Punch
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Posts posted by Punch
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>http://www.meteo.fr/meteonet/temps/france/clim/cli.htm
>Alcazar posted this link in an
>old Central France thread, it
>seems to be the best
>there is.
Yes it is a good site but it seems to only cover Departments, Regions or the larger towns.
A site I prefer if you want a more precise 5 day forecast for your local village is this site which allows you to enter the name of a village.
http://www.meteoconsult.fr/
Paul
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>We are moving over to the
>Lyon region next summer with
>our 3 children (9,7 &
>3). They will go to
>the local French schools and
>we intend to try to
>fully integrate. We are all
>learning the language at the
>moment.
>In people's experience would it be
>a good or bad idea
>to have satellite TV over
>there so that they can
>still watch all their favourite
>programmes.(we do not have it
>at the moment but might
>invest if it will do
>no harm!)
>
>Piddy.
Hi Piddy,
We resisted English TV for 8 months and then just had to have it as French TV for children is dire and consists mainly of cartoons.
We've been here five years now and my children are perfectly fluent in French. You will find their English will slip a little unless you teach them some yourselves, and we find letting them watch TV in English does help back up our teaching to an extent.
We let them watch Blue Peter, Animal hospital, Art Attack, and Newsround to name a few, and if you subscribe to the minimum Sky subscription there are a host of other informative channels (history geography etc) for when they get older.
Regards,
Paul
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>We cancelled our child benefit from
>the U.K. when we moved
>to France.
>As we are living off earnings
>at the moment neither of
>us have jobs & so
>are not making contributions.
>We do have health cover with
>the CPAM (don't know if
>this is related)
If you are subscribed and contributing to the CPAM and you have given up UK beneits, you are definetely entitled to child benefit here in France. You may be asked (as we were) for a letter from the UK benefits agency showing that you have relinquished your rights to Uk benefit before they will pay you. We receive considerably less for two children, than we did years ago in the UK, however I believe that above three children the amount becomes more than the Uk.
Regards,
Paul
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>Has anybody ever succesfully logged out
>?
>
>Not the end of the World
>but just curious
Yes I've just logged out no problem.
TeamedUp - If you tick the box below your user name and password that says something like "remember me next visit", then you won't have to log on each time.
Regards,
Paul -
>Anyone successfully set up their micro
>entreprise without having to take
>the 5-day course? I object
>to doing it after spending
>12 years running a successful
>hotel business, having a certificate
>in book-keeping and wanting to
>run a simple knitting/sewing business
>from home!
I obtained a dispensation from doing the course as I could prove I had owned and operated a business for over 20 years in the Uk beforehand, and had a very good French accountant.
regards,
Paul -
LAST EDITED ON 30-Apr-03 AT 05:27 AM (GMT)
LAST EDITED ON 30-Apr-03 AT 05:24AM (GMT)
>we know that we should use
>a workman with a siret
>number but does this only
>prove that he is registered
>or does it also prove
>that he is qualified to
>do the work? Does it
>give any guarantee?
It proves he/she is registered if the Siret number is correct, but will give no guarrantees or assurances of the quality of work. This can only be achieved if you ask for proof of the artisans decenelle and resposabilite civile insurance and also obtain references if you can. You can check out a SIREN number on this site here; http://www.cofacerating.fr/portail/recherche_entreprise_inter/recherche_entreprise.asp?IP=ECHOS
You can use my number for a test if you want which is 434247433
To get a SIRET/SIREN number for the building trades you have to prove your competences to the Chambre des Metiers. Some are more strict than others. It took me 6 months and a lot of hassle to get mine as I have qualifiications/competences in more than one trade but I am glad they gave me a grilling. It is much different in the Uk where Fred the postman can set up as Frank the electrician overnight without having any checks made.
Paul
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>Am I missing something here with
>French electrics? That appears
>awfully like saying its OK
>to strap three phases together
>thereby shorting out 415 volts.
>
>
>Seems to me thats a recipe
>for as a minimum a
>big flash and bang and
>your breaker falling off the
>wall, or at the worse
>serious burns, eye damage and
>a potential fire.
Yes you are right of course, the explosion would be quite nasty. I have been on the end of a 3 phase short circuit which vaporised a large screwdriver in no time as well as making me blind for half an hour!
It is often the case that the EDF will strap these three phase cables together when they convert you to single phase from three phase, so the article probably meant that.
Paul -
>If we don't put a soil
>pipe vent in, then is
>there a danger of buildup
>of fumes like in the
>Uk, or is this only
>because of being on main
>sewage in the UK? what
>happens to the build up
>of fumes here then?
Every fosse septique should have a primary ventilation taken above roof level from the main inlet pipe to the fosse, which can be a continuation of the soil pipe to above roof level. ALSO every fosse should have a secondary ventilation pipe taken as close as possible to the outlet pipe of the fosse. This is very important especially with concrete fosses. The gases that build up need to be vented and will often rot and weaken the concrete and cause them to collapse if not vented. I have recently dealt with two cases of this happening and the only solution was to replace the fosses as they had literally collapsed in. Some fosses have this secondary ventil;ation built into the lids or the tank itself.
