Mikew

Don't forget the REN (ringer equivalent number, mostly one, but may be more), usually printed on anything connected to the phone line. Sum of RENs of phones, faxes, modems etc. connected to your line must not be more than four. Make sure you have a modem filter as well as the phone filters...

Mr Bricolage is knocking them out at E35.90, but it may be better to buy a named make. I have used a Thompson with very good results, not much more expensive than a cheapie, and probably more sensitive - worked with a caravan antenna in loft!

Telepeage box is a passive device that is activated by the tollbooth transmitter and replies with it's serial number. Keep it in the shiny metallised bag that you were given when you received it. Especially if you are travelling on the motorway in someone else's vehicle! (Taxi/bus from airport?) Your only problem may be convincing Security personnel of it's use, especially as you cannot turn it on/off to demonstrate it's harmlessness.

My Nationwide debit card worked perfectly well, then I obtained the magic box.......ain't technology great!

If you travel with a computer, USB plug in digital television sticks work equally well in UK (Freeview) and in France (TNT). The only problem is getting a good signal if you use the mini antenna provided.  

He liked symmetry...

If you must have Lidl cycles, subscribe to their e-mail on line - virtual adverts are easier to recycle!

The first instance you pay your impots on line you get the form to send to your bank to allow them to set up their end of the debit. For all subsequent payments a confirmation e-mail only is sent. This notes the date that your account will be raided for their cash. I set mine up last year, this year - everything went easy.

If the lead pipe is on the company side of the meter you should contact the water co. Lead piping is being replaced as it is hazardous to health.

Ours is very good, especially as it is impossible to have an outside vent in our sous-sol. Bought in uk several years before use, used sparingly as elec is expensive. Also the condensate is useful for filling the steam iron!

Telephone  / ADSL filters in place and OK?

Try: "Les évolutions de la norme électrique", a good 7.50 Euros worth of explanation of the wiring standard NF C 15-100. gives schemas and examples of wiring different sizes of houses, as well as picture explanations of the rules.

From todays Charente Libre: Earthquake Richter 4.2, epicentre 18km NE of Cognac. Heck of a bang here in Aigre, thought there was an explosion nearby!

Computers should always be supplied with power via a protective device i.e. a multiway with line, telephone etc protected. Belkin do various types, multimedia or audiovisual, and each comes with insurance, if the protection fails and your computer fries, they replace! Don't know if this applies to the person operating at time of strike[+o(]

Once every 30 years.....the next 30 years starts tomorrow....

www.cedeo.fr have an electronic bathroom catalogue (bottom of page). Look on page 161 for showers with hidden plumbing.

Try www.conrad.fr they are a good componant sales site, if you need one of the tiddy switches about 5mm square, I've seen them in their catalogue, so should be on web site I've probably got one in one of my junk boxes in the sous-sol!

I bought a couple of these as I was renovating our bathroom and the sink wastes did not line up with the old pipes. Spent ages trying to make them fit, in the end used a couple of 135 deg bends and a short straight bit on each sink outlet. Anyone think of a use for two flexible wastes (32mm).......................

Also interesting is, whilst watching 'Le Tour', seeing helicopter views of notable buildings, chateaux etc and observing non fenced swimming pools......

If you are living on savings, unless your cash is under the mattress, then you will be receiving interest from your invested money. The french tax man will be interested in this.....so a tax return is a must.

Don't forget, you can get a new lock barrel assembly with keys without having to change any other part of the door closure system.

Intermediate facture: bills are sent out half yearly, one with a meter reading, one intermediate, a guesstimate. Just had our inter, not a bad guess, just a lot of money! Even if you have arranged to pay by direct debit, the first bill must be paid by cheque, I fell foul of this one and earned a 10% addition for assuming D/D was all set to go! You pay for the standing charge, (your branchment) and then for water used (as shown by compteur). There is, on my bill, some small sum for anti pollution. For those enquiring souls who ask after costs of living in France: 6 months water, 49 M3, supply and mains drains charges = €266, in rural Charente.

There is a loud chorus of frogs and crickets for our evening garden entertainment....and we have had a neighbour's randy ducks chasing each other round our garden earlier. They borrow our pond in the spring for their private use but go back home for the rest of the year.

French 'kingsize' mattresses are 160 cm wide, whilst the English version is 60 inches. i.e. about 4 inches narrower! If you use english sheets on a french mattress it'll be a tight fit

Looking to put a chalet in our garden - a building of under 20 m2 can be done with a declaration de traveaux, anything over 20 m2 (gross - includes roof overhang) has to have a full permis and all that entails. I would think a <20 m2 could be used casually without too much fuss - providing one did not make it too obvious!!!