Markradland
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Everything posted by Markradland
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Brittany Ferries strikes on horizon
Markradland replied to Val_2's topic in Travelling to/from France
I had the joy of waiting to catch my ferry as a foot passenger on Thursday whilst they were taking their vote to strike. Back to my house (60 miles) along with 2 others I picked up at the port. Early Friday I phoned and received no relevant information. Later I phoned, by chance, to be told they would take foot passengers to Cherbourg so stop lunch, close up etc. within 20 minutes and back to the port. Brittany Ferries provided a coach to Cherbourg and a basic hotel overnight. Saturday we had to get a taxi to the terminal for the Condor sailing which was understandably very busy. A coach was provided at the other end to Plymouth. Whilst I am pleased with the effort made to get us home, it still took three days and quite a lot of incidental expenses. I have kept some of the receipts and will see if they will recompense at least some of them. I am sympathetic to workers being able to strike but do not agree with the wildcat nature which I do not think would be possible in Britain under current law. Crossing many times each year between Plymouth and Roscoff I would be devastated if the firm went into bankruptcy. Mark -
Brittany Ferries strikes on horizon
Markradland replied to Val_2's topic in Travelling to/from France
I had the joy of waiting to catch my ferry as a foot passenger on Thursday whilst they were taking their vote to strike. Back to my house (60 miles) along with 2 others I picked up at the port. Early Friday I phoned and received no relevant information. Later I phoned, by chance, to be told they would take foot passengers to Cherbourg so stop lunch, close up etc. within 20 minutes and back to the port. Brittany Ferries provided a coach to Cherbourg and a basic hotel overnight. Saturday we had to get a taxi to the terminal for the Condor sailing which was understandably very busy. A coach was provided at the other end to Plymouth. Whilst I am pleased with the effort made to get us home, it still took three days and quite a lot of incidental expenses. I have kept some of the receipts and will see if they will recompense at least some of them. I am sympathetic to workers being able to strike but do not agree with the wildcat nature which I do not think would be possible in Britain under current law. Crossing many times each year between Plymouth and Roscoff I would be devastated if the firm went into bankruptcy. Mark -
I bought the devolo dlan 200 AV wireless N starter kit. Despite the reviews about the product which say it is easy to set up, it was a nightmare. The wireless is very effective but it has taken me hours to get the laptop to accept the code from the product. I have given up with my phone. The on-line handbook is 57 pages of gobblygook (to me). Mark
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I have had many scam e-mails from all sorts of banks which generally go into my junk box. However today I recieved an e-mail, from Paypal, addressed to me by name and telling me that my credit card had been removed. It looked VERY realistic and I tried to log in. Fortunately my security software saved me and I then sent the e-mail to Paypal and deleated it.Please be aware. Mark
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Free or cheap as chips kindle books
Markradland replied to darty's topic in NEW - Money Saving Expat
You could look on e-bay. Large numbers of very cheap books. I am sure many are within copyright even although they claim to be legal. I bought a disc with 5000+ books for a few quid. I was pleased with the selection although some of the scanned books are difficult to read due to poor scanning technique. -
Hi Woolybanana, My wife has been researching just this, though not gone ahead yet. Her plan is to publish in MOBI, EPUB and PDF on her own website - annmade.co.uk under a 'books' tab to cover downloads for the kindle, the Sony, the Nook and straight computers, then publish with kindle on amazon. Here are a few notes she has picked up. 1 Check where you are publishing from. The UK is ok as you can get the 70% to you and 30% to Amazon deal - but France does not get that at the moment (see list on https://kdp.amazon.com/self-publishing/help?topicId=A30F3VI2TH1FR8 ) 2, it is so important ot get your work proofed by someone else - someone who knows how to proof read*. Many ebook customers post complaints about poorly proofed work * this is what she is getting sorted now. 3, read the formatting guide and watch out for the automtic formatting - apparently it doesn't always translate well into kindle (so others say - not tried yet) https://kdp.amazon.com/self-publishing/help/ref=hp_kdp_formats_navbox?topicId=A2V645S25NG1WN and https://kdp.amazon.com/self-publishing/help?topicId=A2RYO17TIRUIVI For an amazing true story of self publishing ebooks see this blog... you'll have to go right back to the beginning to see how she did it..http://amandahocking.blogspot.com/ Regards Mark
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NRJ Mobile Unlimited
Markradland replied to Markradland's topic in French Satellite TV, French Internet and Telephone
