Steph

Hi there, sick to death of my slow, expensive dial up connection. Am looking into broadband and don't understand anything! Could someone please explain what degroupee means .... I've discovered that my area is non-degroupee .... ?????? Also, who do people recommend ... wanadoo, alice, free ... are there any others out there .. Wanadoo seems expensive, alice & free seem reasonable ... but if wanadoo are more reliable and straightforward then I don't mind spending the extra.   Yours very confused ...!

Hi, I have received a tax form and I need to fill in the "number of pieces" ie. the number of rooms .. I can't remember which rooms get included .. is it just bedrooms & living rooms .. what about the kitchen and bathrooms .. ? Thanks ..

Hi, I have been trying to find an adaptor for a UK BT plug to French. I already have one but had to buy a complete european set. I need an extra one for a Minicom so that I can continue to talk to UK based step daughter who is deaf. If anyone has a spare one I would be happy to buy it off you or does anyone know where I can buy one. Thanks

Hi, I have sent you a private message.

Thanks Monika ..

That's great thanks .. does your neighbour know if that applies to lakes as well? Plus, do you know if that means you don't need a licence? Ta

[quote]In case you didn't know, all large vans of four years and over have to have a contrôle EVERY year for emissions tests as well as the usual two-year CT.[/quote] Thanks Ron for above... Thanks Val, I didn't know that ..

[quote]what region are you in?[/quote] Hi Gert, I'm in departement 53 (Mayenne) on the boders of 53, 35 & 44/49.

[quote]Be prepared to pay a lot more money than you would in the UK. For a van with low mileage, <5 years old you are looking at 8-9000€, even 10 year plus vans ex EDF or similar with 200,000 KM on the cl...[/quote] Thanks Ron, have been looking at vans and cars for a while so fully aware of the prices! Have just bought a car on ebay and that's where I'm looking for a van. However, though prices are high for cars I don't think the price for vans is too bad compared to the uk! So, to confirm are you saying that for a single van there is no equivalent of road tax to pay, just the taxes when you register? thanks

Hi, I have started my search to buy a van in France. I'm aware that there is a road tax on vans in France. Does anyone have any information about this, ie. is it on the size of the van, engine size etc. I am looking for a panel van .. renault master, sprinter or transit style so a medium sized one and not a little one. Don't want to find a bargain and then it turns out it's a bargain 'cos it's in a higher tax bracket. I'm sure some of you builders out their will be able to help!? Thanks

Thanks for your reply Nick, I have a partial certificate of conformity from 2 years ago, and as far as I can make out I need to have tyres and mirrors checked, plus some other things. It's not a grey import and it's a 1995 model, so it's the new shape. It's a shame though, cos I love the car and it does everything we need it to do, ie. pulling a trailer with heavy loads and a mini digger. Back to the drawing board then I think .. anyone want a UK trooper?!

Hi, was wondering if anybody has successfully registered a UK Trooper in France? Started the process a few years ago, didn't proceed. Have spent today looking at second hand cars in France and the prices are incredible, so maybe it is worth continuing with the registration. I know it might cost a bit but as the 4x4 market in the UK has sunk perhaps I'll stick with my right hand drive and drive it into the ground .. Any advice gratefully received .. Many thanks .

Hi Motorhead, yep hubby's bike is a 1998, Triumph Legend TT, haven't got a clue about the "sub 100hp" .. !

Hi there, I'm seriously thinking about buying a kayak or canoe. Does anyone know if it's possible to just turn up at lakes or the sea and get your kayak out .. do you need a licence or something .. Many thanks

Motorbikes do not need a CT at the moment. I read a while ago that the government were thinking about introducing them and all the bikers got together and blocked the roads etc .. how I love the French, at least they get up and stand against things they don't agree on! I think biking is much cheaper in France, I have a harley, bought new in France and it was about £600 cheaper than in the Uk, my husband rides a Triumph which we imported from the UK and apart from the expense of changing the speedo and headlamps was so easy to register. With regards to insurance my cover is fully comp and includes international and cost about 200 euros for the year, my husband's was about 250 euros .. I love biking in France, you get so much respect and I love the foot thing when you pass another biker ..  

