nephilim

We have a small pool for the kids just for them to cool off a bit, it is only 8ft round by about 2ft deep. How often should the water be changed so it stays safe for them. Can chemicals be added to a small pool like this or is it just a case of changing the water. Thanks.

Hi all, Thanks for the replys. I have to clean from the top down I think because the fire had to be installed very far back in the fireplace with the flue against the wall and going into the fire from the rear (not the top as in our prev house). Room at the back is very limited to undo the flue cap and rod from there, well i think it will be but I haven't actually tried it yet as it is a new install. By the way Teapot, I got mine from Bricomarche, about 17€.

Just in the process of putting a chapeau on our chimney after our woodburner has been installed. I have cemented the supports in place but wondered whether the chapeau (concrete type, 1m X 40cm, about 15kg) is simply just placed on top. The thing is when I come to sweep it I will have to do it from the top down, top of the roof job, due to how the burner has been installed, so I will want to take it off occasionally. Will it stay there like that, wind etc?

Thanks for all your thoughts on the fireplace, I actually did it yesterday, had to sort something out quick as the fire is due to be installed tomorrow. Hopefully the first poster is wrong but I ended up applying a lime based mortar (a couple of centimeters thick) to cover the whole area at the back. It has come up ok and covered the mess that was there. It is not that smooth, but I wanted the rustic look, well that is my excuse. Just waiting for it to all fall off now!

We are about to put into our fireplace a free standing woodburner but before that I would like to tidy up the back of it to hide the occasional repair and also where the existing render has come away. I was thinking to applying a thin render/skim over the whole rear of the fireplace with somekind of lime mortar mix. I want a creamy finish to it. Just wondered what the mix would be, would it be just like cement, maybe a 3-1 sand/lime mix, would it stick well to the back of the soot covered wall? Any ideas or comments welcome. Also, would I apply it using some kind of plasterer's trowel/float?

Thanks for that. I have had a look at some of the videos online, they help a bit but I am still very unsure as to how the fitting kit goes together, I just can't believe there are no instructions as it doesn't seem straight forward. Confused [8-)]

Hi Postie, No, the sill is currently just the stone that makes up the wall, so the wood would just sit on this.

What is the best way of securing a wooden window sill in place, screws of some kind of adhesive. The window surround will be plasterboard but I would like wooden sills, I will have to try to make these [8-)], is it best to go for one piece of cut timber or pieces tongue and grooved together, also where is the best place to get wood for sills.

Does anybody know of any fitting instuctions for a Castorama own brand velux window, I have got the Luminance Pro (78x55) model. I had to go back to get the fitting/flashing kit (bit misleading as on the box it showed it as if it was all included!) but there are no instructions with this or with the actual window. It doesn't seem that straight forward as there are quite a few pieces to the fitting kit and numerous brackets and screws. Couldn't seem to find anything on the casto website either, anyone done one of these, was it difficult? Instructions would be good though.

Anyway, back to the bikes .............. No, don't get much time to ride mine either, well in fact still to get it re-registered (zrx1100), but even if it was, got a house to renovate .... maybe a couple of years time :-(

Does anyone have the address in which to write to cancel the above isp account. Cant seem to find any address on the various emails from aol/neuf. Thanks.

Thanks for the replys, would be good if we can sort it out in Saintes. But have I translated the above correct and took it to mean that we can only change our carte gris on the last business day of the month?

Hi all, We have recently moved into dept 17 from 79, does anyone know where we have to go to change over our car's number plates and get the carte gris updated.?Saintes would be closer or do we have to go to La Rochelle? Anyone done this and does it cost as much as when we originally bought the car (quite a bit for a Laguna)? Thanks

Hi all, Delay due to a visit to the UK to see the relations, first time back for nearly 2 years (aint it busy there!). Thanks for the replys, I think I will look into getting some fixings for them, either that or a friend's partner who is a builder said that they could be fixed similar to wood windows using 10mm Ficher (I think that is what he said) bolts and good quality sealant. Also like the video, he makes it look so easy! Regarding the vat issue, these are windows that have been left to us so the reduced rate will not come into the equation.

Does anyone have any experience of installing uPVC windows, how it is done, fixings etc, differences when installing wood windows etc. Any things to be aware of or any pointers would be greatly received. Thanks.

Thanks for all the info, very useful, if I do need a part I think I will try online. The model I am using is a BestGreen BM135H107F (42'' cut), but looking at the cutting gear I cannot seem to see a tensioner on the belt, is there one? The lever that engages the cutters seems to just (via a cable and spring) pull back a pulley so as to take up the slack but on this one it just does not seem enough?

I use a Best Green ride-on mower and it make a sqwealing noise from the cutter area which sounds like the belt. Admittedly it is when the grass is quite long but it is doing it very often and making the job slow. My question, does it sound like a new belt would be the answer as there doesn't seem to be any adjustment (or is there?). Also, when engaging the cutter, there is quite a delay (10-20 seconds) before the blade start to spin, even when sitting on the driveway.

Thanks for that, that explains it, I can see why now. Still a bit of a shock though when you don't expect it.

Might not be all doom and gloom, in the same article but further down is this:- "Most recently it was announced that the system of cotisations for micro-enterprises will be changed so that charges will be calculated on a pro rata basis based on actual annual turnover (instead of the current system where you pay 3,000€ - €4,000pa regardless of turnover)."

We moved into our barn conversion last March and paid via the Notaire 10/12ths of the 2006 fonciere bill - total for 2006 was €138. The prev owner gave us a copy of the 2005 bill - total €136. This year, our bill is €421!!!!!!!!! Looking at the bills, the prev 2 were made up of a percentage of the 'Base' figure in the 'Taxe ordures menageres' column only, but this year is made up of this column plus figures in the 'Commune','Department' and 'Region' columns. These 4 together making up the 421. Is this normal as the increase came as a bit of a shock. I think the 2005 bill was the first one as the barn was completed then. Are you given 2 years at a lower rate? Also, does anyone know how it is calculated as neighbours and other people we know nearby have said that theirs is much lower?

Thanks for that, that worked fine. Managed to download the manual on the virgin site too so that's sorted now.

Does anyone know how to show how much credit is left on a virgin payg french phone please. Just got one yesterday, forgot to ask in the shop how to get it and the manual is missing! Can't seem to see anything on the website about it, thanks in advance.

Barrym, I noticed that you stated that 'free' had unlimited landline calls to france & uk, we have 'free' and new about the free france calls but didn't realise it was uk too, I thought those calls were extra on top of the 29.99?

Thanks a lot for that detailed reply, looks like I have a lot to do. Better make my way to the tax office! Thanks again.

Thanks for the replys. If there would be no C of C for mine does that mean I cannot register it? By the way, how do you know how long I have lived here (scary!) - don't worry it is currently on a SORN and in storage.