Baz

[quote user="Clair"]http://www.homeandlearn.co.uk/bc/bcs4p2.html [/quote] Clair, what a useful site, it is now in my favourites. Thanks Baz

Another sign that Eurotunnel may be able to improve on their current one train in each direction every 2 hours, is that they have informed me today that from 6th October day trips will be reinstated. For this to happen they will have to increase the number of trains daily. Baz

[quote user="Sprogster"] My wife and I have maintained for some years a cheque bank account in France with Soc Gen, just to pay the bills on our maison secondaire. Anyway, received last month a letter from the bank asking us to provide a copy of our last tax assessment, or a letter from our country's tax authority evidencing we were tax resident outside France. This was clearly a standard letter which presumably has been sent to all the banks non French resident clients.  I was a bit surprised, as the bank already holds other certified documentary evidence of our principle residence outside France, but presumably this is part of a crack down driven by the French tax authorities to weedle out foreign nationals resident in France, who have not declared themselves. Interestingly, I read in a paper the other day that the banks in Spain have recently implemented a similar requirement, so it would appear to be part of some EU initiative. [/quote] Sprogster, I am also with Soc Gen and this is not something new. I was asked for the similar evidence to prove my  tax residency in the UK, this consisted of showing them my latest tax code letter and a copy of my council tax bill,  this was a least 5-6 years ago. No further checks since then. Baz    

[quote user="P2"] This seems to have dropped out of the news and the Eurotunnel website is not very forthcoming. Any one know what the state of play currently is? Paul [/quote] I suspect the reason is that the engineers are still accessing the damage and how it will be repaired. The recent fire appears to have been worse than the previous one and  that closed one tunnel for about six months. Let's hope the repairs this time will be completed faster. Baz

It is possible to fly Lyons to Madrid with Easyjet and Air Europe Madrid to Malaga or may be cheaper to take a train from Madrid. For information on Cheap flights this site may be helpful: http://www.whichbudget.com/ Baz

May I suggest that before removing any paving stones that you have your system pressure tested. This will determine were there is a leak, it is a fairly simple job and not time consuming. As you have seemed to have done the simple checks, I would  find a pool person with the equipment as in the long run this is the best and cheapest method of finding where the leak is. It could be as simple as a joint needing re gluing. Baz

The proportioning of the Tax Froncieres would not have been done at the time of the sale in January as the amount of the  2008 tax would not have been known at that time. As this tax is due shortly and would be sent to the vendor for payment, it is only now when it has been paid by the vendor, that he(she) or the Notaire will ask you for your part. This arrangement is often common practice but usually has to be agreed at the time of the sale. Baz

I do not know whether anyone watched the ITV Tonight programme on cost of flying last night. There were a number of people complaining that there holiday homes were no longer served by flights from the UK. They obviously were not aware that one should never buy a property based on the ease of travel remaining the same for ever.   However, Martin Lewis the financial guru mentioned some very useful points about low cost air travel. With more airlines likely to go bust in the coming months, it is sensible to safeguard against loss of fare payments. There were three solutions, firstly pay with a UK Credit not Debit card (payment must be over £100), or secondly make sure your travel insurance covers Airlines going bust. The third suggestion was to book a package deal with flight and accommodation and the Tour operator will be responsible.   The most interesting point which I had never considered was about the package deal,  with air fares rising and continuing to rise that it could be cheaper to buy a package deal and only use the flight element than book a flight only direct with an airline and you also have the Tour operator protection against airline failure.   MOL(Ryanair) stated as bold as brass that they would never ever add fuel surcharges even if the price of oil doubled. What he did not say was how much he will continue to increase the extras and if he had any further surprises in the pipeline.   Baz  

[quote user="sueyh"] We recently purchased a 2008 garmin update for our 310 nuvi.  It totally wiped out our mapping of the uk. Has anyone else had this problem.  Did not buy it from Garmin - we are now worried that it is a duff copy!!! Suey [/quote] Garmin have free telephone support in both the UK and France, just ring their free telephone number and you will find them very helpful. Baz

Les you have raised a very interesting point: A spare wheel, inflated and the tools necessary to change it. I have just ordered a new car and I believe this applies to many manufacturers in the UK that spare wheels are no longer supplied. Instead they now supply a special inflating kit that will repair most punctures other than a wheel shred. I just wonder how the Spanish authorities will react to this and will the fine be imposed for those vehicles. I have checked the AA site updated August 2008 and no mention of the spare wheel requirement is mentioned, whilst all other point are. http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/touring_tips/AA_Spain.pdf Baz

You may be interested in this model, look at the video presentation and  try out for 30 days and return for refund if not happy. QVC will send most items to France. http://www.qvcuk.com/ukqic/qvcapp.aspx/app.detail/params.item.555334/walk.yah.UKEL~UK16 Baz

