Mikew

Muisetup seems to refer to xp and 2000 professional eds. You only have to learn the basics in French, Any english language progs installed will operate in english. By the way, many computers insist that you create your own system disks on first use - and only let you do it once! Try looking on the manufacturers english/com website for info.

You will probably find a lot of the bars will have a big screen, I see our local has a big 'rugby' banner draped across the facade. Join in with the locals, make sure you shout the same as them though......

From my involvement with a livebox belonning to a friend: Q1   When you install the LB you gain another line over the internet, this one has the discount offers. You may use it to make your free outgoing calls. That line also has a number given to it for incoming calls - not in the normal range of numbers (ie 05, 01 etc), but in a national series for these type of lines, the number is given in the FT paperwork. I don't know what the call rates are, or whether the number works for incoming international calls, perhaps someone may enlighten me here. You also keep your France Telecom line in this setup. This is the number that everyone knows and calls you on. Therefore you need 2 phones or a lot of unplugging. I did read of a switchbox to use one phone on the two lines but I have no detail. The 2 lines may be used simultaneously. Q2    I would not use Orange software, once set up all one does is to open Internet Explorer, and one is connected to the home page. The livebox, I have found, is difficult to set up using the wireless, but works OK on the network connection. Read the manual carefully, use google uk to search for instructions, livebox forums etc in english  

Try: www.photofiltre.com or www.photobie.com They were recommended by one of the computer Magazines.

Internal modem may be one of the 'soft modems' needing special drivers. Have you been to your manufacturers site to try to get an original driver? Otherwise  you may have to use an external device on a serial port (or port replicator if no serial ports)

Can you not fit a 'sommier' (slatted bed base). I have just looked in the Fly catalogue and they exist fully framed in steel tube which could  help reinforce your bed. Try www.fly.fr. Then fit a decent mattress on top!

To get rid of Norton completely, you have to download a removal program from the Norton website. Otherwise you are left with rubbish which gets in the way if you just use 'remove programs' in control panel.

Bond taps and plugholes, if metal. (l'i e page 76, 78) The socket in the bathroom is shown as paralleled with other house sockets. (l'installation electrique, p321) Ours here is on the same circuit as all the 'furniture supplies' ie kitchen and bathroom units that have lights and socket outlets. Fit in volume 3, outside 60 cm zone. l'i e, page 70

Are they travelling or static gypsies on a permanant site, are they 'forains', market traders or fair people ? Our neighbours appear several times a year to sell things from white vans in markets, and they keep everything very tidy, The plot is mown regularly and trees have been planted. Very pleasant neighbours.

If it is a French oven only, it should be OK to run off a 16A socket. Check the rating plate. We run our house offf a 6KW supply and it has all the modern appliances, and we manage to keep within the limit. (Elec oven, gas hob, dishwasher, washer, drier, elec kettle etc, just don't put the lot on together!)

I seem to remember that when I bought my last new UK car about 6 years ago, I had to ask specially for plates with the blue GB panel - the garage said that people did not want them, they didn't want to have anything to do with Europe.....

Download copies of forms here: http://www.impots.gouv.fr/ and print your own! link edited and made live by a moderator

I use Cheque emploi, but am resident,. I do not remember any restrictions on residency, the account is tied to the payees french bank account, and this is where cotisation deductions are paid from (by direct debit). The only down side is that the non resident may not be in the french tax system and may not get any tax relief due. You have to have a social security number to be in the system.

Try going to: www.digitalspy.co.uk and have a look at the forum area. Some time ago my sky box kept losing stored programs, and there was a lot of chat in the sky technical forum. I think that it was decided that it was a 'feature' of sky, varying from box to box. Try asking a question or two there.

The soap tends to 'set' in the nozzle and reduces flow, I installed a pump one for that reason. Are you able to change your brand of soap to a thinner one?

We submitted ours on two separate forms when we sent in the French tax forms. Took a few weeks for Nottingham to process, but we pay no UK tax on pensions. Savings interest still taxed, banks wo'nt pay gross, so have to claim yearly.

Travelled back from UK to Charente via tunnel, Rouen and A28 (Le Mans, Alencon) yesterday. Transit both ways via Rouen went better than several years ago. Followed 'Caen' or 'Bordeaux' or blue autoroute signs via the 'Boulevard Industiel' and out to the south of the town. Apart from road widening works slowing things a bit the route was easy to follow. Once on the A28 the road was very quiet, and no problems.

http://www.hoaxbuster.com/hoaxliste/hoax.php?idArticle=20873 It's a HOAX!

You must sign your 'green card' (and if you go to UK all drivers must sign it) but the signing of the etiquette on the windscreen is a MYTH! Look it up on google....

Nothing about those hovering on the edge trying to make up their minds?    

Are you unable to switch it off before unplugging? Just pulling a plug on a live circuit will quite often give a spark, you break the circuit too slowly... (Hope your heater is in the correct zone in the bathroom)

Turn it upside down, screw collar fits on tap, two hoses fit onto the two branches, unless someone knows otherwise...

You can buy one of those "self cutting" taps that you clamp on to a suitable pipe. I couldn't find my 'y' adaptor when we arrived, so I bought the clamp-on from bricolage and it has worked well ever since. Five minute fix. Now have spare adaptor....

Pomme frites no longer cheap - today's paper has the story that price of spuds is rising fast, due to last year's drought! Apparently Belgians are in a right state.....

Our pond is waking up as well, the odd frog has been heard, the fish are basking in the sun and feeding half-heartedly. A pair of ducks have arrived from a neighbouring lake and are enthusiastically making love!