Frank

Hi I am in the process of re-juvenating a hundred yr old wooden floor and I am using a metal scub called 'Paille de Fer' which was recommended by my French friend and is available from bricos and some supermarkets.  I have found it brings the old worn in dirt etc off (including paint and plaster) without damaging the wood (being carefull not to scrub too hard) and then I am going to brush on an oil for wooden floors that is non slip and will protect the wood.  The first floor I did, I sanded and then rubbed in 'cire'.  Took ages, burnt out three sanders and was very dirty, dusty and smelly!!  I  much prefer the paille de fer method, it's hard work but quicker and cleaner!! Happy renovating[:)] Jetlag

Hi Rosie We registered our gites with the Chambre of Commerce, if you have a look in Pages Jaune you should fine details of your local office and they will be able to give you advice regarding the registration, tax etc and I would think also be able to answer your questions with regard to B&B.  We also paid them a supplement to contact all the local governing bodies that need to be contacted when you register, it was about 40e and well worth it as it took out the hassle of doing it ourselves!!  Hope this helps Jetlag

Many thanks Boiling a frog I have also been told (whether it is true or not I don't know, will need to look into it) that some companies will 'sponsor' the FIMA, ie if you gain a job with them, they will pay for the course and you repay the company by staying in the job for a certain length of time.  If you leave within the specified period, then you pay the company the costs.  It may be an option and worth further investigation[:D]. Thanks again to everyone who has offered advice.  

Many thanks Sunday Driver

Hi Looking to pick the collective brain regarding HGV driving in France[:D]  I have heard that in France the FIMO is required to drive HGV and PCV/PCB (coaches) etc.  Has anyone any experience of doing the FIMO course and exam or is anyone aware of French transport companies that will employ English HGV drivers that are fully licensed????  Or know of a 'back door' scenario that could be applied, by that I mean registering with an English subsiduary of a French copmpany, but work based from France.  Or do some of the larger transporters such as Norbert Dentressangle (I think thats how its spelt) employ drivers with european licenses??  Apologies for a 'disjointed' post, but I have loads of questions and I am trying to find the best, quickest and cheapest way to gain HGV employment in France.  Any advice, links, opportunities[:D] greatly received, many thanks in advance Jetlag

Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy!!!! I always thought the answer was Wednesday[:P]

Hi We are in the Charente Maritime and our pooch is also treated monthly with Frontline combo, she also has an annual vacination for the piraplasmose virus which she has one month after the rabies/annual vaccine jab.  So far touch wood, she is fine and the frontline seems to keep on top of 'general' ticks if that makes sense.  Jetlag  

Hi WJT Have sent you a pm[:D] Jetlag

Many thanks Val, will call at the pharmacy tomorrow, E45 just doesn't seem to be working anymore!! Jetlag

Hi Hope someone can help[:D] Does anyone know what the name is for cream for the treatment of chilblains please???  I know what chilblains are called in French, but unfortunately, my glossary doesn't include the names of treatments (unlike NHS Direct on the web!!)  Don't really want to go to the docs as I usually avoid them[:P]!  Any advice greatly appreciated Jetlag

A winter cover...............such luxury[:D]!!!!!!  No we just use our summer one, it has been going strong for the last 3yrs, it is one of those items on the list of things to buy that keeps getting moved down to make way for other priorities[:P].  Given that it seems to do the job for now, I doubt we will buy a 'proper' winter cover, but we will see, never say never!!  Have fun with the bubble wrap and here's to an ice free pool!! Jetlag

Hi We use the same method and like you, last yr we had no problems with 'thick' ice.  I put polystyrene 'caps' made from sheet polystyrene, in the skimmers to offer some protection which seem to work, also I put half filled plastic bottles of water in the pool (this I was told helps with the 'ice'contractions and offers some protection for the liner, if that makes sense) and I wrap all the pipes in the pool house in bubble wrap.  I also have a half filled plastic bottle in the pool house and check daily to see if frozen (if bottle frozen, then pipes would be next eek!), so far, all seems OK.  Yesterday we had a very thin covering of ice which melted by tea time. and like you I run the pump during the early hours.  We have actively winterised the pool for the last 2yrs and the coldest air temp was minus 10 in Jan 2007 for a couple of days and the coldest the water temp was 2 degs, and no problems, so fingers crossed for the same this yr!!  Jetlag  

Like you Quillan we have had ours for about 3mths.  Our heating was originally with a woodburner (Poelle) and last yr it cost 550euro for the wood.  Our initial calculations on usage based last month is that the units are a lot cheaper than the wood, eg. from our calculations, it will take 10months with the units on high running 24/7 to use the same amount of money in electric!  But we will know better in January when we have our two month reading then we can do a like for like, but from what we have seen, they seem more cost effective than wood and and is a lot cleaner with a better heat distribution to the woodburner.  Will post again in January after our bill has arrived and let you know the results, hopefully our calulations will be right[:D]. 

