Simon-the-censored

Hello Normy - thought I might TRY and be helpful! I've had an Orange (France !) Huawei E160 dongle for around 4 years now and it works superbly well on my local 3G network. However, like you, when I first tried to install it (and subsequently update it to Windows 7) - disaster! So - I uninstalled the Orange France software from my PC and downloaded / installed the UK version of the E160 Connection Manager software from the Orange.co.uk site (link below) been fine ever since. http://shop.orange.co.uk/mobile-broadband/help (use the 'support' tab for the downloads relevant to your dongle make) Simon :-)

Actually guys the problem with quoting and posting links is related to the fact I use Google Chrome most of the time. So - to use the quote / link facility on this forum I need to swap over to Internet Explorer in 'compatability view' (because I have a 64 bit system) - sometimes I just can't be bothered so I cut and paste. Simon :-)

[quote user="Quillan"] As it happens Chancer as I read the posts there are about three or four motorcycles hammering up and down the track on the other side of the river and the noise is appalling. Denouncing, grassing or whatever to me means you pick on an individual. Having a speed trap outside your door is something quite different. Personally I don't have a problem 'grassing' somebody if I feel it just. I have no problem reporting British cars who have not registered their car in my area yet insure it in France and get a CT. A subject covered many times on the forum in the past but you know what, if ever they knock somebody over and either maim or kill them it will be me or one of my family so I have no problem reporting them. To me its a type of self preservation if you like. There are other things people do that I wouldn't bother with but there are some thinks I would because of a personal interest if you catch my drift. In fact I might now go give the Gendarmes a call for these blinking bikes, it's upsetting my guests which could cost me money. [/quote] Well said - personally I would have no problem at all letting the gendarmes / flics use any of my land to try and catch speeding / illegal motorists. I would gladly go out on the road with them (if they'd have me?!?) to nick those morons who drive without licences and / or insurance. I'd love it - not sure what the term is for that? Simon :-)  

So mogs...what WOULD you do if you lived in England and the same situation arose in your own little 'Knots Landing'.....? Oh and by the way - the problem is not that 'they are French and you are not' - the problem is that you have made no effort to resolve things yourself. Running to teacher (the Maire) just won't cut it! Deal with the situation - no good biting your tongues! Maybe, just maybe, integrating and making friends might have given you a whole different and more positive experience. Give me strength ! Simon :-)

Crikey - this thread has gone way off track! Speed humps, speed traps, the toilet habits of dogs and now the Gestapo! Anyway.....I was just wondering....if Steve....will be showing his postings on this thread to any prospective purchasers? ....should knock a few grand off the sale price! Then there's French Capital Gains Tax (and possibly UK if he's in a high income band)....heck, it just gets worse..... Neighbours hey - who'd have em!? Simon :-)

[quote user="Christine Animal"] No need to be offensive.   [:)]   I never said speeding was acceptable.  Denouncing others to my mind is not.   [/quote] ....so Christine, do you think speeding is acceptable ? (just to be clear....) Simon :-)  

Hi Steve – and welcome home! Nothing wrong with me, but thanks very much for your concern. Naturally I’m flattered that, in spite of praising the support and helpful advice of Quillan, woolybanana and virginia.c (Ginny), you’ve actually decided to take mine – the easy option. I’m amazed! (20/08 - Sell up and move somewhere where the 'villagers' aren't so irritating for you.) Just one further tip for you – if someone is letting their dog relieve itself in your garden – don’t ask them if they have a garden of their own, tell them to get lost! Generally, the French don’t get sarcasm……although that’s irrelevant for you now. Oh and Ginny…Steve hasn’t decided to ‘leave’, he’s simply selling up his holiday home in France. Maybe he’d be better off living somewhere near you? – although, I suspect this isn’t the first time he’s had ‘neighbour’ issues…… Simon :-)

Sorry Anton - could you put that in English please.....????!!! Simon :-)

POB - you can only register with the DVLA if you are a resident of Great Britian. Link : http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Motoringtransactions/BeforeyouapplyC/DG_066944 Why anyone would want to keep a right hand drive car and live in France beats me! Simon :-)

Hi annie - link here for suppliers and prices: http://www.fioulmoinscher.fr/annuaire-des-marchands-de-fioul-departement-Lot_et_Garonne.html (sorry you'll need to cut and paste) Simon:-)

And....the best place to live in the world would be..........??? Simon :-)

[quote user="Will"]I tend to agree with Norman. I have no problem with being an English person in a French community. I like it that way. I have no desire to become French. I've never understood this apparent need to be, or appear to be, something you aren't. Perhaps you become 'integrated' when you stop being bothered about it? And perhaps learning how to spell it is the first step... [/quote] I'll second that Will - totally agree (although I'm a Scot)! For me it's all about the WIIFM thing - What's In It For Me? Wherever I live - I take the very best from it, pay my way and contribute where I can, where I'm needed and where I choose to. If that doesn't make me happy then I move on. Simon :-)  

