Bones

I think French slow would lead to you being pulled over for a friendly warning, French normal speed will be picked up by one of the 10,000 speed cameras you are likely to pass and French fast will lead to a newspaper article! I miss smoking in a rhd car: nobody likes to smoke with their left hand. In fact, if you don't already smoke you should consider taking it up for a short while. [B]

French slow or English slow? When I first came over here even old women were overtaking me. Now I drive French. :) One more tip (one that I'm sure you have already considered). If the police pull you over for anything, pretend you can only speak enough English to say "Friend - lend - car - I no understand". They'll soon get bored.

[:D] It's exactly the same where we are. It's like the wild west sometimes. A friend of ours split up with her fella a couple of years back and all of a sudden there's these suitors showing up at her house - dropping off free fruit and veg! It did her head in. No women, curiously enough... Being English only adds to the problem, given that our womenfolk are notouriously 'easy'. French women are traditionally used to having their husbands keep a bit on the side, or so I'm told,  maybe there's some deep seated paranoia at play? The moral of the tale being: don't talk to any married men! Have you tried dressing in black, gnashing and wailing?

I know the roundabout of which you speak Frenchie: in the UK we call it a mini roundabout and I drove OVER it two weeks ago in a fit of rage. Which says it all really...

I think the roundabout rules are more or less the same; just that the French don't always follow them! The way I was taught, you stay in the inside lane if you're going around the roundabout, then start to indicate when your exit is approaching. You stay in the outside lane if you're taking any exit less than 180° or going straight on. I try sticking to it in France, nobody cares! Anyone who regularly tackles the Leclerc roundabout north of Carcassonne will know what I mean. It's not entirely their fault, they only relatively recently changed the rules, so it's not ingrained yet. As for giving way to the right on normal roads - there will usually be a give way sign, so that does the work for you. France needs to paint give way signs everywhere, but I would imagine the cost is enormous so it isn't going to happen overnight. Correct me if I'm wrong Frenchie, but didn't people entering the roundabout used to have priority? How the hell did that work? [:D] As for driving RHD, it will be easier for you because you can see what's going on if you need to overtake. I drove LHD first over here and soon got used to it.

Ah, does sound a bit odd when you put it that way! I think this is why it's always a good idea to check out the CV rating before you buy used, I mean if you want to buy something cheapish, and it's just under ten years old, plus the CV rating is over twenty... that would equal .... around 700 euros to register! [:-))] Not sure how many vehicles have cv ratings that high.

My mate was once flashed out by a stationary bus that was blocking the view of oncoming traffic: he pulled out (without due caution it has to be said) and a car hit him. He looked at the bus driver and he just shrugged. If in doubt: do nowt! Frenchie - I've changed my mind!!! Ignore all flashing. [Www]

[quote user="derf"][quote user="Bones"]Great! Better get it sold rapido then. [;-)] Cheers SD. [/quote] And if you do sell the car[;-)] the insurance company will want to see proof of the sale to cancel the policy.[:)] [/quote] [Www] Opas: there's a thread on that somewhere with all the info. I think change of address is free but change of ownership costs on average 35 euros per CV (the cheval fiscal thingy - not the horse power). My car is rated at 7 but because it's over ten years old the 35 euro rate is halved. So I paid 17 euros(ish) x 7 for my CG when I registered it. Check out the thread for a detailed explanation: SD posted a link to find out your car's CV rating.

"Bones mentioned about headlights; these are solely for being seen and seeing one's way in the dark and there is nothing in the Highway Code about them being used to "indicate" this, that or the other so if someone does flash do not take it to mean anything other than be on extra guard." -------------------------------------------------------- Either you take it to mean nothing or you don't! [:P] In the UK, if someone appears to be stopped even though they have priority - then flash their lights at you, it means that they are inviting you to go ahead. I do it in France and 50% of the time the French drivers understand, in the UK it's 100% of the time. I think the point that Erney Y is making is that if there's an accident the police will not accept your explanation "But he flashed his lights at me!!" as a valid excuse.  So, obviously, be very careful and NEVER rely on another driver to inform you of dangers that he might be able to see but which you have no view of. It's an invitation, not an obligation. I would agree that British drivers are far more uptight, just ignore them! I hate driving on UK motorways....  

