Simon

We travel from SW England to SW France via Dover these days as the BF prices are insane.  Speedferries £38-£58 return, and even with tolls and fuel the savings are massive.  Two of us driving means we can do the trip in one go, and although it adds about 3 hours onto the drive, the quick crossing time still saves us 2 hours overall.  I am happy with the 55mins sat in a seat, and don't feel the need for a higher quality boat. Regards Simon

I think you will struggle to find any ISP who does not block port 25 as this has huge benefits in cutting down security issues in spam, viruses and other nasties.  Why do you want to use port 25? regards Simon

It sounds as if you have more than one device with the same name on your wifi network.  Is every piece of equipment you have called something unique, if not a bit of renaming (in Windows XP system properties - windows key & pause/break) should sort you out? Regards Simon

If your UK equipment requires a BT master box, then you may as well use the UK filters too; they will work happily in tandem with the French ones elsewhere on the system Regards Simon

I don't have one myself, but you can at least get the drivers here Regards Simon

Don't miss St Emilion, very interesting and beautiful place, pleantly of wines around there too; take the little tour bus for a look at some Chateau. Regards Simon

Can you stick a bulb both sides? Regards Simon

Yes I'm with Tony, re-tinning is a pain, stainless steel is much better, it cost a bit more in the 1st instance but after that it's great.  I couldn't go back to cooking without copper now. Regards Simon

I'm with Dick, melba toast and a touch of ginger preserve, fab! regards Simon

Yes Dinan is lovely. but do visit St Emilion too for a real treat. Regards Simon

I burn (Hornbeam) charme which makes a great fire, it burns hot and for long periods.  Though you may want to check this site out. Regards Simon

This site should give you the details you need. regards Simon

Yes, just you I think Wen.  Bring it to me raw and wriggling... Regards Simon

You may find this  site useful, it also has a quotation wizard. Regards Simon

I use one of these in just the way you indicate.  Although this is a UK company, there are others around viessmann for example. Regards Simon

I suspect the Hostellerie de Plaisance will be open.  Lunch can be pricey, but should start at around €30 and well worth it. Regards Simon

Yes the chinese option is my favourite, pruneaux, soy sauce, bit of chilli, and ginger all whizzed together. Served hot off the bone in torillas with spring onions and shredded cucumber, pour sauce over the top and roll up. Regards Simon

More dangerous than these scams is the phishing done by those posing as being from eBay or Paypal. These can look absolutely genuine, I had one the other day from Paypal saying that the watch I'd supposedly ordered from the states had been successfully paid for and the $350 was on its way to the vendor. There was small print at the bottom saying if I thought there was a problem with the transaction to click here and log it within the Paypal system. If you do that then you get taken to a website that looks just as it should, you log into your account, thus giving the dummy website all your security details. I forwarded it to Paypal for their action. My tip is if you get an email from eBay or Paypal then use your normal favourite link to open the login screen, never use the one on an email. I do this even of I think the email is genuine. These pray upon peoples' paranoia about using the internet for purchases, I was concerned about the watch I had not ordered, and I did visit the Paypal site to check that the transaction was a myth, which it was. Regards Simon

Jan, are you sure it wasn't just a good night out; I know pink elephants are more common, but octopuses in sailor outfits? Regards Simon

You can buy a new keyboard online from the UK for under £4. Regards Simon

Never mind the T-Shirts Charles, is any of that divine Confit de La Colline still around for sale at the Chateau; if so when are you open in December? Regards Simon

I'd suggest chips to go with that vinegar ;-) Simon

Streaming over broadband is the answer in many cases for listening to radio remotely. Use a PC, or better still a dedicated network music player. I use my squeezeboxes - http://www.slimdevices.com/index.html -(one each side of the channel) to listen to the BBC, FranceBleu, and many others. Quality is excellent as it goes through your own hifi amp and speakers. I also have my entire CD collection in both houses on the 2 old PCs I use as hosts for the silmserver software saving me the trouble of making copies of my 400 or so disks. Regards Simon

Those with broadband may want to consider one of these:- http://www.slimdevices.com/ Regards Simon

Could the local saw mill run you off some cedar? Regards Simon