Mike1958

Many thanks, seems to be working this morning however I will check the settings again. Regards, Mike

Can anyone help!! Having spoken to others with Wanadoo accounts they have experienced similar problems. I use outlook and have 3 mail accounts set up. For the majority of the time all 3 are working OK. I do not use Wanadoo's own programms as I prefer to use outlook for mail and explorer for my browser. However the problem now is that when trying to send email an "insert your user name and password" dialogue box appears. I do not use this and cant give the correct answer so I just give up. Usually after a day or so it reverts to normal and I can send OK. Am I missing something or is this a common Wanadoo problem? Many thanks in anticipation, Mike www.peak-times.com

I have a France Telecom line that uses the 3103 messaging service, however can anyone advise whether there is an equivelent of the who called service 1571?   Many thanks, Mike www.peak-times.com  

Daft question but does anyone know of a good national chain of shops that sell auto parts similar to Halfords? Many thanks, Mike

Its a French registered Land Rover, I am assuming that if I had UK plates I probably wouldnt have been stopped.  

We have had our house here in the Pyrenees for over two years however have only been here full time for a week or so. This afternoon I was pulled over (along with a few others) by the Gendarmes who promptly fined me 90 euro for failing to stop at a stop sign. I didnt argue but was under the impression that the particular junction was a filter (my mistake). The reason for the post is that the GD stated that had I had a French license I would have also been docked 4 points, which probably is a good reason not to change over to a French license. An expensive lesson in the French rules of the road. Regards, Mike www.peak-times.com

Many thanks for all the comments, I will take them on board of course. Many apologies for the delay in responding however we are now living here permanently and have only just managed to set up our broadband connection (my fault as I lost my password letter). Regards, Mike

I am at a loss at why I cannot seem to get listed in Google. I use similar coding (meta tags, description and keywords) to those listed on the first page but have not been listed and have been trying for over 3 months. I regularly update my site and have tried to include the right mix of keywords in the key pages to still no joy. We have managed to get front page listings on MSN and Yahoo so we must be doing something right. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Regards, Mike www.peak-times.com  

I know this is probably a difficult question but I will ask it anyway. Would anyone be able to give me a rough idea of what I should expect to pay for scaffolding the front and sides of a 3 storey house. And can you advise how charges are made, i.e. is it by the day/week etc or do you pay a one off fee for supply, erection and dismantling.   Many thanks. Mike www.peak-times.com  

Many thanks Cassis, I will certainly try that route. I dont mind risking my own neck but I want to make sure any guest is adequately covered.

Many thanks, I took the plunge and purchased a low mileage Defender from a company near Toulouse (Autoland) who will also provide a number of quotes for "tout risque" business cover, which I will compair against others from AGF or Groupama. Regards, Mike

Can anyone recommend a policy that provides full comprehensive insurance that will also cover the liability for transporting guests. I will be setting up a CDH/Ski business this winter and would like to ensure that we have a solid insurance policy. Our vehicle will be a 110 Land Rover Defender. Any advice will be appreciated. Mike

We currently have our house insured but with only limited contents as we are not yet in permanent residence.In August/September we will be moving out full time and need to have a comprehensive insurance policy that not only covers our home but also our guests. Can anyone please advise of either a specialist policy or recommend a policy that will cover a CDH operation with up to 10 guests.   Any advice would be appreciated. Mike

There is a English speaking Notaire not far from St Gaudens who we used (we are in Luchon 31), and was very pleased with. If he is not to far for you his email address is listed below: Regards, Mike Pour contacter Me Pierre DHERS Notaire : [email protected] Etude de Me Pierre DHERS et Me Marie-Hélène MIQUEL-DHERS Notaires Associés Rue du Corps Franc Pommiès BP 10 65230 CASTELNAU MAGNOAC Tél : 05 62 99 80 08 Fax : 05 62 99 81 31    

