Baz
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Posts posted by Baz
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Di,
I totally agree with your comments. But I also feel certain that as some of the teething problems get sorted out, we will see an improved site and many of the previous moans will be a thing of the post.
James has done a great job so far and it is great to see his comments as it should assure everyone that when time prevails he is very hands on.
Baz
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[quote]Does anyone know if the French Telecom 2b satallite is to be switched off? Thanks Tim[/quote]
I cannot give you an answer, but I know where to pose this question and almost certainly get a fast response. Go to this site, register and then go to the satelitte forum.
http://forum.digitalspy.co.uk/board/index.php
Baz
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I thought it might be worth bringing this to everyone's attention as it is only available until midnight on Monday night and covers virtually every French destination. Whilst Ryanair claim the flights are free, it is still a great deal even though you have the taxes to pay
Booking period: 9th September – midnight 13th September
Travel period: 23rd September 2004 – 10 February 2005
Blackout periods: 21st October – 31st October & 18th December – 5th January 05
Applicable days: Monday – Sunday
Advance purchase: 14 daysI have no connections with the company except from time to time using their services.
Baz
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Its great to see that Speedferries are operating successfully as a low cost ferry company. I suppose it was to be expected with currently only one boat that breakdowns were inevitable resulting in cancelled services. I suspect most people booking with them took this in to consideration but probable did not expect a 7 day no service situation. Its unfortunate that no arrangements could be made with the other operators, but they currently must be relieved with the temporary loss of their opposition.
However, the losers could very well now be the travellers who booked with them and are forced to rebook at very short notice with another company. Then have to pay as result these companies full fares without any reduction for early bookings.
I hope this will not force Speedferries to raise their prices to cover the next 6 months when many crossings may well have to be cancelled due to weather conditions. Losing 1 weeks fares in the high season and then coupled with the lower winter months revenue hopefully will not affect their future plans.
Baz
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As this is not a secure site, I am at a loss to know why sessions ever need to be timed out. Maybe this is something that could be removed entirely. Also since the inception of this new format a number of very valid problems have been raised with no apparent actions yet taken. I would have thought it has cost LF a great deal of money to set up the site and surely the designers should have had had enough time to rectified the faults.
Baz
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"only a will written in France is valid there."
That is incorrect, you can write a French will in the UK, provided it is handwritten and in French. A French Notaire or Advocat based in the UK will arrange this and keep a file copy.
Baz
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BJSLIV,
Thanks for your response, but you are now confusing me as according to my French agents this was their response at the time of the sale:
"Taxe d'Habitation for 2004 which is imposable on the occupier or owner as at 1 Jan; whereas the Tax Foncière will be apportioned between yourself and the new owners."
I will now have to speak to the Notaire to find out if it was specified in the Acte to be apportioned.
Baz
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Thank you Gay and Monika for speedy responses. I will get in touch with Notaire to see if they can sort it out.
Baz
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I sold a property in France on the 5th January this year (date chosen to take advantage of the new CGT rules). I have received Taxes Foncieres 2004 for that property and realise that I am only liable for 5 days. I would like some advice how to deal with this. Do I just send a cheque for 5/366 (leap year) and tell the Tresorerie to sort it out?
The new owners use the property as a Maison Secondaire and live in Denmark and I am not certain of their address and as I am currently in the UK a visit to Centre des Impots is not possible.
Baz
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Why not get to know your Neighbours (assuming you have some) as they are in the best position to keep a watchful eye on your property and your post. You could also ask them if they know anyone who could look after your garden.
For 15 years our next door French Neighbours looked after our house and post. They also had the keys which was especially useful if any work had to be done in the house whilst we were not there.
Baz
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I am sorry to say that this sounds like a scam for two reasons. Why would anyone want to publish a yellow pages in English as the cost would be prohibitive for the limited numbers required . Secondly to publish an English edition of the Yellow pages for the whole of France would either need a crane to lift it or end up with a least 30-40 books.
Baz
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I see a number of people are complaining about the slowness of the new site, I just wonder if the problem lies with their computers. In fact I find the site faster than the old one, but I am on Broadband.
Some week ago I was infected with a virus that I could not remove. So I took my computer to my expert, who in fact spends his days removing viruses from company machines. Whilst fixing my computer he also cleaned up all the rubbish that had accumulated over the last couple of years. The first thing I noticed how much everything had speeded up. I know everyones computers gather lots of rubbish which can take up masses of space and as I am no expert, I will use the services of my expert occassionally to carry out this task as cost is very reasonable.
Like most things computers need servicing and if one is not an expert then let the professionals do it and you might be amazed at the improvements.
Baz
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"A few people leave the pool open, and clean it throughout the winter. The majority cover it and run the filter for 1 hr overnight to circulate the water as a defense against freezing."