You're in trouble, we have rules to follow! [:P] 1) If you see a person at a zebra crossing (passage piétons?) STOP! As soon as they step out onto the black and white lines you are legally obligated to do so. 2) The rules for UK roundabouts are (I think) the same as the current French rules but they're followed rather more stringently in the UK. 3) Those little orange lights on the four corners of your car are called indicators, we call them this as they indicate your intentions to other drivers: use them! Seriously, UK drivers will expect you to indicate every time you change direction. Some helpful aspects: Roundabouts have an arrow telling you which way to go around - it sounds obvious but when I went back to the UK last year I forgot which direction to take... [:$] Flashing your lights does not mean "look out - the police are around the corner", it means "allez-y" or, if it's dark, "turn your lights on!". Roads are helpfully marked with give way (priority) signs: the small road leading onto the big road will usually have a broken white line and a sign saying 'Give Way': no need to guess![:P] Motorways: UK autoroutes are not very good and are always being repaired, so expect frequent interruptions. They are, however, free! Oh, and the overtaking lane (fast lane) is on the right. That's all I can think of. There's nothing to worry about, road signs are pretty obvious and a car is a car no matter which side the steering wheel is on.  [:)]

Great! Better get it sold rapido then. [;-)] Cheers SD.

Hi, Unfortunately I'm male: mr mom. We live in Villardonnel, about 20km north of Carcassonne. It's a small village, outside of the hustle and bustle but just a couple of minutes away from the main road down to Carcassonne, which has a huge medieval castle (where they filmed the Costner version of Robin Hood). So no driving down winding country roads, unless you really want to! The local school is excellent. The teacher is young(ish) but has been there for years and really works the kids hard, in preparation for college. Quite a few of these small village schools have newly qualified teachers that move on after a year to bigger and better things, so he's a real gem! Obviously I don't like everyone in the village but most are nice and there are a fair few English speakers too. There is a post office and a bar/restaurant/shop which is run by two English speaking women - one of whom is my partner. We're not too far from Spain, skiing in the mountains, and the coast (Perpignan and Narbonne). Hot in the summer, cold in the winter, but not as cold as further up the mountain (the area is called the black mountain but it's more like a very wide hill, you are further up but it's such a gradual ascent that you hardly notice the climb!). The international airport and larger city of Toulouse is about an hour away. Not perfect but pretty good.

Steer well clear. The fact is that what he's done is absolutely bang out of order, not that he gives a monkeys. He might even be an alright sort when he's sober, but he does choose to drink and must know what a t*t he is when he's had a few; the clown is thus refusing to take responsibility for his actions. We have a few people like this in our village where the missus co-manages the local bar/resto. I spent 30 years in north Manchester avoiding trouble - a minor miracle - and yet have had to put myself around a bit since since moving to 'quiet' rural France! Explain to the wife that you don't want him coming over ever again, and if he does you're going to call the police. Obviously, in the interests of a quiet life, you make out that this will be good for your friendship with her too. If she doesn't like it - tough. Being a nice sort, then moaning with frustration afterwards (we all do it) won't win you any sympathy: people would far rather listen to gossip and ask what you're doing letting him in in the first place. Be angry in advance, not in hindsight. If I were your friend I'd be round his place right now giving him a piece of my right hand, that's my objective take on things! Don't argue, don't shout, he'll probably love the opportunity to try and bulls*it you: just ignore him and he'll probably get the message that you're serious.

I feel exactly the same way - and I'm in a car! The French know the rules but the schema just isn't there, for reasons already pointed out. My method: I see a gap, I dart for the inside lane and then hope that they pay heed to my right indicator when I want to exit: it's like that old video game Frogger (no pun intended). The French method (around our way): You pull out - zen like - onto the outside lane,  gradually picking up speed (to put other punters off), you then stay in the outside lane until your preferred exit appears. I can only imagine how exciting it is on a bike! [:-))]

Hello. I might be buying a new car next week (used). I currently use a broker who deals with Generali and the premium seems a little bit high. Problem is that I didn't realise this until after signing up for another year a few months ago. [:$] My question is: can I cancel my current policy (annual contract ends next summer) even though my current vehicle is not yet sold - using the rationale that I won't be using the thing any longer? I don't think I will be able to, will I? I tried getting quotes through the Assurland website and they didn't return any quote from Direct Assurance, but when I went on the Direct Assurance website they returned a really cheap quote! Obviously I'm going to ring them and they'll probably come up with some reason for doubling the internet quote; but until then I live in hope of being able to insure the new car with them. Any ideas as to how I'm might cancel the insurance on my current car and go with a new insurer for the new one? I'm thinking that if I do have to insure both cars - for the time being at least - that it would be cheaper doing it with a new insurer anyway; is that possible? Cheers and sorry for the hijack! [:P]

