Eslier

It seems that the "French way" is to place your insurance with one of the several insurance frachise offices you will find in your local town.  It is much more usual to do this sort of thing face to face and certainly has benefits over dealing with those dreadful call centres favoured by UK companies. When we made a claim on our insurance for a broken double glazed window last year it couldn't have been more simple. A visit to the local office, filled in a very simple form whilst there and then given the name of a local window fitter to whom we could go to and ask him to go ahead with the workstraight away. No messing around getting quotes, no waiting for the claim to be aproved or assessed, and no excess to pay either. All sorted with the minimum of fuss. As long as you are there to be able to visit the office in person then this is by far the best way.  If it is only a holiday home and you need a company which you can deal with over the phone then maybe a UK call centre company might, I suppose, be better.

Carnac Plage is lovely and just around 2 hours from St.Malo.  Take a look at the Hotel Celtique: http://www.hotel-celtique.com/ It is right in the area where all the restaurants are and only about 100m from the beach.  The family rooms are spacious and are situated right next to the swimming pool (which is covered but has slide back panels to open onto the outside terrace if the weather is good).  The hotel restaurant is also very good so you might be able to get a good deal for demi pension.

"Netskim" skimmer basket nets: http://www.everblue.com/fr/printemps/printemps2007/catalogue-acc-entretient.htm are available from Everblue franchises.  To find your nearest franchise dealer go to: http://www.everblue.com/fr/ and click on Le Réseau. They also have a range of robots for sale, including the Polaris 280 @ 1326€ TC see http://www.everblue.com/fr/printemps/printemps2007/catalogue-robot-pg10-p07.htm

I agree with all that's been said about Frontline Combo but you have to be aware that the fleas do not live on the animals. They only jump on to feed.  Most of the time they are living and breeding in your carpets and soft furnishings. If you make your pets a no go area by treating them then they will jump onto humans to feed - even though they prefer cats and dogs !  Make sure that you buy a good spray treatment to spray around your floors and furniture - concentrate around the edges of the room.

Possibly yes Peter, depending on where in France and how sensitive the receiver is.   If you are in North West France i.e. Brittany, Normandy, Pas de Calais etc. then the minidish should be fine and with a bit of patience you should be able to set it up ok.  Further south and you may find you need a larger dish to get a strong enough signal but you could easily buy one of these inexpensively in France. You probably won't be able to receive Ch4 & 5 as the receiver doesn't have a card slot and you will only get the FTA (Free to Air) channels and for ITV you will receive the London regional service but this may not bother you. To be honest, the price is ok but you can buy a non portable system in most brico stores for a similar amount which will include an 80cm dish anyway. If you are happy enough that you can set the system up yourself then it's also worth taking a look on ebay for Sky digiboxes and dishes etc. With a Sky digibox you can bring your existing freesat card with you each time and it will work fine, giving you all the channels and regional options that you have at home.  PS Clair, you need to enter a UK postcode into the Lidl linked page to get the information. I suppose there are some regional offer variations in the UK.

[quote user="Pierre ZFP"] I would have thought that it would come under the EU 'no impediment to movement of goods and services' rule which definitely includes broadcast material [/quote] That's a very interesting point Pierre and just goes to show what a huge can of worms the whole subject is. I guess that's why there haven't been any challenges to what people are doing in case it all backfires and EU law determines that people living in any EU country have the right to apply for a sat contract with any EU provider.  That would lead to a lot of very influential people losing a lot of money.  I suppose the problem is that most of the broadcast rights / copyright laws were drawn up before satelite broadcasts became so widespread. Encryption, of course, goes part of the way to solve the problem but with Mr. Murdoch charging so much for this service the broadcasters have understandably given up on it until such time as anyone challenges their responsibilities. In the end it may lead to much higher broadcast copyright fees for open satelite transmissions which will inevitably mean that Mr. Murdoch will tie up more and more of the good stuff !  On the other hand it might eventually send more things onto internet broadcast only where it is much easier to determine the country in which the viewer is attempting to download from.  I can see it now, in a few years time it will only be possible to watch F1 on the internet direct from the F1 website - cuts out all the middle men and means more money in Bernies pocket !!

