seb47

We are in Lot et Garonne. Our "signal strength" is poor. No doubt someone more technically minded will explain why. Our picture pixelates and when it was raining yesterday (Saturday 23 April) we had a blank screen. Unless you can improve your reception (bigger dish etc), I doubt you can do anything about it...sorry Pete

Many thanks - we'll do the sums to see if it's worth reclaiming, but will certainly make sure expenses are shown in future.

Hi Parsnips, So would we declare expenses incurred on UK house rental in column 6 ("montant des charges afferentes au revenu ... y compris frais reels")? This is something we missed in previous years. Presumably this would be the same amount (in euros) that we set off against UK rental income.

Yes - that's what I was thinking Giles. There are some very sobering messages here, not least the thought that if I decide to go down the simvustatin route, I may need to cut out the alcohol! (Sorry for the pun as it is a serious issue).

Thanks everyone for your thoughts - I'm still not sure - stay with a careful diet or go with the statins - preferably the former I think.

Is anyone taking this statin? Google searches lead me to believe that doctors shouldn't prescribe it so readily - in particular if you have a thyroid condition (I have) or like the odd glass of wine (don't we all?) I'm generally careful with my diet and have read that people with underactive thyroid can tend toward a high cholesterol level. I'm just a bit nervous about the whole statins scenario.

You asked about WD (Western Digital) external Hard Drives and I assume from the wording of your posting that you bought one...... (why is it that people go off at tangents on this Forum?) I have a 250 Gigabyte version. The instructions are poor - as you state, but basically in Windows Explorer you can select the files you want to copy and drag and drop them to relevant drive. To delete files you don't require, you simply select them (holding down the shift or control keys on your keyboard), then hit delete. If you are having problems I'm happy to talk you through the process but it may be best to do this by private mail. Peter

Could it be Mr O'Leary's publicity dept trying to put pressure on Bergerac Airport to cut their charges and/or increase any subsidies that may be available? Pete

Cooperlola I bought a twin LNB and adapter from Maplins which I fitted directly into the arm of our UK Sky dish. It cost about £30. It was a tight fit and I had to shave a sliver of plastic off the plastic adapter using a Stanley knife. It worked perfectly first time with our Humax Foxsat HDR. Couldn't do without it now but the Panasonic one you refer to looks the business. Pete

We have the Samsung NC10 netbook and use it all the time travelling in France and Spain and even the UK. It has built in wifi (ie you don't need a modem) but you still need to connect to broadband via someone's network. A UK mobile dongle is very expensive when used abroad and the mobile network in France can be very hit and miss so don't bother with a PAYG dongle in France either. Here in Lot et Garonne there are local internet or"cyber" cafes including Expert (who sell TV, HiFi and white goods) and for the cost of a cup of coffee (1 Euro 20) your computer will connect automatically though it will ask if you want to connect to an "unsecured network". Make sure you have a good anti virus programme. The 3 months "free" McAfee subscription installed on the NC10 will run out quicker than you think so get a full years subscription installed before you leave the UK (though not necessarily McAfee). If you are unsure what to do your daughter or a friend will no doubt help. The touchpad "mouse" takes some getting used to and if you don't like it you can buy a usb mouse (like the one you normally have with your PC but smaller), and we recommend you buy a good padded carry case (available in France for about 19 Euros but they maybe cheaper in the UK). Hope this helps - if you have any more queries just ask. Pete

There was an interesting report about Les Grues on our local radio (4) this morning. Apparently they move from Poland, Russia, the Netherlands and other Northern places to search for winter food - not because of the cold weather. They over winter in the Camargue, Spain, Morroco. They're slightly earlier this year as the north westerly wind has helped them on their journey.

Today is the second day we have seen and heard cranes so winter must really be getting close. We are in Lot et Garonne - they seem to be in small numbers so far.

