Chris Head

I'm pretty sure xlb could quite easily argue that he chooses to have 3 phase electricity to power 3 phase machines for his own personal use without having to register as a business until he chooses to register as a business, as he can easily prove that he's not in business at the moment I really wouldn't worry about that aspect of it mate. Chris 

One of the things I learned to say when we first arrived was to apologise for my bad French, it worked wonders! Over the ensuing 18 months I've immersed myself in the language and those around me know that I want to be corrected and to be taught. Having a personality that don't really give a s*** does help somewhat. Also having a wife who has very good language and two sons who are bi-lingual is a serious incentive to keep up! Chris  

Like Dick (good job you haven't got my surname!) says, Gorilla glue is excellent, I use it on green timber joints, the moisture in the wood helps to cure it, although it can push joints apart if they're not pegged or clamped. Chris 

Dave in 79....phew Limousin had a close escape! Next thing you know the Scots will want to live here and then we've got problems!  Are sheepshagging jokes baaaaaned on here? When the going gets really tough out there then wear heavy denier tights under the thermals (always good fun raiding the wifes knicker drawer and convincing her that the fishnets are just for work dear), spend as much money as you can on socks, my winter socks cost 20 quid a pair and work beautifully.....goretex works wonders, once wet then the will saps soon after...lambswool tanktops as worn by pratty golfers as a layer are indispensible insulation....face skin like leather helps (check the website piccys, I only just turned 40!). The summer protection is much simpler, in extreme heat, minimum of a litre an hour of water. Happy grafting. Chris  

Amp, don't fret, enjoy your holiday home and don't worry about your perception of who's thinking what, it's your business and no one elses. What did Candide say about cultivating ones own garden? It's a long time since I read it. Chris

Walking out the door at 0730 and the cold hitting you like a sledge hammer 'aint pleasant, I personally put on good clothing, imagine I'm lying on a Carribean beach with Kelly le Brock and JFDI! Chris ps are the French seriously letting the Welsh into the country?

Given the extremes in weather conditions and temperatures some of us have suffered in the last few months I wonder how y’all cope with it? Having worked all my life outdoors I’ve developed and been taught clothing systems and mental approaches that allow me to work a full day in any weather condition. For those of us who don’t eat unless we work perhaps we could help out those who are sitting by the fire and waiting for the spring to pop up? A bientot, Chris

Fair enough. Chris

Chill out Chuck, there's alot of internet anoraks on here who are clearly poor, bored folk! Treat it like the telly (I don't watch it myself) and be entertained!   Chris

Cat, accelerators are additives, basically they speed up the drying process of oils and produce a 'harder' therefore more protective surface. I totally agree with Springer, neat Tung oil takes an age to dry between coats, this is based on my experience. Hendo adds secret accelerators to Tung oil that quickly dry it, the rest of us will have to struggle with what we have learned, or buy the services of someone who has secret ingredients! Happy oiling! Chris

Wow what a hotchpotch!  I suspect that it will arrive here in the Creuse in the future. I listened to a conversation between several Brits in my local cafe the other day...they were discussing the development opportunities here and were quite simply working out how to make as much money as possible out of the area. No attempt at discretion or lowering their voices. I was simply having a coffee and asking the barman how my 7 year old son could start rugby, he kept asking me what they were talking about but I didn't dare tell him. Chris

Nice website Adrienne and Frank, although it hasn't come up as a link http://gitesincreuse.makeswebsites.com/index.php , hows that? The insurance issue is a big one. We had bad advice when we first came here, I'll bet a number of you would be suprised if you read through the small print on your contracts. We've now changed our insurer, taken what we consider to be correct advice and have accurate policies in place. Regards, Chris

Any chance of a seperate forum on wood and timber related discussions? The subject matter is huge and affects most who are renovating and building. It would be great for pro's, consumers and diy'ers to mix and swap ideas. I personally love sharing ideas and swapping information. I belong to a chainsaw carving forum and those who contribute range all help each other out. Subjects are wide and varied, from techniques and finishing to equipment and marketing. I believe the same principles would work well with like minded folk on the LF forum. Anyone else interested? Cheers, Chris

Good advice Dave, if I know I'm not going to use my chainsaws for a while, 7 or 8 of them, I drain the fuel, start them up and run them dry and  store them in a dry place. Same goes for any two stroke equipment. Chris

Who's Norm Abram? I started to download it but my wife is on a serious chat mode and couldn't concentrate on the two things at once! Seriously tho...a cutting list has always walked me through a  project, I know it's time consuming but by the time I've memorised the timber I need, I know the project inside out and rarely need to refer to a plan to complete the work....I worry that a computer would interfere with that process.....I'll try it in the morning before my lovely chatterbox arises! Cheers, Chris

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Hi Lautrec, Simple shutters are of toungue, and groove with a 'v' profile, ledged and braced construction. Hanging is fairly straightforward. Email me at [email protected] if I can help. Cheers, Chris

You've lost the plot somewhere along the long line of life outcast, I think your grasp of common civility is akin to your ability to communicate simple written English....am I the only one who really doesn't understand what you're on about? Chris  

Toooo harsh outcast, who gave you the right to judge? I'm just wondering if you're familiar with the concept of the European Union, y'know, freedom to trade,work and live wherever we choose to? At least the bloke's got the balls to 'publicly' say that he needs a job and is clearly trying to do something about it. Good luck to you Paul, Chris   There's always at least one prick in a bunch of roses..........  

At the risk of totally boring folk with further oil related info.....don't use Linseed (either raw or boiled) oil on green (fresh) Oak. It's fine for old Oak, but not green Oak. Chris

Leave 'em be Snowey, I'll bet they look lovely as they are, start to put man made stuff from the Bricos on old timbers and they'll look like lovely old timbers that have had man made stuff from the Bricos plastered on them! I'll bet they've been around a long time and will be around after your grandkids kids have retired! Chris

I'm blushing now xlb, thanks for the comments. It's ironic that living in a well forested area the availability of sustainable Oak dried gently and to appropriate moisture contents is very hard to find. There's alot of imported Eastern European oak being passed off as regional timber by merchants who care more about the money they make than the local economy. Good luck with the machines xlb, they scare the hell out of me! Chris

Hi Steve, Drop me an email to [email protected] , I'll send you a piccy by return.  As for imagination, I wish mine would stop working overtime sometimes! You don't have to be tied to convention or to keep up with the neighbours or follow any trends, pretty much anything goes Steve, do some research, find a theme, material or style that appeals to you, whatever that might be, listen to your instincts and be bold enough to try something new if you want to. If you've got to look at it every day then it's worth spending time on! Good luck. Chris

A friend who is toying with the idea had been given ball park figures of 1000 euro per square metre not including the land. There is such a build near to me and it looks ok but for the money one could do better methinks. Chris

Saligo, it won't all be OK! As a forum Guru I'm sure you are all too well aware that the system can be a nightmare! Unless you know exactly what it is you are (I never did know!), what it is you want to do and have pretty sound financial forecasts and business experience you're in for a rocky ride mate! No doubt I'll be contradicted! Good luck! Chris