jxedwards

My present insurer is 90 days max 30 day trips. However they did inform me that if I stayed longer than 30 days it was ok providing a telephoned to inform them. Seems odd to me. However they will not extend longer than 90 days which is what I require. The problem I am having is either poor email response or left hanging on the 'helpline' nos for 20/30 mins then getting routed to a person 'outside' the UK who really does not understand what I am enquiring about as my enquiry is non routine and not available under their standard answers list a presume. The joys of modern automated life!!! The quest continues....watch this space.  

Thanks all for replies. Not yet ready for Saga 2 years off that option. Footman James only state 35 days on their policy. Cornhill direct seems the way to go. Going to visit local broker this week. Will keep you posted of the outcome.   John

It is our intention to drive in to our place in mid June and stay until early October this year in our UK registered & insured fully leagl vehicle. However my present insurer (Elephant) only insure up to 90 days and will not extend this (even for a fee) to cover the additional 20/35 days extra that we will require. I have tried the usual confusedgocomparecheapoinsurance.com but these sites it seems (to me) that it is impossible to 'input' my requirements. I am hoping someone can suggest 1) An insurance company that may cover the vehicle for the additional days only 2) An insurance company that will insure the vehicle in France for the amount of time required. obviously I will have to cancel my existing and take out a new policy. Thanks in advance John

I have been having the same issue whilst trying to access the 'Sports, Leaisure and pastimes' section of the forum. Tried F5 refresh etc but still cannot access this particular section. As a simple minded engineer if several of us are having issues then tis a good chance the problem is at the 'forum/admin' end. John

Madrid airport hotel transit buses the small transit van type. A colleague put all his luggage in the back luggage boot of the bus. Bus stopped in traffic and same situation 2 guys open and empty the luggage and run off with several bags. Poor guy lost everything including his US passport..!! It seems that we have to be vigilant everywhere these days. John

Is there a posibility that during the Fosse installation that any gas pipes could have been damaged?   John

Paul, If getting real means that 'things move on' then I would rather stay unreal. Closing Post Offices, banks, shops and opting for call centres etc is that really 'moving on' Likewise the demise of the airport check-in desk for me falls in that category. All for the sake of corporate profits. I will admit catching a 1 hop flight with no connections it would probably be easier to check-in online. However as a frequent flyer (30+ a year)  often several connections online check-in is really not an option I wish to take. Of course I realise like Canute I stand no chance but the Meldrew in my refuses to go away. As for the man with the red flag I would have thought that he would cause unemployment by less usage of fuel tyres etc...maybe you should researh a little better. John

Seems to me Toulon have got it right to discourage online check-in. I have no time for online check-in. 1) It takes jobs from people. 2) If you ever have connections/changes etc then it is far easier to talk to a human being at a check-in desk.   Unfortunately most western airports/airlines are encouraging online check-in and the horrid self service ATM type machines. At Amsterdam for example you now have to queu twice. Once to use the self service ATM and then again to deposite luggage...progress...I do not think so.   John

Our beams had been 'hidden' for many years under a lath & plaster ceiling. We used St Marc Lessive floor cleaner and lots of elbow grease to clean them. Once clean we applied Black Bison (Bison Fute en Francais I think) and again lashings of elbow grease. Not the easiets task we have encountered but the beams now have an authentic dull sheen which we are very happy with. Removing stain good old Nitromos paint stripperI would imagine would do the trick John

Trusty 18 year old Volvo 740 estate loaded with sacs off everything and off to the dechetterie. On our 1st few trips we had our UK registered car so the dechetterie policeman wanted to see some 'local' ID ie utility bill. Once produced no problem. Dod he think we would bring rubbish all the way from the UK to tip in France.....who knows. Sometimes use a trailer and where we are no issues. Like a many issues in France the rules can be applied very different in different regions and departments. Suggest you start small with the odd bag and see how the local worker/s at the dechetterie respond to you. Once you have been there a few times and they will know what you are doing probably no issue.   Good luck

