tony4

I`ve found that all the Velux products are cheaper in France than back in the UK. That includes brand new complete windows but also the blinds  and also spare parts:- I had to replace Glazing units in 2 standard GGL Velux and its was roughly double the price for them in the UK.  

thanks for the reply, what gas, solder did you use for the soldering??? Will the propane gas i use for soldering copper fittings here in the uk be ok?? I`ve asked my french neighbour about what to use for doing it but he said it was a bit of a specialised job and wasn`t sure, but i can`t see it being that difficult...

Basically i`m wanting to know how to solder/braze zinc gutters... I did a quick search but couldn`t find any info.... I installed the gutters last summer and used the jointing pieces that you seal with mastic but wasn`t too impressed with them and so am planning to do it properly next month when i`m out. What tools do i need and how difficult is it??

The way i`ve cleaned up all the oak beams in our property is just by using an orbital sander starting with heavy grade paper and then going down to a 80 grade - didn`t see any point in going finer than that. A wood chisel and electric planer also came in handy for certain bits. They were all then treated to 2 coats of xylophene ( termite protection).Then I used Bondex in the colour of Chene rustique and gave everything 2 coats. My French neighbour gave me the tip of once i got the oak beams to the colour/stain i was after i should change to Bondex Clear if i was wanting to re-coat anything - more comon sense than a tip but i hadn`t thought of it.

Hi, We live in a small village just outside Sancoins, not technically in the Allier but Lurcy Levis is about 15-20mins. We only really visit Lurcy for the Builders merchant ` Big Mat` as its the local one we prefer,  so not too sure whats else is in the immediate area. There is a weekly market in Sancoins every Wednesday, one of the largest in the area, typical local French market - not really a tourist thing but ideal if you`re after fresh produce. etc........ One restaurant that we visit, roughly 15, 20mins from Lurcy Levis is the Auberge "Le Chuchal " at Franchesse near Couleuvre. To give you an idea of price, last time we were there we had  Four courses including wine for six for 170 euros. It is worth going just to see the quality of the restoration work to the farmhouse. The evening we went to the Auberge, there were two other British families in the restaurant. We`ve been renovating a `old` fermette, and I stress the word old, since 2001 and usually are out for a min of 1month and up to 6 months of the year.. the main places we visit are: Nevers, Bourges, St Amand Montrond and Apremont -- on the way to Nevers for us, which is a `village de France` Not sure exactly the towns you know so won`t go on about them too much incase you`ve already visited most of them. Not on here every day, so if you respond to this don`t be too disheartened if we don`t reply straight away. bye for now. Tony & Ros.