sid

[quote user="pomme"]From a quick search it seems it might be possible to swap the valves of a Grohe 1000 - but you need to check with HansGrohe. (edited so it should now be the last post - see Later posts not always showing as the last posting)[/quote] If you look at my earlier post you'll see a link to the mounting instructions on the Grohe site. It is definitely possible to reverse some of the Grohe mixers; just a matter of choosing one of a suitable style and fits the budget. These are high quality items, and you see them most frequently in hotels where durability is important. This one is now the last post! [Www]  Mine showed as the last post previously simply because I had edited the text. [geek]  

Grohe do mitigeurs where the inputs are reversible. Expensive mind you! Just as an example, this one http://www.grohe.fr/fr_fr/automatic-2000-compact-mitigeur-thermostatique-1-2-34364000.html If you click on the informations techniques further down the page there are details in English, and it says on page 5 of 14 "Reversed union (hot on right cold on left). Replace thermoelement (T), see replacement parts fold-out page II, ref. No.: 47 282 (1/2”)" So it can be done, but at what price? Good luck!

[quote user="AnOther"]Nothing abnormal noticed here (46) and that's running 3, sometimes 4, Sky boxes off a self installed 850cm dish and quad LNB [/quote] Wow, that's some dish! I imagine it looks like a smaller version of Jodrell Bank! [blink] Just to reiterate, I'm still on a 60cm dish, with a Humax box, no problems with any of the Freeview channels (apart from an interruption caused by the storm last night during the women's football semi-final). In fact, I haven't noticed any changes at all over the past 5 years. Geographically: level with la Rochelle and about 70kms inland. [geek]

No, no, what you need is some of this.... http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-33316358  apparently it's very portable and we all own a bit of it.  

[quote user="dave21478"]Chancer is spot-on about the steel wheels - they are much more durable at the extreme end of use. For example, a Banger racer would never use alloys if they can avoid it, simply because if a steel wheel takes a big hit it will buckle or deform but still "work" even if the tyre is deflated where an alloy will just shatter into bits and be useless. [/quote] You're having a laugh.  [:P][:P][:P] Surely the point of banger racing is the cost of racing... erm... a banger! Which suggests that steel wheels are the low cost choice, not a concern about shattering.  [Www] Steel wheels are NOT more durable. They rust for one thing, which isn't exactly top marks for durability. Where do you get your information? You only have to ask your good friend Google "Steel wheels versus Alloys" (try it) to find that it's all a matter of personal choice, BUT modern alloys do not shatter, and they would only be seriously damaged in circumstances where a steel one would be rendered useless anyway. How many police car chases have you seen on TV where the tyres have been punctured by a stinger but the car keeps going with sparks from all four alloy wheels ('cos that's the kind of car the joyriders pinch).  [geek] I won't even mention Formula One; .... dammit, it escaped my fingers. I can just see them screaming around Monte Carlo on steel wheels next season because it says here they'll still work whatever happens. I don't think.  [:-))] A deflated tyre will come off the rim as soon as you try to change direction, if not before. That's the case whatever type of wheel. Also, alloys are lighter than steel, contrary to what was stated earlier. I thought this was the case, but had to check first. My 205/40 x 18" alloys + tyre are the virtually the same weight as the 17" spacesaver steel spare + tyre. For a same size wheel an alloy is usually only a matter of ounces lighter but it's significant in reducing the force required to turn the wheel, hence better acceleration and braking.  Sid - Driving cars of all types since 1966 and checking his sources. [8-|]

I must admit that I haven't weighed the equivalent wheels on any of my cars. I haven't had steel wheels for over 30 years, but I well remember being forced to the left and hitting a kerb once with a steel wheel and the tyre immediately deflated because the bead was deformed and it caused me a heck of a control problem, so I dispute that "continue to function" statement. I vowed never to use steel ones again. (or to hit kerbs if I could help it). But hey, we're all experts on here, eh?    

[quote user="Pierre ZFP"]Is that 'touching' in the sentimental sense?  [;-)] [/quote]   Ho ho!

Dave's photos show 2 of the Audis on "W" plates; aren't these the equivalent of "trade" plates? So delivery drivers might not be out of the question, but I suspect something a little darker, secret service or something, disguising their identity? I didn't understand the steel wheels bit either. [8-)]  I thought alloys were stronger and therefore safer (in the right hands). Have you ever seen the Gendarmerie motorcycle convoys on the autoroutes? Often two or more groups of up to 8 motos travelling very fast and VERY close formation, that is, almost touching!! [:-))]

When our plumber/chauffagiste fitted the underfloor heating and the bathroom suite he didn't lay heating pipes under the wc pan or under the shower tray. I presume for exactly the reason that you've come across now. I took photographs of the heating pipes for future reference, not that it helps you, I know! It was interesting to see what he specified.  

