Chrissie

Yes, we had the same problem.  I used to record a lot of things, especially if the weather was terrible and we might lose the satellite signal.  Now they have stopped this option.  Not sure if they have a paying option to record stuff. Chrissie (81)

You would have to register with a GP here and get them to certify that your wife has certain conditions that are of long duration ("ALD") in which case the state covers the medications at 100% - once you are recognised by your local Caisse Maladie.  If one of you is in receipt of a UK old-age pension, the affiliation to the CM should be straightforward. I don't know all the medical conditions that might qualify for this (I'm sure there will be a web link somewhere) but, for example, high blood pressure and the need for anti-coagulants are both in this category. Chrissie (81)

We record everything we want if it is on after 10pm our time, or if we are going to be out.  Then I have lots to keep me sane while doing things like the ironing!  I'm quite happy to say I scored 10/19 on the list.  Like JSKS I am BURSTING for Series 5 of Game of Thrones to be screened. Chrissie (81)

Well, you can knock me down with a baguette - it's back!  As of yesterday morning, live BBC radio plays just as it used to, with no apparent action  on our part.  Weird, but I'm not complaining! Chrissie (81)

Thanks everyone - it would seem that our (less than 2yr old) Dell laptop does not support HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) and Advanced Audio Coding (AAC), although I have no idea how to check this.  I did look at all the programmes and applications we have to see if any of them looked like the one that would play the BBC live radio (in my case rather like looking vaguely under a car's bonnet to see what might be making that funny noise...) and the only things that looked likely were Adobe Air (which I uninstalled - with no change), and Windows Media Player, which I presumably need for other things and so don't dare uninstall.  Forgot to say we use Windows 7.  Guess for the moment we will have to live with live radio off the satellite box and gnome.  Not a real hardship, just irritating.  Would be much more annoying if we lose the ability to listen to past radio progs on demand.  Chrissie (81)

Until three weeks ago we could listen to live BBC radio on our laptop using the BBC website, as well as getting old radio progs on demand.  Now we can only do the latter and listen in the past, as it were.  When trying to access live radio, a box comes up saying they regret "the sound of silence".  Is it just us?  Is there anything we can change (media player sort of thing?) Chrissie (81)

In a small or medium-sized town, let alone a hamlet or whatever, the immobilier will soon discover who has moved into any property.  Assuming you would be living there with your partner, you would then become liable for the lost fees.  If you wanted to avoid paying the fees, why didn't you drive around looking for signs, or look on Le Bon Coin?  At the risk of sounding sanctimonious, it would appear your immobilier has done the job and you should therefore be willing to cough up. Chrissie (81)

Thank you Norman, that's just what I needed.  I was fairly convinced I wouldn't be expected to pay her, but I didn't want her to think I was acting stingy.  Will download the forms and make sure we both do what is required.  She is French but has never had to claim before. Chrissie (81)

For the first time in 12 years my cleaning lady is ill and will have an "arrêt de travail" for a week.   Will I be expected to pay her during this period, or is that a part of what is covered by the cotisations? Chrissie (81)

Problem sorted[:D] Er, it was the scart connecting box to TV - wiggling it made all the difference.  I love a low-tech, cheap solution.....[:$] So glad I didn't have to delve into beams and footprints etc etc, but thanks for all the input.  Next time I will wiggle first. Chrissie(81)

All channels show good signal strength.  I am getting convinced it is the LNB connection so will ask someone to come out and look.  Feeling relieved that it doesn't seem to be the telly starting to give problems. Chrissie (81)

Our TV has started pixellating for about 1-2 seconds every time we change the Sky channel.  Thereafter the picture is great.  It does not do this on French TV channels.  It still does it if we use a different Sky remote control.  Teletext pages are sometimes unreadable and they stay that way. Is this likely to be the TV or the Sky box which is playing up.  (Or the dish?......) All thoughts welcome! Chrissie (81)

I'm sure I read somewhere within the last, say, 6 months that they were proposing to change things so that pharmacies could only issue the number of tablets required, even if this meant opening boxes and cutting up the foil strips (something I remember happening regularly when we were in the UK about 15 years ago).  This would save a fortune.  It would also provide employment for all the staff they have in pharmacies (that last slightly tongue in cheek, but our pharmacie has always three staff on the two desks at any point of any day, charming people who always have loads of time to stand and talk to you.....)[:D] Best of luck with the treatment, Grecian.  We have several friends who have undergone what seems like heavy regimes of chemo, with excellent, if slow, results. Chrissie (81)

Normally, if you connect as yourself to your own email, there is an option somewhere to "sign out".  (The location of this depends what system you are using.)  Then you can sign  in as your friend, using her email address and password.  But make sure you know your own password to get back in later as yourself! Chrissie (81)

Here are some pictures to help Yaron find a new home: [URL=http://s206.photobucket.com/user/chrissie_081/media/Yaron-1_zps64722f79.jpg.html][IMG]http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb196/chrissie_081/Yaron-1_zps64722f79.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s206.photobucket.com/user/chrissie_081/media/Yaron-2_zps4cd33fa0.jpg.html][IMG]http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb196/chrissie_081/Yaron-2_zps4cd33fa0.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s206.photobucket.com/user/chrissie_081/media/Yaron3_zpsa616bc5f.jpg.html][IMG]http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb196/chrissie_081/Yaron3_zpsa616bc5f.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Have sent you a p.m. (private message) Chrissie (81)

