Johndeb

My neighbour has very kindly given me about 30 litres of wine from his vines and I need to buy bottles to bottle it all.   Any idea where?   I have a corking kit etc.   My neighbour is a great guy and this is typical of him but he can be somewhat elusive so I have not managed to ask him and it needs bottling soon.   John

Thanks for this suggestion but I've had a PDA before and whilst I found it fantastic as a back up to my computer, I didn't find it much use when it came to either sending or receiving large attachments, which is what we'll need to do on a regular basis.   Good to know you can use it for Skype connections though. Thanks Deb  

Thanks to both of you, the thoughts are helping to clarify our needs far more. I guess for most of the time wi-fi would be our best option but then for about 10-12 weeks of the year we'll be living out of rented accom and then 3G would come into it's own....either that or we'll just have to get used to eating lots of burgers!! I'll have a look on the link regarding laptop options - thanks Deb p.s. any thoughts regarding my remote phone question?  

Hi all We're looking to rent a property from 23rd June to 1st Sept 07. We only need 1-2 bedrooms but there must be a ground floor garden or terrace area. Our other requirements but ones which we're flexible on for the right property are: Off street parking Not a through street (to minimise motorbike traffic!!) Walking distance to a good bar and restaurant The area should preferably be either around Cap d'Agde or between Beziers and Narbonne. Any suggestions? Thanks  Deb

We're considering buying a laptop with a wireless conection so that we can access emails and the internet on the move.  Any suggestions regarding the best computer and or wireless package to buy for use primarily in France?  Also, being a bit of a dunce, would this technically mean that if we also subscribe to a skype type service, we could also have an internet phone service on the move?  Or is this a step too far?!! Thanks Deb    

Dear All We've hit a bit of a brick wall regarding gaining any type of loan for developing our business. We have a second property we're trying to sell in order to release cash but in the short term we thought it would be a good idea to use an equity release scheme or get a business loan.....ha!  Not that straightforward. Our bank has said that as we're registered as a sole trader it's against French law to lend us money as we may spend it on the business!!!! Another bank has suggested a bridging loan but the details have just come through and it really does look like it's purely designed for a bridge between selling one house and buying another. We're registered in France but someone has suggested that it may be better if we register our business in the UK as we'll be entitled to more flexible money management options but we're not sure if this will create more problems that it solves. We do have plenty of equity and can prove ability to pay off a loan of up to 100,000 euros but just can't get our hands on any cash!  Any ideas? Regards Deb    

Dear all   We've just been involved in the rescue of a little black kitten who had taken up residence in a holiday home.  Previous guests must have been feeding her but new guests arrived and insisted they hate cats and that if she wasn't taken away that day she'd be harmed by their children!! Hard to believe there are such nasty people around isn't it? She's very gentle and affectionate and extremely pretty (approx 7-8 weeks old), so if anyone would like her as a pet, we'd be extremely grateful, as we cannot keep her beyond a couple of weeks. [:D] Thanks Deb        

We have used them before but the choice is somewhat limited whereas at the Video Futur store the choice is almost unlimited and there are several copies of each title John

Try Video Futur.   They appear to be like a chain similar to Blockbusters in the UK.   They are national and you can rent a huge selection of DVD's from them and select the language you want to view it in (make sure you check the back of the DVD cover for language options). You have two choices for how you rent: - Pay for each one as you take it or obtain a Carte Privilege and top it up, then they deduct your rental from it each time you take a DVD out (our favoured choice and we put €30 on it but you can put less on if you wish).   The advantage of the 2nd option is that you get the rental cheaper.   On either system you can take up to 2 DVD's.   With the first option you will need a utility bill every time but with the 2nd you need the bill just to obtain the card (which is free to obtain). They have a website at www.video-futur.com where you can search by post code for your nearest store or by department if you don't know it) and are currently crediting the carte with €35 for every €30 you put on it. Beware - they also sell chocolate etc just like Blockbusters. John    

I am certain that pool alarms approved by the French authorities comply with the regulations but you are right in what you say about false security.   I have a pool alarm and wish I had gone for a cover or fence as I found myself stressing time and again to parents renting our property that it does not negate them from parental responsibility and that they should still keep an eye on children by the pool.   I spent the whole summer worrying if parents were keeping an eye, praying for the end of the season when it would no longer be an issue - we are living there next year and have no children. I would go for a cover or fence every time going forward.   John  

Hi Val   I hope I am not about to break any rules answering your question but I have posted a message to your private forum email address - maybe that is your home one, I am not sure.   John - from one of the companies you have contacted.

Hi Does anyone know of any classes for adults to learn French in or around Marseillan (near Beziers, Sete and Pezenas). Regards Deb    

Hi does anyone know of anybody or organisation that provides French lessons in or near Marseillan (near Beziers & Pezenas)?  I've been to the local Marie but no one there has any recommendations. I've been living here for 6 months now and whilst studying on my own is getting some results and I'm certainly better than in February, I know that the only way I'm going to get to the next level is to have lessons.  Thanks Deb      

[quote]Can I buy any dish from Castorama etc and will it be compatible? Does it come with its own LNB or can I use the old one? You can buy any dish with a universal LNB usually bought together to use with...[/quote] Les Thanks for coming back to me so quickly on this.   I have kind of assumed it is an LNB or dish problem as I am not able to line it up to get a signal (using the signal strength & quality indicators on the TV - me up a ladder and my wife shouting at me).   I have checked the card in someone else's box and can view all channels that we had previously. Do you know what else it could be if it is not the LNB? John    

I have a digital system from the UK that has worked without issue up until now.   I have a 60cm dish but want to replace it, so as I am replacing it I want an 80cm dish.   My questions are: - Can I buy any dish from Castorama etc and will it be compatible? Does it come with its own LNB or can I use the old one? Can I buy these separately if needed? Anything else I should think about? Is it possible to buy a digital system from Castorama etc and, utilising the dish, LNB and box with a Sky viewing card, successfully receive signals? My preference is just to use the current digital receiver box with the new dish/LNB, so the last point is one of curiosity in the main. Thanks in advance for any information received. John