Deimos

[quote user="allanb"]The regulations are fairly clear.  You must have (1) your driving licence, (2) the car's identity document (carte grise), and (3) the insurance certificate, which is in two parts: the main part, known as the attestation, and the little bit that must be attached to the inside of the windscreen, known as the certificat. [/quote] Where you have specific additional cover for e.g. a trailer, this is only noted on the full insurance policy (not the certificate.  I always carry round a photocopy of the full certificate as several friends have been stopped when towing a trailer and asked to prove they were insured to tow the trailer.  I'm talking about small light trailers PTAC (?) less then 500Kg and nothing like caravans. In my case/insurance I had to gave the trailer explicitly added to the policy (its a total loaded PTAC (?) of around 150Kg) and pay an additional premium. Do you actually need to carry round this or is it a bit OTT. Ian

[quote user="Nickel"] Just one little thing -  There was a study in Japan - reprinted in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health... [/quote] Getting back on topic here.  Good sail, nearly bottled out just before launching, but no damage and I'm OK too. One side issue raised earlier in the thread about post numbers.  Maybe its a bit like turning 40 or 50.  For me 40 (the traditional hard one) was just not relevant, but I did find 50 hard.  Maybe you 2000 posts is similar. And then Glaucoma.  My father has it (caught before it was a problem and dealt with by drugs).  However, due to the genetic link I am supposed to have regular eye tests.  In the UK I was told every year after age 40.  I was surprised when I eventually got round to having my eyes tested last year in France that they then said every 3 years - and I'm over 50 (plus they were aware of the glaucoma in the family).  Still, as I'm being thrown off the state health cover in Jan I had another eye test last week (mostly paid for by the FR gov). Plus, I need a medical certificate dated 2008 and, as I lose cover 5/Jan I need to try and sort out FFV membership, get the card and get the medical all before 5/Jan (so Sarkozy has to pay for it). Ian

[quote user="cooperlola"]Going sailing cannot be right.  I've googled it and it says its been proved by a group of Lithuanian scientists that it is bad for your health, and that of those around you. [/quote] Actually there is probably too much wind for me here today so I'll probably be posting to the Health forum later today.  Sort of funnels down the river valley and can on occasions get quite strong.  Still, one has to try. Probably safer than being on a horse though. Ian

[quote user="TWINKLE"]Sorry for not replying immediately Ian (mate[;-)]) but I was Googling stuff for the other 24 forums I contribute to on a daily basis.  Don't you DARE disagree with me! [/quote] Nearly 15 mins.  Tut, tut, tut.  People will begin to suspect you have other aspects to your life and they any "expertise" will disolve fast.  I know this because I am an expert. But now there is a decent wind, sun is out (though very cold) so I'm off sailing (in the full knowledge that I was right). Ian

[quote user="cooperlola"]I think the "I'm right, you're wrong" approach is the best - makes for a nice long, spiral thread, in my experience. Much better if you're actually wrong too..[Www] [/quote] Don't like come across too agressively but in this case "you're wrong and I'm right".  Sorry but I've just been on Google again so I am the expert here ('cos Google is such a secret and only used by the elite few really knowledgable. Ian

I've been through several mowers (generally they break quite quickly). I have a lot of grass to cut though there are a lot of "edges" and trees so a sit on is not great benefit for me. Until this year it used to take me ages to cut the stuff. However, this year I needed a new mower (when the previous one went in for repair) and I got a Husquavana (sic) one (cannot remember the model but can turn it out if its useful). This one seems to drive along at greater speed than the previous ones and has made a dramatic reduction in how long the job takes. It is still quite easy to use, you don't have to trot along behind it. It just drives as a decent speed, still works and cuts decently. Just the slight speed increase has had a big big reduction in overall time. When I purchased it I had not even thought about how fast it drove.  Just went for a decent make (name) as the previous ones had proved weak and unreliable. Ian

Probably depends on the cause of the signal becoming unusable at its limits. If it just runs out of signal strength then a high gain antenna would help somebody sitting outside. However, if you have a lot of steel in your walls causing reflected interference (standing waves) ir other equipment interfering (noise) then somebody outside would have a lot more problems. I think this new metallic roof insulation will help stop signals spreading out too far (and make attic rooms harder to get decent coverage in). I have surveyed industrial freezers where you could not get a usable signal 1m from an Access Point (but were fine a bit further away, nut no go a bit further away, etc.) Real nightmare getting reliable coverage in metallic walled rooms. However, the same problems can occur even with only a single highly reflective wall. Ian

[quote user="TWINKLE"]I just Googled what you posted and you're absolutely right[:D][/quote] Makes you an expert.  However, if I disagree with you, you are now obliged to regularly and repeatedly post messages convincing everybody about your expertise and experience. (Note how quickly I posted this response - so who is just sitting here with nothing better to do [:$]) Ian

