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just john

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Everything posted by just john

  1. Hi Pool guy I have pm'd you for any infor you have, thanks John & Sue  
  2. Tell us more Pool guy?!? . . . sounds like it could be the third way . . . [8-|] Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them. Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it.
  3. We are following the consensus of opinion round us in the Charente that you need different heating for different seasons. Firstly wood, for low initial installation and running cost which would cope with some winter and most spring and autumn temperatures (we have bought a bakers oven which is a fraction of the cost of rayburn, cooks, heats and can do a simple rad system, see http://www.nectre.co.uk/index.php?page=baker-s-oven). We are torn between geo therm heat exchange or oil for underfloor heating should we need it in the winter. Oil is not so crazy as it sounds since the cost of installing geotherm is a so much more than an oil system, which is then programmable to run as you want it, even in advance of your arrival and could be run on the difference in cost for many years. Finally one of the better electric heat exchangers which also does air conditioning, this combination should cover just most eventualities! [8-|] If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience…
  4. [:(] Some friends of ours had a similar problem recently, and only discovered it when the farmer who had used it for 8 years died and his widow refused to give up the hay on the land and further explained they were receiving some agricultural grants from it, obviously while the english looked on it as a favour that can be rescinded; the french are more aware of rights and benefits created. When our friends went to see the notaire, his advice was immediately to avoid court and explained that our friends still owned the land but had an agreement with the farmer and his family which had a value to both sides and that they should consider what value our friends put on rescinding this agreement in a friendly and financial manner. In other words he said it would be cheaper enter into negotiations to find a value that was acceptable to the farmer for him to agree to formally cease the existing agreement through the notaire. A bitter pill to swallow at the time but one that no-one has subsequently improved on (2nd opinion taken). [Www] [8-|] Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them. Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it.  
  5. [blink] We are in a similar position to WJT and were going to transfer more sterling over a few months back for our renovations and decided to wait a while. A mistake in hindsight perhaps but we can wait. We now are hesitant in going forward with finishing the renovations. Whilst it may not ultimately change our position with our house in France, (we won't be selling it!)... but I'm sure it will make a difference to all the suppliers and artisans that might have been earning from it and I'm sure that we won't be the only ones, I wonder what effect it will have on the local economies? [8-|] Don’t worry about the future; or know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday. sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind…the race is long, and in the end, it’s only with yourself.
  6. [8-|] The first thing to do is acquaint yourself with the waste pipes and connectors at your local diy store, look at the suite of sanitary ware you have in mind, and do a rough layout to ensure it might work. At this point I bought the items, laid them out on the floor and marked it up with a marker pen, then removed the suite and laid out the pipes and connectors; we sunk the pipes in the allowance for the screed around the outside edge of the room with just the outlets for the sink, shower, bath and toilet above this (the main outlet for the loo was already in position), splated blobs of screed to hold pipes in position and then retried the suite items in position, allowing for the depth of the tiles and distance from the walls etc. no adjustments were necessary and the screed was laid and tiled. No risk of discovering the items we needed were no longer available.  A lot of fitting and removal but it all worked in the end with the real items. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience…[geek]
  7. [:D]Has anyone bought a wood burner that does more than heating, and has an oven and hotplates, not something huge like an aga but say like the Wander Domino (see http://www.wanders.ch/cuisiniere/cuisiniere-fourneau-31-2.html) or the Nectre Bakers Oven? I'd love something like this for our place in France but they don't appear to be offered by the woodburning stockists in the UK or France, has anybody got one or have any recommendations? [8-|] Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone.    
  8. [:D] A variation on that, which we intend to employ, is to take up the original boards, lay down chipboard and an insulation layer, then relay the original boards on top, and put placo (plasterboard) between the beams underneath, A bit more work but a solid chink free insulated floor, original appearance above and plaster finish below. If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience… [8-|]
  9. Not an immediate solution to your problem, but have you tried Honest John's column in Saturdays Telegraph? Dont forget the sunscreen[8-|]
  10. [:)]In the absence of your english preference for a surveyor, you could do what the locals suggested we did and get a local large building company for an opinion and even better a devi for rectifying the problems; this could also help you in your negotiation. We were lucky and were recommended to an english speaking French builder (who assured us that the problem was not serious) gave us a fixed price devi and after we had bought the house carried out the work. If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience…Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of recycling it.   But trust me on the sunscreen[8-|]
  11. [:D]Thanks again SD Why was I under the impression that small scooters/bikes had simpler terms of use in France than the UK, it seems pretty much the same? I guess that licences are for residents only and as someone with a second home here these are not available? John & Sue [8-|] The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday. Trust me on the suncreen.  
