Brilec

I believe that radar warning devices are illegal to use in France, but I don't think it applies to sat navs which show the location of fixed controles. First of all, they normally have a warning sign before them, and IGN publish maps with the locations on.

Their online booking is not operational at the moment it seems. Where have you seen promise of new prices?

[quote user="jond"] Too many people regard the use of (ahem!) public transport, for example, to be a personal affront for this to make much short term impact. The changes in habit required will never be undertaken voluntarily - they will be forced upon us either by circumstance or economics. [/quote] Public transport? I think that generally means the autobus. Haven't seen one of those in our part of rural France.

Just in case some have not received this, NL are offering 5 return tickets for £225, with, it appears, no restrictions on travel time, no hidden extras, and no amendment fee. Car and up to 9 passengers. They also offer 3 returns for £165, and 4 for £200. Book before end of January. They are also offering 3 day return for £44, and 5 day for £48. Also any duration stay, night sailings from £19 each way, off peak from £24 and peak from £29 each way Again book before the end January for travel any time in 2006. I am sure full details are on www.norfolkline.com, or ring 0870 870 10 20 Brian. (Not a lot of use to me as I go south from the channel ports, but if you go east, or south-east, it could be worth looking at) Norfolk Line is one of the best routes I have used from the comfort point of view.

If you look at other posts in this section, you will find a considerable amount of information on this. You can currently get all the BBC channels, and the ITV1,2,3&4, but not Channel 4 & 5 on a digital satellite receiver (and appropriate sized dish), with no subscription or card.

Agree with all Will says, but just to add a liitle extra, the difference between the Tontine caluse and Communaute Universelle is one of inheritance tax. With the former, the surviving spouse will have to pay inheritance tax over a certain value of property, I think it's around €75,0000. With the latter, there is no tax liability. However, you should check this out for yourself. If you have a look at www.notaires.fr on their english pages, there is some information on this. Brian.

And of course, you no longer need a card for any BBC channels, or ITV, just (for the moment) for Ch 4 and 5.

Well, I have not got an NRJ mobile, but just went to the NRJ website, and clear as anything, in the top right hand corner is a box which is titled Accés Clients, and just below this is a box headed N° de Portable. Below that is a box for Code confidentiel. There is even a link just below to click on if you have forgotten cour code. The URL of the page is https://www.nrjmobile.fr/visiteur/index.html but I only typed in up to nrjmobile.fr Brian.

My cousin uses Eurotunnel quite a bit. She has found that on several occasions, they were unable to put her on the booked train, and on each occasion she got a voucher for a free trip. This does bring the cost down overall, quite a bit.[:)]

[quote user="PeterG"]I came up to Boulogne from Angers last weekend, alone. I didn't have to look at the map once. The signposting was superb even through Rouen. No traffic at all on the new A28. I can't help think though why for the sake of another 10 miles they didn't carry on an by pass Rouen to link up with the other motorways north of Rouen.[/quote] I believe that the Rouen bypass proper is still some years away. Pity.

[quote user="jond"][:)] Could I be in charge of naming the "volunteers"? It may not be a laughing matter, but what the heck. [/quote] I have a little list, I have a little list, of solicitors and estate agents who never would be missed, they never would be missed. With due respect to W S Gilbert.

[quote user="kip"] Was playing around looking at different routes using my favourite route finding website www.mappy.com and notice that they have added speed camera locations to the directions they give you!! Very useful! Unfortunately it still doesn't recognise the new A16 south of Rouen - not so useful!!! [/quote] Are you sure you don't mean the new A28 south of Rouen? Just asked for a route from Rouen to Alencon, and it used the A28, no problem.

No it doesn't, there is a gap round Rouen. The bit from Le Mans to Tours will open on 16th December, so not long to wait. From Calais, follow the signs to Rouen. When you get there, follow the signs firstly to Paris/Caen, then just Caen and Le Mans/Alencon. Rouen is a lovely place to get lost in, ask anyone.

Well, they do say it's an introduction price, so I expect to see it change sometime in the future. I am just hoping that they have started this in order to get some capital up front, hopefully with a view to getting Speed 2.

You can get the information about this here http://www.agence.francetelecom.com/mx/?tp=F&ref=3500&IDCible=1&type=3&donnee_appel=FTASN&id=86951130245308&sv=5-186389_B#le950 But it says minimum suspension 1 month, max 1 year, not more than 6 times a year. And you can organise it on the phone number I posted earlier, which is english speaking. See below for chapter and verse. Caractéristiques détailléesPour bénéficier des avantages de la Ligne Résidence Secondaire, vous devez être titulaire d’un Abonnement Principal sur votre ligne. Après souscription au service Ligne Résidence Secondaire votre Abonnement Principal sera transformé en Ligne Résidence Secondaire. La remise en service de la ligne est gratuite et est réalisée pour une durée minimum de 1 mois.La période de suspension : Votre ligne peut être suspendue pour une durée minimum de 1 mois. La durée maximale de la période de suspension est de 1 an, au delà de cette période votre ligne sera résiliée et le numéro pourra être réattribué à une autre personne. Vous conservez votre numéro de téléphone même pendant la suspension de votre ligne. Vous pouvez suspendre votre ligne jusqu'à 6 fois dans l’année. Lorsque la ligne est suspendue, vous ne payez pas d'abonnement principal. Souscription : Vous devrez fournir, à l'agence France Télécom dont vous dépendez, une attestation d'assurance indiquant la nature de l'habitation ou un document fiscal précisant l'adresse de la résidence principale. Si vous ne délivrez pas ce justificatif sous une semaine votre commande sera annulée. Tarifs : Abonnement : 13 EUR TTC* (85,27 F TTC) (idem à celui de l'Abonnement Principal). Suspension de la ligne : 4,69 EUR TTC (30,74 FF TTC). La souscription à la Carte France Télécom n’est pas acceptée. Brian.