I have a problem with smoke seeping into a 2nd floor bedroom (at floor level) from the chimney. I have had a local sweep have a look but he did not believe there was anything that he could do. I am looking at a liner option with an aim of having a woodburner installed (though it would have to be fairly small as the grate is only small). Any recommendations would be appreciated (we are approx 30 minutes from St Gaudens). Regards, Mike  

[quote user="Lassie"] The 25% tax credit does reduce the cost somewhat [/quote] I am currently looking at a new boiler (Viessmann) and new hot water tank combination which will come in at somewhere near 8000 euro. My question is: The house is only a second residence at the moment and is not let or rented therefore I do not pay any form of tax, however can I still claim a tax credit for works completed this year after this financial year is over? Regards, Mike

I have just gone through the Espace Services section on the EDF website and hopefully paid my bills online for the first time. As with the Tax d'F and Tax d'H it was fairly easy to do. My only concern is that (I may have misunderstood this) it seems that in my email acknowledgement that they are asking me to print off and post a copy of the RIB to my local bank. If this is the case I may have just posted back a signed RIB in the first place. Have I got this wrong? Regards, Mike www.peak-times.com  

Superb, Many thanks for the quick response, I would like to keep the guy for future work therefore I will fill it in and get in back to him soonest. Regards,   Mike  

I have just had a new fuse board fitted by a local electrician who both responded quickly and has (on the face of it) done a good job. His wife came around with the facture which had the incorrect address (a new one will be forthcoming) and also a form labelled "Attestation" which I believe I have to complete. It seems to be a basic form where I am being asked to state that it is my house and that I have lived there or owned the property for more than two years. My translation may be flawed , however I was wondering if anyone else had been asked to complete a similar form and what is its purpose.   Many thanks, Mike www.peak-times.com  

I am going through the same process but a stage at a time. Our French electrician (who turned a funny shade of green when he saw our fuse board) is currently replacing the fuse box (approx 1000 euros) and has suggested rewiring a room at a time when we renovate/re-decorate. One question: if using a UK electrician (even if following French regs) how do you get a certificate of conformity for the work if an artisan isnt employed. Would this not affect insurance and the abilty to resell? I also agree with the earlier comment that though the charges are higher, you rarely see any artisan driving around in a flash car or living in a flash house. Fortunately at the moment we are still living and working in the UK so can just about find the additional money for this type of work (we need a new boiler also) but I doubt once we move permanently that we will have the spare capital for any major works after the tax man takes his dues.   Regards, Mike www.peak-times.com  

Many thanks, upon reflection I am almost certain that we did the same last year. Age and brain cells failing are beginning to take their toll. We are in the Pyrenees and the snow is now beginning to fall..... Hopefully it will be a white one  

We will be driving overnight on the 23rd to arrive into Toulouse on the morning of the 24th and would like to know whether we can expect the hypermarkets to be open as I know Christmas Eve is an important day in France. Many thanks, Mike  

We were lucky enough to watch the tour pass through our town this year and seem to have hit lady luck again for next year as the stage actually starts in our town this time on Friday the 14th of July. If it is anything like last year it will be a great event especially as our house is only 100 meters from the main street. Luchon (31) is a great place to be when the sun is shining and the wine is flowing Regards, Mike

I have a problem with render behind a drain pipe which has previously leaked. The render has peeled away from the wall leaving it exposed and the area looking a mess. This is a surface coating on a smooth outer wall. My question is: 1. Is there a specific french brand/material that I should use to patch up. The render looks like a thick paint rather than a skim of cement/traditional render (in white)? 2. To avoid the render peeling off in the future should I use a strong PVA mix to bond onto? Many thanks, Mike

I have just received my first Tax Foncieres bill (sent to the UK) whcih was a bit of a shock. I had put a finger in the air sum of 1000 euro in my budget  but it has come in quite a bit more. My questions are: 1. As i only use the house for holidays am i entitled to a discount (2nd home) 2. Is there an ability to pay monthly rather than annually 3. Where does the base figure come from (the actual amount payable is a percentage of this) Regards,   Mike