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I have a number of projects that need starting in 2008 and am looking for a suitable highly qualified builder to undertake them.   There is a major new build in Brittany along with a substantial renovation of a barn. A smaller renovation in Champagne.   These projects need to be done by someone fully conversant with all aspects of French building regs etc. If you cannot speak French then please do not reply. Architect approved plans and all planning has been granted.   You must be able to provide references and full details of previous work.     These projects are big and therefore need a team on them, not just one person. If you can work to deadlines, contracts, budgets then please get in touch.   Many thanks   Greg

I hope i am not posting something that is not allowed. Just moved house and having a mass clear out, have 3 huge boxes (can hardly lift them) of France Magazine, going back to the very first issue. Many duplicate copies, plus one set in original blue binders. Plus, loads of other french, Living France, French Property news mags, I would say something like 300 mags in total. Do not really want to take them to the local tip so if anyone wants them( the whole lot) please let me know soonest. Collection from just outside Dover in Kent. Remember they are FREE to the first person who turns up. Kind regards   Greg      

Hi I'm doing a bit of work in Northern France, from Calais down to the Somme and need a PAYG mobile phone. Does anyone have any views on whch operator to go for regarding best coverage, not worried about the costs. Thanks Greg    

perhaps it should have said funeral wake, person died last week along way away from St Valery, and sadly due to many friends being away as well, and with certain "sending off" particulars to attend to, like hiring a boat! it cannot be done until mid march!

Looking for a good property near the coast, preferably nr St Valery Sur Somme for a short break beginning Thursday  16th March till Sunday 19th. It is for 3 adults and one child aged 3, so ideally needs to be 3 bedrooms, or at least one double and one twin. Must be warm and cosy, clean and tidy and have all mod cons. If you have something within 1-2 hours of the Tunnel exit then please let us have your best quote for this time. Not really a holiday, got to goto a funeral on the Friday! Please email details.   Thanks for your time.   Greg

Hi Due to having a severe amount of free time on my hands whilst a bunch of overpaid lawyers deliberate the fine print over the sale of my company I was wondering if anyone who owns a holiday home/ gite etc might want a free web site done? I'm not a cutting edge designer! but pretty handy with the basics. Work mainly to Flash Templates, so they do look good! Not asking for any money at all!! so hope this won't be removed for any reason. It would be helpful if you already have a web space account with someone, but if not I can put you in touch with a decent company in the UK who let you pay monthly! Any takers??? Greg      

Hi Have also used PayPal to take different payments, easy to use, altho there charges tend to be a bit high, factor this into your budgets or you could find yourself a bit out of pocket! They have different levels of service you can apply for. Greg

Hi Have you tried Vinegar? That cleaned up some old tiles in our hall rather well, and doesn't cost very much either, altho, a lot of elbow power was needed. Needs to be diluted slightly and the smell soon goes. Other than that, cleaning some old quarry tiles I had to use some nasty chemical stuff from a DIY store, they came up a treat but dread to think what was in the bottle! Can't remember what it was called tho? Greg    

Hi   Can anyone give any recomendations for a good supplier of Under Floor Heating - Pyrenees area. Thanks Greg  

Yes, Bob, I do remember that program, and as you say with the dollar so weak at the moment! Found a place in the UK that imports them from Russia at a reasonable price, but stillcannot find a French company that does the sort of thing I need.     Very much like this!   Greg

Hello Sure this question has been asked too many times! but.. any views on what it is like to live in this region much appreciated, looking around masseeube, Trie sur Baise, that sort of area. Are there any good weekly markets? Cost of living compared to other parts of France? We are looking to buy land and then build our own home, so anyone with info on obtaining planning permission in this area, how easy, would be good as well. I don't want to be right in the mountains, about an hour or so away, similarly, want to be about an hour or so from the airports in that area. Any comments, good or bad, much appreciated. Thank you greg  

Hi Would you even want a huf-haus, can't say they appeal to me...or perhaps it's just the scary price! I was looking at the more traditional log cabin you see in mountain type resorts, as that is where it will be near.  I was hoping to find a French company but they seem to be a bit thin on the ground. Greg

