA policy or are willing to accept anything they say as ‘the way it is’, I say good luck and I wish you good travelling. For those of you who have fallen foul of MO’L’s excessive regime then I can only join with you to encourage other companies to compete. WE can draw strength from Marketing theory which states that ‘Price is largely irrelevant, its value which will win customers.’ RA has disproven this axiom for the moment but over time, I think that the laws of marketing will uphold the truth and RA will witness a reversal of their present fortune from their own hand. I guess as they have now surpassed the dangerous medium size and are into mega airline status then they will have the strength to ‘play’ with the game board and will survive. I wonder if he will be tempted into BA style dirty tricks to ward off a new generation of competitors. We watch with interest.
Where can I find the regulations?
in Swimming Pools in France
Posted
Saint David
I have sent yo a PM
Andrew
Aquasensor Pool Alarms?
in Swimming Pools in France
Posted
Jim James
I've sent you a PM about the pool alarm. I am sure that I can help you.
Andrew
how to heat home
in Useful Links About France/French Living
Posted
Rozi
Fortunately you have many option to choose from. What you need to ask is do you want sustainable energy source, active only, passive/active system, load of other questions like that.
Certainly it seems that you are staring from the beginning so that you have the chance to get some major works undertaken if you ant too. It all depends on your available cash and how much you are willing to spend now to save it later.
From my point of view i have particular preferences and I don;t like much giving the oil companies more money than I already am. SO I'm for a passive/active system involving solar for hot water boosted by active pellet/chip burning which also does space heating.
Space heating is a big question and I would start with geothermal leading to underfloor (not rads) and the chip heater or whole log burner to back up and create ambiance.
but there are an abundance of questions which need to be answered before one can design a suitable system for your place. If you want any detailed advice then you should email or PM me and I'll be glad to help.
Best of luck
Andrew
Perimeter Alarms - Where are they?
in Swimming Pools in France
Posted
Stefan
I've sent you a PM.
I am sure that I can help you
ANDREW
Ryan Air-Abuse and Insults
in Travelling to/from France
Posted
No Panqur I don't think that your dim at all.
I certainly didn't make it clear which is my fault. That in the process of arguing the toss and lamenting the criminal waste of good wine I received the most abusive and insulting treatment by the supervisor and clerk at the ticket desk. My post was already too long so I didn't go much into that. Didn't help my mood.
So after this tirade upon the Forum, I'm staying at home near the phone because I am sure that O'Leary's PR people are monitoring this post and I'm sure that he's about to ring with an apology and the offer of a case of the very same wine which was so shamefully spilled. He'll probably be a bit sniffy but apologetic at the same time. May even offer me a free flight to anywhere for a month because I was so harshly treated.
No?
Andrew
Ryan Air-Abuse and Insults
in Travelling to/from France
Posted
Well Panqur
That's terrific for you, but its not for me. I too have read and understood the flight rules. They are not unclear.
However, unless your destination is Stanstead and I couldn't imagine anyone's is then YOU'LL HAVE TO CONNECT. I'm sorry if that is too abrupt for you but I'm sure that you will excuse the abuse as it's my commercial right to do it.
So, you say don't use them ... I certainly will not.
I can't expect any plane to wait for me, you say... (silly person who can't read)... I never asked for such a thing, only to put on another flight when mine was late which was down to them. Its also in the notes that they must take responsibility for this.
The purpose of the post .. which must be spelt out obviously, is that the check in closure has changed from 20 min to 40 min. And that a transfer will cost £40.... is that all right with you then?
I don't however, expect abuse and insults from anyone whose offering a service. It seem to be OK with you but its not with me.
QED
Ryan Air-Abuse and Insults
in Travelling to/from France
Posted
Too true Andy
Only trouble for me is that currently Ryan Air is the only airline flying out of La Rochelle/Rochefort.
I understand that Flybe will start in April. Cannot come quick enough.
Andrew
Ryan Air-Abuse and Insults
in Travelling to/from France
Posted
Well it’s not the first time this subject has been posted and I’m sure it will not be the last. It seems that there is no end to the amount of abuse we are willing to take from O’Leary and his Airline Ryan Air. I learn that he is just about to buy 70 more planes making him the fastest growing airline in the world and on the way to the biggest in Europe. Set this record against the down right abuse his staff are instructed to level at his customers- the travelling public.
