tom16

[quote user="mint"][quote user="basquesteve"]Hi As I have lived here for the last 10 years I suggest the Pays Basque Spring is a good time its not that cold here we often have a sit in the sun between 11 and 3 in mid winter Steve PS the Pyrenees range is over 200 miles and a lot of different climates try both ends its about 4and a half hours drive on the auto routes[/quote] Yes, the pays Basque is full of interest. Beautiful scenery and I love the buildings. Lucky dog; wish I could take mine there. [/quote] We're further along twixt Tarbes and Toulouse, just north of Cagire. I think the scenery, towns and villages all along the chain are stunning but if I had two weeks to explore I'd spend a week at Bagneres de Bigorre to explore the high peaks, Cirque de Garvanie, Pic du Midi etc, the route to Spain, and the softer scenery south of Pau, then the second week in the Ariege visiting doing the Cathar touristy route - Carcassone, Foix, Mirepoix, Montsegur etc, with a quick trip up to Andorra. June through to September are good, although in August there's the risk of mountain storms. We went up to Peyragudes ski station (no snow, just cows, hang-gliders and wonderful views), then down to Luchon, through the pass and down to Bossost (Spain) for a tapas luch the other day and it was fab... On the other hand, hire a gite south of Pau (gites de france64, or through Abritel) with a pool in July, then relax in the garden with fabulous scenery all around!

Yes, be very careful with the French "overdraft" facility. We went into the red 3 months running earlier this year when there was no work. On each occasion it was much less than our agreed découvert, and on each occasion our account was brought back into credit in full within the 30 days. During the 4th month, when the account was well in the black, we received a letter to say that our découvert was now nil, rien, zilch.....and it will probably remain that way for ever. lol, this ain't the UK :-(

lol...that's why I've come back here for my daily fix after many years in the TF/FE wilderness, but it's a bit like turning on the Archers after 6 months - same old, same old. Not exactly a lively bunch, and still backbiting anyone who asks for help :-(

Unfortunately, it's a lot of faffing about to make a few samosas, but I love the round pastry sheets that fit the flan tins :-)

Hello Gluestick, no it's not a wetroom as you have the showerscreen to keep the room from getting soaked, therefore the whole room doesn't need "tanking", but of course you would have to use hydrofuge placoplatre, like in any bath/shower room. Yes installation really could only be carried out in a new build or a renovation project, but I much prefer that easy clean look to the shower cabin we have, which although expensive is a bugger to clean. Once a year just wouldn't be enough unfortunately...

We were lucky enough to be left 2 beeg bahgs when the sand was delivered for our fs; I use them for garden rubbish which is great as I can just shove one full of leaves into the back of the break, and the guy at the dechetterie helps me tip it in the benne.... Soft sand is called river sand at our local quarries....it's sometimes black, but sometimes they have some that looks as if it's come straight from a pale golden beach...

...and please don't fit horrible sliding doors as cleaning the tracks is a nightmare. Curtains are an absolute no no. My preferred shower is this sort of thing, but bought in France of course http://www.victorianplumbing.co.uk/roman-embrace-glass-linear-wetroom-panel-various-size-options.aspx

Lovely hot dry days here in 31, and cool at night. OH is replacing a roof this month and it's mighty hot for him up there, but he took a punt when he booked the job in, wrongly guessing that September would be cooler than July and August. tant pis..