Thanks Chancer. They still work and I take care to make a call on them every four months to keep the number live. I only keep them for emergency use and have about 20 euros on each. Regards. Mark -
I leave the car for about a fortnight at a time, although it has been longer. As for recommendation; that would be more difficult. I use Greeen Flag as a European breakdown cover and therefore make sure that my car is less than ten years old. Personally I like popular estates; cheap to run and repair, as well as able to carry goods. Mark
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I leave a car just outside the ferry terminal all summer. It is, of course, properly taxed and insured; unlike many others parked there. When I first bought my house and wanted to travel about fifteen times a year as a foot passenger I E-mailed Brittany Ferries and asked if it was OK, and they said it was. I have not had a problem in six years. Regards Mark
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Liz I sailed on the Armorique last week. It is a lovely ship with plenty of comfortable seating and excellent cabins. There is no formal resaurant, but a good self service and a cafeteria. As for the 24 hour crossings; if you get the Cornish Guardian weekly paper you can get a cheap 24 hour crossing without handing in tokens. Use www.brittanyferries.co.uk/09cg1 before 2nd March. 2 people + car + cabin for £58, or with reclining seats for £40. Also be aware that you can spend up to 30 hours in France so could go on Wed. night and return Fri. afternoon. You can possibly also get a good deal with your Property Owners Club card for a 24 hour crossing. Regards Mark
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Power of Attorney Not in Place at Start of Sale?? Time Scale??
Markradland replied to Paul's topic in French Legal Issues
Paul We were in a similar situation six years ago here .The house we were after was being sold by an elderly lady and her son. The lady was in a home and had developed Alzheimer’s. The son had to apply to the courts for the French equivalent to a power of attorney and then had to go to court again to get permission to actually sell the house. All this took the better part of a year. We did not mind this as the price was fixed and it gave us more time to save up. Hope this helps. Regards Mark -
Dial-up internet service ?
Markradland replied to joidevie's topic in French Satellite TV, French Internet and Telephone
I have used Freesurf.fr for about six years. It was easy to set up and has never caused any problems. Regards Mark -
Sky in Black and White only.
Markradland replied to Markradland's topic in French Satellite TV, French Internet and Telephone
Thanks for all your replies. I will try your suggestions. Mark -
My earlier reply was not a response to woolybanana. Woolybananas comment slipped in whilst I was typing. Mark
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You will have no problems. I have done this twice. Regards Mark
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If I understand the correct type of parquet - Brico Depot sell it in oak at a very reasonable price. Regards Mark
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How long can buying a house in France take?
Markradland replied to Fifisoo's topic in Finding/Owning French Property
We took well over a year. In the first instance the negotiations took several months as the vendor wanted to sell part of the land as a separate building plot and we wanted to buy it as amenity land – and for amenity land price. Then the mother of the vendor who had to also sign had a form of Alzheimer’s so the son first had to go to court to be allowed to take over his mothers affairs and then a second court case was held for him to be allowed to sell the house. None of this mattered to us however, as we got the house for a good price and it gave us more time to save money. As long as you understand what is happening it is generally fairly smooth. Good luck. Mark -
Odd entries withinn my Credit Agricole statement: 1. Compt Service account : **COTISATION OFFRE CS CONFORT - Debit 7,80 Euros 2. Compt Livret account : VIR.CAPIT.INT.05BRUT – Credit 107,00 Euos Does anyone know what these are likely to be? I have had the account for about 6 years without any strange additions or subtractions. For the first I have not taken out any subscriptions that I can think of. For the second, it is unlikely to be interest unless Credit Agricole is now giving about 22% on their savings accounts- I should be so lucky. Thanks in advance for any suggestions, Mark
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Is it possible to have a British architect to sign off a ‘permis de construire? I want to convert a small single story, attached barn into a bedroom. This will be a straightforward job for me but will take me over the 170 metres square. I can do the drawings myself, and have an architect friend in England who could sign them, if permitted. The limited nature of the work would make the cost of a French architect disproportionately expensive. Unfortunately I cannot search the archives, as I cannot get the website search to work. My dial-up at home keeps timing out and the broadband at work does nothing when search button is pressed. Thanks Mark
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Thanks everone for your replies. I think I will have to get a neighbour to check after a storm. Mark