bedders

I think the French had their minds on other things (2007)

One motoring forum to which i belong, had a thread which started off with the imminent closure of Jaguars Browns Lane factory in Coventry, and ended up discussing the merits of lend/lease during the war! Sorry to go off topic. 

As a generalisation i would say that hardly anything of that vintage would be happy to run on unleaded in the long term. It leads to recession of the valve seats. Remember that in those days lead was added with gay abandon and engine manufacturers hardly needed to give valve seats a second thought. There are however 2 ways to overcome this, 1) is to install hardened seats (expensive) 2) is to put an additive in with the petrol. I use Castrol valvemaster in a car and it works. Hope this helps. 

That's really interesting, obviously they're enthusiastic, do they have problems obtaining spares and would you know if many are advertised for sale?

Are there any "old" British bikes to be found in France, (can't say i've noticed any,) or did they all expire before reaching Dover?

Your French friend is correct - load over area and all that.

The Cof C which I have confirms that the vehicle  complies with the relevant the Eupean Directives regarding : Noise level -DE 77/212,Gas Emmissions-DE 78/665, Electrical supression-DE72/245, Field of vision of mirrors-DE79/795,Braking Efficiency-DE 79/489, Seat Belt Anchorage-DE83/318, Driver protection in frontal shocks-DE 74/297, Door Locks and Hinges-DE 70/387, Strength of rear Seats- DE 81/577, protection against unauthorised use & provision of Plates DE 78/507. Surely, hardly any, if any, of the directives quoted were of any relevance when many of our classics were manufactured. So how could Jaguar for arguments sake, give any compliance certificate for a vehicle which back in the sixties didn't have to comply with anything hardly? Or am i missing something. 

Hi Dotty, Sorry not to answer earlier, but i didn't pick up your question until this lunchtime, and as i only take 30 mins (this is the UK), i didn't have time to reply. The visitors centre is on the North side of the bridge, almost underneath, just to the East. I believe it's sortie 45 off the A75. There is a huge car park, and the centre itself is full of models, photos and they run a film show i seem to remember. Regarding myself, i used to work in chemical/pharma plants, then when the dash for gas was heralded, i turned to gas fired power stations. Now the price of gas is getting prohibitive, and few if any are being built, i'm back up to my neck in chemicals again! Anything with pipes in it (big ones). I just wish my experience was transferable to France, but i fear my language would not be good enough, sadly. If the above hasn't sent you off to sleep, i suggest you see a doctor and quickly. Bedders.

I'm really annoyed with myself that i missed the program. We have watched the construction progress over various holidays and last June drove over it on our return from the Pyrenees. The visitors centre is well worth a visit if anyone is in the area. Hoping for a program repeat for a change!

I was stopped at a peage, flagged down after just pulling away. The disgruntled look on his face when it failed to register, was a picture.I hadn't even had so much as a wine gum. 

This is hardly earth shattering, but my no. of posts has remained on 29 for some while. I should be way into the.................30's by now!!

andyh4 & jond indicated the almost incredible logistics of providing enough veg oil for our future transport needs, and touched on the subject of the energy requirements to refine rape & sunflower oil. Many years ago i worked for a Unilever subsidiary in Kent which refined edible oils and the amount of electricity and steam required to produce the final product was quite astonishing. I suppose if we can in time increase the % mix, (diesel to veg oil) this will eek out the dwindling oil reserves and reduce emissions slightly. In the meantime Tescos are quite happy to sell me 3 litre containers of rapeseed oil for "personal use only"  

To make 2006 the year of our move to France.  If we don't make it this year, i fear we never will.

Hi, someone on the forum must have used the Portsmouth/Bibao ferry to access the deep South West of France, if so, was it considered a realistic option to the usual Dover ferry and long drive? I can't see that the cost would be any more, but are there any particular drawbacks (apart from the Spanish drivers). The point is i do enjoy the drive down through France, but it's getting a bit much for my elderly parents, and i thought this alternative might be more relaxing. Any comments would be gratefully received. 

