Baz

Bugbear, I do not know how you find them unless you are trawling the Internet 24/7. However, a good one and clever. Baz

Thanks for the info. I always believe that you learn something every day. I must admit that I thought it was always the 21st. But if I have to wait an extra day for summer then let's hope winter is a day shorter. Baz

[quote user="tegwini"]  We don't know Caen at all,   this is our first visit for years on Brittany Ferries,   usually on LD/ Le Havre,  and reluctant to fill up in Portsmouth @ £1.06 per litre!  Name & adress of any much appreciated. Tegwini [/quote] I can understand your reluctance at paying £1.06 per litre. But as of the 13th December there were 5 Portsmouth petrol stations selling at 100.9p and in nearby Fareham 3 selling at 99.9p. So if you were paying £1.06 then the fuel station was ripping you off.  If it were me I would fill up in Portsmouth rather than  trying to find fuel in Caen at 11pm Baz

[quote user="Bugbear"]You can check here but it only covers the UK. I can't find anything similar about france.[/quote] They cannot get the forecast right a couple of hours ahead, so what chance for Christmas!!!!! Baz

[quote user="Cathy"] Wish I could find Tarbes on my French map?  It's not there!  Does anyone know where it is?   [/quote] It is always worth checking on Google first. This will give you your answer. http://www.tarbes-lourdes.aeroport.fr/GB/acces.htm Baz

Not knowing what type of mixer tap you have, but may I state the obvious. Have you checked the washer or the ceramic valve as this would seem much more likely than grout blocking the outlet. Baz  

This TV question raises it head every week, but may I suggest you look  at Will's TV in France  - FAQ. for starters. http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/465511/ShowPost.aspx After that there are hundreds of responses in "Search" try typing in Television. If you want further information then come back as Tim suggested. Baz

You do not say whether you have winterised your pool. If you did how much did you reduce the water level? Baz

As it is a transmitter, to be sure I would place it in your hold luggage. It would be wise to keep a record of the serial number of the doofer if it is visible in case it gets lost. Baz

[quote user="Bugbear"] Server down on my PC. . [/quote] That seems to have applied to everyone as there were no entries between yesterday (Sunday) 11.03am and today at 08.02am. Anyway all seem OK now. Baz

Easyjet are still flying daily Luton to Bordeaux throughout the winter months. Baz

[quote user="savvysarthe"] Hello all, I am based in the UK and my partner is based in France so our telephone charges used to be huge. That was until i found this great little number To call a French landline from the UK 0911 927 0 927 (then press dial) listen to the mesage then key in the landline number with the dialing code and press * - only 1p per minute To call a French mobile from the UK 0844 721 4 721 (then press dial) listen to the message then key in the mobile number with the dialing code and press * - only 13p per minute [/quote] Savvysarthe, I do not wish to knock your kind advice, but calling 0911 27 will cost 13pence for connecting just to the service provider and then 1pence per minute for the call to France. The 0844 is far better at 4pence (1pence evening & weekend) for the connection but 13pence per minute to a mobile is far too expensive. If you wish to save far greater sums you may wish to look at this site and then choose any provider in green. This is free service produced by Moneysaving Expert which I use all the time and I hope you find it useful. http://callchecker.moneysavingexpert.com/intcallchecker/france For mobile charges check the box under the country name. Baz

[quote user="5-element"] Ian -  French doctors are always very keen to do "un bilan" which always involves a cholesterol test - in a fasting state so that you get an accurate reading of your total cholesterol, and itemised so you know your level of HDL (good cholesterol), LDL (bad) and Triglycerides (also bad). My doctor seemed surprised that it is not something which is done routinely in the UK. Just like the prostate test. [/quote] Ian, these tests are routinely done in the UK if you are of a certain age or have other ailments. I have them done every 12months for the last 10years at surgeries both in London and Essex. Baz

ErnieY, thanks for your detailed explanation, so I will stick as I was. I have learnt so much from help and tips on this site over the years, but I am always willing to learn more. I never would have believed in 1996 when I bought my 1st computer that today it would run so much of my every day life. I just cannot imagine what may happen in the next 10 years. Baz  

Clair, thanks for you speed reply, I think I will add this setting to my daily run. Baz

