Nick Trollope

Probably too late for most, but the Val de Loire is in Cherbourg, rather than St Malo, and is leaving at 13:30. (Weather according to BF, a jammed pedestrian access according to my sources...) Luckily, we have friends coming from Portsmouth, who rang us to say that they were in Cherbourg. We have changed our booking to tomorrow. ******s charged me £5 to change the booking! I'll do something about that! Is my opinion of BF about to change?

[quote]In the supermarket I have seen a T connector with a diagram on the back showing one sat dish to the T connector and then to 2 recievers, could I use this instead of a dual LNB, if not, what is this co...[/quote] You can't use a T connector in a satellite feed as a) the power to the LNB is via the cable (so the 2 voltages would compete) and b) the selection of horizontal or vertical signals is done via the cable, to the LNB. I've no idea what this is for, unless is is a F-type splitter/combiner with an inaccurate description? THese are used to combine or split TV signals from (say) a cable source or a modulator or modulators.

[quote]Be careful. Green oak does not mean oak that is freshly cut; It's a variation of the species. *Never* use fresh wood for construction. Get it dried out first. Depending on the type of construction, ...[/quote] I'm not convinced, I'm afraid, nor am I sure that I am right, but; Green Oak is indeed "green" because of fungal action. It is also green because it is freshly cut when used. Oak dries (in air) at a rate of as low as 1/2" per year (to 15%), making air drying impractical and kiln-drying expensive (because of the size of kiln and the amount of time needed). Heat weakens all timber. Oak is a stable timber when new - stable, at least, relative to pine, say (I have no idea about chestnut). All timbers shrink across the grain when they dry, not along their length. American timber-framed (oak) buildings are virtually always built with fresh, or green oak. I have seen new oak used in timber roof construction. I would be fascinated to know, if there are any real experts here (present company included), just what can be used.

[quote]Hi Nick, Thanks for the information. I would appreciate any further info you can give, ie. how many dishes are we likely to need? any idea of costings for 4-5 bedrooms? Is it possible to get these co...[/quote] Hi It rather depends on what you want to receive. I don't know German etc satellite braodcasters, but I expect that all their terrestrial braodcasters are available by satellite. The lyngsat website (www.lyngsat.com) will tell you what is available - if you can Identify the stations you want. The number of dishes depends on the number of satellites that you need to receive/where they are located. This, of course depends on the stations you want to receive. As to costs, very approximately and based on option b) you will need a dish & LNB for each satellite (not necessarily the case, but makes the maths easier) - cheap ones start at 30E, a satellite switch - 150E-ish, one per dish and a receiver for each channel (analogue/analog to Americans) for 10E+ (eBay, car boot sales...) digital for 50E+. Plus cabling (40E/100M) and sockets etc. However, this assumes that you can use the modulators in the satellite receivers (converts the signal to TV standard) which is by no means guaranteed. If you need to use external modulators, then you are looking at approx 50E per receiver. You will be limited to a practical maximum of 20 channels on the TV's (less if you include French terrestrial TV). You will need to use PAL (UK/Europe) telly's - or multistandard French ones if you want to include French TV. I'm sure that doesn't help! Perhaps you can come up with a list of channels/satellites?  

Hello You have 2 basic alternatives; a) Distribute satellite signals to a receiver in each room. This has the advantage that you can swap boxes (and hence set-ups) from room to room, depending on who your guests are. Also, you can get the maximum number of channels in each room at the best quality (this is what I do at home). You will need a complicated satellite switch, especially if you are receiving from several satellites (for different nationalities) and alot of wiring. b) A satellite receiver for each channel that you want to receive, with the RF (aerial) signals distributed to each of the TV's. This has the advantage that you will not need subscriptions (if necessary) for each box and it is alot easier for your guests to use. This is how it is done in hotels (typically) - hence the limited number of channels available per room.   I used to design sat distribution systems for a living and IMHO, it is possible to instal a comprehensive system at a sensible cost, if you are willing to do most of the work yourself. It is not a great technical challenge; the most complex job is pointing the dish(es) in the correct direction. More info available, if I can help!

