Deimos

[quote user="Spardo"]The irritation ceased after an hour and he forgot about it. Obviously, becuse he went and did it again a month later! [/quote] There are other possibilities.  One of mine loves "helping" whilst I have a bonfire and it is generally in the middle of a patch of stinging nettles.  These seem not to bother her until we get back indoors after several hours.  At that point she will start licking her paws, leaping around and is in discomfort for several more hours.  I know the cause so it does not bother me too much.  Not saying this is the cause of your dogs reaction, just that there are other possibilities. Ian

You do get some "typical" ones and some good ones.  I had a plumber arrive same day, do the work there an then and then change only 60€ for a full afternoon's work.  No problems with the work either.  I've had a Charpente need a little push after a week for a devis, but then devis next day and work done two days later.  Really well done, reasonable price (30€ per hour), no complaints what so ever. I think there are good artisans out there, just not easy to find.  For larger jobs I expect there would be a longer wait. People often say that if somebody does not have a large back order book then they are probably not very good (either too expensive or bad work - so most people would be avoiding then thus no wait).  I have found examples where this is not the case and I suspect that it might depend on the types of work the person likes to do.  Whatever the reason some are good, some not so good same as I found in the UK. Ian

When I lived in the UK I installed an expensive bathroom extractor that had a humidity sensor. Well known brand, not cheap, etc. Trouble was that there was nbo adjustment on the sensitivity of the humidity detector thing (no idea if any do have that) - so when it rained outside, fog, mist., etc. the fan turned itself on and had no useful effect. Waste of money and I ended-up having to install a additional switch so I could turn the thing off. Ian

[quote user="LyndaandRichard"]What is the longest a tradesman has taken to complete a job for you? We signed a contract with a plumber/electrician in April 2006 and still to date the work has not been completed! In fact I've done some of it myself. So that's 18 months so far. Can anyone beat that? R. [/quote] I think it important to distinguish between the wait for an artisan to start the job and then how long beyond that to actually finish the job. for example, I was quoted 6 months before my local plumber could start work replacing a gas boiler flue.  He eventually got round to starting after only 18 months - which was impressive.  It was only a 1 day job but it actually took 3 months to complete.  All in all pretty quick for French artisans. Ian

I've recently seen a few new nests appearing in one of my pine trees - too high to reach with a ladder.  Same tree had several nests last year.  Last year I was advised to spray the tree each year for two years.  However, I don't like chemicals and you might find the cure is worse than the problem.  This tree definitely had them last year, definitely this year and I assume in previous years (before I got to recognise their nests). I agree, be careful but as with many things don't overreact. Ian

[quote user="Helen"]I'm not sure that you can read the clause in isolation ... it shows the scope of the coverage, a later clase defines the amount which is  then interpreted by decret which changes the percentages from year to year. [/quote] That would mean the private insurance policies also have to change every year.  Given that many will be from non-French companies (i.e. companies who already offer Private Health Insurance because ther eis a market in their main countries of operation - unlike France). I cannot see how that would work.  Nightmare to administer, particularly as policies would be starting and ending continuously through the year. Ian

It would also be a particularly hard one for them to justify.  Given the 5 year rule and then that some people who had already subscribed were allowed to stay but others who had the same residence status (e.g. longer E106s) were not allowed to join.  Not only would it be available to the French and non-EU but also to a select few EU people whose E106s had expired in time. Also it would not really address the pre-existing conditions and chronic conditions problem.  they cannot really allow those with chronic or pre-existing conditions to remain in the CMU as this would discriminate against the healthy people. Anyway we are only a month and a half into the new rules being in effect and nobody still has any idea how they are going to work.  Thus, their application now must be retrospective - either that or the new rules will have to come into effect in the future, but then what about those already affected who have taken out some form of private health insurance.  Every time I think about it I wonder how they manage to run a country - but then I look at the state of the countries economy and ... Ian

