cheryl

Many thanks for the replies. Cheryl

Our computer and phone line go through a surge protector (since we blew a modem in a thunderstorm). We've ordered broadband through Neuf and the box and wires have arrived, but should the Neufbox and phoneline still be connected through the surge protector? If so, would the filter go into the wall socket, or on the phone outlet on the surge protector? Many thanks for any advice Cheryl  

Gosh! I am starting to understand! I had thought that it would be a good idea to put a 'pay as you go' dial-up ISP on the old computer so I could still get on the internet if I get stuck with getting broadband to work, but thinking about it, that won't be possible as there won't be an FT line to plug it into! Oh dear, I'd better get it right! Cheryl

It's getting clearer (well, a bit clearer!). The man in the shop claimed our cordless phones will work OK - is that right? Presumably we'd plug the base station of the main phone through the Neufbox, then the second one just into a mains electric socket as we do now? We've only got one FT socket (which is by the computer), so that's one thing that's right. Many thanks for the help Cheryl

Thank you so much for your reply. I'm a bit confused with  'To receive calls on our old FT number we have to have a phone plugged into the FT socket with a filter - I do not know if Neuf is the same.' - wouldn't the Neuf modem be plugged into the FT socket? The shop where we ordered Neuf said we'll keep our current FT number, although Neuf will cancel the FT contract for us, so presumably we wouldn't need the filter? Sorry to be so dim!

We finally decided that we had to replace our temperamental old computer and thought we'd also replace our dial-up AOL with broadband. We've signed up with Neuf at €34,90 a month for broadband and unlimited phonecalls. The modem is to be posted to us and it'll apparantly be up to a month before it's active. What I'd like to know is - is it easy to connect? how do the free phonecalls work? does the computer have to stay online to make/receive calls? will our existing cordless phones work? do I just plug them into the modem? There's a socket on the new computer marked 'ethernet' Is that where the modem plugs in? The new computer has pre-loaded Windows XP Media Edition (in French). I'm fairly resigned to a French operating system, but is there any way of changing the operating system to English? Sorry to ask so many questions, but I'm really struggling with new technology, although it will be wonderful not to be stuck with the terrible dial-up internet we have at present. Many, many thanks for any advice Cheryl

We've found Fervex (from the pharmacy) very good for flu-like illnesses, although it does send you drowsy.

The restaurant at St Cecile is great value, also the restaurant at Fonteneremont (or something like that!) - on the road from Villedieu to St Sever - the servings are on the large side!

Thanks a lot! - much better. Cheryl

I used to be able to read the first part of a post by holding the cursor over it, but now it won't work. What have I done wrong? Also, I used to be able to see which postings were new since my last visit, but now I can't. Is there something I can do to get this feature back? Many thanks.

I heard a rumour (ok - it's only something I've heard via someone else) that Percy is in the clear and won't be getting the THT lines. It is however said to be getting wind turbines instead, but who knows? We lived happily in and around Percy for over four years before moving to Lot et Garonne, and found it a very friendly, pleasant place to live.

We stayed at home yesterday as it looked too risky to go out, but today the main roads were fine and the A84 was re-opened (except to lorries). Lanes were more difficult as very frozen, but ok if taken slowly. It looks as if it will be bad again tomorrow morning, but the forecast is for warmer weather and rain by afternoon. I shan't be sorry to see the snow go (although the dogs enjoy it!).      

Yes, I haven't been able to access it either - although I never know if it's my computer being temperamental! Cheryl

Thanks a lot for your reply Andy. That price doesn't sound too bad - hopefully it should cost under about €3000 then. Cheryl

Thanks a lot for your reply Andy. That price doesn't sound too bad - hopefully it should cost under about €3000 then. Cheryl

The house we are buying has dry rot in the sous sol due to lack of ventilation. The current (wooden)ceiling of the sous sol (which is the floor to the ground floor) needs to be replaced, which we thought we would have in concrete, incorporating insulation. Obviously we'll be sorting out the ventilation and treating the stonwork to kill off any spores, but what we were wondering is if anyone has a rough idea of the cost to have the ceiling/floor replaced. The overall size is approximately 48 square metres. Many thanks Cheryl

