Bannon

Ah. I'd seen builders do this Nick and thought that was the way to do it - that it stopped any water going passed and under but as you say it may get trapped. Thanks

The Maire should know I guess but often in the past my enquiries have been met with blank stares as they had no idea. Even official letters of enquiry to them have failed to get a response.... but that's not the case with all of them I'm sure. Forum members have always been a much quicker in responding - so thanks cooperlola!  

I have the same problem (mine is actually damp around the fireplace) and I plan to cure it by digging a 10m trench to the required depth along the outside wall, lay a concrete base along the bottom, line the wall with 'protection soubassment', run a plastic tube with holes in it (I think in the UK we actually call this a 'French Drain' - but what it's called in French I've no idea!).... and then fill the lot back in with gravel. In my case the trench needs to be dug by hand because of services running under - lots of hard work ahead of course but better that paying out even more dosh. ....now where's that spade.

We intend to build a wall around our exposed courtyard to give us a bit of privacy and wondered what restrictions (if any) there were on height.  I seem to remember that in the UK you can build one up to about 1m without having to get planning permission - and that's the sort of height we'd be looking at before topping it off with a railing.    Thanks as always guys.

Thanks both, I've sent the link on to my solicitor - she may know of it if not, I'm sure she'll be interested in it.

Just to share this for comments. Went to Leroy Merlin with a mate of mine to buy some kitchen work surfaces - they were made of oak and 2.5m long so quite heavy as you can imagine. They were stacked up on end and so we started to load em upon the trolly.... we'd moved three of them when the whole lot of around ten fell down towards us. My mate managed to jump out of the way as he saw them coming but I was not so fortunate. In short I was knocked flying and finished up with my hand trapped and squashed between the boards and our trolly. I also finished up with 7 broken ribs and a rather nasty cut on my hand that needed 7 stitches. The point of the story is to make others aware that these places are not always as safe as you expect them to be - I don't think the French are as tuned in to health and safety as we are in the UK. Has anybody else had a similar experience? and if so what was the response from the store? We've sent a solicitors letter to them and have yet to receive a reply. In the meantime I'm having a well earned rest from work! I returned to the store after about a week to see if the situation had changed and all they seemed to have done was to stack the work tops back up on end again with nothing to hold them back.  

Many thanks Clair, much appreciated.

[:)]

We still keep getting mail for the previous occupant here at our home in France - and do not have a forwarding address for them. As my French is limited and direct translations are not always quite what they seem, what would be the correct way of writing 'Return to Sender' or even 'Not known at this address' ? It's quite possible I suppose for the French to have a different or more correct term. Any ideas guys?

Hi Clair, Thanks for your reply. Well yes, I was aware of the rules of the forum but perhaps I am being distracted by the number of enquiries being made. What is needed I suppose is some way that owners can be made aware of such enquiries automatically without having to log on. Just a thought, as so many residents having moved out and maybe nudging retirement would appreciate a little extra income and are disinclined perhaps to engage with commercial letting agents. I also notice that lots of enquiries on many subjects are then steered towards suppliers. Advertsing 'once removed' perhaps.    

Looking at the amount of interest in long term rentals I'm surprised that this forum does not allow people to post up their own properties for rental. Surely the idea is to bring people together who have a shared interest - in this case, seekers and suppliers and there must be many of both accessing this particular section. As one who had a  rather curt removal with no option of a direct reply, the only reason I can think of is the we'd treading on the toes of the advertising department. Like to comment admin?  

.....  also, it did go through my mind who'd get the credit if the child was found after their visit to the Fatima shrine. No the police or the public that's for sure. 

Ouch!

I think Quillan is expressing thoughts many of us harbour - but are just to afraid to say it given the nightmare the parents are going through - so good on you mate.  I have four kids of my own and it would NEVER have entered my head to leave them alone like that when they were small. Many years ago when they were tiny, my then 4 year old daughter, along with her cousin of around the same age, were left in the care of my married brother in law for the evening. I found out later that he'd left them tucked up on the settee and spent a couple of hours over the road in a pub. Only my wife stopped me punching his lights out. Lets all hope she's found safe and well.    

..... that's what the wife calls them anyway. Those above ground inflatable pools at around 3m diameter that have a picture on the box showing a whole family having a splash around. Reckons the people must all be midgets or munchkins (no offence to midgets by the way) Anyway, a question. They look good fun and just the thing for when the grandchildren come over in summer because once they have gone back you can just store them away but, what voltage is the pump that comes with it? The reason I ask is that I have a solar panel that we used to use for the garden pond and which puts out 12v @8amp..... might this be enough to drive the 'munchkin pool pump'. It would save having to run mains cable out to it as well as being free to run.  I've scoured the box they come in but can see no details of it. Thanks as always guys  

Anton, have you got shares in Satcure?

Well yes, wheelchairs are not a lifestyle choice and sorry to use a bad example - I was just trying to make a point - but whats' with the insult? I just feel it's unfair to charge so much for so little work and so little a dog. Never did like cats.

Agreed, I wonder if they charge extra for wheel chairs as well - or is that just a 'facility'? If you provide a specific chargable service, it is reasonable to ask what that 'service' actually is and what you are getting for your money - otherwise we start getting into the realms of semantics because I reckon pets like wheelchairs should be a facility and that a charged service should be something that can be quantified. They'll be charging to use the shop next, even to sit down or, if you want to go to the loo..... "soap, towels and paper extra folks".    

I've been waiting as well. Any comments from other quarters?

Well no, neither am happy to spend money I and yes, it is nice to have your pet checked. My observation really came down to the ratio between the cost of a vehicle plus passengers, and my poor mutt - who is a 'passenger' anyway. Call me a cynic but I reckon I'd be hard pushed to get someone to check him out for me if the missus was worried about the little fella! If they do not make a profit on one dog, how on earth then do they make a profit with a vehicle plus five passengers? I wonder what they'd charge for a hamster?  

I made a point once of asking the clerk at P&O in Dover why the charge was so much - in this particlar case we had missed an earlier sailing with Speed Ferries and had to book with them - quite a lot for the mutt I seem to remember..... and was told that "well, we have staff on board keeping a regular check on your animals". No you do not I thought, there is no access to the car deck during crossings! It's a bugger and no mistake. Maybe we have some ferry staff out there who'd like to comment? 

Am I the only one to be feeling a bit miffed at being charged so much by ferry companies for pets. One way travel on Speed Ferry for example with our little mutt... Euro 22.00, one way travel with car and passengers... Euro 27.00 - which, lets face it, is a good deal - so perhaps I should feel hard done by? Still miffed though, and I've got the return journey to France to pay for yet!  

Thanks one n all.... much appreciated.

What is the situation if, living in France we require health care in the UK? We pay tax here in France and both the wife an I have one of those green health cards. Can we for example call in on any UK health care centre and ask to see a medic? Thanks guys.

Of course that counts. We have a Canadian living near here with his English wife...so maybe that counts as an American Part of the attraction for us was the low level of Brits here - and that's not said in a negative sense because it's nice to talk English when your French is so bad. Summer sat at a cafe in Dordogne is like being in London with the sun shining, and everybody is reading English language newspapers - they say every village has at bleast one French family! Summer in Sancerre and most of the English heard seems to be with an American accent, and the large language school just down from the square is run by.... an American!