just john

[quote user="Russethouse"]  On the other hand I can't say I'm that I'm that impressed with Cameron myself............[8-)][/quote] C'mon RH give the boy his due, he's still wet behind the ears, still time to come good, and he's at least too good to be mentioned in the same sentence as the Balls of Balls [+o(]  

[quote user="NormanH"] Surely what offends one person may amuse another. [/quote] Quite So Normy, [quote user="NormanH"] I suffer more than most from insults because of my views which tend to be different from those of many posters, but I never take offence.  [/quote] Not too paranoid then[:)] [quote user="NormanH"]  In fact am often amused by the feebleness of the efforts.[:)] [/quote] Damned with faint praise . . .  

Isn't that Carrefour's biggest loss leader?

[quote user="sid"] responding to JustJohn's comment about joined-up regulations, they ARE in fact joined-up, it's the people who flaunt the regulations who are not joined-up. If you're here in France for more than 6 months surely you are no longer a visitor, but a resident, and therefore your vehicle should be registered accordingly? [/quote] The law's the law of course, but my point was the principle of being able to move between county's/department in a country is not in doubt; when the vehicle is registered in the EEC, insured etc, is it really a step too far in principle for members of the EEC with a legitimate address in one, to be able to freely move between them?[:P][8-)][:D]

I had problems with a stihl, the one everyone advised 'must have', UK main agent service didn't cure the starting and running problem and by that time I was en France, so the local guy checked it over, pointed out a few things the main service had not done and returned it 'fine'; unfortunately it wasn't, exactly the same and I needed it so returned it to the local guy who tried again, this time a miniscule perforation was found in the diaphragm and replaced. Subsequently started and ran fine, in reality these things have a cause and can ultimately be rectified when recognised. Incidentally the local guy used a 'Go', not necessarily the best. but as he put it, cheap enough to buy two.

[quote user="AnOther"]  Essentially then it's difficult to see how the idea of French registering anything can work for you nor how you can do what you propose without falling foul of the law on one side of the channel or the other. [/quote] Wonderfully joined up, these regulations of the EEC eh?!!

[quote user="Chancer"] I do miss the forum of old.[/quote] I find it best not to bite if my humour is a bit put out, or take a dram and rejoin the fray. The forum has become a bit like pasteurised milk, safer perhaps, but not particularly palatable and not preferred by so many; without the many missing characters and those pushing the envelope, bordering on boring, Come the revolution![:D]  

I can confirm that they offer a 10% discount to over 60's on phone bookings only, though for us after the first trip we found Newhaven was a nightie to get to and from, so back to Portsmouth.

[quote user="NormanH"]They are not valid and you should send all such 10€ notes in your possession to NormanH Escro 13, Boulevard de l'Arnaque 34800 TroudecQ sur Mer [6] http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billet_de_10_euros [/quote] Please forward your RIB, Code Banque, Code guichet, No compte: to complete this transaction on receipt [:P]  

[quote user="sweet 17"] Wouldn't you know, TQ, I have a property between Angoulême and Bordeaux (one hour to each place and one hour to the estuary) and, although not yet on the market, have been thinking about it now it's summer and there is a lot of grass to cut! [/quote] Don't forget Sweet's; bun in the oven, coffee pot on, fresh flowers on the table[Www]  

Good choice![8-|] though I'd advise nearer the former than the latter, 16 beautiful (affordable) Charente; any particular reason to upsticks?  

[quote user="cooperlola"] people who could not or would not delegate any responsibility, for fear that the person who followed them would either make a mess of it, or encroach upon their little bit of turf. [/quote] Human nature realistically, especially in the old monopolies, Civil service, LEA, the list goes on . . . [quote user="cooperlola"]   If we want businesses to grow, thrive and change, then we need new blood mixed with the old. [/quote] Absolutely, though I would have included the word competent in there somewhere, and unlikely to slot young new bloods into majority of posts vacated by retirees surely? [quote user="cooperlola"]  the departments I ran in my working life have not collapsed in a heap because I left.  If you leave a job and take knowlege with you without imparting it to those who work for you, then that reflects badly on you, imho, not on those you leave behind. [/quote] Ahh, would that it were possible to replace competent knowledgeable people with the young bloods straight out of college, usually there is a less productive period inbetween that being possible . . .

