bryansmith

I have an above ground pool with a 'GRE' pump and sand filter system. I inherited this when we bought the house and the outgoing owner was unable to provide any documentation   All has gone well for two years but now there is a problem with the multi-position switch on top of the sand filter. When the pump is working all is fine. When the pump is switched of water starts to leak along the outlet (empty or backwash) pipe. It keeps leaking slowly until the water has drained past the botoom of the skimmer. When I realised what was happening I turned the switch to 'CLOSED' amd this stops the leaking. Can this be cured or will I have to close this switch each time I turn off the pump ?

thanks very much for your advice I will certainly be storing the pump and filter

last winter was the first one for our above ground pool and I disconnected and stored the pump and sand filter. It was very difficult as the filter is extremely heavy and neither me or MOH is very active. Is it OK to insulate the pump and filter and leave it outside. We are in Lot et Garonne near Villeneuve sur Lot and the winters can be cold (below freezing) but not severe Thanks in anticipation

thanks very much for your helpful message We will certainly give it some thought and let you know if we decide to take up the offer

We are thinking of taking a Christmas break 4-5 days and would appreciate any information about a traditional celebration perhaps in a hotel in Paris. By traditional we are quite happy to follow French customs but want to avoid anything too 'tacky' Any sensible suggestions would be welcome. If not Paris is there any other part of France that would make a good Christmas break We live in Lot et Garonne but are quite happy to travel to any part of France. Thanks in anticipation  

we are both retired and have our health care under an e form  

thanks very much for replying I had looked at the existing thread but unless I missed something it did not cover the issue I raised - perhaps I will wait for further postings on that thread

We both applied for our card on line and mine arrived within a few days but not my wife's. Tried again no result tried three more times!!! no result eventually rang the CPAM  in Agen to be told that the system has now changed and that my wife must apply to the UK and that when mine expires in August I must apply to the UK also. This seems odd as we are both in the French health and fiscal system. Is this information correct or just someone who does not know what they are talking about

thanks for making my day a lot happier  - it certainly does make you smile

Clair thanks very much for your help and prompt reply  

I have been informed by one of my French neighbours that if she needs to go into a home for care (she is 84 but does not think it will be for a long time yet!) she would have to pay for her care and that should her funds run out then her sons would be liable for her. Presuming that this is true what would happen if my wife or I needed similar care and our finances ran out (we do not own any property here or in UK as we rent our house here) would our family in UK be responsible or does that just apply to French families. If this does occur does any one know (roughly) the cost of care homes here and would our Assurance be of any help? thanks in anticipation     

Hi Clair thank you very much for your help  

cannot get into the leisure and pastimes section for some reason so I am using this site, Can anyone please tell me where I can find the rules for Belotte in English, My French friends have tried to explain but although I have no problems in understanding what thay are saying I cannot grasp the subtleties of the game as they think it is very simple and cannot understand why I find it difficult. thanks a lot

Hi Gaynor - may be a little far from you but a new jazz club has started in Monclar (between Tombeboeuf and St. Liverade) and I understand that everyone is welcome to join in for some of the evening so that might be a starting point for finding other musicians The club is situated in a restaurant and meets on Friday evenings [:)] 

thanks very much for the useful information.  

Can anyone please inform me of the current legal situation in France(I am aware of the laws in England) concerning carrying children in cars (babies and up to 11 years of age). We have relatives visiting later this year who have a one year old baby and also a six year old child, and an eleven year old child.  I am quite happy to buy the required seats but I need to know what to buy and who needs them.Common sense seems to indicate that it will be the same as in England but I would appreciate any information on the legal requirements. 

Hi I note your web search criteria  - thank you for that it will be helpful. we are permanent residents in France and the only trips abroad we make are to the UK. Is there a company who will provide travel insurance for just those trips or does it have to be for world wide travel or is it all the same ?  

Does anyone know if there is a fixed price for eyesight tests or is it best to 'shop around' at Opticians?  

We live in Lot et Garonne in a very rural setting.We have been made extremely welcome by all the locals and are very happy here. We do have some English friends (although not exactly neighbours) who we have met since living here and they too find the French very welcoming. We have made a great effort to integrate with the local population, made easier because we both speak French as do our friends (or they are taking steps to do so). Perhaps Dordogneshire has been unfairly categorised although when we have visited Eymet we do seem to hear more English spoken than French even when people are buying on the lovely market. Not everyone wants the same things out of life but for us living in France with the French population is proving a very satisfying experience. We have only been here for 18 months so perhaps that may change but hopefully it will continue to make us happy.[:D]

thanks very much for this useful information. I went to the Hotel des Impots today as I was told (wrongly now I realise) that the forms for 2006 were available in early March. I will go back again in May. Thanks once again[:D]

Has anyone tried pickling beetroot with the brown vinegar found in supermarkets...how did it go. I haven't been able to find proper dark brown malt vinegar, and we do love a cold meat and beetroot sandwich!

Hi Lotty thanks very much for the information Bonne Fete a vous  

Does anyone know the date of the Carol Service in Monflanquin this year please? If not is there another Carol Service in the 47 area? thanks very much

Well done Miki - I fell for it hook line and sinker made me laugh a lot

I have just read in the current edition of French News that Ryanair have suspended flights from Bergerac to East Midlands for the whole winter. Does any other carrier fly to East Midlands from Bergerac or Bordeaux ? Any ideas why Ryanair should take this action ? Is it connected with the dispute at the airport concerning the restaurant ? Presumably not as there is no mention of cancellations for other destinations such as Stanstead etc.