When we moved here, we brought a couple of  UK 4 gang extensions, then fitted a French plug on them. That meant we didn't have to rush round fitting new plugs on everything straight away. Cheryl

We used Wanadoo when we first moved to France, but I found it not very user-friendly after having used AOL in the UK (I suppose it's just what you get used to!). Once we had a French debit card I switched to French AOL, which is really very similar to the UK version. The only problem we have (which would be the same with any ISP I suspect) is very slow connection speeds, which can make surfing the net pretty agonising! If you want help installing French AOL, message me as we live very near to you (I'm no expert, but have installed and re-installed it several times!) Cheryl

One of our hens decided to sit tight in a nestbox a few days ago. The next day she seemed to have lost interest, but she and the other hens have been laying their eggs in that nestbox until at the last count (this morning) there were 10 eggs. When I cleaned the henhouse a few minutes ago she was sitting back on the eggs, though they had obviously gone stone cold over the intervening days. Will the eggs be OK? I have read that eggs can be stored for about a week with no heat before incubation. Is that right? Do I move her and her chicks (if they hatch) as soon as they're all hatched? I haven't got another hen house, so would a stable be alright for them? Many thanks Cheryl

Our computer is about 4 years old, so not particularly fast (750?). We run AVG free ati-virus. About a week ago I had a suspicious looking email purporting to be from AOL. I checked with AOL technical support and they said it was spyware and advised me to install AOL anti-spyware and Ad-Aware, which I did. Since then the internet may as well not be there, it takes so long to open any page! Can I (should I?) remove any of the security or is there something I'm doing wrong? Please help! Cheryl

Many thanks for all the input, although I have to say that none of it gave me a lot of confidence before we set off this morning! It was the Bricomarché in St Lo (50), and they again claimed that the oil was of the wrong quality, so we just stood there and repeated, over and over again, that we had followed all the manufacturers instructions and what else could we have been expected to do? Eventually, after about 40 minutes of 'discussion' (but we didn't raise our voices!) with two employees, they suddenly (rather ungraciously) gave in. I then asked for, and got, the till receipt back, as there's still almost a year left on the guarantee. When we got home we found that the oil level was way below minimum and they had also broken one of the safety devices, so that as the clutch is released the engine stops. Easy enough fixed, but it just shows that they aren't even very good at their job! Having spent in excess of €11,000 in their shop since the beginning of last year, we shall be taking our custom elsewhere. I do wonder if they thought that, as foreigners, we must be stupid, and whether they would have tried it on with a French person. Cheryl 

Can anyone help with a (fairly) quick answer before I go for the MEGA row tomorrow morning! Last year we bought a sit-on mower from Bricomarché with a two year guarantee. It has been lovingly looked after by my husband (5 oil changes) but last week the engine seized up for no apparant reason. We took in back to the shop and yesterday I telephoned to be told that we could collect the repaired mower on Saturday. Just now, Bricomarché phoned to say that although the mower was repaired it would not be covered by guarantee as the wrong oil had been used. I explained that we had used SAE30 as recommended in the instruction manual, but was told that we would have to pay to get our mower back. We hadn't authorised any repairs other than under guarantee and feel that the guarantee should in any case be honoured since we had followed all instructions exactly. Are we within our rights to demand the return of our mower without payment? Many thanks Cheryl

Oh dear, it's getting difficult! I do like the local news. I checked the Darty site and our commune isn't even in any future programme for coverage by that system. This is going to take a bit more thought! Many thanks Cheryl

Oh dear, it's getting difficult! I do like the local news. I checked the Darty site and our commune isn't even in any future programme for coverage by that system. This is going to take a bit more thought! Many thanks Cheryl

Thats great - thank you so much for the replies. I think we'll go for an analogue satellite system as they're so cheap (and it's only mainly to watch the news) Cheryl