I swore I would never travel with him again after previous encounters. But as needs must when there are few options I relented last week and tried again, I thought with prior knowledge of the possibilities for disaster so I made provision. Now the last time I tried to get out of Dublin via Stanstead disaster struck in the form of air traffic controllers strike which delayed flight no 1. As I was late to book in for the next one, Ryan Air charge me full fare (exorbitant) saying that ‘we are a Point to Point airline and you have to leave at least 3 hours between bookings if you hope to connect’. Well this time I left 3 hours between the connections and ….. well here is where the real message of this post lies.
Rochefort to Standsead was delayed because of their scheduling by about 40 minutes. HHMMM cause for concern but I will still make it as I have left plenty of time. Not so. The Baggage took its usual 35minutes to appear (Standstead is the slowest baggage handling in Europe). Then raced to the check in desk arriving 39 mins before departure only to find the snottiest of put downs from a rotund Ryan air check-in lady that the gate close 40 minutes before take off and that I would have to see the ticket desk. At which time she departed. The ticket desk then told me that they would require £40 to let me on the next flight even though they agreed that it was their fault. But now their policy has changed along with the 20 min gate closure going to 40 minutes. They now say that they are ‘a point to point airline’ and that they ‘don’t recommend connecting to another flight the same day’. This means a hotel and so forth. All this leads me to believe that their claim to be the low fares airline is false.
To add injury to the abundance of insults they heap upon me, a rather fine bottle of St Emillion Grand Cru 94 was smashed in the rushing. So there was a trail of red wine from gate to ticket counter (symbolic blood).
Consequently I would now rather pay double to any other airline than to give O’leary another Euro as I think that it would be cheaper in the end. I hope that they are listening.
Andrew
Translation of professional certificates
in Earning a Living
Posted
Ive sent you a PM with the address of a friend of mine who is a sworn translator.
Andrew
Woodworm/Capricorne Spraying ?
in House Renovations
Posted
Hi Gabe
Lucky you.. buying a grand old Maison d Gers.
I'd have to say that your problem is not uncommon and not unknown to the French. Look in the phone directory and get a Professional pest extermination inspection/devis.
Doing this yourself will probably not solve the problem (if there is one). Professionals generally know how to get at the source of the infestation and finish it completely. Spreading a bit of spray around will probably do little or nothing - it'll do you and your family more harm than the bugs.
Andrew
French Beams Again!
in House Renovations
Posted
Understood.
Well furniture is a different story. I too have lots of these pieces of furniture. You have three options:
the first is to leave it alone and the bugs will much their way through over time and that is that.
The second is you could do as Iceni suggests and poison the lil critters but you have to get every hole as you can't be certainly that a hole has not still eggs in it.
The third and most effective is to deliver the pieces to a Autoclave facility which will zap it. The microwaves will toast everything which is alive but not harm the furniture. My friends who are master Antique restorers us this technique and tell me it is the only way to be sure. Although I don't have a contact in France but I am sure they exist - mainly in hospitals.
Hope that is helpful
Andrew
French Beams Again!
in House Renovations
Posted
Cat (sorry for the 'K')
Thought I should be more constructive.
If the rot and the woodworm are in your beam you have mercifully few options. Replace it, would be one of my favourites.
Taking care to burn the old beam. Don't leave it lying around.
There is no point to try to treat a piece of wood which might be structurally undermined. Most of the applied treatments are not effective as you have to poison EVERY hole where the lil critters might be hiding. If you miss one or two they will lay eggs and they are off again. The net effect is that your introducing nasty poison into your house for little effect. Bad idea.
Rot is rot and can't be reversed. You can slow it down by drying the beam to below 14% moisture content which will require a constant relative humidity of under about 45% (very dry). Its very hard if your beam is large as the centre will NEVER dry no matter what you do. I have cut open beams which have been air drying for 400 years and they are as fresh on the inside as the day the were cut. This wood is usually protected by bark or a 'case hardening' process which take over in the 'skin' of the dressed timber. It prevents the egress of bound moisture.
If you need more help, or my points do not cover your situation then I'll have another go if you give me more information.
Andrew
French Beams Again!
in House Renovations
Posted
Best not Kat
Might enrage the masses further.
Gee I'm glad that the formatting has got back to normal... Wonder what is causing the distortion on the last page. Hope its not me.... or something I said... opps!
Have you got a lot then Kat...... em
Woodworm and so forth?