I wonder if it all depends on what you are posting. Some people seem continually logged-on to a forum and leap in immediately to respond to any post. They primarily want to chat with others but are happy to Google, find something (relevant or not) and then be an "expert". Some people use fora(?) to have a group of friends (maybe making-up for aspects of their real lives that are lacking). Others participate to help others, be helped and learn (i.e. positive motives). An occasional check, offering assistance and happy to be disagreed with. No need to spend ages justifying their expertise when it turns out their Google search gave then a spoof/out-of-date/just wrong site for their "expertise". Ian

To hijack this (a bit), I am also considering planting a hedge but am not set on any particular species. Are some hedging plants cheaper per m and better or worse suited (e.g. very slow growing, need cutting twice per week, etc.) Thus is people have costs of non-Leylandii I would also be interested. (Sorry is this is not what WJT was thinking but could also be interesting). Ian

[quote user="Gluestick"] WB. ... your daughter is a psychiatrist;... [/quote] She was a psycologist NOT a psychiatrics - big bit difference [quote user="woolybanana"] The psychologist ... happens to be my daughter ... [/quote] Ian

It sounds a horrific story. Whilst clearly in this case there were guilty dogs (to be found), there are other aspects which people should be aware of regarding the importance of keeping your dog under control. On occasions a farmer might lose a sheep and want to claim on somebodies insurance. He might then accuse a dog he knows is allowed to roam free, hoping to claim on that personal 3rd party liability insurance. This actually happened to my piano teacher. Mid way through a lesson the gendarmes arrived to investigate. Her poor dog could not even catch a sheep if it was already dead it was so overweight and old, but it had been accused so had to be checked-out. I ended-up having to open the dogs mouth so the gendarmes could check for signs of sheep in its mouth, etc. (the dog did not take kindly to the gendarmes). After a bit they realised that catching up with a fence post was beyond the dogs capabilities so left realising what was really happening. However, both to avoid unexpected behaviour (as in this thread) and the risk of false accusations I am always with my dogs outside and I make sure all the locals know this. Ian

What do we tell them (the MEPs) to sign ? Do we just refer them to XXXX/2007 or do them need additional info (e.g. that it was started by Mary Honeyball or anything else). Just say that there is this "Declaration on Healthcare" or does it make life easier for the, with more info. Being a cynic, I think that if you make something very easy for a politician they might do it. However, if they have to start hunting around to track stuff down then the chances of them doing anything a lower. Ian

On returning to France my dogs have had their Passports checked several times (on the French side). Not every time but it has happened quite a few times. Also had them spot checked by French customs whilst waiting to board for visit to UK (i.e checked on French side). It does happen and not "once in a blue moon". Problem is that so many people (myself included) have limited experience as we are not travelling backwards and forwards very regularly with our pets. Thus is is easy to get a biased view from a limited sample. I would say my dogs papers are checked at least 1 return (to France) in 3. Others might say never (and be right from their personal experience). Ian

At the moment I would not agree with the Vista License Agreement. Thus, my next computer will be a Linux based one or a Mac (assuming XP is unobtainable on new computers then). Ian

[quote user="powerdesal"]So what did you plant Deimos?  I have read that Eucalyptus (the C variety ?) is a good firewood tree and fast growing, better than one meter per year, it can also be coppiced. [/quote] Ash, alder, a species of faster growing Oak and one other I cannot remember.  I also went for closer to 6m appart and random as I intend to cut them for logs (heating) and thus they are unlikely to get to grow into fil sized trees.  It is quite a damp field yet the Oaks seem happy enough (though I did plant them in the higher bits of the field).  Mostly fast growing stuff. Ian

[quote user="tigerfeet"]I assumed I was covered under item 3 in this http://www.ambafrance-uk.org/Medical-cover-for-inactive-UK.html[/quote] I found point 1 interesting.  An excerpt British nationals receive the same treatment, as regards rights and obligations, as all other European Union citizens residing or coming to reside in France.  I can only assume that when they say all other European Citizens they include French citizens in that (France being part of the EU and all that).  That in theory should mean that if the French get it so can everybody else, so if the Fench get CMU for inactifs then so should other EU citizens.  And this is a Frech gov site. Ian

I do believe pets are "over vaccinated" these days and can see how this might affect them adversely in older age. However, things change slowly. Vets in France and the UK tend to use exactly the same rabies vaccine, yet when used in the UK is is valid for 2 or 3 years but in France only for one year. This is clearly due to France being just slow at updating its procedures (and will probably continue to be the situation for many many years given the speed of French bureaucracy). However, it means that pets in France are being vaccinated at least twice as often as necessary and I have read reports that this can actually cause a lower reaction to the vaccine - so is probably counter productive. Ian