Regards,
Paul
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>I am wiring my houses at
>the moment. One has three
>bathrooms. I know a bathroom
>need a special supply but
>can I run more than
>one bathroom from that supply...
>Trying to keep the fuse
>numbers down.
There is nothing in the regs that says a bathroom needs a special supply. There are certainly special regulations for number of lights, sockets per circuit and bathrooms though, such as the Volumes 0,1,2& 3 in a salle d'eau.
Can you be more specific in eactly what you mean?
Paul
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>Does anyone know (I mean know
>- not an opinion) if
>an 18KV three phase Option
>Tempo supply setting is 6KV
>per phase or 18 total?
It is Both! The three phase supply will give you a maximum of 6KVA on each phase and neutral circuit, total 18KVA. The problem with this is that you will,have to balance your phases carefully as if you pass over 6KVA on any phase you will trip out.
A single phase supply will not trip out untill you reach 18KVA so always try to get single phase.
Paul
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>Does anyone (Punch, are you there?!)
>know how long French electrics
>will last? Does 25
>years sound like a good
>time to rip them out
>whilst I have the chance?
It is difficult to comment withot seeing the installation.
PVC wiring will last a long time, but generally after a period such as this, most installations have been added to or extended, and will need bringing up to sctatch, especially in terms of earthing, and protection at the fuseboard. If you have two pin sockets without the centre earth pin then I would say you need a rewire.
If everything is in good order then it is sometimes possible to rectify the existing installation, but in most cases this would prove to be uneconomical and a rewire would be the best option.
The way to look at it is once it is done, it is done for good.
Paul -
>Can anyone confirm what colour the
>electric cables should be in
>a switch circuit (i.e. in
>a hall where upstairs and
>downstairs switches turn the same
>light on and off).
Any colour really except blue or greem/yellow. Usually I would wire the two "strappers" on a 2 switching circuit in the same colour ie; orange or brown. I always keep live feeds as reds and returns to switches in either black, brown, or orange
regards,
Paul -
>When I check out the Bricos
>and DIY shops in my
>local area (Limoges)either they don't
>sell the products named on
>these boards, or I can't
>find whether the products they
>DO sell contain lime (if
>that's what the product needs
>to contain to repoint pierres)
>or any other necessary chemicals.
There are regional variations so not all products either go by the same name are available in all parts of France.
>Furthermore, when I look at the
>Weber-Broutin website I can't find
>any reference to chau de
>nau, which was the french
>translation for lime given in
>another post.
Neau is a village close to here in Mayenne. It has a huge lime (Chaux) quarry which is exported to many parts of France so this is a regional thing.
>1. what french term should I
>use for lime if I
>am trying to mix my
>own repointing mortar with products
>direct from the builders yard?
Chaux, also available called Tradifarge. Tradifarge should be available most places as it is made by Lafarge. Mix it three to one with sand. Add a mortar plasticiser and/or hydrofuge but I wouldn't recommend washing up liquid. We often use the above mix but every macon has his own recipe.
>2. if I cannot obtain Procalit
>or the other product mentioned
>on these boards (I think
>it was Parexi), then what
>should I use?
Yes Parex and Procalit should both be available but there are different versions so you really need to ask your supplier.
The advantage of these products is they are not only lime based but also have additives that make the product impermeable. The other huge advantage is that colour will always match and you can leave an area and continue it on your next visit. I find procalit easier to use than Parex.
If you have a large area to do then you could, as already suggested mix chaux with three parts sand and then add a hydrofuge. It is absolutely essential to order in enough sand to cover the whole job and also mix in the same quantities accurately or you will get an uneven colour once dry.
>3. are the products terralit and
>pascalit made by weber-broutin suitable
>for repointing pierres, and if
>I cannot obtain these two
>products what can I use
>instead??
Get yourself a W& B catalogue. Each product is clearly explained with which purpose it is suitable for. Many of these products are external renders made to be applied by machine.
If you want a ordinary ciment colour rather than a light shade that all the above products will give, then use a ciment with lime already added. One such product we use in the business is called Multibat - an excellent ciment for blockwork, ridge tiles, and pointing where a ciment colour is required. It is also good for ciment renders.
I hope the above is of some help.
regards,
Paul -
>In cases where the electrics are
>not up to standard i
>wondered if the EDF can
>connect a temporary supply to
>enable power tools etc to
>work in order to 'camp'
>in the house while things
>are repaired?
Yes this is possible, you need to ask the EDF for an "alimentation provisoire" or "alimentation chantier".
If you aqlready have a working meter and supply from the EDF then the above is not required. In this case I would advise you to disconnect the whole existing installation and just connect up your own tempoary fuseboard with a couple of sockets attached and a interupteur differentielle, then you can work safely. Unfortunately you are to far away for us to help but any electrician should be able to organise this quite simply.