Just be grateful you don't live in the UK chaps. The prices are rising daily, unleaded is above £1 per litre and diesel around £1.05 per litre. There is even talk of refinery blockades and disruption on the roads (we wouldn't even notice the last one).

Penny29, At the risk of being grrrrrrrowled at, am i correct in stating: that a person that has been in & out of work in the UK for 2 or 3 years prior to moving to France could suffer a reduced term on his/her E106. My position is that i have been self employed (in the UK) for 30 years, but in the last 2/3 years have really struggled for continuity of work. Having not bothered with the dole office or whatever they are called now, i am stamps short, this will presumably reflect on my entitlement? Not the fact that in the past, it has felt as if i were paying for the national health service single handedly.   

I was thinking on the lines of 1 or 2, (not 10 or 20) as maybe a shorterm solution while that 5 minute barn conversion was being completed in 5 years time. someone must have tried this surely?  

Hi, has anyone used mobile homes on their property to supplement the number of gites available  for letting. If so, is/was it profitable, and generally, is obtaining permission a problem? Thanks in advance.  

We shan't see his like for a very long time, if ever. I even encouraged my son (non golfer) to watch, as it was the end of an era. What suprised me was the state of his playing partner, and long time adversary, Tom Watson, he was in one hell of a state. It's always sad when a great sportsman comes to the end of the road. 

You seem to be viewing this project from a scientific stance, whereas i'm more interested in the engineering one, where fusion/fission is less important, ie utilities, pipework, quality assurance etc. would be much the same. The French have an abundance of nuclear engineering experience, which should be readily transferable from fission to fusion. JET at Culham, is as you say, probably where the greatest nucleus (pardon the pun) of fusion knowledge is to be found. Regarding project leadership, did i not read recently that BNFL is offering for sale its nuclear construction arm (Westinghouse i think) just at a time when this country (Britain) is in need of a couple of large new generating stations. Forward planning British style.

Mr Conquerer, i seem to remember your an ex contractor, in the engineering field maybe? My background doesn't include nuclear experience, but does include some power station work, with all that entails. High pressure pipework, utilities etc, both design & supervision, perhaps you could keep the forum informed as to whom various contracts are awarded, so we may be able to make enquiries when the time comes. Information should be easier to source from your side perhaps.  

As we drove over the bridge on the way back from holidays, i kept thinking of Sir Norman Fosters other great triumph, the one over the Thames to Tate modern!! the one that required shock absorbers to stop it from wobbling. Back to Provence, this project would seem a possible employment prospect for expats in southern France, that's struggling for employment/income, or am i being naive?

Yes, i am well aware this will be a multinational project, but being situated in France, where nuclear know how is as well developed as anywhere, i assume most of the scientific/engineering expertise is already available. Any nation which can construct the Millau bridge, nuclear powered aircraft carriers and many nuclear power stations, has much to offer the project. I shall keep tabs on the way the project develops, as it may have some bearing on where we end up in France, it would not only be an interesting way to end a career, but sure beats trying to live off gite income.    

The proposed nuclear fusion project, which i understand will commence construction in 2006, will require masses of construction workers of all disciplines. Does anyone consider that the Fench will require engineers etc from outside the country, or will they absorb some of the unemployed from within? I am well aware of the French expertise in this field, so am i hoping against hope they may require some "foreigners". Any comments gratefully received.  

Hi Washy, yes i did read your problems with DRIRE, and the costs involved. I was hoping that subsequent to your problems some other Brit might have had a more positive experience! My car had the conversion in 2002 also, but does have a relief valve fitted to the tank, but as yet i'm unsure if it complies with R67 or R67/1. The position with the adaptor for UK usage is best resolved by visiting the Autogas website, i seem to remember they list a range of adaptors for about £10, you may be able to have one sent to a relatives address in the UK. I doubt very much that garages hold them.