Hello Paul When I click on the icon connection on my toolbar it says vitesse is 54,0 Mbits/s There is a WiFi standard at 54Meg. This is obviously what you have got, and it works!  

[quote]Sorry, I1 (how about a name to talk to?) - not having a go at you. Yes, there are more PCs than Macs. But then, there are more******oaches than people...[/quote] Dick, I'm so glad you don't have c***roaches. When will they fix this (obviously Sun-based) software?

[quote]Passing the time today in Limoges I realised there were approximately four times as many Lingerie Shops as there were Estate Agents. Ratios in Kingston are the other way round. I think the French have...[/quote] I've never been to Jamaica (but my wife has ......) If you were referring to Malvern, then you would be talking about charity shops, shoe shops, shops that sell peoples cast-off's to benefit others, footware suppliers, misc good causes and an Estate Agent (or 6). Hopefully, I shall never have to buy another second-hand pair of Jeans again.

And the power generation needed for all that processing has some global warning implications of it's own, no? There is very little that is "green" about computers. Perhaps we should all turn them off and go and dig the garden...

DIck is right, but I have to add that; Throughout Europe mobile 'phone jammers are illegal. Period. It has nothing to do with mobile 'phones, but unlilcensed (and unlicensable) transmitters. They are easy to detect and the authorites here and in the UK are well equipped to detect them. Believe me, I know! Installing a jammer will get you time in pokey if there is any justice in this world. Love them or hate them, mobile 'phones are here to stay. I won't have smokers (smoking) in my house, you can apply the same rules, or visit a cinema that applies these rules, surely? It's their, not there, BTW.

[quote]Hi everyone. My wife Julia and I have recently purchased a property in the Vendee and have started the task of rennovating. Fortunately we have electricity already on tap. I have a couple of questio...[/quote] Hello 15A is a 3Kw supply and is the minimum supply you can get. The larger the supply, the more expensive the standing charges. If you can cope with 15A (i.e. no electric heating/cooking) then stick with it. Otherwise, visit you local EDF office & ask them to upgrade you to; 6Kw, 9Kw, 12Kw or whatever. If you give them a list of all your electrical appliances, then they will recommend the most appropriate tariff. I too am an electronics eng. Firstly, forget everything you know about UK wiring, 'cos little of it applies to France. You can simply replace the Tableau with one bought from the local Brico. Get yourself a copy of Electricite pas a pas from the local DIY shop, it has lots of illustrations & is very useful. Few basic rules; All cabling (in each circuit) must be the same thickness and double insulated (hence no UK T&E). Limited number of sockets per circuit (fused 16A or with a 20A trip) - 4 to 7-ish You may need lightning protection (depends on where you are). etc etc etc You will not need to get the rewiring inspected, except that, if you decide to change the supply and/or meter, then EDF may use a contractor & want his work inspected by the CONSUEL. This happened to me (new meter & uprated supply), but I refused to pay the 90E, so the CONSUEL refused to inspect, so everyone went home happy ......  

[quote]In 'Living France Magazine' and other French related prints there are companies that can help you with Sky subscription & products abroad.[/quote] These are rarely legit, however (due to $ky's licence). $ky will give 2 subs to the same address (they sell it, after all - a "mirror" sub, £10). Tell they you have already got a box and all you want is the card. DO NOT, as others have advised, tell them you are in France. They MAY cut off your original sub....

[quote]When I was last in France I set my internet connection phone number to dial england by adding the 00 44 etc, it appeared to dial up OK but I couldn't access any pages. Does anyone know why? Do I nee...[/quote] Hello It should work, but I can't see why you would want to try! Calls to UK 0845 numbers are quite expensive....... If you need access to the internet, get a pay as go go subscription from any French provider (disks available in the supermarket, etc) and use that. Don't use the installer on the disk if you can help it, just the information.] You will still be able to access your UK providers email server for incoming mail at least, and send mail from the server of the French ISP. Not that difficult to set up, message me if you need more help.