I scan these into the computer and then add French translations of the various lines.  If I was better organised I suppose I would have it saved permanently but then I suppose they would be sneaky and change the form.  Our notaire signs these happily (if he is not in the office the secretary says "Wait a moment" and then comes back from round the corner with it mysteriously signed and stamped.)  There is no charge!!!  Vive  la France. Chrissie (81)

Sorry to have taken so long to reply to this and to thank you, Norman for your suggestions. Our GP came back from his hols today and has got us an appointment with a shoulder specialist next week.  He agrees with me that the forced 3 week delay should not be necessary and may even have caused further damage.......  At least we are on track now. Chrissie (81)

Will try to keep this brief: OH wrenched shoulder badly a week ago.  After a few days of it getting worse we went to the Urgences (GP appointment not available for 4 days) and were seen quickly and Xray taken.  "No abnormalities."  We were sent home with a month's supply of painkillers and a sling, and told orthopaedic department would contact us within a few days.  And they did - with an appointment for 3 weeks time.  I asked if we could see someone else quicker but was told it was a required delay to see how the shoulder settles down.  that is why we were given the large supply of pills.  When we do go a new Xray will apparently be taken and compared to the last one, and then judgement will be pronounced. My question is:  Is this normal?  The poor man is in a lot of pain and despite pills has an awful time at night.  I  wondered about appealing to our GP, but he is now on holiday and a locum is in place. Don't want to be wimpish, but wonder if seeing someone quicker might be better medically.....? Any views?  Chrissie (81)

Well, I am riveted to see that my thread of 5 years ago has been revived!!!  We ended up buying a Dyson (purple ball) with turbo head attachment for pet hairs , bought from Amazon UK and imported by a friend.  Have to say I have been bitterly disappointed as it is not a patch on the old Dyson.  Very plastic-y and bits crack off or stop fitting well very fast - we are now looking at a possible replacement, so that says it all....... Find myself wondering if the turbo head attachment will fit the 25-yr-old Henry we keep in the garage...... Chrissie (81)

I am sitting in the car park at McDo (restaurant full) using their free Wifi while going through exactly the same hoops with SFR as you Dave.  At least your WebTrotter works - mine apparently cannot be activated for another 24 hours, with no-one sure why this is or whose duty it is to activate it.  Two of the five SFR people I have spoken to by phone have had such impenetrable accents that our dealings have been very confused.  At one stage this morning I was assuring someone in a bewildered fashion that although we had a radiator next to the phone socket it had never caused any problems, and besides it was not on at present as it is VERY HOT here..........Some five minutes later I realise that his mumbled "radiateur" is actually meant to be "ordinateur"........   If I have to do this much longer I will probably murder someone and at least I will get free Wifi in jail. Maybe your crazy neighbour is actually right - bet SHE doesn't have problems with her Wifi!!! Chrissie (81)

Yes, every vet's waiting area is full of pamphlets.  If you google "assurance animaux de compagnie" you will get loads of results.  No idea of any company to recommend as I always feel that the more animals you have, the more you will pay in direct proportion, whereas the chance of more than one of them getting a serious ailment or being runover is not the same.  If you see what I mean.  I also suspect that the older your pet is when you start the contract, the dearer it will be, and we usually take on older animals. Chrissie (81)

How do you download FilmOn recordings to a USB stick?  If I could do that, I could plug that straight into our TV.  When I click the option "Download" written in red against a recorded programme, a grey dotted line goes through it and it just starts to play. Chrissie

Thanks for those replies:  I have a few (probably stupid) questions: Firstly AnOther, isn't the device you suggested just a media player?  Doesn't look like it connects to the Internet, so how would I get the FilmOn recordings onto it? When you say ignore Windows and stick with Android, would I just "connect" it to my SFR neufbox as I did the laptop?  Is Android stuff easy for technical clods to master? Similar question, Quillan, re Android Smartphone option - think I would prefer a tablet as would hate to inadvertently run up some sort of extra phone bill - our SFR neufbox option excludes mobile phone.  And have so far managed to avoid any contact with dongles and feel hair on back of neck prickling with fear just at reading your second sentence.  Is a dongle something you physically buy?........Download?..... Chrissie (81)

We have poor TV most of the time now so are recording progs with FilmOn's free 10 hour package and then watch back next day by attaching the computer to TV with an HDMI cable.  The problem is that then the computer cannot be used by someone else to do other things, which is irritating.  (Also means carting the thing from room to room.) So, if we buy a cheap tablet with an HDMI port, would we be able to use that as a permanent alternative to the TV?  Seems too cheap and simple a solution......  Have never used a tablet, but assume it could  be set up to use our existing Windows 7 package.  Would it be able to cope with download speed etc? The only one I have seen with an HDMI port says (in no particular order and my rough partial translation of some French terms): Technology 3500 MAH Android Min Windows XP system of exploitation required Tactile 8 inch screen Dual core A7 processor Resolution 800 x 600 pix RAM 512 Go Stockage 4 Go Micro SD flash card Max capacity 32G Wifi/Bluetooth USB, HDMI both yes. Can anyone tell if this has the power/ability to do the job? Chrissie (81)