Everyone might have different opinion as to what action should be taken over the winter months. The use of a couple of large plastic bottles left floating in the pool will almost certainly prevent ice damage to the pool itself . However, the more serious side is leaving the pump, filter and pipes connected as the cost and likehood of expensive freezing damage is more likely to happen in this area.
Any good professional pool company winterising, will always disconnect as above.
Baz
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[quote]I've read through the FAQ section and was wondering about freeview. Is it possible to buy the freeview pack and watch UK channels in France? Or is there an alternative to Sky as we're finding the mo...[/quote]
This question has been answered many time previously. Freeview is a service provided by a special Free View box which allows one to receive digital TV via a terrestrial TV aerial. This will only be possible in the UK with the exception of poor signal locations. Further details can be found at http://www.freeview.co.uk/
You are probably confusing this with Free to Air channels which can be got via a Sky box or from a digital box purchased in France. These Channels are free and require no card. Hope this explains your question.
Baz
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It is strange that some people can see certain items and others cannot. In past when I have had these problems as I am no expert, I have found the best solution is to speak to the help desk of your ISP. They will go through all your settings and make changes where necessary which usually solves the problem. Also if you use Microsoft Explorer make sure it is the latest version and you have down loaded any critical updates. These will be found at
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp
Baz
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"No emails were sent out as promised as far as I can see."
Bob,
I am curious as to how you were able to relog on for the first time if you did not get your new password from LF via an email?
Baz
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I had previously posted this in another topic, but now realise that I am more likely to get an answer by reposting under a new subject.
I hope somebody can solve an annoying problem. When I go to "Posts since last visit" and respond to a post, I am unable to go back and look at the posts I have not yet read. The only way round this problem I have found is firstly read all the posts before responding. This cannot be right, as there may be more than one post to which I wish to respond. Using the Back key on the computer does not work as it brings up the need to refresh. With all other sites using a similar format the use of Back key is all what is required. I am hoping this is just glitch with this forum that can be rectified in due course.
If anyone has found an alternative way round this problem, please post and let me know.
Baz
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Jill,
Just go to the Contol Panel at top of the page, make the changes in the relevant sections you require and click on update.
Baz
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I hope somebody can solve an annoying problem. When I go to Posts since last visit and if I decide to respond to a post, I am unable to go back and look at the posts I have not read. The only way round this problem I have found is firstly read all the posts before responding. This cannot be right!
Baz
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Most people do not like change, but rather than critisise the new format which IMO is far better than the old one, why not spend time playing around and learning how to use it. Once you have got used to it, you will soon forget the previous format. I am not a technical person but try to find may way around by practice and if all fails just ask. There is always someone out there with answers.
I say enjoy this new site as it is sure to get better as we all learn.
Baz
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[quote]Baz, Won't signing be a problem for French cards in the UK? The cards are set up for pin use. We haven't signed with them for donkeys years and although we sign on the back of the cards like normal...[/quote]
Miki,
My understanding is that the French pin system is currently incompatible with that of the UK, due to the tighter security incorporated in UK cards. I also believe that the French system is due to updated then all cards issued in either France or GB will work in both countries.
With regards to signing, I have as yet never found any of my new UK pin cards will work in the French machines and am always asked to sign. I therefore assume that if you currently use a French issued card in the UK a signature would be required.
The reason that signing as an alternative is allowed currently in the UK is twofold. Firstly, it will take sometime before all old card are replaced with chip and pin. Secondly, as I found out cards or machines can have problems.
Baz
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Teamedup,
My comments above were only relating UK issued cards. It quite possible until French chip cards are updated to the new UK standards that they will not work in the UK card readers and a signature will be permitted. The machine should say when a card is entered which form of proof is required. Do not panic over your Visa International card.
Baz
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Because EDF have so many variations on offer, I have always advised a visit to your local office. If you go armed with details of all your electrical appliances and your requirements, they will load this information into their computer and it will come out with the best and cheapest tariff for your needs. I have always found EDF to be very efficient and extremely helpful.
Baz
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This advice is more applicable to using a new UK chip and pin card in the UK card readers. I have already had to have two cards replaced because the system would not recognise my Pin numbers even after getting the bank to send me confirmation of my Pin. Whilst, the bank could not explain the reason for this problem, they did point out it was necessary to make sure your cards worked by the end of the year. As after that time in the UK any card with a chip and pin will only be accepted with the imputing of the correct pin number because signatures will no longer be permitted.
Baz
Logistics
in Finding/Owning French Property
Posted
Yes, Les is quite right, hire the van from the store and do your own deliveries. If you go to an out of town shopping area, you will have a better choice of retailers and then you can hire your van from one of them and collect your other items from other suppliers all at the same time. Much of French furniture such as beds, cupboards comes flat pack and you will be amazed what one van load will take. Just make sure you have helpers to avoid a hernia.
Baz