[quote user="Clair"] PS: I run CCleaner on a daily basis and have set it to erase files with 7 passes, so I suppose you can call me paranoid![:D] [/quote] Clair, like you I use CCleaner daily, I have mine set on Normal File deletion. Can you explain what the secure deletion means as opposed to normal deletion and the number of passes, which is the is the best setting. Baz

It is harsh treatment when you were not the driver, but because so many people used this loophole and claimed they were not driver that  these new rules were introduced. If it had been a front facing camera then the drivers face would be seen. You are now in a catch 22 situation if you cannot name the driver as if you take the blame then at you next renewal you have to inform your Insurance company and may face increased premiums. So you are effectively punished twice, very harsh treatment. As it is only a month or so since the offence, surely one of the other authorised drivers must remember if they were driving on that road or has your number plate been cloned. Baz

Just saw this as I left an M&S this afternoon. http://www.marksandspencer.com/gp/product/ Baz link shortened by a mod

I would only take the advice of the Notaire as he or she will be responsible for collecting the taxes at the completion of the sale. The agents are are probably only offering an opinion as their interest is in obtaining the properties on their books and making a sale. I found when completing my previous sale that I was telling the agents things they did not even know and all the help I got was from a very knowledgeable Notaire. Baz

The price variations throughout France are enormous. If you want to get an answer, I suggest a visit to your local  Hotel d'Impot who will know, as they issue the bills. Baz

[quote user="joidevie"]Thanks .. I kind of knew about the new UK roaming fees, and I had a French SIM but they cease if not used for a period of time.. My real query was whether any of these 'pre-dial' numbers work while roaming ? [/quote] I am sorry if my response was not clear. AFAIK there is no reason why the French pre-dial numbers will not work. However, if you are using an UK Sim card the connection charge to the French number will be costed at International rates or more depending on their number and who knows what your provider will then charge per minute. I can see no advantage of using an UK Sim card this way, in fact you may have a shock when you get your bill. Baz

[quote user="joidevie"]I'm on a T-Mobile UK contract but visit France regularily.. I still get confused about roaming charges - for example if calling French mobiles or landlines from within France whilst roaming. [/quote] The roaming charges reduced for most providers in September and are 38pence per minute to make calls and 19pence to receive calls. If you use an UK Sim card in France to call either landlines or mobiles you will be charged the full international rates. Whilst you could use a French Sim card when in France for internal calls, overseas calls to reduce cost would have to be directed to another service. If you receive calls in France then you are going to be charged 19pence a minute and the caller their normal mobile charge. There is a service directed at people who travel abroad regularly to receive calls free and pay 25pence per minute to make calls. The downside is that you will have a different phone number when using this service but the advantage is you only have to change your Sim card and no discount numbers to dial. You might like to take a look at: http://www.sim4travel.com/ Baz

With the rapid growth of Low Cost Airlines operating from the UK especially to France where subsidies play an important part in their profitability there will be winners and losers. This has been more apparent this year with many routes opening and closing, a pattern that I believe will continue for the foreseeable future. Using local and provincial airports often means seasonal timetables have to operate and this results in further financial expenditures for the operators. I would caution anyone looking for a property or operating a business not to be influenced by the current or future intentions of the Low Cost Carriers in their region. Baz

[quote user="jetlag"]How bizarre is this, today it works[:D]!!![/quote] Jetlag, I looked into this very problem last week as my neighbour was sending me emails from their Orange account to my Hotmail address that I was not receiving. I carried out test messages from an email account(Orange/Freeserve/Wanadoo) that I do not use to my Hotmail account and did not receive them. I spoke to Orange and they are aware of the problem but there is not much they can do. Having Googled the problem there are masses of complaints. The reason is that so much Spam has been originating from Orange accounts that Hotmail, Yahoo and possible other ISP's are blocking many of these emails. The only solution I can suggest is that you change you Email provider as this may be a long term problem. Baz

[quote user="joidevie"]Is there really talk of Ryanair quiting Carcassonne? I thought it was one of the most established routes?? [/quote] Routes go out of favour for many reasons, never rely on especially the low cost carriers maintaining destinations. Baz