[quote]Are you buying a left hand drive Discovery? If not, why import a right hand drive one to France? We had a Discovery a few years ago (L Reg. when we had it) and it was a nightmare. We live in the coun...[/quote] Hi, did you buy your trooper in France or did you import from the UK. I also have a trooper and love it to death, plus it is perfect for our work - building/towing etc. We started the procedure of registering it in France and received a partial certificate of conformity, we haven't proceeded further as we are unfortunately back in the UK working. We are uncertain as to what to do in the future, return with the vehicle and attempt to register or sell up and buy an alternative in France. I have been looking at 2nd hand 4x4 this afternoon on the net and they seem to be quite expensive and I don't think we will be able to replace the trooper with as good a vehicle. Would really like a landy defender but they really are pricey in France & the UK! Many thanks ..

Wondered if anyone knows about the rules and regs of an exterior oil tank? I read in FPN the other day that the regulations might have changed with regards to a building around an exterior oil tank. We were planning to put a building around ours this winter and were intending to construct this in wood, however I read that this is no longer permitted and it should be constructed in brick, or stone or blocks. Any advise gratefully received .. many thanks. PS. Have a G&T fuelled headache this morning after my rant (see previous posting).. I logged on last night to post this message and completely forgot to do it ..

Hi there, sorry this is a bit of a rant, I’ve just accessed the forum for the first time in ages and I’ve read some postings that initiated a bit of a huff. It’s probably because I’ve managed to get home to France for a week, but unfortunately I’m home alone without my husband to drink wine with and put the world to rights, so I decided a couple of G&Ts should be the order of the day and to log onto the forum ..   My huff came after I had read a posting about the cost of builders, admittedly the content of the posting itself was fine as were the responses but it got me onto one of my regular rants … Why is it that people always seem to think that builders or artisans are always trying to rip them off?   My husband is a carpenter who has been in business for the last 25 years; he was one of many who came out of the secondary education system in the late seventies being encouraged to “become a trade”. For about 20 years of that time he got used to being treated as the “tradesman” and as if he has got **** on his shoes.  Now however, the worm has finally turned, there is a huge lack of skilled, professional artisans, “becoming a trade” has not been encouraged by the educational system and consequently there is a huge shortage within the construction industry, this in turn, like any other profession has resulted in higher charges, due to supply and demand. To quote professional builder magazine, the UK construction industry requires 500,000 new apprentices now to be able to stand still in 5 year’s time, if my neighbours are correct these figures no doubt apply to France as well.  If you employ an artisan and expect to receive a high standard of work then you should also expect to pay the going price.   We quite often do not query the cost of any of our service providers; car maintenance, emergency trades, locksmiths, insurers, solicitors, estate agents, surveyors, hairdressers, the list goes on but it is accepted that this is the price to pay and yet when it comes to one of the most important and expensive of items, the home, then everyone wants high class, professional work but are not prepared to pay the price because they think they are being fleeced and taken for a ride. If your artisan is qualified, registered and professional then £25 or 35€ is a fair price to pay, you are more than likely paying for someone who has been in the business for at least 20 years and can offer you a vast amount of knowledge and experience. If your potential artisan is not prepared or able to give you a considerable list of references then do not use them.   I agree that there are plenty of disreputable characters out there, no doubt due to the British system within the construction industry i.e. Not having to be registered or affiliated to any professional body but if you follow your common sense and take up references and check credentials and keep in touch with your builders then you should haven’t a problem, as long as you are prepared to accept that you get what you pay for.   There I’ve said what I wanted to say, hope I haven’t bored you all too much but I just had to get it off my chest .. Ah now, should I have another G&T?  

If his set was going to be anything like the one at the Isle of Wight Festival you wont be disappointed that he has cancelled - not very exciting I'm afraid .. The Who on the other hand were superb ..