Sprogster maybe be correct. It all reminds me of the Moscow McDonalds story I heard recently. McDonalds about to open ther first outlet train all the Russian employees the 'McDonalds' way. As you would expect the emphasis being on speed and customer satisfaction etc. After 1 group had completed the training the instructor asked 'any questions'. A young lad raised ghis hand and spoke, 'let me try and understand. We are this side of the counter with burgers, fries, coke etc and the customers are the other side with nothing'. Yes was the reply. 'We have what they want this side of the counter and they do not have it'. Yes again was the reply from the instructor. 'Then please tell me why we have to be pleasant to them!!'. Enough said!   On a serious note we have found the service in France indefferent and also brilliant. We bought our bed from the local Literie and it was duly delivered ontime by the owner of the store who would not except payment until we had slept in the bed for a few nights and were satisfied (with the bed that is). France Telecomm.....arrrgghhh!!!!!!!    John  

There is definately an 'international' choir based in Figeac. Our French friends are members and we have seen a concert on one occasion. I cannot remember the name/contact details at the moment but will try and get some info for you in about 3/4 weeks time on our next visit to France.   John

Only problem was she failed the CT.....!!!!   Well spotted Ernie

Try these http://www.ffve.org/ They provided the certs when I registered my wife. Moggie Traveller last year

Ernie...sangria...!!! Not very oilfield roughty toughty macho drink..   What would the bears think if they found out? That'll be you NRB'd...!!

We had a fouine (not sure I have spelt it correctly) similar to a maten. We never actually saw it heard it a lot and saw all the insulation it displaced around the outside of the house. As we do not live there permenantly it seemed quite happy to share the home with us. However last year we sealed the ouside eves off with wood and the builder worked constantly for 3/4 weeks on the outside walls of our house. Sinece then no sign of him/her. It is possible it may have died and now 'lies' in our roof space but no smells so far. I suspect it has just b**ged off for a quieter life. John

It will be interesting to know if this will in fact 'work'. M. Darcos starting to initiate Sarko's reform's? I was not aware of  M Chirac 'storming' out of a summit. Watch this space.....!!   http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7594910.stm

Looked at the settings and there does not appear to bethe feature on the Garmin for 'quickest' route or 'use main roads' etc. I can see the benifit if lost as Wendy G wrote but to send OH way out of the way (her words not mine) is annoying. Think I'll just stick to my old sextant.....!!!!! Is it ok to use one when driving or against the law?   John

Bought a Garmin Nuvi with European maps a few months ago. Test drove it in the UK from South Wales to Silverstone. Took us off the main A road onto a B road which ran adjacent to teh A road for 15 miles then back on teh A road!!!! When using it in France similar effect whilst heading for Toulouse airport and knowing the route well it tries to send me off down 'farm yard' lanes....!!! Wife yesterday dricving from Figeac to Calais on her way home via Rouen. It led her a merry dance around Rouen as she was on her lonesome with no shotgun. So bottom line is I am not impressed. Maybe the setup is not quite right but initially just a toy to play with.   Thoughts anyone?   John

I'll agree with Erni Y's earlier reply and I much prefer to drive in France than the UK.   As for French being awful drivers try Tripoli or anywhere in Brasil.......!!!!!!

Is there any way that a forum thread can be 'printer friendly' so when printed I do not use half acre of rain forest printing daft signatures and avatar's!!! I just want to print the 'meat & 2 veg'.     John   PS Yes mine is daft also.

Due to serious SPAM issues I no longer use my *****@yahoo.co.uk email address.  This address is my Logon address. I have 'edited' my details to reflect my new ****@gmail.com  address but when I try to Logon again I have to use my ***@yahoo.co.uk address. Will any notification's PM's got to Yahoo or Gmail? Help please.   Thanks in advance   John

This  must have been scary...!! Hope they are all ok and another lesson in keeping your seatbelt on all flight   http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7581492.stm

T5 outlet went into a 'soakaway' of sorts. 6,000 euros approx it took the contractor 3.5 days to complete

Had a Moggie 1000 Traveller converted to LHD. Really easy just 135 pounds for new steering rack, extended a few wires, and the moved pedals and the floor pan already had the mounting threads from new. Easy as the dash has central speedo. I do not believe that the car has been devalued as the Retro Assurance people agreed with my valuation. I am assuming MG's do not have central instrumenst so yes that could be an issue. Try the MG owners club they probably have a Forum like this. I got my infor from several Moggie 1000 websites.   John