Brilec

This has been discussed on another forum, where some have managed to set it up for their french second homes. They will need proof of your permanent residence, such as a council tax bill, or perhaps the electoral register form. Have you tried the english speaking line for FT? 0033 155 78 60 56 If calling from within France 0800 36 47 75 Brian.  

A possible alternative to pre-paying for 10 tickets, if you are a Tesco shopper. You can use Tesco vouchers to buy Eurotunnel tickets at a quarter their face value. £20 of Tesco vouchers buys £80 of Eurotunnel tickets. Details on www.tesco.com   Brian.

I am sure that someone with more knowledge than I will be along soon, but my understanding is that there is a 100bhp limit on bikes registered in France, so basically you have no chance.

Yes, Ian, the SIM  cards are the same.

Surely it's easier just to unscrew the valve core?

[quote]There are a number of reasons why you may not have got your D'habitation bill, they are out now and need to be paid by 15 novembre. The Tresor Public are notoriously slow at updating their records an...[/quote] If the last owner's tax situation is so important, and will not be updated until the new owner fills in a tax return, how does it work for owners who are not resident?

Rob, is there a phone line already into the property? If so then you can order the phone to be connected online from the UK through the FT website. http://www.agence.francetelecom.com/vf/tel_maison/index.htm The english speaking phone line from the UK is 0033 155 78 60 56. The 0800 one is for within france.

I must say that any caution I might show when on the bike is not so much down to being a responsible motorist/cylist but more about self preservation.   I did read a letter in a motorcyle journal recently where a car driver was complaining about a fast filterer knocking his wing mirror off. The biker then continued into the distance without so much as a "sorry". Whichever side of the fence you sit, you have to admit that this type of event is likely to give a bad name to bikers in general. (The car driver was also a biker by the way).

I forgot the cyclist (pedal) who assumes that red lights are only for wimps. As fare as filtering is concerned, you have firstly to make the distinction of normal overtaking, and moving between lines of slower moving traffic, which is the normal definition. In this latter case, excessive speed would certainly be considered as driving without due care in England, if anything untoward happened. I gather from information on this in another forum, that bike speeds on the peripherique are often really excessive, though fortunately I have never had the pleasure? of using this bit of tarmac, nor do I ever want to. Currently there is proposed legislation on increased control of driving tests and licences before the european parliament. Bike licences are very much a part of this, and it only takes the attitude and behavoiur of a few to ruin things for the remainder. To go back to the original post, with the french ministry talking of completely banning filtering, you have to remember that this body is centred in Paris, so most of the ministers' experience of bikes will be on the peripherique.

Have French fuel prices gone up that much then? Ooh dear.

NO vehicle gives special rights to anyone unless it has a flashing blue light on it. Sadly there are people from all areas of driving who don't see it this way, from the truck driver who thinks might is right, through the white van driver, who is always in a hurry. Then there is the car driver who thinks that just because he has put his indicators on he has right of way over all other traffic. And lastly you get the biker who doesn't see why anyone should be allowed to hold him up. I've had them behind me when I have been filtering on a bike, but obviously not fast enough.

You could also argue that murderers and rapists were there before both of you, Does that mean that you have to condone both?

Be aware that a few agencies advertise properties TTC, which means including the Notaire costs as well.

The actual junction with the A16 is out of the town at the top of the hill, but there is a link road down to the Le clerc roudabout, and now you go straight ahead (2nd exit) to go direct to the ferry terminal. Coming off the ferry, you should be directed onto the new road, and when you come out at the roundabout, again straight across (2nd exit) for the A16. Though how the building of this express way out of the ferry terminal supports the statement by the person from the chamber of commerce I don't know - Our main focus will always be to encourage visitors from the UK to remain in the town and region for day trips, short breaks or longer stays, Brian.

Car drivers that do not make room for motorcycles should not be allowed on the roads I don't think you should take this too seriously. I also ride a bike, and yes I do filter in slow, heavy traffic when I consider it safe to do so. However, I am also of the opinion that it is better to be 5 minutes late in this world than risk being years early in the next. I also ride with the assumption that I am invisible to all other road users. There are all types of people on the roads, don't take the actions of the aggressive few to represent all of that user group. And that works in all countries, for all types of vehicle.   Brian.

