Smiley

Well done PdF, Yet another Forum where you have managed to alienate more people than you have promoted to your cause. I wonder if you'll refuse to post on here again ( as you have threatened on other forums) once someone asks you for a realistic alternative to your eco extremists views or to answer questions?? You do have a remarkable way of promoting things. The billboard debate is only the tip of the iceberg for this shallow, non responsive posters' debates. Next will come his opposition to all economic growth and preaching about how we should all abandon modern lifesyles etc. etc. YAWN, YAWN, YAWN.

Hi Lynpy, I can't tell you much about the road from Foix to Lourdes as I've never done it. I can tell you that Perpignan to Foix is a nice road but not particularly quick. It will take about 2hrs 30 to complete. I would certainly avoid Foix itself on that day. You are really going to struggle as it's the Etape that weekend. Our house in Belesta was filled at the start of the year and we have had lots of enquiries from people. I've passed them on to BnB owners so you may struggle to get somewhere to stay.    

Post deleted, I gave the wrong info. OOPS

My TV is a Watson PAL System. The Video/DVD accepts the French TV (for video recording) but the Scart comes must come out as PAL because the TV won't work without going through the Video. I also have Sky linked through the same video and that works fine too.

Hi Afy, Maybe these people can help with the question black of powder supplies in France: http://pageperso.aol.fr/adfjs/adfbis.htm http://poudrenoire.forumactif.com/ You can get modern gun cases on e-bay and maybe luccky with the US site for your gun if you want a genuine one? Or you could drop these an e-mail: http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/

I have a UK telly in France. I Bought a 99euro DVD/Video player from Champion and now get the French through this (Scart lead) and UK through Sat box no problem. It might be worth checking your Scart lead has all the pins there, we had one with some missing and this gave us problems.

I found this while searching for information. It may be of help when needing to explain parts. http://plomberie.per.free.fr/DictionnairePlomberieAnglais

Well here is my list of advertising if anyone wants to know: Holidaylets Owner direct Holidayhost Letfor First4France Click4holidayhomes meetthefrench Holidaylettings Villarenters all the seasons Holidaynoticeboard Holidayhavens +Lots more smaller sites/forum sites etc. Some of the above are very good, some rubbish!! It's a matter of trial and error. A good web site is a must for me too.

Hi Rob, I've added your site link to my site. Maybe you could do the same? Betoulle, added yours too.

Does anyone out there fancy pooling bookings in the Midi pyrenees region. I am currently fully booked for mid July to Mid September 2007 as well as other odd weeks and would be happy to refer any overspill enquiries to other Gite owners, who have availability, in a reciprocal arrangement. Also some BnB's in the Mid France region along the Orleans-Toulouse corridor would be handy, we are always being asked for recommended stop-over points for our guests. I welcome any ideas on this.

Absolutely appaling Pip. No way should you lose your deposit. If you get no joy then maybe you should name and shame. There is no excuse for damp and sewage problems, let alone crowding for just 2 people.

But even without the over-run surely these machines are to big for detail sanding? with a 100mm flat bed it would be hard to use on soft curved surfaces like wood? I think a detail sander with precision attachments would be better for the job stated? True, always buy the best you can afford but buy the right tool for the requirements in the first place. 

I would suggest that you need an architect/surveyor to make that assesment. It may well be that the rafters are big enough to take the weight of the boards but it all depends on size/age/etc. You need to insulate between but still leave enough gap to allow free air movement. Do you have this? These are only questions that a site survey can answer. Sorry to be vague but it's not a simple question to answer.