It's simply a question of adapting - not adopting! Simon :-)

Wow - sorry to butt in but....(I'm not actually sorry but thought it may be a good opener!?!). This thread has gone way, way off mark - were you all out in India during the days of the British Raj by any chance ? I guess the conversations in the 'clubs' sounded pretty much like the ones here. Integration, isolation and friendships - behaviour breeds behaviour. The way you treat people will directly impact on the way they treat you! Live with it! Simon :-)

[quote user="Frenchie"][quote user="Simon-come-lately"]- you've missed the point - again  Oh really ?? You suggested Sara only thought of herself through the person she loves, and I said some people, like me, only see their life this way, .. Can't see why I missed the point...  and started to get personal - again!  Who started it ? Come on , you perfectly know what I think about the DSK matter, and tried to  provoke me with  " the dirty old man" No response. Simon :-)[/quote] Better this way, nuff said .. [/quote] Well Frenchie, how very wrong, how very red, and how very agressive. I rest my case..... Simon :-)

Oh dear Frenchie - you've missed the point - again and started to get personal - again! No response. Simon :-)

[quote user="Christine Animal"] How could you leave someone when they are in a wheelchair, just when they really need you?  Purée!   [/quote] Because…the illness provides the defining moment where you realise that you are with them, more out of a sense of duty or pity, instead of love. How awful must that be – for both parties? In Sara’s most recent posting she opened by saying that she felt her life is unlived. She then goes on to talk about her husband and son – nothing about herself. Crushing.   Simon :-) PS agree with Coops - discussion warrants it's own thread. Much more interesting and important than going on about a dirty old man (DSK).  

[quote user="Sara"] I do not want to intergrate and make friends. I don't want pity but it would be nice sometimes to speak to somebody who will not get bored..... . [/quote] Hi Sara - as you can see, I've pulled out a couple of quotes you've made in your recent posts. I kow all this is completely off-subject but ...fed up with DSK anyway! :-) To be honest, my jaw dropped reading the things you've said and I've been left with a feeling of a life being completely 'unlived' - not your husbands - yours. I know you don't want any pity but I truly do feel pity for you - you've left me no choice. One life, one chance and all that..... Sometimes, people stay well away from situations they find awkward, difficult to deal with or simply just those presented (or perceived) in a negative way - human nature I guess. My Mother-in-law is in exactly the same situation as Russethouses' mum - please don't join them ! Very best of luck / Simon :-)  

Don't start me off........

About 16 cents (12%) a litre cheaper than the Ariège for Diesel - see link below. May not be worth the trip up? Depends what you want to buy, what quantity and how far you're travelling. http://www.andorramania.com/prix-carburants-essence-andorre.php Simon :-)

Hi Rob Roy I live just 'down the road' from Andorra and would say that you'll get a much better deal on white goods in France (or Spain) for that matter. As Andorra is not part of the EU - specific 'outside EU' tax free restrictions apply to Andorra (info available on line) for all goods imported into France. Even though the 'other goods' allowance is a fairly generous 900€ per adult before any declaration is required - the choice of white goods is pretty poor - possibly because they are all imported into Andorra to begin with! There are many websites of all the main shops in Andorra so you can check before you go. I'm pretty sure you'd be better off buying in France once you've taken fuel / tolls into account! Good luck / Simon :-)

[quote user="virginia.c"]NickP, did like your 'whip round' comment. I'm sure there is quite a large collection building up over here too.[/quote] Oh goody goody - that makes two of you who like whips then..... Simon :-)  

sweet - thanks for that - I do love a 'healthy' debate, nothing wrong with it at all. Good for the spirit. I freely admit that I would never be the first person to hold his hands up and say ' I was wrong' but - at least I recognise my faults! Onwards and upwards - finished the strimming for the morning - too hot for outdoor stuff now, guess a long sieste after lunch is called for..... Have a great day / Simon :-)

[quote user="Albert the InfoGipsy"]On the subject of the guru from Ariege, I expect (from experience) that if enough people can show holes in his arguments he'll throw his toys out of the pram and ask a mod to remove all his posts, ever, from the forum.[/quote] Problem is Albert - noone has showed any 'holes in my arguments' - all they do is make personal attacks which is pretty weak really! Oh, and just for the record I have never asked a forum moderator to remove any of my posts. I'm proud of them all! Simon :-) (the guru from the Ariege)  

[quote user="Jay"][quote user="Russethouse"]AndI think that if you continue to be personally rude to/about  forum member you risk a ban.......last warning.[/quote] That's Harrassment surely, give Simon CL another chance, I'm enjoying this thread! [/quote] Hi Jay - don't worry, I'm not going anywhere - just NickP missing the point - again! Anyway, must dash - hedges to cut ;-) Simon :-)