Monika

[quote]No web address if you're uploading from your PC; its a choice of either a web address or a file on your pc. Either way, you then need to click on the 'update' button in the bottom right corner.[/quote] I just had another try: It keeps on saying page cannot be displayed (or similar). Tried it through the Website given by Living France. I wonder if it worked, it did say: successful!!

[quote]Did you tick the box to automatically resize the avatar? If not, it may not have worked because the picture may be too big. It has to be 80 x 80 pixels and checking that checkbox will resize any pi...[/quote] Hi Debra, I must be doing something wrong: Do I need to put a web address in? I press BROWSE then click on the picture on my file which I want and then a file name appears, the size is already ticked, so what next? Thank you for your help.

[quote]There is a choice to display a pic from a web site or upload one from your pc. In control panel, 'upload avatar' or 'upload photo' allows you to browse and load one up straight from your pc. The pho...[/quote] This post is to thank you for your advice and also to see if it works. If not I may have done something wrong or not pressed the right button and I will come back to you if I may.

[quote]OK, I've done mine for you. But I forgot to put my shoe size.... it's 8.5.[/quote] Now John, that's how I like it, everybody should do their Member Profile like that, because I want to know who I am talking to.

[quote]What ******'n Control Panel, haven't seen mine since my last temp file clearance, tried all the suggested cures no joy so I've given up trying to get it back its just not worth it[/quote] But at least you have a Membership Profile, so I know a little bit about you, where you live etc. (however not your shoe size, I have now only John's)

Being a typical inquisitive woman I urge all members of the Forum to fill in their Personal Information via the Control Panel. It is really sad, if I click on the name and then there is no information about that person available, mind you I have only done mine today!! 

I thought this reply from Catalpa in the section House Renovation was most useful and might help you: Did you get any of these dates in writing? If so, you're got something to beat them around the head with. If you didn't get the start date in writing, get another date - even if it is verbal - and then write to them confirming the verbal date. Send the letter registered mail (I think it is - in France - recommande avec avis) and the avis bit is a receipt, signed by the recipient, which is returned to you. So you know the company has received your letter the date of delivery - and the artisan knows you know this too! It appears that companies take this as an indication you're now serious about getting the work done and commit to the date. This is the route we've taken to getting work progressed over the past 3 months and it has worked for us. Although it seems an insanely difficult thing to demand upfront, I cannot over-recommend getting a finish date set in writing or handwritten and initialled by the artisan on the devis. Start dates are nice but are almost irrelevant - if 3 days work is fitted in over 6 months. Get a finish date in writing - which will (usually!) be met.

[quote]That's great thanks .. does your neighbour know if that applies to lakes as well? Plus, do you know if that means you don't need a licence? Ta[/quote] I would not think you need a licence as he did not mention it. But I will ask him via e-mail and about the lakes. But he usually takes quite some time to answer!!

[quote]This is my understanding of the rules: When planning permission is granted, the Mairie puts up a public notice to that effect and you are obliged to display a huge panel at the site with information o...[/quote] Thank you Roger, I am sure I have read these rules before but I could just not remember exactly how they were. I can sleep tonight!

This is a totally paranoid and hypothetical question but could be interesting: Our Planning Permission has been granted to extend and renovate a small barn in February.  They have started with the work on the 23rd of July (stopping on the 5th of August for their annual holidays). Now, we have two new sets of neighbours, since the planning permission was granted. One English, who own all the land around us and one French. The English are great "nature lovers" and the French will be overlooked by us via one window in the roof. ? Could they appeal against the planning permission at this stage? "Sleepless in Normandy"

What is better as Members of the Property Owners Travel Club, to book early or late. Going across this week, we were told that no special deals nor discounts for above are available? We are going over again end of September.  Any advice would be appreciated.

What is better as Members of the Property Owners Travel Club, to book early or late. Going across this week, we were told that no special deals nor discounts for above are available? We are going over again end of September.  Any advice would be appreciated.