[quote user="Martinwatkins"] Reply:   I think one is infringing  the conditions of a contract rather than laying oneself open to prosecution.  . I take the view that if one's paid for a service is makes no difference where one uses it,  but I'm sure a lawyer would not agree.[/quote] Oh this subject is such a can of worms and I must say is only worth mentioning from the point of view of making interesting discussion because - as I said before - I don't think anyone is particularly bothered about it. Theoretically however, there are two issues. The first, as you rightly point out, is contractual which is to do with the contract which exists between Sky and the person to whom the card is issued. The Sky T&Cs specifically state that the card may only be used by the person to whom it was issued and at the address where it is issued to etc. etc.  Being in breach of contract, one assumes, (hopefully Llewyncelyn wiill read this and give us the benefit of his legal knowledge) could be treated as a civil matter for litigation.  The other area of copyright / broadcasting rights is far more tricky. Take, for example, Formula 1, which is tied to tight, highly priced contract for broadcast rights in each country. The company with the rights in France might take a dim view of finding that people can watch it for free on UK ITV as might Bernie.  Stricly speaking, you might be breaking the law (French criminal law) by watching certain programs in France in the same way as you are infringing copyright by downloading certain music tracks from the internet.   Anyway, this is all hypothetical (I hope) as I am not aware of any attempt by any body to take action to prevent people from watching UK television in France.  On the contrary, the French system seems quite happy to allow businesses to register (and pay taxes and cotisations) whose sole purpose is to install Sky TV systems all over France so there doesn't seem to be too much to worry about.

If you install a dish pointing towards Astra 2D then you can receive all the transmissions from Sky with a digibox.  Depending on where your home is in France, and to some extent which make of digibox you are using, you may be able to use a standard 45cm minidish or you may need an 80cm dish (readily available in French brico stores). If you bring over a Sky digibox from the UK then you will be able to receive without a viewing card: most of the standard free channels except Ch 4 & 5  - although these may become freely available sometime in 2008. with a viewing card: (this can be your card from home or you can buy a freesat card from Sky for a £20 one off fee - NB still needs to be registered to your UK address) all the free channels including Ch 4 & 5  - this includes the new ch5 extra channels and Film4 but not E4, More 4 etc. You won't be able to watch your premium subscription channels unless you bring your digibox from home as your viewing card is paired with the digibox and will block the premium channels if the card is used in a different digibox. If you are planning on spending a lot of time in France, and don't want the hassle of taking your digibox back and forth but still want to watch the premium channels then you can get a second card from Sky which can be paired toa different digibox. They will charge you £10 per month for this service but it will then give you all the same premium channels as you get at home. Strictly speaking, it is against Skys terms and conditions to use a viewing card at an address other than the one to which it is registered and there are potential copyright issues of viewing Sky signals outside the UK. In truth however, so many people do it and I don't think there has ever been a case of anyone being prosecuted. Sky don't seem to really care (they know it goes on) as long as you don't tell them what you are doing. If you do tell them - or make the mistake of phonong them from France to activate a card - then they will simply zap your card remotely and disable it. I hope this helps.

If you are traveling without luggage the the RA booking engine automatically adds the online check in / priority boarding option to your booking. It isn't always obvious that they are making a charge for this. You actually have to go back and modify the detailsto delete the option to avoid paying extra. I'm sure a lot of people don't see this when booking and end up paying for it without realising.