Thanks Andrew, I think I'll just winterize it then drain,clean and re-fill next year, using a chlorine system. Thanks again

Cyclonic dust collector means it uses the cyclone system like a Dyson !!!!!!!![:D]

[quote user="Chris Head"] What do they do? How do they work? I've never used one, they seem expensive at 200 sterling and up, I need something that will sand curvy and undulating surfaces quickly and to a good standard.   [/quote] It's not something I've used either . You might be better off with one of the new generation 'mouse' style sanders. You can pick up ones like black and decker for well under £70 even for the top models. I use a cheap one for getting into awkward spaces but it depends on your needs. Here's an example: http://www.blackanddecker.co.uk/products.asp?catno=KA270K&hierarchyID1=365&hierarchyID2=416&hierarchyID3=421&lid=1&mktid=2  

Hi Andrew, Got this reply from my caretaker, is it enough?   "Contrary to all EU regulations, it doesn't say what the chemicals are. I've looked before. All it says is that Product A, the big bottle, contains 20% of hydrogen peroxide. In the blurb, it says that it's "oxygen active, it autoregulates the PH, it clarifies the water, and it's anti algae and calcium" It's called "Mimiswim" bottles A & B"     Found this on a french web site, it's what I was given:     Eotec agrandit la gamme de son produit de traitement de l’eau à base d’oxygène actif. L’ECOSWIM, le produit initial, suivi de l’ECOSPA présenté au dernier salon de Barcelone pour la saison 2004, a donné naissance à MIMISWIM spécialement adapté pour les piscines hors sol. Les deux produits constituant MIMISWIM se présentent dans deux bidons, regroupés dans un seul emballage pour traiter 20 m3. Le présentoir de mise en vente est un box palette de 75 cartons. Pour en savoir plus : [email protected] - Url : www.eotec.fr  

"I really miss the hobby and whenever I find the excuse I get sidetracked into making small bits of furniture or built in cabinets etc. Like a lot of us I have exchanged one life for another and do not miss the commercial/material world one bit which I know some people could not do and struggle to understand me, I in turn struggle to understand they that never get the opportunity to create or repair/recycle something with their own hands." J.R. I understand this completely. As  a modern day builder in the UK it breaks my heart to see the old features (and hearts) ripped out of houses for commercial purposes. I long for a workshop where I can spend days restoring old items to one day grace my own home and maybe others. Trouble is that the market for those that will pay for the love and hours you put into it is small, so it has to remain a self indulgent hobby for most of us. As a prospect for making a living , it is sadly not an option. But one day I will retire and enjoy not having to worry about cost and profit margins[:D]

The only problem with sofa beds is that they are uncomfortable by and large. OK for 1 night but a week? There is another option. You can get roll out beds which go under the main double. These are far more comfortable and less conspicuous. It would give the option, if you have a family with say 3/4 young children, to accomodate them. I think generally most people don't like overcrowding.

Thanks Andrew. I am in the UK and pool/chemicals in the South of France so I'll E-Mail my caretaker and come back to you. Cheers[:D]

In answer to your original question. For me it's the helpful replies to queries and the entertaining take on French living

I installed an above ground timber pool with liner this year. With the deal came a years supply of chlorine free anti algae treatment etc. I now have a few problems. Firstly the pool clouds about every 6 weeks and we have had to use Choc treatment to clear it. Now the pool seems to be developing algae on the bottom. This only happens at the end furthest away from the skimmer/inlet. As the season for the pool is about to end I could do with some advice. I it OK to stick in 20 litres of bleach before winterising it for this year? Should I keep running the pump on the timer through the winter (We are very close to the mountains and can get very low temperatures) Or should I drain the pump? Is the problem with algae the non chloride treatments fault? Do I  need to change to a chlorine system for next season? Will a chlorine Choc treatment get rid of the algae to last the last 3 weeks of this season or is this risky? Thanks for any advice.  

Cassis, do you have a libray of pictures of semi-naked/totally naked people !!!!![:D][:D]   PS my e-mail for forwarding is smiley@........[;-)][;-)][:)]

I would have loved for someone to offer me a package but unfortunately no one in my area offers it. There are very few Brits owning Gites around us so guess it is not viable. Also my bookings run on variable dates, the hot summer climate means sometimes once a week for the pool is not enough and I like the flexibility and customer care my caretaker shows. Now if someone did do a complete package near me then I may have reconsidered. Having said all that I would prefer to employ the local villagers as it shows a willingness to contribute to the community.

Hi Tia, very simple really. I live in the UK and so insured through 'Insurance For Homes Abroad' My insurance covers people working at the house and domestic staff. It also offers public liability etc, buildings and contents cover. The cost depends on what level re-build and contents value you have. Mine costs me £188.00 PA including swimming pool cover.