Thank you all for the replies so far. AnOther, Do you mean the Nationwide and HSBC offers? If so you have to have accounts with them, and when you log on you see the latest newsletter (in the case of Naionwide) or in the case of HSBC there is a link to McAfee's website to download VirusScan Plus.Nationwide provide links to various sites that offer a free scan and trial downloads. Peter 

Nationwide is currently encouraging its customers to have a free on line scan of their computer to check whether the security is up to scratch. Similarly HSBC is offering free McAfee internet security software. I would appreciate comments from anyone who has taken advantage of these free downloads. We currently have Norton on the PC, and McAfee on a netbook which has expired at the end of the 3 month free trial period. We only use the netbook when travelling so its not too critical at the moment. It appears that in order to do the free scan, or download the full package on line you must disable your existing antivirus/phishing/anti spyware etc which presumably leaves you vulnerable until the scan is completed or new sotware is downloaded? I'm thinking I may be better off actually paying for a software package that comes with a cd and licences up to 3 computers. Any comments would be much appreciated. Peter 

Ouch!! So much for the 'free' (haha) health care in France so often incorrectly reported in the British media. However, we value the preventive care etc, that we received in return for the last 12 months' contributions. Thanks SD.

We've just provided all the justicatifs for renewal of our CMU de Base (as 'inactifs' resident before November 07). As our income increased in 2008, it would be useful to prepare ourselves for the shock before the URSSAF letter arrives, and wonder if we can calculate payments due based on a table of charges? Thanks,

We're looking for someone to do a very simple wood fencing job near Fumel, but it being nearly August, are struggling. Anyone with contacts? Cheers,

Thank you all for this information which I have cut and pasted, and will be keeping an eye on in the future. So far we've not been told to cut out red meat and red wine, but are keeping our fingers crossed. We are doing are best to stay healthy!

Interesting!! So could you explain a little bit more about what it implies 5 element? Is it diet linked? Pity I can't ride a bike. Cheers,

Our CA account is with Britline and since our local branch in Lot et Garonne went "cashless" we have used the paying in envelope system. This branch of CA Aquitaine insists on a copy of the RIB and photo page of the passport being inserted with the cash. They are happy to use their photocopier for this. You then use your cash card to open the drawer, or if you don't have one the assistant will use his/her branch card. So far no problems but we'd much prefer to be able to pay over the counter as we have no proof how much is in the envelope. The disclaimer on the paying in envelope makes it clear that if there is a discrepancy it is our liability not theirs! Peter

Doc not worried - the count was 45 - he said if it had been 345 then he would have been. So I beat a hasty retreat.

Thanks all - that's helpful. Trouble is, my count is higher than recommended. Will let you know what the Doc says!

Can anyone throw light on what T.G.M.Hb refers to on our health examination report -Hematologie? (Just so we know what we're talking about when we visit the Doc). Cheers,

You can probably fit another 30 passengers in the hold, then charge extra for camp beds, breathing apparatus and a couple of blankets! Peter

We recently spent time in the UK and purchased a TopUp and Go Vodafone dongle to use with our netbook. Cost about £35 as there was a special offer at the time, including 1GB of download which normally costs £15. It simply connects to your USB port and automatically downloads the software you need. Connecting is simplicity itself being virtually automatic and in built up areas is usually to the 3G network if it's available, or to GPRS which is slower. After one weeks use we still have £10 of download time to use when we return to the UK. O2, 3 (see Simons comments) and T Mobile have similar offers but we opted for Vodafone because one top up lasts up to 160 days (max 1GB download) and you can top up using a £15 voucher or by credit card on line. Walk down any High Street and compare the offers before you decide which suits your needs best. They are supposedly as secure as a mobile phone as essentially that is how they work. Some High Street chains (eg Costa Coffee and Wetherspoons) have free wifi connections and are OK for checking e-mails and surfing the web. Your local library may have wifi but at a price. Obviously make sure your virusguard, firewall etc are fully up to date. Peter