chocccie

Yes they are all new trees, and looked none too happy when I was over last week - if they have another dry month like the last, they'll perish. Cheers

I need to have my plants and orchard watered during the summer months- does anybody know of a company based in Haute Vienne? Many thanks

I've heard it's a lot cheaper hiring vans in France than in the UK. I'm after a 7.5 tonner to take to UK and bring back to France.  Anybody have any suggestions?  I'm half an hour from Limoges.

I've heard it's a lot cheaper hiring vans in France than in the UK. I'm after a 7.5 tonner to take to UK and bring back to France.  Anybody have any suggestions?  I'm half an hour from Limoges.

Thanks for your help. Christine - I'll certainly get in touch - we'll be in the Haute Vienne. I wouldn't leave a dog locked in a car no matter what the weather.  In fact, I once smashed a car window to get a dog out who was obviously in great distress with the heat.  I went for attack being the best form of defence when the owner got back and made him so ashamed so he ignored that I'd smashed his window up.

I have a building (about 40 years old) which was used as a dairy.  It seems really well built, has lintels all the way around the building at door and window level - the beas and flooring above look as solid as you like.   It's two storey and the upper storey has been used as a hay store.  There are numerous really chunky beams conreted into the walls and it's all stengthened by a vertical iron girder (?) I want to put a couple of bedrooms and bathrooms on the first floor, but before I got to the trouble of applying for permission, I want somebody in the know to tell me that it can support that load safely.  I really think it will be a case of somebody qualified/experienced sticking their nose around for ten minutes. Any recommendations and idea of what this will cost.  It's roughly 9x9m.  I'm in the Haute Vienne Thanks folks.

  .... I want to get a dog from a resuce centre when we move to France permantnely next year, what's the procedure.  Do they come and "vet" you? Also, how easy is it to take dogs across the French border, into, say Italy and Spain.  Does one need to get a passport as required to take them into England? I'm guessing it will be easier to get a dog once we get to France, rather than bring one with us (can't wait!  just don't have the space/time for dogs here in England).

  .... I want to get a dog from a resuce centre when we move to France permantnely next year, what's the procedure.  Do they come and "vet" you? Also, how easy is it to take dogs across the French border, into, say Italy and Spain.  Does one need to get a passport as required to take them into England? I'm guessing it will be easier to get a dog once we get to France, rather than bring one with us (can't wait!  just don't have the space/time for dogs here in England).

I have a concrete block building which needs to be rendered, and was thinking there must be some way or working out how much material is required per square foot of wall (give or take).  Do any of you clever people know?  I don't want to end up with loads of sand, etc going to waste. Thanks very much.

Is an agreed and signed devis the actual agreed price.  Or when it comes time to pay can it become "ah, yes, well - that doesn't take into account...."? Cheers

Specifically, Limoges area..... any comments as to how much further on you've found your gardening year?  Things grow in my French garden at a rate of knots... I'd reckon about four weeks earlier than in Southern England... what are your experiences? Cheers

... or somewhere fairly close. I'm looking for a special chambres d'hote or chateaux ... don't mid what, so long as it has it's own charms.  Would like somewhere with nice grounds.  Any suggestions? Many thanks

Hi folks Thanks for the advice.  It's really good to hear from people who obviously know what they're talking about, rather than those who can't help themselves posting a reply to everything! Cheers!

Does anybody have any advice on French plumbing fittings versus UK? Are they compatible, or can they be made to fit?  IE, if I want to bring over a bath, will I be able to connect it up in France. Cheers

Don't just let it grow - you won't get a field full of lovely wildflowers.  You'll end up with grass up past your waste and it will looks messy and brown.  Tall grass becomes dead and isn't green.  The new green grass under it is smothered.  When the winds come the long grass will be pushed down to ground level and will produce a thick mat of dead grass.  Wildflowers and new grass can't get through it, then it's even harder to cut. To get a wildflower field, you have to manage it... cutting it twice a year to allow the seeds to drop and then thrive without being strangled.  You don't get one through neglect. 50 euros is what I pay for the local friendly farmer to come and cut it down.  If you do it fairly regularly, it won't need to be collected and will return to the earth naturally. Good luck!    

Hi - I need to get a fosse septique installed in Haute Vienne. I'm looking for recommendations for installers if anybody knows of a good one. Many thanks

Would anyone recommend a roofer/tiler who might cover the Bellac area. My barn has some holes that need patching. I also have a chimney that needs repointing. Thanks folks

The ride on mower I bought over from England for the job isn't up to it!  I need something bigger!!  Does anybody know where I might get a small second hand tractor in the haute vienne?  Maybe that would take part exchange? 

  you people are all MAD!  I love it!!