If the nice chat route does not work and it is necessary to pursue things through the authorities then fine.  At least the dog owners will not be totally surprised by you taking the next step.  However, even if you know the nice chat is not going to have any effect then I would still say do it anyway.  It ensures the owners are aware of the problem and are aware it is a nuisance.  Then when they get something from the authorities it will be less of a surprise and they cannot be angered because you never said anything to them. Certainly if I got something out of teh blue I would be angry that the person complaining had not come and seen me to discuss, not that they had complained.  Whatever the dog owners reactions, forewarning them will probably lower their reaction when they do get contacted by any authorities and they are thus more likely to be cooperative. Ian

[quote user="Ron Avery"] I think this is essentially what SD posted above or is The Connexion copying him? [:P] So if  the 5 year rule is a fact and nobody I know has had or seen that in writing from CPAM or a French Government source, what about those who will attain five years residency between March 2008 and March 2009?  Are they expected to get PHI for a few weeks or months, who would insure them anyway for less than a year? Are we still hanging out hats on continued membership for CMU members or is that still a wild rumour? [/quote] I remember when the French authorities were assuring people that the new regulations would not affect current residents - but then they changed their minds.  even if this is true, whose to say they wont just change their mind tomorrow (or yesterday).  They [French Authorities) seem to have proven so unreliable through this saga that I no longer trust what they say.  Until we actually see the policy they finally select in operation throughout France I would treat any announcements by anybody with extreme scepticism. Ian

[quote user="Helen"]Why do you say that? I think that the state cover embraces all these things up to certain limits with qualifications (hence all the referrals to other clauses and regulations) For some things theres only minimal coverage 30% for some medicines for example and for others such as dental prostheses the defined cost is low but they are covered. I think you're correct that most (all?) private insurances in Europe will fall short. [/quote] For example, if I visit my GP the State Healthcare will cover it only to the extent of 70% (I think) - anyway, certainly not close to 100%.  Private Health insurance is required to cover it to the extent of 100% - quite a lot more.  Same for perscriptions, only state pays less, etc.  Thus, the FR gov are requiring your private insurance to provide a better level of cover than they provide. Ian

One MEP has responded to me letters stating that all EU countries had until April 2006 to introduce Directive 2004/38/EC into their national law.  they were not allowed to do it after that point.  To quote the MEP, From the date of transposition you became responsible for ensuring that you had comprehensive sickness insurance cover. Did Sarkozy introduce the 2004/38/EC into French law before April 2006 (i.e. when he was in the Interior Ministry before becoming el Presidente).  If after that date - too late to introduce it at all. Because by my estimates Code de l'entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d'asile. Article  L122-1  En vigueur   Créé par Loi n°2006-911 du 24 juillet 2006 art. 23 II (JORF 25 juillet rectificatif JORF 16 septembre 2006). En vigueur, version du 25 Juillet 2006 LIVRE Ier : DISPOSITIONS GÉNÉRALES APPLICABLES AUX ÉTRANGERS ET AUX RESSORTISSANTS DE CERTAINS ÉTATS. TITRE II : ENTRÉE ET SÉJOUR DES RESSORTISSANTS DES ÉTATS MEMBRES DE L'UNION EUROPÉENNE OU PARTIES À L'ACCORD SUR L'ESPACE ÉCONOMIQUE EUROPÉEN ET DES RESSORTISSANTS SUISSES AINSI QUE SEJOUR DES MEMBRES DE LEUR FAMILLE. Chapitre II : Droit au séjour permanent. Is dated July 2006 !!!  Too late. Have I missed something here ? Ian

[quote user="Clair"]My guess is that the description is based on what is offered by the Sécurité Sociale and that nobody has bothered to check that such cover does not exist outside their little world... [/quote] But the state healthcare does not offer that level of cover.  The documents above describe a higher level of cover that provided by CMU/CPAM/State Healthcare. Ian