Andrew
French Beams Again!
in House Renovations
Posted
SC
If your quoting someone its customary to use the “quote” marks and to attribute the quote.
Nevertheless, after reading those articles, which you linked, I can read nothing of any concern at this time. Any link with cancer or the promotion of cancer has not been proven nor is there even a hypothesis offered.
The Epstein Barr Virus is one of those ‘common as dirt’ bugs that nearly everyone has like Herpes Simplex (cold sore), both are commonly transmitted through saliva by kissing. The fact that there was a link suspected (in one study only) between the virus existent in the soil under a group of trees and therefore extant in the extract is not conclusive of anything. To gain even a mild dose from oil (assuming it was present in the oil which I don’t believe is the case) you would have to drink it. That’s not what its for.
Besides, the above pales into the minute insignificance compared the commonly accepted malignancy of the CLASS 1 carcinogen status enjoyed by the accelerator products used by most paint companies. The big problem is that most of the ‘safer’ alternatives either have a colour or darken the wood as a result. The only ‘clear’ alternatives available and cheap are nasty. Naturally, the commercial imperative of the conglomerate is to go with ‘cheap and nasty’. Malignancies especially in children can be caused by breathing particulates, or absorbed through the skin; neoplastoma is occasionally fond in children of parents who commonly use these products. There are alternatives.
Dave me old mukka
I appreciate the camaraderie but sadly I’m not Welsh. Similar is my interest in Rugby. But I am Celtic/Norse none the less
My reference to the place in Wales was more a throwback to headier days when I understand on or near that site Lu of the Silver arm, Great warrior of the Tuatha De Dannen was abashed by satirical poetry from the Bard of the Fir Bolg King which later resulted in the Battle of Moytura. I apologise for the misrepresentation, I am also confused about the quotes thing and the missing first lines…??
Andrew
French Beams Again!
in House Renovations
Posted
I guess it’s conclusive then.
I’ve been told.
I am guilty of antisocial thoughts, in short – ‘thought crimes’.
4 out of what must be 5,000 people do not wish to hear about ‘the product we must not mention’.
Well I’ve learnt my lesson and certainly I will not be mentioning ‘the product we must not mention’ again as I don’t want to be beaten up by ‘THE BIG RED LETTERS’ again, really once is scary enough. Therapy is my only hope.
I guess that misguidedly, I have been obsessing about improving things, which is TOATALY UNACCEPTABLE, ANITSOCIAL BEHAVIOUR.
I now realise that I need readjustment to accept that the way things are is the way things are, and that that is the way everyone wants them. Unless I can give everyone access to this new invention I have discovered in secret – a search engine, then I must not be saying anything at all.
I am foolish I know. But help is at hand, I do know of a small but significant behaviour readjustment college in the more socally acceptable Llanymddyfri deep in the heart land of God’s own country were I might learn more acceptable obsessions – perhaps Rugby.
Now there is a topic we can all chat all day about.
Andrew
French Beams Again!
in House Renovations
Posted
I never cease to be amazed how some will trivialise issues, which affect us all.
“Don’t worry” they say, “you have to die of something”
Well I guess that they previous two posters will be condoning the practice of all and any manufactures that use products, which are lethal.
“That’s OK boys, bring it on… it looks great”
Well I guess that your part you’ve been spared the experience of seeing anyone dying of cancer…... I have not.
The year before last my business partner’s Wife died of a brain tumour. It was horrible.. A once lovely vibrant woman who didn’t smoke or drink and was even devout and loved in the community was dead in 6 months despite constant Kemo therapy. Her God was of no help either. What was the culprit?. Nobody knows. The family was devastated to loose their mother. Last year I learned that my business partner himself has been diagnosed with Lymphoidema. Coincidence?????? He’s undergoing massive therapy and out of danger for the moment.
What is his profession you might ask… He’s a builder.
My point is that we all know that there are a million things in this world, which might kill us,… but you need to know that lots and lots of them are in your house. They don’t have a big effect in themselves perhaps. But the cumulative effect is a much more significant. The tragedy of the Family above is a wake up call for me and consequently I will continue to do everything I can to make informed decisions on the environment I choose to live and work in. Those of you who don’t care are of course entitled to remain asleep or secure in ignorance of the issues. That is your right. But there are those of us in the world who will be watchful and continue ask questions, that is our right.