Yes, I saw this elsewhere. The problem is that the article contradicts itself as I see it. It starts off by saying the verdict is set in stone, the Ministry of transport has decided that filtering between lanes of traffic is a prohibited practice. It then goes on to say that there have been many representations on this subject, and finishes by stating - The transport ministry has received all of these propositions but prefers to preserve the current vague legal situation, an attitude which has satisfied no-one. So no change then really. However, the CRS apparantly did book a hundred or so motorcyclists on the Peripherique recently, so Bikers take heed.

Accepting all that has just been said, you might have a very slim chance if you purchased the "thing" specifying exactly the vehicle it was to fit and the purpose that you required it for. If you were then sold the wrong "thing" you could have some possibility of claiming more than the market value of the thing. This has nothing to do with the manufacturers Ts & Cs, more the negligence of the supplier. However, I would not rate your chances too high. Brian.  

Robbie 34, I have just read on another forum that LD have just applied for their pet licence.

Useful link. At least my setup passed with flying colours.   Te use of a router also allows more than one PC to share the connection. If you get a wireless router, you can also sit in the sun with a laptop.

If you look at this website, you will find the definitive answer. http://www.astra2d.com/astra2d_france.htm These are, of course, the recommended sizes. It is possible a smaller dish might give satisfactory results.   Brian.

Devaluation on Citroen cars is certainly higher than on the equivalent Peugeot model.  I can only think that this dates back to the days of the visa, which was paper thin, and rotted through at the first sight of rain. Compare to this my old 305 estate, of 1985 vintage, which still has no rust according to the current owner, and it has only done about 500,000 miles on one gearbox. (More than one engine though).

It should read, To err is human, to foul things up completely takes a computer.

According to those who know, veggie oil gives more power in a diesel engine. It also lubricates the pump better, but in too high a concentration it can be too viscous until it has been warmed a little, so can give starting problems in very cold weather. For those who want to do it properly, you have to have two tanks, a small one for normal diesel, for starting, and the veggie one for normal running, with a heat exchanger fitted. You then register (in the UK) with HM C&E and pay them the appropriate duty per litre that you use. Don't know what the system is in France, or even if there is a system. Our cheapest veggie oil is rape seed oil in the UK, currently available in Tesco at 43p/litre. (I use it in the chip pan, honestly). Sunflower oil is quite a lot more. Brian.

You can find lots of information on this subject here http://www.bio-power.co.uk/index.htm By the way, Bio fuels attract 20p per litre less tax than normal fossil fuels in the UK, thus if you are an honest citizen, you will have to pay HM C&E around 30p per litre on an honesty basis, once you have registered with them.

It is perhaps more correct to say that the current short-sea fares are artificially low, and cannot be sustained - as proved by the fuel surcharge and the fact that Speedferries pricing model appears to be based on a very low charter rate for their one vessel (ex-warship, believe it or not), obtained while the owning company in Australia was in receivership and desperate to offload surplus ships for whateverthey could get. Although a second, Scandinavian-owned, vessel is currently available for charter (and even handily moored in Boulogne harbour) it is interesting that despite all the talk of expansion, Speedferries has not managed to secure a deal on it. It will be interesting to see if the low fares can be maintained when the current charter expires and has to be renegotiated. I'm not at all sure either that the Boulogne Chamber of Commerce and Industry has the wherewithal to step up its assistance for the service (there is an interesting article in the current editio of Incat's house magazine). Boulogne port have just built a new road into the ferry terminal, so at least they seem to have faith in the future. I read elsewhere that SF were negotiating for another Cat, but that was bought from under them by P&O, Wonder why? I know this might open a large can of worms, but it seems that the Scandinavian owners of the other seacat would rather the vessel lie unused on Boulogne, than get a lower charter for it. Surely something is better than nothing, or are they hoping another operator will snap it up? It must also be noted that currently SF are fortunate in operating at pretty well maximum capacity, which is more than can be said for their competitors. The vessel is small, but thus has far lower crewing costs, and most of those multiskill too. (Yes, I know that crewing costs are not the only thing to be taken into consideration). What I do like about SF is their pricing structure. I know that if I can book in advance, I can get the same low fare any day, any week of the year. What I do object to is having to pay a high premium to travel in weeks xxx no matter how early I book, and regardless of how full the vessel is. So far LD ferries do seem to be expensive, especially when you consider that it is an overnight service, with next to no cabins, and not even reclining seats for the first few weeks. Though at least they are basing their fares on single tickets, so you don't pay more for a longer trip. Brian.