One thought.  No personal experience of MEPs but in other aspects of life people have been known to say they will do something and then just not do it (for whatever reason). As Mary Honeyball and Bill Newton Dunn presumably hold and also encourage MEPs to sign, is it worth forwarding positive responses to then so they can "make sure" that people who say they will sign actually do and they can "make some phone calls" if those people delay "getting round to it". Just a thought. Ian

[quote user="Quillan"][quote user="cartref"] Bilbo wrote I am sure that I read somewhere that one of the features of Vista, unlike previous versions of Windows, was that the OS language could be altered by the user. You can change the ketboard etc. in any version. Not so Bilbo, previous OS systems like XP etc did have this facility but Vista does not. Also if you order a PC from the UK they will not deliver to France. Something to do with licensing of the MIcrosoft product I believe. cartref [/quote] The reason for the latter will be because the PC manufacturers in the UK get OEM versions of the operating system in English for something like £25 a go and include it in the cost of the PC. The OEM licence is to them to use in the UK. The same would apply in France. [/quote] I remember when worked in the computer supply business (though not PC), some of our suppliers tried to put restrictive contracts on us to supply to the UK only.  However, then, under EU law such contracts were illegal and we told them "where to go".  We could do this as we were fortunate in that they wanted us to sell their stuff.  Many companies in the supply chain are in a weaker position with their suppliers and probably accept  whatever contract their supplier offers and just comply.  When it comes to Microsoft I guess the PC manufacturers cannot go and get it from another supplier so I guess they have to either fight it and put up with it.  fighting would probably just result in Microsoft deciding they would not supply anything to that manufacturer - so it would be just cutting off one's own foot" so to speak. And, it was over 4 years ago since I was involved in teh supply aspect of the business so things may have changed. Ian

[quote user="Lenht1951"]I have been quoted for three levels of Private health insurance by AGF from basic hospital cover to all singing and dancing policy, bottom line about 1500 euros per person hospital cover up to 5200 euros per person for everything. Presumably they know what they are doing as they were doing this prior to CMU setting up, so I would imagine that the policy you chose is up to you even if its just the basic. Hope that helps. Think I will be job hunting personally, hate Insurance companies. [/quote] I'd check with them very carefully.  I spent a long time with AGF earlier this year trying to get a boat insurance policy to comply with French law - not easy and they (the main company, not the agent) seemed totally unaware of the legal considerations for different vessels and the legal French requirements for doing certain types of sailing event.  Thus, their health offerings might not comply, particularly given the dates on the rquirement documents in relation to the introduction of the CMU. Maybe ask them if it covers all contraceptives, all preventative checks, taxi's to and from hospital, etc., etc. Ian

[quote user="Phil and Pat"]Ian, Can you please tell us where to find the health insurance requirements?  [/quote] Somebody (Boiling a Frog, part way down http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/26/1023612/ShowPost.aspx#1023612) posted them in a thread a couple of days ago.  I found them on LegiFrance.fr but whenever I cave a link from that site, 5 mins later it stops working with a "session expired" error - thus I cannot give links to the "source" (if anybody know how to do this then let me know - but I always have to use the Advanced search to find them as the Article numbers always seem to provide loads of Articles with the same reference on loads of unrelated topics. It is quite a requirement and I would not expect any private insurance company to even come close to offering what is required. Ian

[quote user="Christine Animal"]Meurtre dans un Jardin Anglais which I think was The Draughtsman's Contract [/quote] Add that to my list as well (Draughtsman's Contract anyway).  In fact several of Peter Greenaway's films (with the Michael Nyman sound tracks) - but some are a bit nasty. Ian

Having had a further look as the requirements for Private Health Insurance they are actually totally ludicrous.  Ignoring the consideration that no insurance company on earth would provide such a policy, they also require far better cover than is provided by the state healthcare (i.e. as under the CMU or however you subscribe).  Bit of a nerve that and as such I'm beginning to wonder what the underlying issues might actually be here (or maybe I'm just paranoid or feeding conspiracy theories).  Does make one wonder why the cover the FR gov. is requiring you to take out is so much more extensive than they provide themselves !! Ian