[quote]Dear all We are nearing the completion of our French home. But on our contract the immobilier has added the figures incorrectly and the figure is 300 euros more than it should be. It clearly shows an...[/quote] Hi The Notaires fees & taxes on your Compromis are an estimate. The actual fee is only established after the Acte Authentique has been signed and the house is yours. It is usual (perhaps) for you to be overcharged and then have some money refunded.. ha ha. Ours went up by 300E and we eventually got 58E back. This is typical of French beaurocracy and tends to be the norm in any number of areas. Do you bother to check the prices charged in the supermarkets against what is on the shelves?

[quote]We\are in England at the moment, but have recieved a call from a friend stating: Sky plus on 80/90% quality & strength, about 11.30 to 0100am, many programs go off with "no sat signal" being disp...[/quote] It is possible that the output power of the transmitters is reduced, to save power (I think that ASTRA use a combination of fuel cells and solar panels), although I don't KNOW this..... Also, the satellites have "linear" transponders, so the ouptut power can be varied without upsetting the signal, other than making it weaker. If that makes sense. Who would want to watch sky at 2 in the morning?! (Discovery has closed down by then, I believe..... It's only those other channels that you can't subscribe to from France......)

[quote]We have a stripped pine kitchen table and wonder what one treats the top with. When we had a wooden kitchen work surface in the UK we used to oil in regularly, do you do the same with a table top or ...[/quote] Hello This rather depends on what it has on in the past, or if it has been completely stripped. My preferred option would be wax, but it involves alot of work, for a long time, before a good layer is built up. Oil is easier, but doesn't protect as well (IMHO). A modern varnish may work, but it won't "look right", it may also crack as the pine expands/shrinks.

[quote]Hello, Three years ago when we first bought a property in France your members were incredibly helpful in answering our questions.Now as we attempt to make the final move across we're hoping someone k...[/quote] In absence of a reply from someone who knows better, I'll give it a go! 1)We are buying out our friends "half" of the house..is this a relatively straightforward visit to the notaire or do taxes etc rear their ugly heads? You will need to use a Notaire (as all property transactions must be handled by one). There will be CGT implications. The Notaire will assist you. 2)Have been reading about the double tax treaty and specifically about disposing of a second UK property.In theory as the second property has been owned for 15 years plus its better (I think) to dispose of it when we are french residents.Any comments? If this is a primary UK home, then dispose of it before you are French taxpayers (note, not resident..) as there is no CGT on UK homes, under UK tax rules (usually). If it is a second UK home, then sell it anyway, as the CGT is lower in the UK. 3)When do you offically become a french resident? IE after registerring with the local mayor etc or is there a specified time of habitation before you qualify? The French tax authorities regard you as resident after you have completed a tax return (beginning of the calendar year). If you are earning money in France, then your become "tax resident" if you are here - or can't be anywhere else - for 181 days. Broadly speaking! The concept of "residency", as in "I am a UK citizen" is very muddled. You are unlikely to ever qualify to be a French Citizen, not least because you don't need to be....... 4)We are thinking of utilising a deposit account as part of our future income.When we inquired at CA their standard rate was 2% but then mentioned 4.75% but we had to sign up to something for several years etc.The UK instant access accounts seem to be paying 5-5.5% (with the prospect of rates increasing).Does anyone use UK deposit accounts and then transfer or are there better rates than we've been quoted available in France. Deposit interest rates are better in the UK, but you will be at the mercy of exchange rates. Shop around, or try something like ING, which (IIRC) have Euro accounts at good rates. It also rather depends on what you want in terms of security, access, etc... If you have a spare 100,000, I'll look after it for you.... 5)Finally..we are always trying to improve our French but have noticed that our first impulse is to use English vowel or constantant sounds (ever tried spelling out an address or your name over the phone?).It occured to me that a child's video/dvd with the french alphabet on it might help us improve this area (Seasame Rue ?).Can anyone point us in the right direction?  There are hundreds of EDUCATIONAL DVD's/Video's & comics etc aimed at kids, available in every supermarket. We buy stacks of them for our 4 year-old. If you have the patience (which I don't!), you can learn by watching them.... IANAL! HTH!    