No, that's pretty much the same explanation you gave the first time. [:D] I know what you mean about the 'get info' function but I've never even copied a CD to itunes. I stand by what I said in my previous post: copy the cd to itunes (I assume it will be there permanently after copying?) Take out the CD. Then use the 'get info' function. I've no idea whether this will work but the only way to at least diagnose the problem properly is to remove the only obvious step (of leaving the cd in whilst you add the info) from the equation. If that doesn't work, try hitting it with a hammer. [B] Hasty edit: I think I catch your drift now! You DON'T want to have to manualy use the get info function where (after a while) it does it semi automaticaly but still takes yonks? Ah! Hang on, I'll try and open Itunes and see what's what.... No, I have no idea! I thought you might have been talking about a function where itunes automatically searches for the info on the net but the only function I can see is for itunes to get the album artwork for you. I use Nero for converting/burning etc and that searches an internet database for all the info for you.... So, to summarise, I don't even know what you're trying to achieve! [:P]

Well I didn't know that: sounds like (another) good excuse to own a classic! The only thing I worry about is driving kids around in them: really should be looking at something with abs and airbags... [:(] Damn responsibility! Cheers SD. [B]

Hello! Yes I know majuscule (doesn't that mean capital letter? Hang on I'll google it... Yes! Apparently in English too. [:$]) I agree that it's one of those shops you want to just hang around in all afternoon. And if you're going to engage in a spot of retail therapy then at least there's some merit in a book shop! Pads: Holy Blood was written by Baigent, Leigh and Lincoln. The Leigh Teabing character in the Da Vinci Code was a nod to the two main authors; Leigh and Baigent (teabing, of course, being an anagram). Whatever you think of the ideas expressed, it's a really good read. Funnily enough, there's a little bookshop at Rennes Le Château and I'm sure some of them are in English: all good kooky stuff too! [:)]

[quote user="Sunday Driver"]Same situation as above.  British cars designed and built for the US market have a technical specification that is different to that in France.  That means they normally have to go through the same single vehicle approval process with the DRIRE- with the same potential hassle and costs. However, if the car is over 25 years old (or over 30 years old as from 1 January 2008) then you have the option of contacting the FFVE (Federation Francaise des Vehicules d'Epoche) for an attestation (basically a type approval waiver) and registering it as a voiture de collection....     [/quote] Sorry to be a pain SD, but does this apply to all U.S. cars or just those that have (or have had) a French equivilant (an old merc, for example)? I wouldn't mind a potentially cheaper classic from the US - you can always dream... I've seen some classic cars for sale in the US that are described as the Euro model, don't know if they have been imported there from Europe privately or not. [8-)]

Hello Hollie, perhaps you'll have more luck if you post your query in the South West section. Cheers.

Yup, have to agree, CD -r and DVD-r seem to be the most compatible and trouble free standards. I don't have a problem because we live quite near Andorra: very, very cheap. You can get them from e-blag as well. Go for the best quality discs you can find and you'll save yourself a lot of time and bother, especially with video. Burn video discs (any video) as slowly as possible for best results.

Whaaaaat??? I'm not sure I understand your problem. Only thing I can think of perhaps trying is: insert CD. Copy CD to Itunes. Eject CD. THEN add info.  

Have you ever read the holy blood and the holy grail? Pretty cool and heavily features Rennes le Chateau, which is just a short drive down from Carca'  toward Limoux. I'd already read it before moving over here and was pretty impressed when I saw it 'in real life', my partner's father is from Paris and he's a huge fan of all that stuff, so it was quite a treat for him when we drove him down! Also, my sister bought a book about the history of la cité (in la cité), I'm not sure of the title but it was definitely in English.

Well Chris, It's hardly a fruit bat but looks big enough to take an eye out if it decided to go all kamikaze. It landed on the wall for a rest at one point and - without the wingspan - looked much less grand! I'm going to investigate the skylight today as the poor thing may be resting in a crevice and popping back out at night in a weakened state, (can't see it finding much nourishment up there). If there's no bat I'll silicone up any gaps; apparently they can crawl through tiny spaces, so it could be the case that every now and again one of a family of bats accidentally finds its way into the bedroom. I'm hoping it has found a new entrance point through the skylight rather than being trapped inside at the roof tile level (they tend to move around a bit - check out the orange stains on the white walls, that's rainfall that is!). The fact that we've had a couple of bats now over a period of months would suggest that they're okay up there and that any gaps leading into the room are more of a hindrance than a help. Hate heights, not keen on bats, this should be fun. [+o(]

I think this will come out as a zoom of the original photo... For those of a nervous disposition: look away now! [IMG]http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h92/bonesey123/IMGP0496-1.jpg[/IMG]