In fact, gastines is correct to refer to them as catamarans.  The three Condor vessels are Incat Wave Piercing Catamarans, as is Brittany Ferries' Normandie Express.   The HD Ferries HD1 is not of the "wave piercing" variety it is a 80m type K50 Catamaran.  All these are constructed by the Australian company Incat.  More information, including details of their entire fleet,  for anyone who is interested can be found on their website at http://www.incat.com.au/index.html

jsb,  it is always better to have a signature on a written contract, that way there can be no dispute as to who the contract is between.  Make it clear that the contract is between you and the person signing the booking form (which somethimes may not be the same as the person shown as the lead party member or the person making the payment). Also make it clear the the person signing the booking forum/contract is responsible for the other party members - if there is any dispute then this way there is only one person who can be held responsible and with whom you need to deal with. If you live in France then make it clear that, where the contract is concerned, French law prevails. This may not stand up if challenged but it may be enough to put some speculators off challenging you for something spurious. You cannot absolve yourself of all responsibility for guests safety but as long as you are sensible then it shouldn't be too much of a problem. You will need to notify your French insurance company that you will be holiday letting and they will provide you with the necessary third party cover. Invite your broker (always useful to deal with a local company) to visit your chalet and advise you if he/she believes there is anything that needs your attention. Don't worry too much about all this as common sense usually prevails. Problems with guests are few and far between thankfully.  Good luck with your venture.

There's a good chance that you will find a small hidden lever on the back of the headlamp assembly. If so, try moving it in whichever direction it will go (up, down, left, right) and you should find it alters the dipping of your headlamps.  I had a Merc. a few years ago with xenons that worked like this. There was nothing in the manual about it and most of the mechanics at my local dealer didn't know about it either but one, who had come across it before, knew where to find the lever and showed me how to make the adjustment. Once you know how it is very simple but I wouldn't have worked it out for myself. Beware of driving with unadjusted headlights. Last year, on one particular day the police were stopping all UK cars coming out of the ferryport in Cherbourg and checking headlamps were adjusted. I expect they accrued a lot of 90€ fines that day !

[quote user="Dotty "]. . .but you have categorically told me nothing is going to be done. [/quote] Perhaps you should read my PM again - that's most certainly not what I said. Please don't make out in public that I have said something I haven't.  What I actually said was: "In view of your "report", perhaps we should consider this matter again . . ." and that was after I had thanked you for taking the trouble to contact us.

[quote user="Dotty "]Hello RH Well I'm really glad I pressed that report button.  It would seem no body gives a stuff what I think.  The button is there but press it and guess what?  Nothing. What's the point.  [/quote] Well that's very strange Dotty.  I replied to your "report" and I can see that the PM I sent has been viewed four times - that's once by me and three times by you or someone logged into the forum as you. Perhaps someone else in your household has been reading your PMs ? Please let me know if you would like me to send my PM again.

If you have a UK bank account then it is very simple. Presumably you will be asking for a signed booking form (very important as you can include a clause that states the rentor accepts your terms and conditions etc.) so just ask them to send you a UK bank cheque. Then all you need to do is post the cheques, with a paying in slip, to your UK bank branch. Some people may prefer to pay by internet banking transfer which is fairly simple too. The problem with having your own CB machine is a) the cost to you, b) the "foreign transaction" cost to your rentors making a Euro payment and c) you will have to have a business account which will probably cost you more.  Paypal is another option favoured by some but if you ever find yourself in dispute with a client (cancelled booking etc.) then it is very easy for the client to complain to paypal and you will find that they can take the money back again. For some businesses (hotels, b&b etc.) a c/card facility is more important but for self catering accommodation you should find it quite easy to manage without.

If you decide to wind up your UK company then you can rollover any capital gain into the purchase and setting up of your French business.   Whilst there appears to be no specific clause which allows capital gains tax rollover when starting a new business in another eu country there doesn't seem to be anything prohibiting it. Our UK accountant made such an application to the inland revenue on our behalf and it was accepted. What's even better is that once you have been fully French resident for three years, without having a uk income, this rollover liability aparently just vanishes into thin air so even if you later move back to the uk there's no cgt to pay. Yes I know this sounds bizarre and it is, but could be well worth asking your uk accountant about. As far assettig up your French business, I agree with the others - you need to speak to a firm of French accountants.