[quote user="cooperlola"]  bonkers to pay young people dole money so that old f*rts can stay in their jobs for a bit longer.    [/quote] From experience one does not necessarily follow the other, the old f*rt may be the most pedantic old job's worth that you think you'll be pleased to see the back of, but at the end of the day his work is satisfactorily done; when he finally shuffles orft, a few interviews with bright young things later you realise the depth of ability and experience is missing even in the most arrogant graduate, despite their opinion that they can single handedly replace him (and you for that matter) just doesn't happen; even after optimistically taking them on you discover that they need years of training and experience. Once around this block leads the employer avoiding retraining programmes they can't afford; searching around for the experienced people who are already safely esconced somewhere. Young guys still unemployed and waiting to find the elusive company able to train and take the long term view, but that cycle has already been broken. Except of course flipping burgers at maccy d's . . .  

Yesterday at Portland Bill the sea was boiling, and looked ominous, if not as spectacular as the Mail's, at least. . . I was there![8-|] [IMG]http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh166/classic69_72/PortlandBillboilingsea2.jpg[/IMG]

I see you are not intent on doing the final wiring and will eventually have an electrician to complete the installation. I'm not sure if you already have electricity or need a meter installed, either way any connection will either require an electrician to take responsibility for that connection or for an independant conseil inspection, so it's probably best to arrange to meet an electrician at the property this trip; ask for a devi and his advice on what work he would be happy for you to undertake.

I wonder if her maj will take up Hula after Grace Jones at the Concert - Bizarre[:D]  

Not a problem with CL (though I understand she has a house in Paris for which she is also relieved of any need to pay local taxes) but the gaff with Greece was a turning point for the build-up I've noticed with the number of politicians who receive this T&C clause avoiding tax, including many in the UK, LEA and other local authority employees seem to have negotiated this or found other means of 'invoicing' salaries; (Ken Livingstone, a high profile case in point previously mentioned) What with the tax rules applying to anyone domiciled in a country being inclusive of all who choose there? I believe it is sending the wrong message.

[quote user="Christine Animal"] or zis   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBVbW4700uE   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8MzQxz3PYQ  made your link live Frederick (I hope).   [/quote] [:D][:D][:P][:D][:P][:D][:D][:P][:D][:P]

I can't see that Madame Lagarde is likely to get the Greeks onside with her performance, and no matter how damaged they are or become, the eec needs them more, once they're gone the gates are open. I'm sure we'd like Obama and Cameron to perform too, but whatever, at least they pay their taxes[:P]  

The thrust of my comment was not just CL (I believe when the IMF was set up in 1944 the tax free remuneration was objected to by the UK and dismissed by the US), but the Hypocrisy of the ilk of many Political and Civil servant positions where either their t&c or the method they choose to be paid escapes tax, (why not just pay them more and let them pay tax to maintain the principle of taxation?). This is rife even in UK (witness Ken Livingstone); by allowing these loopholes, a bad precedent and example is set separating them from the common man who is expected to pay and encourages others to look to avoidance, why wouldn't they feel loopholes are justifiable?  

Is she not living in Paris, and her income subject to the French tax regime?

[quote user="pouyade"]Sebo - we have 3 all working well at 25, 20 and 10 years old respectively, with regular tlc obviously. Spare parts v easy to get - brushes, filters etc - and easy to fit. Pouyade[/quote] I second that, my Sebo is a mere 12 years old and still going strong with no tlc required, recommended as the one to have by  johnlewis.Sebo  

You might have little time for the euro, but who couldn't have a little (little I said) sympathy for what the Greeks now have to go through for past mismanagement; Lagarde said - ''It's payback time: don't expect sympathy '' Take responsibility and stop trying to avoid taxes, International Monetary Fund chief tells Athens and yet the IMF boss who caused international outrage when she suggested that Greeks should pay their taxes earns a tax-free salary! As an official of an international institution, her salary of $467,940 (£298,675) a year plus $83,760 additional allowance a year is not subject to any taxes, her pay and benefits package is worth more than American president Barack Obama earns from the United States government, and he pays taxes on it. Christine Lagarde-pays-no-tax

[quote user="Rose"][quote user="just john "]Gosh! Kitty & Rose posting! Almost like old times ;-)[/quote] ahhh - have you missed us [:D] (p.s. thanks Britgirl) [/quote] Certainly have, stuck in the UK trying to finish an over-running project, all work and not much play, can't wait to get to a few musical soiree's en France  in or out of a street party!

Amongst the projects lying around, last year I had a couple of trees felled ready to mature, one oak, and one Walnut, I have a couple of (american) books on building garden furniture but not immediately to hand [:)], anyway lots on t'internet, heres one - http://www.buildeazy.com/park-bench-imp-1.html good luck[:D]