John

Guys Would be interested in where you got the four tapered edge board from. I will be needing some soon for a largish ceiling in the lounge. I normally use Leroy Merlin when I am down. Regards John

On one trip to France I did not get round filling the joints, but I applied the mesh jointing tape and then brused over the tape with a thinned out coat of pva. Returned 6 weeks later and all the tape was still stuck like s**t to blanket on the plasterboard. Its now been over 3 years and its still on the ceiling and shows now signs of falling or cracking. Hope this is of some use. Regards John

This is my own personal choice, Liberon liquid beeswax. Used it on numerous beams once they have been cleaned and shaped. I use Danish oil on my kitchen work tops. John

Thank you guys for taking the time to reply. I will require a basic model not an all singing one, any ideas which model and make is a good one and where to buy. I have all the sheds within an hours drive from me. Do they sell sell the items in kit form ie in a box or do I have to purchase everything seperate. Apologies for being a pain. Thanks John

Would it be possible to fit the unit behind a stud wall (with a trap door entry) and exit through the wall to the outside, are the units noisy as this unit would be behind a wall in a bedroom (directly above bathroom and toilet). I take it it just needs a electrical point to connect to (electrics are being done upstairs now and a point could be added no problem). I have read on another thread that this should help with a small damp problem we have. At the mo we also run a dehumidifer when not there (holiday building site/home) sometimes for months on end. This does stop the damp and also removes the musty smell. But the electrical bills are heavier than we would like. Thanks John

Guys thanks for taking the time etc. in replying. All answers are taken onboard. Looks like I will be looking for another option as this one now seems a no no. Best Regards John  

Hi all I think I have found the answer to my problems on www.refina.co.uk (click on spray equipment then click render spray gun). The compressor that is needed is no problem. I would just like to know if anyone has used this type of gun before and what the finished results were or whether its a no go. The agent has told me its a French made item and used in France as well. I am hoping to do the inside and outside of my barn and then the outside of the house. I am not looking for a perfectly smooth finish, I had an external wall done last year by a local French guy and the result was very good, a sort of rough finish that he trowelled over to leave a smoother but still rough look. He did however have the proper kit, but finances dictate that I need to do abit more myself. So this is a cheaper option for me. Any comments good or bad will be welcomed. Regards John

Hi Steve Have done the Mezieres track a few times now its ok but I have been on better. The track is rather small but nice and twisty.  The kids love it (there is a height limit) as it never seems to get that busy. I did hear that he has new karts this year. I am sure he does quad bikes there as well as they regularly pass my parents house just down the road.   Regards John

[quote]Hi Andy & Jan Further to your email, I can recommend an excellent electrician - Paul Ellis (Ellis Electriques), Les Maleffes, 86410 Bouresse. Tele/fax: 0549 500 906 Mobile: 0670 975 956 paul....[/quote] Hello Daryl and Elaine Can you please check the email address for Paul Ellis of Ellis Electriques.  When I tried to send an email to [email protected] it was returned - Host unknown. Thanks John

Bethines 86 Vienne. Holiday home but who knows!!!!!   John and Karen

Thank you all for your replies, some sympathetic and some not!  Nick - it's not a joke, just an honest concern we were asking help on. For your information the builder is FRENCH.  He is siret registered and was recommended to us by three local french people.  We did research these works, but when you raise concerns to your builder about getting permission and he replies that none is needed because the property is in an isolated location - how can you question what he is telling you.  After all, he is a FRENCH BUILDER who you expect to know the regulations. We have taken on board all of your comments and are confronting our builder about these issues. Thanks again, keep coming with the suggestions.  We will keep you updated. John and Karen  

Can anyone give us some advice on:- Fitting a fosse septic - our builder has installed one on our property, but did not obtain permission first, which we have heard in conversation we may need. The builder has already begun work by converting a room downstairs into a bathroom and seperate toilet.  We are going to France over Xmas to inspect this and if we are happy we were going to start him on the next phase, which is to convert the attic/adjoining barn into 3 bedrooms (one en-suite) and construct 5 dormer windows.  Again our builder is telling us we do not need to obtain permission for this work.  We have not involved our local Mairie, as again our builder says we do not need to. We are now starting to get worried, can anyone tell us if what he is telling us is correct. Then, if you're still looking for something to do, can anyone tell us how we go about getting the white propane tanks installed which is on our list of things to do. Many thanks John and Karen

Many thanks Malcolm for the tip.  It may take some time as the patch that needs doing is about 150 metres by 5 metres, so if you're not busy...... or is it quicker with a flame thrower?!. J&K  

We have grape vines down the length of our garden.  Unfortunately they are overgrown with blackberry brambles.  We cut them all back in August whilst we were there but although the grape vines are regrowing well, so are the brambles.  Does anyone have any suggestion on how to kill off the brambles without killing the grape vines? Thanks John and Karen