Nick Trollope

I think that this is a general planning rule. Any contruction must be either on a or 3M from a boundary. And it does not apply to wholly above-ground pools - no planning regs do, as they are considered portable. The safety regs don't apply either.  

As I understand it, EDF would not have a problem reconecting this, at 20KW, so a simple lighting & power circuit. They would however, insist on a CONSUEL inspection before final connection. It wouldn't be too difficult to pass, especially if you keep it simple (earthing is important to them, so overdo it). A 20Kw supply standing charges will be high! You could, of course admit you are commercial. Then, at least you could offset 100% of your electricity costs against social charges.  

Many thanks both.

Are we allowed to use hidden (eg behind placo) junction boxes in a lighting circuit, say between the supply the switch and the load, or must the boxes be accesible, as in flush mount? Any sensible answers gratefully received (thanks in advance Paul).  

We have a couple bought from Logimarche for 211E each, and they work fine (albeit noisily). & if t'bggers fail, then, for 211E I'm not repairing them...

We have a well - which is just a plastic-lined hole about 30mm in diameter and about 20M deep. this produces more water than we can pump out of it and is used for plant & veg watering and last year to fill the pool. My local pharmacy tested the water (20E) and it is fine to drink. Biggest water storage system I can think of...  

Pierre is, of course, quite right, but if you do it in the open, and stay upwind you will be OK. Use an ordinary propane torch and tin/lead plumbers solder (which is still available!) and a good quality flux. Clean the surfaces well, flux and fit the joints, heat the joint sufficiently so that the solder melts WITHOUT the flame applied. Do not melt the solder directly in the flame, as the solder will not "flow" into the joint. HTH!  

Anything BOUGHT for use in the UK recently (say 10 years) will be CE marked, so OK in France too. The problem MAY come if/when it needs repair work CE marking is about European standards for emissions, safety and the like. It does not authorise use where a "higher" standard is required, such as BS (in the UK), NF (in France) etc. So, some (but not all) electrical equipment (eg.) will need a NF mark, for use in France, as it would need a BS kitemark for use in the UK. Or something like that. Certainly true about repairs, tho. However, who repairs a £10 toaster (or a 250E hob, for that matter)?  

Lime plaster is (as I understand it) made with hydraulic lime (not chaux), although I may be wrong.... Look at this site http://www.stastier.co.uk/ it takes some reading, but it may make sense....  

Our daughter has done it a few times. Never had problems finding a prking space. Not overly cheap (for a couple of weeks, it may be cheaper to put the car on the ferry). Bloke in the kiosk has a car starter for when idiot girl drivers leave their headlights on for a week..... Never had to use overflow, so can't comment. I doubt if your car is at any greater risk in this park than any other. Pompey isn't too bad crime-wise. The only real security solution is to leave the car in your garage & take the train.  

[quote]My first post ! Situation is that I have a mini-digger, purchased to use on our land/ barn renovation here in the Charente (much cheaper than hiring for long-term work). Am now looking to hire out ...[/quote] Hi I looked at doing exactly this last year, and I gave up on the idea because; a) I couldn't register the trailer for my 801 to enable it to tow it behind a French vehicle, so I would have needed to buy a new trailer. (Incedentally, a "normal" French driving licence, or a UK one issued after 1992, does not allow you to tow 2T on the public roads). b) Insurance was horrendously (3000+E/pa), this is additional to any "state" insurance payments. c) Disposing of spoil appears very difficult. d) Driving a JCB is great fun for the first 6 hours, messy and tedious after that.   However, social security payments are set at 3000E per annum (for the1st year) payable quarterly, with nothing payable until Q2. It appears that even this is negotiable, if eg. you are not earning anything. You can bypass the course, but it will probably be quicker to attend. I know a couple of Brits who, completely confused by the course walked out after 1/2 day, and noone cared. I doubt if they would accept runninga pub as being suitable business experience (for travaux public), the "systems" really are so different here. There is, however, plenty of work for mini-diggers (especially for those with dumpers and/or lorries) throughout France, which of course must tell you something. Don't expect to earn anything like as much as you could in the UK. Bon chance!      