Hi Quillan Thanks for your reply, It all seems to working fine now after the chap who installed it came out and explained a few things to me!!  The only prob now is the icing up, (which I am told is normal) but then that only happens when the temp is well below zero (minus 4th other night!), and according to the booklet that came with the units, building a case around it should stop it from happening.  So will plod on through winter, warm as toast now[:)], and see how it is in spring.  Thanks Le Plombier, I didn't think of that, but I have solved the problem by having them both set to the same temps[:P]!!!! Thanks again[:D] Jetlag

Question for Quillan ( or anyone else out there that has bought a Bi Split Inverter air con system from brico depot!!!!) Hi Quillan, How is your Bi Split air con unit working from Brico depot?? The reason I ask is I also purchased a Bi Split this yr and to start with all seemed well!  But I am having some wierd moments with mine!! For example, if I set the temp on the remote at 16' for one unit then use the other remote and set temp to 24' for the other unit, the unit at 16 merrily goes up to 24 ish and the other that is set at 24 will slowly slowly go up to 21 ish.  Its quite bizzare and I was wondering if you had experienced similar anomolies.  At first I thought it was a gas leak and contacted airton, and they said not a leak, I think it is odd though.  The chap that came out also said to leave it switched on all the time as it was cheaper that way, so we will see if  Monsieur EDF is rubbing is hands in a few weeks time!  And now it is getting below freezing, it is switching itself off and 'defrosting' (lots of water, more than the usual dripping)  for a few mins then switching back on.......................very odd behaviour and some very odd noises to boot!  If it is just my set up, which was installed and charged by an engineer, then I think it may well need to go back!  Sorry to ramble on, but if you have had any of the above or similar it would help shed some light on whether its 'normal' or I have a dodgy system.  Many thanks in advance jetlag,

Many thanks Clair[:D]

Hi everyone Has anyone come across these in France?? I am looking to price 3 electric tracks at approx 3mtrs wide and one at approx 1mtr, I have search the net and found some rather expensive systems and a more cost effective American system, but would prefer to buy in France.  Any help/advice greatly appreciated[:D] Thanks in advance Jetlag dept 17

Hi We have a specialist French company coming to cut down three trees and prune 4 very large trees, cut all waste to chippings, job will be done in half a day and all for 850e inc tax! Bargain if you ask me, I thought it would be much more! Jetlag 17

Hi We take cash on arrival either sterling or euro and return it on the day of departure.  We find this works well for us as we are onsite and are here to do the arrival and welcome and the guests are here to do the farewell checks with us, no grey areas or misunderstatndings after they have left[:D]

Many thanks for your replies everyone, the trees are quivering in their roots!!! Jetlag

Hi everyone I am looking for a tree surgeon/gardener to trim our very large chestnut tree and also to see if it can be 'pollarded' (is that how you spell it!)  I am led to believe if the tree is 'pollarded', it will prevent the conkers etc from producing, I don't want to get rid of the tree because it is big n beautiful and old!  But I want to try and reduce the 'mess' it creates from spring right through to October (already worn out three big yard brushes[:D])  If anyone wants to come along  to do a devis for the job (its a very big tree!!!!) or has the number of someone that may be able to do the job, please contact me by email.  We are in  Gemozac Dept 17 Many thanks in advance Jetlag  

Hi Boiling a frog, thanks for your reply.  Do you have protection juridique with your insurance for the gite, the reason I ask is I have been told some insurance for protection juridique (personal and business cover) doesn't include protection for holiday homes/gite rural, although there are one or two companies that do it, but its finding out who and they have a high premium! Having said that, if the French insurers can't chase the English and other foreign insurers, then one has to ask oneself why bother! Which takes me to my original question about what other gite owners do, do you demand payment there and then (not talking about broken pots n pans that will be covered with the security deposit) but major damage or do you try and fight the insurer??  Like you said Boiling a frog, its a minefield!!!  Thanks again Jetlag

Hi everyone Just a quickie to pick your brains!  With the way the insurance system works in France for prperty and possessions, does anyone out there with gites with French insurance (with responsibilite civile) have written into their terms and conditions or ask for, the attestations from French guests called the Contrat d'assurance Villegiature or have copies etc of other foreign guest insurance cover??  If not, how do you go on if someone trashes your place ( and I mean trash it!!) and the caution doesn't cover it??  Bit of a minefield with the way the insurance system is in france. As alway, all responses greatly received[:D] Thanks in advance Jetlag

I have an inox chimney that may be of interest, feel free to email me if you want details (providing my post is OK with the mods[:D]) Jetlag  

Thanks Val_2 much appreciated[:D]