[quote user="Nearly Retired"] "..and yes - they usually have a switch on them.." Can't wait for the "buzz" when I switch it on for the first time just after a shower when I'm dripping wet and standing on the tiled floor with my bare wet feet. I still don't understand. [/quote] On the ones I have, the switch is a pushbutton type beneath a rubber membrane - so completely waterproof. They also have a thermostatic control so you are more likely to switch it on and leave it on rather than be constantly switching it on and off. Mine are wired via an unswitched spur rather than a plug and socket.

[quote user="Llwyncelyn"]Eslier that must be Morriston?   I used to do medical negligence in the UK and know that hospital particularly well!    I am not sure but Singleton does not open A and E wise on Saturday nights.  If it is Singleton I know that hospital as well. [/quote] Yes, in fact he went to Singleton first and was told to go up to Morriston.    To be fair to the NHS, if you have a critical condition then I am sure yu will nearly always receive good prompt treatment that is amongst the best in the world. Since living France however our experience of the health system is that you receive good prompt treatment for all things. For example, last summer a guest of ours tripped over and broke her wrist on a Saturday evening. We went with her to the hospital in our nearest French town, arriving at about 10.30pm. She was ushered straight through to the treatment area whilst we assisted her husband with the paperwork. She left the hospital again after just an hour having had an x-ray and the wrist being put in plaster.  I can't imagine receiving such prompt treatment in any NHS hospital on a Saturday evening anywhere in the UK. I am sure the French health system has its problems but on the whole it seems to live up well to being the best healthcare system in the world.

[quote user="Baz"][quote user="La Vette"] Where did you wait for 6 hours, sounds like the NHS to me. [/quote] I know that the French Health service is very good, but is it not time in the main to stop knocking the NHS where improvements have been excellent with greatly reduced waiting times. I have seen the NHS in action recently on two occasions for non emergency treatment and I have nothing but praise for the speed  of treatment and being referred to a specialist and getting an appointment within 3 days. Baz [/quote] The weekend before last my son tripped and hurt his ankle (and no he wasn't drunk !). He arrived at Swansea A&E dept. at about 1.30am on Saturday night / Sunday morning. When he was finally seen at about 5am he was told that x-ray was very busy and he could wait if he wanted but they probably wouldn't get around to seeing him until about 11am.  He decided to go home, even though he was in a lot of pain, and went back again on Monday morning.  So yes, the French system is more efficient and no, don't believe every thing you read about NHS waiting times.

If you book with Air France then it may mean a change of plane in Barcelona but prices are still quite competitive. Air France code share with Air Europa for flights into Palma.

Try searhing for: sèche serviette échelle or sèche serviette rayonant You could start at www.castorama.fr where there is a big selection and you could even order on line to be delivered whilst you are there. You should find a selection at any of the brico stores, and yes - they usually have a switch on them.

I feel obliged to contribute that Will's explanation is exactly as I have understood these matters.  The big problem with quoting official documents which are produced by the UK government is that they only apply in the UK. The French authorities are extremely good at putting their very own interpretation upon something, showing total disregard to whatever another county, or even EU law for that matter, may imply. Theoretical argument is all very well but, in this case Will speaks from personal experience - and I also know that his French firm of accountants are highly respected and extremely unlikely to be misleading him in any way.

Have you tried looking at the property pages on: http://www.french-property-news.co.uk/   ?

It should be code: 198 or 0198 or 0197

Depends how much you want to spend I suppose. It would be best to stick with Citroen, Peugeot or Renault as it will be far easier to get spares or have repairs done efficiently.  Mid-size MPVs are not really suitable for dogs but you might find an old espace with only five seats that might be ideal. Otherwise, Laguna estate, Xantia estate, 406 estate  or maybe, if you want something a little newer  a Citroen C5. You will find that there are far more diesel versions around anyway in France but expect to pay a lot more than you would for a similar model in the UK.