You might have some luck on this citroen forum. http://citroenpicasso.org.uk/citroen/ You might have to register to post, but you can search through posts already there. There is also this one which has a citroen section. http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/ Failing all that, try the method John Cleese (Basil) used in Fawlty Towers when his car stopped. Didn't make the car go, but it obviously made him feel a lot better Brian.

We had absolutely no problems either. We went looking with no money, and signed the compromis, on the understanding that we would send the deposit to the notaire by SWIFT transfer as soon as we got back to England. Then, immediately after signing said compromis, we went round to the local Credit Mutuel, and opened an account there, using our english address. Absolutely no problem, just used our passports, and driving licence. 2 months later, we transferred enough money to cover the final payment to our french account, and came over to sign the Acte, picking up our cheque book on the way. We then gave the notaire a cheque for the outstanding amount, including the fees, which he happily accepted, though he did ring the bank to check that funds were there, the vendor asked him to do this. So no chickens or eggs. Just a remarkably simple transaction. Brian.

Frequent Traveller 10-Trip SuperVoucher™, £190 (introduction price) Features: 10 single or 5 return trips for a Standard car+5. (Lead passenger OR car must be used for all trips unless otherwise agreed with the SpeedFerries call centre). Never any surcharges. Valid for two years after purchase. No fee when you (via our call centre) activate a ticket for a specific departure.  £10 amendment fee if you later change a fixed reservation but NO change in the ticket price, even if you change to the most expensive peak summer sailings. No restrictions on the duration of stay or sailing (subject to space availability).I think that comes out a touch cheaper than the tunnel. Brian.

As to your query about the French in the UK,  they are generally astounded that UK sets are so ofter PAL only.  A (very) technical French contact of mine took a lot of convincing that this was the case!.   There must be some French overseas who only get a grey-tinted view of back home! They have obviously overlooked the fact that the whole of europe, with the exception of France, is PAL. France is well out on a limb with SECAM.

To give the simple answer, the bit Rouen to Alencon is open, and you can then go on to south of Le Mans. However the stretch linking to Tours and the A10 will also open before the end of the year. Brian.

Ours is with Credit Mutuel in 53. We pay 3.50€ per month for the account with cheque book and maestro card which can be used anywhere in france for cash, and purchases, including 24 hour fuel. The maestro card cost 18€ However, internet access costs 0.50€ per day of use, so I don't use it too often. There are several types of card, cash only, the type we have, then the "credit" cards which are not really. They can cost a lot more. Brian.

Be aware though, that from what I have read in various forums, Britline is probably the most expensive account to operate in France. Some have reported being charged for transferring euros to their account from england. We opened ours with Credit Mutuel, on a reccomendation of our french estate agent. However we did do it in person, but only gave our english address as at that time we had only signed the compromis. We went straight round to the bank after signing. We needed our passports, marriage certificate, money (though only 40€ and that was more than we needed). There is one person in the bank with good english, but the rest are very patient with our not so good french. We are charged 3.50€ per month for an account with cheque book and maestro card, and the card cost 18€. I have seen charges of about double this from others. If they are going to buy in france, there is no need to set up the account before they set foot in the country, wait till they have got a property (well, signed the compromis anyway) and then find a local bank. We sent the deposit money direct to the notaire as soon as we got back to england, so did not need the bank account until the signing of the acte. We paid for the house then with a french cheque. Brian.

[quote]The following link may make it a little clearer for some people keeping a british reg. car in France. http://www.direct.gov.uk/Motoring/BuyingAndSellingAVehicle/ImportingAndExportingAVehicle/Importi...[/quote] Following on from this, acually this PDF file is more explicit regarding licencing. http://www.direct.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/01/90/50/04019050.pdf Brian.

It should be on the VIN plate on the vehicle There are 4 lines of weights in Kg, The first is the kerb weight, the second is the gross vehicle weight I think, which is what you want. (though it might be the gross train weight (GTW) - vehicle + braked trailer). third is unbraked trailer fourth is braked trailer. If the second figure is very large, then it might be the GTW, in which case take the figure for the braked trailer (4) from it to get the vehicle gross weight. Hope this helps, Brian.

If you look at the Spybot site http://www.spybot.info/en/spybotsd/index.html You will find that it works for Windows 98 too. It is also free, and works well. Brian.