Regards,
Paul
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LAST EDITED ON 18-Mar-03 AT 04:28 AM (GMT)
This sounds like the water heater has got excessive scale build up which is restricting flow. If it is the type with the element directly in contact with the water (blind), then it will have to be drained down and cleaned out.
It could also be the cold inlet valve or "groupe de securit" which has become restricted. The drain valve should be actuated at least once or twice a year to keep it clean - most people rarely ever do this.
If there are no filters in the pipework or at the taps it is also feasible that some scale or debris has been mislodged and is restricting the flow somwhere.
Unless you are confident I would call in a local plumber, as there are several possible causes. If you are confident enough and have the tools then I would start by checking the pressure of the incoming cold feed, and then bypassing the heater by linking this pipe to the hot outlet pipe to see if this improves flow.
regards,
Paul -
I would generally agree with the majority of posts here, but would not recommend using any Uk sourced equipment or materials. It was only a few months ago that Dubna was recommending everyone to use twin and earth cable amongst other things on these forums.
No offence Dubna but I am registered here and know what the consuel expect and what they don't allow. Things do vary of course like everything in France but when in Rome...
regards,
paul -
I have a friend who has just had a heart bypass in France. It was done about a week after they discovered his minor artery repair had failed. It is different however for him as he lives here and is in the French system. He is in the hospital at Caen and won't be out this side of christmas. I think that you would have to be referred by your Uk GP for a chance of having the Op over here.
Paul
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>Hi
>
>what's the cheapest way to get
>500
>from a UK bank into a
>French account?
>
>Thanks
>
>
>DB
Use the CO-OP banks Tipa- Net service. It costs 8 and you get the interbank exchange rate. I've never had any charges at the French end and it takes usually around 4 days to arrive.
Alternatively withdraw the cash on your credit card and pay it into your bank. This can be quite cost effective for the amount you mentioned.
Regards,
Paul
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LAST EDITED ON 15-Oct-02 AT 04:45 AM (GMT)
>It has a thermostat so
>I suppose we could leave
>it switched on with a
>low temperature setting.
The best advice is to find a neighbour or caretaker who can look after the place and check the electricity. You cannot rely on electrical timers or frost themostats alone in France due to power cuts and storms.
>I don't really fancy draining the
>system and the cold water
>supply etc. We dont
>really know what the winters
>are like in this region.
I would prefer to do this than face the consequences. Around 8 years ago much or northen France was hit with -15C one winter!
regards,
Paul
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>Hello all
>
>Can anyone confirm how to write
>E386.03 in words in French
>on a cheque? I
>think it's 'Trois cents et
>quatre-vingt-six euros, trois cents' -
>is this right?
Hi, I would take out the "et" , otherwise it's correct.
Regards,
Paul
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>The first says "PREL.CSCA CONFORT
>ECT D.IMM" (for 7,20) and
>the second says "PRELEVEMENT ADI
>PARTICULIER" (for 0,23). Can
>anyone throw any light on
>these please?
The first one looks like some form of standing order for internet banking or a similar monthly service. I can't help you with the second one, only that it is a prelevement so you would have signed to allow for it. What bank are you with?
Paul
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>Friends of ours have been informed
>officially by their notaire that
>only the factures of French
>SIRET-holders will now be accepted
>as expenses when calculating the
>capital gains tax liability on
>sale of anyone who has
>not been resident for 5
>years.
Great news! It will help stop the greedy ones buying, bodging up and selling on for a huge profit.
>The principle of taking the cost
>of materials bought in France,
>and adding a percentage (like
>2.5 x) for self-supplied labour,
>will no longer be permitted.
> This, of course, will
>make a huge difference to
>all those people who have
>genuinely "done-it-themselves" to improve their
>property, to the detriment of
>their ability to move on.
This should now be a calculated item in the purchase thought process.
This is great news to all bona fide registered businesses here in France. It will also help us to be more competitive against the unregistered workers who can always undercut us as they don't have the same charges to pay.
>It would not be legal to exclude bills from companies in other >EU countries merely because they are not French.
Nothing new here. France has always ignored EU rules to suit itself. I personally think that France has got it right in the way the construction industry workers are regulated, ie; individual registration.
In the UK, Pat the postman could become Bob the builder at the weekend if he wanted to quite legally, this is not the case here. In over twenty years of running a UK business, I was never once asked by a customer to prove my qualifications.In two years registered here I'm been asked for details all the time.
Paul
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It's not the first time. When the forum closed down last year my number of forum postings had drastically reduced !
Paul
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>If i obtained E106 cover,for say
>2 years .does this also
>cover my spouse to enable
>us both to get our
>carte de sejour.can anyone help
It used to but I believe that mjc is correct in saying that soon an E106 will be required for each member of a family.
Paul
Looking for appt. in the 15th
in Paris Ile de France
Posted
>Alcazar posted this link in an
>old Central France thread, it
>seems to be the best
>there is.
Yes it is a good site but it seems to only cover Departments, Regions or the larger towns.
A site I prefer if you want a more precise 5 day forecast for your local village is this site which allows you to enter the name of a village.
http://www.meteoconsult.fr/
Paul