[quote]Hi there, I'm seriously thinking about buying a kayak or canoe. Does anyone know if it's possible to just turn up at lakes or the sea and get your kayak out .. do you need a licence or something .. ...[/quote] I now have it "straight from the horses mouth" i.e. from our french neighbour who is in charge of two rivers in Orne. You can launch your canoes/kayaks on any river, as long as you don't do it over private land but in a public area. The river belongs to the public that is, if you row across a private section the water belongs to you, the river bed to the private owner.

So Ron according to my math 120 square meters would cost about 15'000 Euros? So our quote seems to be about right?

[quote]Hi Can anyone give us a rough guide as to how much we should expect to pay by the m2 for re-roofing. This would include materials (all the carpentry and the slates - there is no roof at all currentl...[/quote] Our quote was as follows: To remove existing roof covering To create complete new roof as per plans to include: Terracota tiles, Stainless steel clips and zinc guttering and down pipes Euros 15'725. (excluding TVA of 5.5 %). Hope this helps.  

[quote]The going rate for contract gardeners in my area of 24 is between 15 - 20 euros an hour. The figure Ian has mentioned seems a tad steep. 11 hours to cut his grass, blimey you must have some acreage. ...[/quote] I agree with you Logan. It is nice to keep one day a week "holy". Having lived in Switzerland I know that on Sundays and on Fete days you must never: do any mowing or strimming no hanging out washing no loud music (My mother even says a farmer who works on a Sunday will have bad luck on his farm and seeds sown on Sunday will not grow, however a long bad weather period wards off any spell!!!) I also like the custom of shops being closed on a Sunday and Fete day and for Lunch in Switzerland and France, may it long continue.      

Our builders (French) took ages to start and are snowed under with work (Suisse Normande). I think the "pages jaunes" are a good idea, I always look in there when I want something, also a small Ad in the Living France or FPN (that's how we found our Project Manager). I would be grateful if you send me a PM with your address (if you live anywhere near us) although most of our work now is allocated I am sure we need somebody later on to finish off things we can't do. We also have neighbours who are always looking for builders/carpenters.  

[quote]There are several places on the way from Calais (and points west) to Switzerland on www.ourinns.org (which contains details of the places of most of the regular contributors to this forum). Arno...[/quote] Thank you Arnold: That is a very useful site and easy to use. In the mean time I have also found a site in the FPN www.anglofrenchbedandbreakfast. So we have a good choice.

We are looking for a Chambre d'hôtes or B & B on our way to Switzerland end of September and on the way back.  We don't mind to make a little detour to get to it. Our planned route is: Orleans, Nevers, Autun, Beaune.... Or does anybody know of a good Internet site where I could find a place. I rather book in advance.

[quote]Go to control panel, then avatar/photo image. It may not work with some browsers (i.e. something other than a recent version of internet explorer).[/quote] Will: Thank you for that, but don't I need to send my picture to a Web-site first as I don't have one myself? Do you know of a web-site where I could "dump" my picture?

We are going over to France to visit our Building site. The maçons are off on holiday, but have done a good job after a very slow start. We would like to leave some wine and a note for them in the Barn. Is this a good idea? If yes, what wine do the French like? How many bottles? And what (encouragement)could I write on the note to keep them working???  

I am sure this question has been asked before: But may I ask it again: How do I get a picture under my name?

We had a good experience of France in August as well: Waited since April for maçons to arrive to start on our extentions, had several dates during May, June and July. They arrived in the last week of July and left the building site on the 5th of August for their annual holiday having completed the ground work and the wall up to the windows. Who says nobody works in August? 

Have booked with BF Fast Ferry from Poole to Cherbourg for the Sunday 21st Aug. coming back 23rd Aug. There were no Property Owners discounts available nor any Special Offers and we are paying £270 (taking a very small car/1 passenger). But then I did not query it as it is the height of season and I suppose they have to make money now as in the winter there are plenty of offers available and the ferries half empty.

[quote]We too are seriously considering taking up this pastime, does anyone know where you can get good deals for either kayaks or canoes in France (area 16). Or does anyone have a decent second hand one fo...[/quote] I am just trying to get this topic to the top of the queue again as we are also interested in buying a canoe for the River Orne (16). We also wondered: Can you launch it from anywhere (obviously not private land)? We would like to buy one which we also can use in the sea. Any recommendations?