I wonder if some of the anger might be the route people take to address the issue.  Going direct the the Gendarmes, Mairie, Environmental Health (in sort the authorities) rather than discussing it with the dog owner would really annoy me as well.  Direct to the authorities is a great way to escalate the issue rather than address the problem.  Still, its the best some people can do. Ian

The convenience for me was being able to open an account via the post i.e. none of this "know your customer" grief that many banks go through (well all banks actually need to go through).  Many require you to attend in person and then prove that you are there, etc. before you can open an account but Britline relaxed that somewhat so much easier. Britline were always fine for me.  I guess all banks make errors and mess things up occasionally. Still have the account but tend not to use it much.  Once I moved here I thought it wise to have an account held at a local branch/bank.  Also, I always like to have two cards as the day a machine swallows my card will be the day I really need it for something so a backup is a good plan. Ian

Re: the metal stud wall screws. They are special ones for the job.  I got mine in Leroy Merlin.  They are black and have very sharp points (thus they will screw into the metal stud without any pre-drilling necessary (I found it very quick once I got the hang of the pressure you apply to start it going). I used these screws to fix pretty well everything whilst doing the walling (i.e. montants/rails to floor, each other, plasterboard to metal stud). Ian

When I first moved here I tried for good pricing at a couple of the big major builders merchants (not the bricos).  Two were very RRP for me but one for some reason put me a very high discount level account.  I did keep pestering the guy "is this your best price ...".  Ever since, as I am on that level of discount, everything seems to be supplied at that level.  I actually checked with my local charpente and he was amazed (maybe a bit irritated) at the prices I was paying. I have an account at the builders merchant but its a cash on delivery account (i.e. the account is just my name and price banding).  I'm a private individual i.e. no company, no siret and just buying small amounts of stuff for my own use.  Typically each purchase will be less than €1000 and I might do that once or twice a year. Thus, it is possible to get good pricing but you may have to try different places.  The one I use is about 30 mins drive away, and there are several a lot lot closer (but more expensive for me). Ian

I would agree with that for several reasons.  Every full structural survey I have ever had done has basically been a list of clauses as to why the surveyor could not be liable for this that and the other.  Then you get the recommendations from them that a plumber should look at the plumbing, and electrician look at the... . Definitely remember that French building practices are very different to UK ones so unless somebody has a lot of experience of the French standards it will be a waste of money.  Also remember that the French  standards have changed over time and an old property might not comply with every present day standard; but would comply with the standards at the time it was built or the work done; plus it has then stood the test of time as it still works and is still standing, etc. In the UK a lot of people use a survey as a method of reducing the price; the surveyor saving you more than the cost of the survey type of thing.  In France, having a survey is not a normal so you might find out if work needs doing but are unlikely to get a reduced price. No expert but I would expect that if a CdV has a "subject to satisfactory survey" clause then you would also have to define what "satisfactory" means.  Finding a few chips of paint and a cracked tile would not allow you to pull out.  But then t comes down to attitude and if you want to pull-out or the vendors might not have the same attitude as you. Damp is a classic thing.  What I (probably incorrectly) call "rubble construction" needs damp to hold it together.  Inject a damp proof treatment and you will end-up with a pile of rubble ad the "mixture" holding the stones together needs to stay moist for strength.  at least that is what I am told (I'm no builder).  French do not have the same obsession about damp as the British do.  It is quite normal and allow a house to "breath" and is no problem. Personally, these days I only ever buy older properties.  They were built to last and time has proven this to be the case.  More modern properties are built for profit and every penny spent on build quality is a penny less profit and less for the directors/shareholders.  Personally I'd always go with the builder. Ian

Another thought (if you are contacting Mary Honeyball).  Can she (or somebody) list which MEPs have signed.  I don't know if this is allowed but if it is possible it would provide an indication that some might need further "persuading" (via correspondence of course). Ian

Maybe a bit early but does anybody know how many MEPs have signed the thing yet. Time to wind-up pressure, nearly there or not much interest (so loads more letter) ? Ian