[quote]During a discussion last night a topic relating to a friend of my son in law who lives in France and has an English right hand vehicle with English number plates. The discussion revolved around the f...[/quote] I reckon that both of you are right, and wrong... If "this friend" can arrange UK insurance & tax (by post) and MOT (by returning to the UK every year), then he can be legal in France - even if he lives here. If he can't arrange ALL of the above, then he can't, without registering said vehicle here. Easy!  

[quote]Here I saw a big French 4 x 4 the other day, it had massive iron bull bars welded to the front, but instead of loads of headlights on the bars, it had two ********s, one looked like an outcast, the ot...[/quote] Now, was that; Breasts or ******** or Penises or Testicles? Having done a preview, it is was obviously not several of my examples. Or have I spelt something wrong? Wonderful software, absolutely wonderful...  

'er indoors' Toyota MR (I wonder why they don't call them MR2 here?....) has a 2L engine that produces 220Bhp & yet it is insured as a 9CV. Work that out if you will...

We bought most of the garden, let alone house plants, including a bloody Xmas tree (which was too large to go in the van, so it we in a trailer..) Noone batted an eyelid.  

[quote]I have a UK philips TV and it works perfectly - if connected up to a cable box (I use Noos). I "think" it is because it is a dual NTSC and PAL tv (and the cable broadcast NRSC). This really was a ve...[/quote] Likewise with my Philips - I guess it is cheaper for them to make 1 version for all of Europe (& they are a "European" company). BUT, convertors (unless they are broadcast standard & about 10x more expensive than the TV) are useless. Besides which, the OP does not have a TV, so why he buy one in the UK?  

Hi If you don't have a UK TV, buy one here in France because; a) There is little difference in cost in France, b) you can guarantee it will work with the (different) French TV system. c) You get an enforceable guarantee. Your DVD player & your digibox will work (but via an RGB SCART lead only, but you probably do this anyway), your video probably won't (but they only cost 6s 3d here, should you actually want one). You will only need your standard $ky dish (unless you are in the very south). HTH!

[quote]Yep. Good in'it? And just look what us owners of 4x4's get up to in places like Iraq.[/quote] Not that I would ever agree with anything Boggie has to say, as a matter of principal, but; I hope you tree-huggers never meet me on the wrong side of a French road when I am driving my Isuzu. You wouldn't stand a chance. Mark you, neither would Boggies Fartrarri.  

Money. & pots of it...

We have a similar "issue". Mice (or similar), is my guess (or perhaps large rodents, such as edible doormice?). They don't seem to be around anymore.  

As always, ask your Maire. He can't actually give permission for anything "on a nod", but signs off on a lot of things. There are all sorts of regs re: road access, so ask!  

If they are the silly chrome posy things, then they could cause your vehicle to fail it's inspection (although I guess that is the least of your worries, judging by your other post!). They are also dangerous & pointless. My Isuzu has bars that are designed to be part of the chassis & are to deflect pedestrians away, like the bumpers of a road car. Trouble is, I keep missing them...  

[quote]One of the main reasons why they won't register an english caravan in France is because the door is on the wrong side for use on the roads here and is therefore considered dangerous.[/quote] Sorry Val, but I think that this is a "dog in the microwave". There are plenty of examples of people registering "RHD" caravans here. All French cars have at least 1 door on the left! The main problem with UK caravans is getting all the C of C's necessary to achieve registration. The UK caravan manufacturers are pretty lax where it comes to EU conformity.... As I understand it, any vehicle that should be registered (and that includes trailers & caravans over 750Kg laden), must be registered, regardless of where they are kept. There is no "off road notification" in France and therefore all vehicles that should be insured (which is anything that has registration) must be insured, whether it is used or not. My UK caravan hides in the woods at the edge of our field.. which is where it is going to stay..  

[quote]No doubt they resort to the loans after they have used up their grants! Chuck Anyone know where I can get hold of a Llama?[/quote] Grants? People can still get grants? Gimme. And there were 2 in a field local to us until (suspiciously) a few days before Xmas. According to my Columbian connections they make good eating.  

There is, as it happens, an equally interesting article in last w/e's G2. Written by a reporter who actually visited Bourbriac, in a typically Grauniad style. Of course, it is completely at odds with the Torygraph's piece. As to why people move to France. I reckon it is to get away from the f****** Tory press (and the equally f****** New Labour press). France is a multi-cultural socialist state. Long may it remain so. Amen.