[quote user="Russethouse"] If I remember from the other thread correctly, anyone can purchase an Electron card from the UK post office...... [/quote] Just a word of warning, my daughter was booking a flight on Friday with Ryannair and decided to visit TWO Post Offices to obtain a Visa Electron and they knew nothing about them. Maybe applying online is better: http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/jump1?catId=19300207&mediaId=26800661 Baz

I have looked into this very recently and although Electron cards are issued by various banks thay are directed mainly to 16-18 year olds opening a new account and students. If you can persuade your bank to issue one they may wish to close your existing cards. Now we can see why Ryanair make no charges for Electron cards as they do not wish to loose the student trade. For further information just Google Electron Visa Cards. Maybe when the new EU rules for publishing transparent air fares comes into force at the beginning of next year this stupid nonsense of add ons by Ryanair and some other low cost carriers will finally cease and the fare you see is the fare you pay. Baz

[quote user="mike.m"] Tried the backwash for three minutes ; there was very little movement observable in the glass dome over the sand filter and the pump pressure dropped to zero .Is this normal?  If I release the pressure valve above the dome the water level rises . What is the correct height above the sand? When backwashing the pump pressure may drop slightly but normal water movement in the sand filter should be seen. This certainly indicates a problem. Pump blades -work in progress . I removed the plastic fan at the rear and then unscrewed the four long screws which secure the body . I dont know how to proceed further . The main central nut turns freely when I insert the driver so I'm unclear how to dismount the main body . Also if its turning freely does that mean the impellor blades are not gunged up ? From your remarks it would appear the pump is working unless an internal gasket has blown. Air leaks ; Checked but none apparent . If all else fails before replacing a pump, it may be worth getting a pool company to carry out a pressure test on the whole system as this will find any air leaks. Baz                                                               [/quote]

If pressure is still low after backwashing then next check that all fittings are tight and no air is being sucked into the system. Baz

Check with one of the flight scanner sites for operators on the routes you want. I believe that Flybe currently operate a service Birmingham to Toulouse but whether it will be operate next April/May it is probably to early to know.  You dates are referring to a spring/summer 2009 timetable which could be published from possibly October/November or not even until 2009 depending on the operator. If you are using a low cost carrier look at their prices about 2-3 months before your departure date and you may find a cheap flight. There are many more airports that you can choose in SW France so it may be better to sort a more exact location because 3 to 4 days will only allow you to cover a very small part of this vast area. When I bought my property in Languedoc back in 1989, I spent  2 weeks  just in the Aude/Herault departments getting to know the location and luckily found our house at the end of the trip. Baz  

[quote user="Clair"]The no frills carrier says that it will refuse to honour any online bookings from Monday, unless they have been made through its own website. [/quote]   Lots of comments on this topic, but does anyone know as to whether Ryanair carried out its threat or was it just hot air. Baz

I can confirm that the problem is still happening right now, so I suspect fault has not yet been located. Baz

[quote user="Atty"]A recent guest emailed us to say that security at Limoges confiscated a sealed tin of Confit from them.............probably wanted it for his tea [:D][/quote] [quote user="Barbel Bob"]A recent guest of ours got his foie gras sealed in a tin also confiscated?? They will all be fat!!!  I suppose it can look like semtex though !!![/quote] It looks like they are doing a good security check, it is better to be safe than sorry. If you do not want to have items confiscated then put it in your hold luggage, that is the downside of air travel today. Barry

[quote user="suzy"] For those of us making the move in the next year or so, having sold here (UK) a buyers market is just what we need. Sue [/quote] You will also have to hope that the strength of sterling against the euro improves as well. The current drop has effectively made euro property 17.5% more expensive for the Brits over the last year. Baz

Interesting you raised the question as there was an article in last weekend Daily Mail about Poolsan. It has only really been used commercially for a short time and  although it has been trialled by the Leatherhead Leisure Centre and now being  used by a large UK Hotel chain it may need further long time proof of its effectiveness. The cost may be a consideration for pool owners on a limited budget. It will be interesting to hear the comments of the Pool Professionals. Baz

It just maybe at long last that the air fares shown in advertising and websites must include all the extras by the end of this year. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7496677.stm Baz  

[quote user="St_Jacques"] Earlier this year I spelt one of my own children's names wrong when I booked online with Lufthansa. I telephoned them and they changed it and Emailed a new ticket straight away with no charge. Perhaps different airlines have different policies? [/quote] This is the difference you expect when using a National Airline as apposed to the low cost brigade.  Baz

Mookey, now you know why they can charge £0 for flight and still make a profit. A rather expensive mistake. Baz

I agree with Cerise comments and would like to add a couple of additional points. It is really essential if you do not speak French to learn the language before you go as it will be extremely difficult to integrate with out it. If a French job is part of your plan you will need to choose your location with extra care as unemployment is problem in France and fluency in the language will almost certainly be essential. Finally bear in mind that the pound has dropped against the Euro by about 20% in the last year so everything in France is much more expensive so waiting a couple of years may be a wise decision. Baz