Hi   Thanks for the info. I am looking at building from new, kit type constrcution in south west france. Anyone else who has any info from other areas much appreciated.  It would be a big house that needs to be built.   Greg

Hi   Would anyone know of any companies supplying real log cabins in France? South-West is were we hope to move to. Would be a permanent home so needs to be a good size. Anyone had any issues over planning regs with one of these?   thanks for any help Greg

Hi   yes I did no it was up for grabs, what a place to buy.... must buy a lottery ticket this week!   Greg

Hi Wilko well, from one who is always looking for somewhere to stay, I only request the specialist publications, and ones that offer direct bookings with the owners, never had a problem in years of holidays in france. Web pages are OK, but you have to keep content fresh so that the search engines will revisit and place you higher in rankings. Personally, I like a good brochure, glass of wine and phone! Greg

Hi I may be able to help, if not I could get one of our overpayed techies to try and help, what's the problem? Greg  

Hi all well I wish it was snowing here in the sleepy garden of england! save me having to sweep up another few thousand leaves ! Greg

Hi Chrissie Get your phone unlocked and then buy a sim card in the UK, everywhere sells them now and it wont cost you much. If you want to buy online try www.expansys.com they also sell non contract unlocked phones and are very very reliable. Or, if you are feeling brave, try eBay, there are loads for sale for just a few pounds.   Greg  

Hi Piprob They have a website here http://www.chateauberne.com/ the wines are superb and very reasonably priced, Once you have tasted the Wild Pig sparkling rose you won't want to drink champagne again. The hotel is superb and the meals truly FRENCH and leaves you wanting for more. The grounds are magnificent, the vineyards stretch forever and the drive to the chateau itself takes a good five minutes, it is amazing. Whenvever I'm down that way i always stay for at least one night, if you are "anglais" but attempt to blend in they treat you like royalty, and of course there is ample room to land your own helicopter! It is for sale at the moment, so anyone wanting a great place to live and income, here is the place for you........ but you may have to win the lottery a few weeks running to buy! Greg

Hi I can only comment by past experience, having owned a number of Land Rovers over the years, from basic Defenders to Range Rovers, that SOME French dealers can be as arrogant as their UK counterparts, others will bend over backwards to help you. From my own personal experience, avoid city/major town dealers and go for the more provincial ones, they seem to have more time to listen to you. I have not had a problem getting my RHD vehicles serviced, even repaired. A phone call to Land Rover UK and posing your question to them can be most interesting, they will tell you who is the most enterprising dealership in your area. Of course if you fancy the trip back to the UK, their is without question one of the very best independant land rover service centres in Folkestone, about 5 mins drive from Eurotunnel, if this guy can't fix your car then no-one can! And prices to make you feel guilty about paying! Greg

Hi all If anyone is living in this area and knows this chateau and the excellent wines it produces, and you might be coming back to the UK before xmas I'd be very much obliged if you could find space to bring back a few bottles (translates to cases) as I've now run out and feeling pretty miserable. They make excellent wines, the vineyard is stunning, the hotel expensive, dinner sublime! Will happily contribute to costs of repatriation. Greg

Hi If anyone is living in this area and know this chateau and the excellent wines it produces, and you might be coming back to the UK before xmas I'd be very much obliged if you could find space to bring back a few bottles (translates to cases) as I've now run out and feeling pretty miserable. They make excellent wines, the vineyard is stunning, the hotel expensive, dinner sublime! Will happily contribute to costs of repatriation. Greg  

Hi You think you lot have it bad! I just had to pay £95/ton for a load of logs to fit into out log burner, here in UK, the Garden of England, south east prices! We're not all millionaires! Greg  

Hello As a regular user of Mcd's - only for the use of the BT OpenZone wireless broadband facility - i have to agree with all, I've seen some pretty attrocious behaviour in these places in front of children, let alone adults. my local Mcd's has now banned anyone looking like a construction worker from eating in as they had so many complaints from people, sadly this also ended the free use of their broadband facilty :-(( Is it any wonder the majority judge the minority so badly... Greg