[quote]I dont know whether anyone has ever said it is not possible to buy a property renovate it and sell it on .Since the recent change in CGT as Will said it is more attractive. As a private individual yo...[/quote] Thank you for this (and Will) What amazes me is that this information is available here, but my accountant seems in the dark! Perhaps I need a new accountant! My major concern is the "bit I do myself" costs. Perhaps I should find something to register as, so as to make my labour deductible. I am actually adding value to a unsellable house, because we own the "ransom land" that surrounds the house next door. I will need to factor in the cost/value of the land we are adding to the package, when we come to sell. I really do need a new accountant!

[quote]Just buying a property in Allier and wondered if there are any Satalite installaers in the area and can you still receive SKY in Allier? Regards, Mike Longhurst[/quote] Hello Which one? The short answers to you question are; a) Probably (try Pages Jaunes in the abscence of any reccomendation) & b) Probably (because Sky works in most of France, subject to local conditions....). HTH!

[quote]Firstly, if anyone says to me "everybody" that to me, is what it means, if they say "nearly everybody", then that to, is what it means to me. Property development is a rather grander term than doing ...[/quote] Hello again, Thanks for this. Please be assured that I am not interested in self-engrandisment. I am trying to make money. without breaking the law. I am also well aware of the rules about registration (although my accountant couldn't tell me what I should register for, nor did letters, from him, to the USSARF or The Ch de M illicit any response). I am also aware of the personal tax rules. One small point, why must you act so sensitively to postings of this nature? I don't need to get into an argument about your take on the French tax system, nor do I need comments like CGT or Taxes as you call it which has no relevance to the discussion. Your input is valuable to me (I can talk to my accountant about Marchand de Biens now), I certainly don't reagrd it as rubbish, but please stick to the point. Thanks again.

[quote]"From what I remember of the old forum, tout le monde said that property development was impossible in France.........." Nick you state "everybody". I certainly have made a couple of bob on every ho...[/quote] I think the concensus (from those from whom you would expect such comments at least.......) was in the anti... Perhaps you took my tout le monde too literally! Interested in your definition of property development. I would have thought that if you take an unsaleable property, buy it cheap, make it saleable, then sell it, all with the intention of selling it, then that is "property development". If it isn't, what is? Don't give a toss about the (yes, you are right, 26%) taxes, as has been pointed out, one pays tax in the UK (40% without allowances, IIRC). If one continues to develop properties (or whatever it is), what will Monsieur ou Madame Impots complain about, if I am paying my taxes (difficult to avoid, really)?

Hello all We have just bought the house next door, with the specific intention of extending it, adding a garden from our land and selling it for a profit. Real Sarah Beeny stuff. From what I remember of the old forum, tout le monde said that property development was impossible in France, because of the CGT rules and various other reasons. The impetus for this posting is to state my intention to prove these members wrong. Any comments? Would any registered builders within spitting distance of Broons care to contact me?

[quote]Sorry, don't know about roofing...but it is Alt Gr + $ to get the € symbol. best regards[/quote] No, that's what I am doing above ($ = shft+4, but AltGr+shft+4 won't/can't work) so, Altgr+4(or $) = ¬. But only on this forum.... Ho Hum. It's raining now, so the roof can wait anyway...

It's unlikely to be a fault on the card, just an authorisation problem (although this does assume that the card was authorised for ITV1 in the first place; however, I can't imagine a scenario where it would not be). Patience fellow, patience!

Also..... What is in the winterisation chemicals? Can I just continue to keep the Chlorine, PH etc levels correct?