  12. [:D] Sunday Driver to the rescue again. Thanks a bunch, I've been on the site and just about understood that a pdf of the form is available to download, but 'stumbled and fell' and was unable to find the relevant heading to get the form, any idea which headings I should follow? Thanks also for the licence info, Does this mean there is a category of bike/scooter that can be ridden on a car licence? Once again many thanks for sharing your knowledge. John & Sue[8-|] Read the directions, even if you don’t (can't) follow them.
  13. 200cc 1962 James registration & licence requirements? [:D]Hi, I know it's not a giant killer but I intend to bring my James out to 16 to pop around on, being a bit old, (the bike!) what's the procedure for immatriculation? does any one have any info on insurance?. What is the licence requirements for a 200cc bike out here? I have a full UK licence for bike but my son only has a car licence, since we intend to use the bike for whoever hasn't taken the car we had hoped to be able to both use it subject obtaining the relevant licence does know what we need? John & Sue [8-|]   Do one thing everyday that scares you, but don't forget the sunscreen  
  14.  Thornbury van hire (south Glos yellow pages) quoted 240 for ELWB (7metre) Merc hi-top (not new vehicles!) plus 50 for European insurance, plus 50 for Recovery insurance, Speed ferries were 89, [8-|] Look after your knees, you'll miss them when they're gone.
  15. [8-|] Hi, thanks for that Clair, I had already checked this site out and it is very quick to show offices in Major towns (Angouleme or Perigueux for us) I just wondered if there were any sub agency offices nearer, I have been told that MAAF are in Auchan supermarkets? [8-)] Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them.
  16. I have just found this thread and need to insure our french car when we go down in Jan, could anyone tell me if they know of a MAAF office near us, we are between Montmoreau 16, and Riberac 24. thanks in anticipation [8-|] Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.  Do one thing everyday that scares you  
  17. Hi thanks for that, Stansted, Luton & Gatwick are no, no's for us, although the 'Executor' seems to have a limited service, it is easier to get to for us. Has anyone used it? are the timings reliable? thanks again. [8-|] The real troubles in life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.  
  18. I need to travel down to Angouleme in Nov & Feb, preferably by air, but Bristol flights to the region Bergerac and Bordeaux stop at the end of Oct until March next year, the same with Birmingham to La Rochelle. Has anyone any experience or recommendations travelling from these areas by air during autumn/winter? I'd be glad to hear folks Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them
  19. Hi We have had some success using a scraper and steam wall paper stripper in the past; no matter what the glue is, it is only stuck to some old plaster, you might find you need to polyfill parts of the ceiling after [:)] the long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience… [8-|] John & Sue
  20. Our french is not that good and we asked friends locally to assist, they advised us that most Notaires have received a decent education and it would not be difficult to find a Notaire who spoke English, we asked our Vendor so they picked an English speaking Notaire, pas de problem. Good Luck   If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it [:D]
  21. We have a small property for renovation and an attached barn which we intend to convert and include as part of the existing property. So, if when we apply and receive planning permis, then receive this tax demand, is there a time frame we need to complete the works in? or a period after which the tax becomes due whether or not the work is complete? Does anyone know what the position is if we start to use part of the accommodation whilst we are still working on the other parts of conversion or renovation? [:-))] sunscreen and something stronger required [:)]
  22. [:)] and prithee tell; what car meeting is that? [8-|] might need the sunscreen then [B]
  23. When using Michelin just insert various towns such as Rouen as 'Stopovers' to direct the route the way you want it. Michelin don't always use motorways all the way on their suggested routes, and you can always click shortest route, but watch the travel time movements! [:)] How long have they got  [sn]
  24. As yet there is always the possibility that there is two sides to the story, who knows until you are able to speak to them, it doesn't take much to say 'sorry we didn't know our contractor was going to do this' Perhaps they have had a problems buying this property or with theft & vandalism (like us), or boundaries elsewhere, It may be something else which has left them feeling a bit raw, (we did), either way the fact is that their boundaries were breached, and a few words might resolve the situation, who knows you might even discover good future neighbours. [:)] Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. [;)]  
  25. We used it a couple of weeks ago, and were relieved to find it fully open, almost empty and relaxing, however we woke with a start when we paid the toll, the new section seems extremely expensive for some reason (32e one way), when we checked our Michelin route finder we noticed that even they routed you on and off the motorway for quite a stretch in their recommended route. It saved about half the toll and wasn't much more time consuming, so we will be trying to use its convenience but only in small chunks as per Michelin recommendated route next trip. Does anyone know why it is so much more expensive? Is it just because it is new? [:)] my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience No need for sunscreen yet… [H]  
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