Russethouse

I had a look at a few web sites, including British Gas, so I may get them out for a free quote - I think the pump has gone on this system, and although I know its not too major to replace it, we have talked about a combi for a while now, so maybe now is the time. Of course to get rid of the airing cupboard - tank etc will involve making good the ceiling and floor etc, we've just got to start somewher I suppose! Looks like the Britsh gas models are Worcester/Bosch so might be worth going that route. Thanks everyone

I think Dick is probably right, but if you want further quotes it might be worth looking at www.moneysavingexpert.com They have links that take you to lots of comparison sites. I have also heard that Age Concern policies are better value than Saga, but I think I read it on a web site or forum so please don't take just my word for it !

>>Come to think of it, is the "Chingeford Skinhead" still one with the living?

Thanks for the advice - little blue book of boilers sounds good ! At present we have no water tank at all in the loft (its still in the airing cupboard, the original position in this house I believe ) would I need a 'power shower?

There was some discussion about these on the old forum, and as we are thinking of changing to one I thought I would ask for opinions here. By combi I mean a gas boiler that feeds the central heating and heats water on demand, rather than having a hot water tank. One of the reasons for the change is that our bathroom is very small and I would be able to get rid of the tank (I think ?)and possibly put a shower in. (we have a shower but its en suite,and with two grown up kids at home another shower would be good) If I did that what type of shower would I need ? BTW its for the UK ( I know this is a French forum but I would value your opinions)

OMG - is he speaking in tongues ???? (or am I being stupid - again !)

Pantouflard, cjb is in love, with his wife, his in- laws and France......lovely, but he seems to be out of love with anything British and hasn't worked out yet that you can love two (or more)things or places, much as you love two, or more children, (loving the newborn doesn't mean you love the existing child/children any less) Of course I could be wrong, and I am sure he will say that I am, but thats the impression I get from his postings

Little things ? (well we can all dream.........)

Yep - the Brits have had some problems with trouble makers at continental matches, I believe those issues are being tackled. But where did the French ever get the expresion 'esprit de corps' ? If ever there was a group of people who lack it, it must be they, a thought which I have had confirmed by several French friends, who admit that their order of priorities is me, myself and I. No wonder the French football team was described thus. CJB, before you start -of course its a generalisation but this IS my experience, it may not be yours!

When I first got married I referred to mens pants as knickers and my husband told me that only women wear knickers, men wear pants etc. 'Knickers' are also known as 'granny bashers' or 'Bridget Jones' but they have to be 'big knickers'

The shorts are boxers, last time I looked, but I think M & S also do pants, too skimpy to need a Y front, called 'slips' (which is actually what both the males here wear) I thought 'underpants' could be any style, but its not my specialised subject ! I think Keks or shreds is a generic term for any style that serves the purpose. I have also heard the expression' harvest festivals' too - as in 'all is safely gathered in' !

Pretty difficult if you have a subscription.......also remember that many forum members NEVER buy, or ever have bought the magazine.

Surely when TU moves back she will be resident ? Isn't that the 'qualification' for receiving health care in the UK ?

Carole - Perhaps Miki would give you odds on the liklihood so your affliction would at least be profitable !

My husband and his brother both used that term, or 'shreds' for underpants, whatever there design. Also 'Kecks' ???

Has any one tried setting up two Paypal accounts, one to take from your debit or credit card here and the other to pay to your bank account in France. ? No idea if its possible (if there are two of you it may be easier I suspect)but it might be worth looking at and costing out - or is it too simple ?

Had a look at the new site and played around with options etc, but ( I am trying to decide whether to go to Quimper in November) I couldn't see any 'offers' though - weekend breaks etc. Yep, I like the Bretagne, not so keen on the Val. Shame its moved to Plymouth - Roscoff which can be a pretty rough crossing !

Many thanks - got it sorted !

Thanks to you both - I usually only use the camera in 'eBay' mode, but we are off to a 40th wedding anniversary celebration (at Bletchley Park - should be interesting)and I thought it would be nice to take a few family snaps. I just couldn't remember how to change the resolution - a senior moment I have bookmarked it this time!!!!

>>Another bit of good news from BF is that the Bretagne is being transferred to the Plymouth/Roscoff route, presumably replacing (albeit temporarily) the Duc de Normandie.

We put an offer on this house, the owner (a middle aged single man) walked round to the pub to celebrate the sale, and dropped dead ! Luckily unknown to us his brother nearly decided to move here. (he hadn't seen his brother for 20 years but inherited the lot) Lots of nail chewing, with our solicitor eventually suggesting we exchange and move on the same day, even though I had a toddler and a baby plus a father in law moving in We got there in the end, 10 months later..............

At various times I have posted that its important to know yourself before you make a permanent move, and that is just the sort of thing I mean. I would probably be able to deal with shopping, getting services etc, with a bit of practise, but would I ever be able to discuss anything else ? Mr Russethouse, is simply not very gregarious,(except after a few glasses !) so I could be very isolated and/or have to rely on 'expatrica' Tempting though it is to let the world go by while I lived in Finistere, much better for us to perhaps look for a maison secondaire (possibly an apartment) or just have more holidays.

[quote]Val, this is just too depressing for words. What is it about France that makes so many British people today believe it is the panacea for all their ills, be it poor health, no job, no money? And I h...[/quote] I think it because many people can live in a kind of bubble - they simply get by wthout worrying about the news, local affairs etc because their language skills are not good enough to understand. For some, its quite a relief, esp if you come from a city with a high crime rate etc. In fact I have to admit that I suspect this could easily happen to me too IF I moved full time

I'm sure on the 'old' forum there was a recommendation of a site where you could download in PDF format instructions for using cameras etc if you had lost the instructions, does anyone know of it ? Alternativley does any one know how to change the resolution on a Fuji Finepix camera, so that I can get more pics on the smart card ??

I have used this site for years but have recently found that I get an 'due to technical difficulties etc ' message. I urgently need to cost a couple of journeys and I seem to be missing something with 'mappy'. Any suggestions for a site where I can get an 'actual' cost for trips (as opposed to the allowance the tax man gives per mile) please ?