neutralzone<EM>Lets not <STRONG>bitch!<STRONG><EM>

The only voluntary work that I know of is in Gorron (Mayenne) where they sort out Books (French & English) and materials (old computers tvs etc) for shipping out to charities in Africa. I know this is not what you are thinking of but at least it shows you that it must be possible to find another organisation close to you? Best place is check in the Mairie

I don't use the Wanadoo dialler/environment but have set up my own windows dial-up connection as I find the Wanadoo software slow and painful. I think that is always the best option, setting up your own connections because at least you know what you have done, how to fix any problems, speed things up and also does away with any email problems. Same as you I found the wanadoo environment a pain in the backside. In Outlook express it sets up a default account via wanadoo and if you wish to use another ISP you have to set up another user account within outlook 'cause you can' get your mail!    

However, several months ago (pre SP2) I did a "Windows Update" and found it enabled something to start auto-dialling out on my PSTN connection (something I never allow a process to do - always manual).  I found windows auto-update on one of the network computers always tried doing that so I just disabled it. The trouble with zonealarm can happen if your running XP with NTFS drives where it prevents you from checking the hard drive for errors etc. Other than that I found zonealarm to be very good. Also the firewall in windows does not (as far as I can tell) show you any instant information on incoming/outgoing packets unless you check the logs. You have to realise that no-matter what update you get there will always be the odd problems anyway, when you consider most hackers are ex-microsoft employees  

My advice which is based on all the information, criteria and strict regulations as laid down by the powers that be (in this forum) would be to say nowt, pay your 50 euros and let the C.T. folks tell you! Make sure that you don't tell anyone in this forum  

Is it just side lights because any cars I passed this morning had full lights on................Damn me my divertors have fallen orf..........(again)  

[quote]Hello, one (and about the only) thing I miss about the U.K is the freedom to roam,used to live near the south downs now just outside of st-Valery-en-Caux. Can someone recommend somewhere I might find ...[/quote] In the Mayenne Region you have the chemin randonnees which cover the bocage and you can get a set of detailed maps for the from your local Mairie for about 3 euros. Well worth it (I guarantee it as I have had to clear the bloody things)  

[quote]Has anyone else found a problem with their computer after having installed Microsoft's service pack 2? I have an ISDN connection using an Olitec adaptor which crashes within 30 - 40 seconds of going ...[/quote] Yup serious problems.............. it totaly screwed up my network.................a few programs started rebooting the machine.................. its hateful Have now deinstalled it and programs run fine but my network is knackered and have just managed to botch it all together If its hacking and stuff your worried about better to try one of the free firewalls (be wary of zonealarm as it screws up your ability to check your hardrives health).  

Chicken's crap here and if you try to buy a *large* turkey (say above 10 kg) they look at you as if your insane All other gear is fine and I think reasonable. I guess after you have had to live on tins of 50 euro cents Cassoulet for a few months you appreciate everything else We used to hoard at the start and still do if we see good meat on offer but thats about it............as for netto............... quite good for cheap wine but very limited food range...... in fact I don't know why I'm typing all this.......  

Dandaz.............................. I know you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! your really the actor..................JAMES NESBIT By the way Love your "X"  

Funny you mention the Bretons. Visited a few pubs up around Dinan when I was working up around there and got talking to a lot of the younger ones (girls as well as boys). I asked what their feelings were on seperatisation and none of them liked the idea. They were happy to be part of France............ BUT they did have a problem with british buying properties. I asked why and they explained that it pushed house prices up and that they couldn't afford to buy themselves. I did try to say that a lot of British (amongst other nationalities) buy properties that need restoration and which quite frankly the french don't want and perhaps that was a good thing. Of course it fell on deaf ears......  Also I feel their attitude to us has cooled a bit more due to the Gulf war. Any other opinions/experiences? Is it totaly off topic  

The cost of meat is what gets me. I am astonished that I can't afford to buy more than I do, even if I used the same food budget I had in the UK, which I can't afford to do because other things are so much more expensive I know you might not believe this but we find chicken to be seriously expensive here. All the other types of meat (compared to what we are used to) are actually very cheap! I just think its amazing the difference in peoples perception to prices. Cheapest chicken I ever had was in Malaya from an old lady on the bus!!!! (they cart crates of 'em via public transport)    

[quote]A question for those more experienced than I. I have 4 very large exposed beams in my house. Two of them seem to be original beams, and two look very recent (Roof has been redone recently, but before ...[/quote] Have you seen charlotte3's post on "Beam Diverters "  

Have you tried 5 litres of petrol and a box of matches? Sorry!  

[quote]Quite so - at 93 the poor devil's days are numbered, but we would rather stay put as long as we can, as we really like it here. But it's wise to be prepared, and we are going to find out what informat...[/quote] Ahhh you will be fine then !!! The ******s live 'till about 123 Tough as old nails out here so they are!  

bomb explode a few years in McDonalds at Dinan   Who was responsible for that?? Did they ever get anyone for it?  

Even the most well, menial, jobs need a certificate/stage experience.  Bar person is a good example.  How many of us have worked in a bar in our youth?  Here you have to have studied before they will give you a job . . .  I have plenty of experience in studying Bars!  

[quote]Thank you for posting that useful link. I have put it in my favourites for safe keeping. It seems we might be staying put for the foreseeable future after all - the owner of the chateau has assured us...[/quote] I dont wish to be disrespectful but If the owner is in a retirement home........... he could be ready to pop his clogs or even get rid of the property. I would be very careful and maybe look around for something else  

Its astounding the amount of useful information that has been gathered in relation to headlamp beams! Whilst on the subject...................... does anyone know where the Chinese Supermarket  is in Laval?????  

I fink Charlottes got a bit of PMT *Passed Motor Technique*  

Hi Val 2, yup I do understand your position (and costs) and I must say I have noticed the prices going up but as I said for us, coming from a very expensive part of the UK (in terms of goods & petrol/diesel) it is cheaper and a better life style although we also have to work to survive. As you say, the social charges do seem quite high considering in Britain if your self employed and earning very little, you can get small earnings exemption (not sure if the French have anything like that) but at the end of the day the French pay the same, no?  

Blimey NZ, how many times has that happened to you then? Once would be enough for me Well...................... it was only once but I lost me 2 shops & me sanity so I'm counting it as 2! Thing was Kids were with me in when it went off but lucky enough they didn't get hurt. So after a lot of reflection we decided anything must be better than that and headed off to France  

Not if you have French friends to dinner, they will tell you quick enough if anything is 'orrible ! Yup NONE of the commune will drink my wife's coffee and in fact blatantly tell her is crap to her face  I have to say though, it really does need a government health warning  

The Spanish Inquisition springs to mind

[quote]Sandwich jambon beurre?[/quote] That's 4 we have now!!!!! (never been allowed that one in work!)  

Look at the 1st post it was about the comprame and pulling out within the 7 days, have you any feelings on that? o and I employ so called experts to guide me as I am no expert on French law..If You employ an expert wouldent YOU expect them to be competent?? or if they make a mistake would you be happy in takin the rap for it,, have a think chears.....   Hi condorman thanx for clearing that up..... Just thought you'd like to know about my mate trying something similar and realising it wasn't worth the hassle! I do agree with you concerning the above, as one who also paid good money to an *expert* and shall we just say was basically *stitched up*. I do feel the agent(s) should be gelded and smoked over slow burning coals and the sad thing is there are an awful lot of incompentents out there still trading. I personally think that 7 days is not enough time (especially if your in the UK) and perhaps a signed, dated, recorded delivery and express posted letter to the immobilier is the only course of action possible?