If for example a product is Banned by the WHO, EPA,EAPC then I will presume that they have their reasons. I will take their advice and avoid it. The fact that the paint companies still use such products is not in the presumption that it is safe only that the relevant agencies lack the teeth to prosecute effectively. For my part I will do my best to promote ‘safer’ solutions over those, which are clearly hazardous. For if Consumers are too lazy or lack the mental agility to do their own research then they must either use their wallet to gain security or own the consequences and along with it , the responsibility.
My research is looking into other topics along with paint options: Pest control; Dust free insulation; Radon gas emissions; Water and air quality; Damp proofing & condensation; Fire safety; Sustainable heating systems.
Solutions to all of these issues are available in most every modern country including France. But they are not usually as obvious as your average Brico or corner shop until they have a demand to provide it. That’s the point, Consumers have to demand what they want only then will retailers stock it.
French Beams Again!
in House Renovations
Posted
Alcazar
Its all been covered in previous thread at:
http://forums.livingfrance.com/shwmessage.aspx?ForumID=285&MessageID=145891&TopicPage=1
If you need more information from me for special applications please send me PM.
Thanks
Andrew
French Beams Again!
in House Renovations
Posted
Springer
I am puzzeled about you comments. They are wrong. I am not sure from your post whether you have any expericne with either oil.
The project for whcih I have been using Tung oil (3 other oils included) including oiling floors in 4 countries have left me with many satisified customers. The reason is that Tung oil is the ONLY oil which dries hard. And you don't need successive coats if you saturate the wood in the first place. Linseed oil does not dry hard, it will only prodcue a plastic state and so will eventually leech out of the timber. The use of an accelerators or a thinners such as polychlorinated Biphenyls as are extremetly toxic and in some cases carcenogenic. So what you are doing in the above post where some person asking for expert advise - you are recommending a class 1 carcenogen (no not the oil the accelerator).
The range of Tung oil products avaialbe on the market today nearly always has naturaly accelerators (Check the tin). They dont need much else to be an excellent protective coating. The Chinese have been using it to protect their wooden ships for more the 2000 years. Human have still not invented a better product in my opinion.
Andrew
French Beams Again!
in House Renovations
Posted
As I've posted before on this forum I recommend Tung oil for this job an not Linseed oil as posted before. Ther reason is that Linseed oil will not harden and so you will find it needing more work over time to maintain the same 'protection'.
Tung oil is once ... for ever.
It will also protect against the effects of moiture, condensation oe what ever. But what ever you do.. don't use lacqurer or varnishes... they are toxic.. when you apply them and from there after.
Andrew
Oil prices for central heating boilers
in South West (Aquitaine, Midi-Pyrénées)
Posted
Phil
Maybe you would consider changing the system in your new house to a cheaper and more efficient fuel.
Oil is the dearest and getting dearer every year. You might find yourself in a few years wishing that you had invested in a more sustainable system when you first moved in.
More information if you need it.
Andrew
"Natural" roof insulation methods...and cheap..opinions please
in House Renovations
Posted
Wool is naturally a fire retardant... ask any fireman whose clothes are all made of wool..
Commercial product at the following link:
http://www.nf-2000.org/secure/images/ochre0503.jpg
Andrew
"Natural" roof insulation methods...and cheap..opinions please
in House Renovations
Posted
Dun(?)
That's great. Sheep wool is a terrific insualtor as we all know and it makes no sence that this resource is dumped (as you say).
Other great insualtors are hemp wool;the fibres of this plant are very long and make a terrific material if matted densly.
Cellulose, whcih can be made from any suitable wood resource such as recycled paper. It is blown into the space rather than laid in as a flat mat.
All of th above are exclent choises and have none of the dangerous dust problems from fiting and cutting. However they do require some treatment to supress mould, vermin and fire. In the case of Wool, fire is naturally suppressed by the lanoline and other composites, it is also a hydroscopic material whcih will wick away moisture from the undersurface.
I guess that you should consider some basic cleaning of the fleece to maks sure there are no extraneous vegtiable matter whcih will cause you problems.
Enjoy hearing more on your project.
Andrew
Pricey Pools
in Swimming Pools in France
Posted
Hi Peter
I can help you and I've sent you a PM with contact details.
Cheers
Andrew
Oak Beams
in House Renovations
Posted
For Dave&Olive's benefit (sorry for being slow.. I've been away)
USE TUNG OIL ....!
You must be bored with me saying it.
I concur with Chris about avoiding linseed oil as it will not stay in the timber and will not give you the protection and finish you need.
Andrew