[quote user="writersblock"]Our vet here said that none of the pets needed any jabs to get them into France, only if they were to return to the UK - is this right?  I don't want to get to moving day and find they can't travel with me! Any advice would be great. I can't imagine wanting to bring them back to the UK although maybe I should get them inncolulated just in case.  I will however want to have all the jabs they need for a healthy life in France - should I get those here or wait until I get there? [/quote] Your vet is wrong, Cooperola is right.  Your pets need a Pet Passport to enter France (for which they need to be microchipped and vaccinated for rabies).  Documentation is not always checked on the French side but my dogs have had their papers checked several times - so it is not unusual. Entry to France is a lot easier than entry into the UK.  To get back into the UK your rets need a blood test showing adequate rabies antibody levels, then a 6 month wait (after the successful blood sample was taken).  There are other entry requirements (treatments just before travelling) but the blood test thing is worth getting done because of the 6 month wait.  It is really sad when you see the "dog looking for a home" because people never bothered to have a cheap blood test done and now because of changed circumstances have to return to teh UK and cannot wait the necessary 6 months.  Saved a few quid and causes great distress (to the animal - which is what concerns me more).  Circumstances change, plans can change - fact of of life. Also, in France you would really be wanting to have the rabies done.  In France its an every year vaccination and you get official certificates to prove its done.  I have to present these several times a year to different places, give some a photocopy, etc.  It may not be legally required but is close. Ian

A couple of years ago I wanted to convert just under a hectare of "prairie" (weeds) into a forest (for wood for heating in the future). I did not want the lines of evenly spaced trees you see around. Got a professional in to advise on what trees would do best and grow fast in the soil. He just could not understand why I would not plant straight lines of evenly spaced Peuplier. His reason is that in 20 years I could sell the lot and get some money (plus the soil was well suited). I did not go with his suggestion (and persuaded him to come up with some ideas closer to what I was looking to do) but I got the distinct impression that you plant the trees (8 or 10m spacing, in straight lines, etc., leave them for 20/25 years then sell the trees. The deal being you sell them "as is" - buyer cuts and collects so you don't even have to cut them down. It must be worthwhile (or grants available) as I keep seeing new patches of land being planted in the way as others are cut down. Ian

I suspect it might not be quite as extensive as the organisers would wish (and that subsequent strikes might just not happen). I may be wrong but, as I understand their objections, they probably have limited support from everybody else. Ian

There are clubs out there (but they are on the decline and the trend will probably continue). I know of some around me but none in the area you are looking. Ian

From what I have seen of this in France (i.e. how well it is done and the resulting dogs) I would not recommend it. Of course I'm a bit biased but my club before the current one did it and the resulting dogs were "to be avoided". Fortunately there are regulations now that mean you have to have a qualified trainer for a club to be allowed to undertake this. A number of clubs have thus stopped it (though I do not know the figures). If you found a club that did it, who knows if they will still be doing it next year. However, had you been asking about agility or flyball or something along those lines then I would have been posting lists of contact details, etc. I don't mean to sound nasty but its something I think does not work as well as some people think. I have been bitten 3 times by dogs in France in the few years I've lived here (i.e. punctured the skin and decent amounts of blood) compared to never in the UK. On every occasion the dog owners have not even offered suggestions for getting blood stains out of expensive jeans !!! There are some really incapable people involved in dog training in France.  I've met some but have also met a few good ones. Ian

I have found some Series Blue "Carte de Randonnee". They look pretty much like the normal blue ones except they cover both the E and O maps (i.e double the size in an E/W direction). My one has the same number as the normal Blue one with ET (rather than E or O). The bit on the back with the grid showing the coverage of the map and neighbouring maps is the normal Blue series grid but with the E and O sections covered shaded. I got it from the same rack as the normal blue series ones. It is pretty much the same as the Blue ones except it marks a load of footpaths and bridleways not on the normal ones. Plus they are marked really clearly - with both thick lines !! If you have problems finding any, try somewhere like Decathelon or Intersport as they sell maps and I would expect it the sort of thing they would sell. Ian

I don't know about microlights in France but can comment on gliding regulations. France does not recognise any of the gliding qualifications awarded in the UK (Bronze, etc. thingys). they have a much better system (so they keep telling me anyway). The French system is controlled by two government departments who resent each others involvement (makes life easy). things like your log book are strict legal documents !! To get a gliding license you need to pass a theory test (something like 95% pass mark - though it is multiple choice). This is in French. In theory (according to the written regs) you are allowed an interpreter to help with the language aspects but all the authorities deny that this is the case. Fail the exam 1st time then you can sit it in a month. Fail it then and you have to wait 3 (or 6 months, unsure). Fail it again and you have to wait ages before being allowed to resit it. You then need to take a practical test - the examiner being the regional training person (though he may often delegate the test to somebody more local and then receive recommendations and a report from that person). There is a scheme where, if you have adequate UK qualifications you can apply to Ministry in France and get a certificate to fly in France - though you certainly have to do this every year and I don't know how long it lasts - I've never done that. There are issues about airworthiness certificates between France and the UK. I don't know about the UK but France is very controlled in that regard. Which all sounds really negative. On the "other side of the coin", the climate is fantastic for gliding (much better weather for thermals). One of my first few solo flights was over 3 hours and I had to "fly down" as it was getting late and all the other gliders were already in the hangar. But all that is gliders. If you don't have web sites for the microlight clubs, etc. then let me know as I came across loads when looking for gliding clubs. I think microlight clubs are more common than "powered aircraft" clubs/airfields as I know of two microlight clubs near me that are microlight only. There is a French Microlight Association who I'm sure will list all approved clubs. Ian