Kong, apologies, I made a complete hash of my reply. Put it down to old age!  [:$] I meant to endorse the payment of pension direct to France, that way there is no need for doing your own conversion rates. I used to have 2 small pensions plus income from our gite paid into our UK account, and it was these that I converted using the "average" rate supplied by the local tax office. We no longer run the gite, and those 2 pensions are also paid directly now, so no conversion necessary. Sorry for the confusion. Incidentally, the annual exchange rate supplied by my local French tax office, which I used for 4 years, was different to that at other tax offices, so there doesn't appear to be a national agreement for this. The link I supplied is still valid though for anyone wanting to know how much a sterling receipt is worth in euros, and there can be no dispute about the value. I'll go and have a lie down.  

Fax! They still seem to be popular here in France though. I've been looking for a new all-in-one printer on the French websites and was surprised to find that some of the latest ones still have a fax facility! I can't remember the last time I sent a fax.  

[quote user="Quillan"]I printed off the 2042 form (in pink!) and assume Mrs Q's state pension goes in the section marked PENSIONS, RETRAITES, RENTES, is that correct? Does this have to be the annual amount? Also I understand it has to be in Euros and that there is an offical exchange rate, where do I find this please. As we both have S1 forms do we pay social charges on the pension and finally as I understand it the tax rate on it is 7.5%, can somebody confim that. Thanks in advance.[/quote] Q, For several years I used to email our local tax office (email address on the avis) and they would give me an "average" exchange rate for the year in question. I always filed the email in case it was ever queried, but it never was. EDIT See later post below. Apologies. And in any case Tinabee (above) beat me to it while I was still typing!! The official exchange rate as supplied by the Banque de France for the day of the transfer can be found here:  https://www.banque-france.fr/nc/en/economics-statistics/rates/exchange-rates/main-daily-euro-foreign-exchange-rates-reference-rates-provided-by-the-ecb.html   click on Pound Sterling and you'll get a list for every day since April 1999 !  

Is it me, or is the use of English getting worser! [Www]

I enjoyed it too, Mint.  Taken in context with the other programmes, it is about the Wests and their travels and family. I love looking at and hearing about architectural and industrial heritage, but surely it would be a drier (no pun intended) proposition for the average viewer. I've never done a canal holiday and I'm rather envious; it all seems so tranquil. Perhaps not so, if you had to moor up overnight in central Manchester/Birmingham/London. I'm looking forward to the Falkirk Wheel next episode. A fantastic piece of modern engineering.  

[quote user="Danny"][quote user="sid"]The simplest course of action is to make sure that you don't leave it open, so log-off (déconnexion) when you are not using it, thereby forcing you, or anyone else, to log-on next time.[/quote] Sid, anyone using the Orange connection has access to the account, even if you do not use a Livebox [:-))]You are automatically logged in and you cannot disconnect unless you have more than one account associated with your Orange service. Danny [/quote] Danny, It's at least four years since I had this problem, stumbled across by accident fortunately, so I've forgotten the exact sequence, and which "fix" did in fact fix it! I thought that "déconnexion" sorted it, and I was certain that I had to enter my password next time (otherwise what's the point of a password?), but you are very possibly correct in saying that you need another account to "force" a log-in. With 2 accounts set up I certainly don't have the problem now. I don't use Livebox, so I've no experience of the Orange Wi-Fi access referred to later; it sounds different to what we require here, a simple access point. With a Netgear router it's possible to create a straightforward Wi-Fi (guest) network for other people, which can be switched on and off and secured with a password. When our grandchildren are here for example, I usually switch it off when they go to bed (sounds draconian eh, but I'm old fashioned... they're only 10-13 years old, and bedtime doesn't mean another hour chatting to friends back in UK!). As ANO has pointed out, this gives no control over what is actually accessed or downloaded.

Yes, Danny, good point! A second user!  

Q, I've certainly seen this when testing out a visitor's laptop connection. I was connected immediately to my Orange portal. I just logged off and that solved it. I no longer use the Orange webmail now so there's nothing to see there!  

If I understand your concern correctly, you are worried that a user could access your Orange account and thereby your email? Your computer connects by default to your Orange "portail". The simplest course of action is to make sure that you don't leave it open, so log-off (déconnexion) when you are not using it, thereby forcing you, or anyone else, to log-on next time. You don't need to give your Orange password to anyone else, they just need the password to the Wi-Fi network, which is not the same thing; it's known as a WEP or WPA password. I set up a separate access for guests which means that I can turn it off if needs be. Remember that you'll have no control over what gets downloaded, but you would be held responsible for any wrongdoing. We have a low ADSL speed here, only 2 mega; anyone trying to stream films etc seriously hammers the service. I use a Netgear modem/router and there is a setup menu for guest Wi-Fi making it very easy to do. I've no idea about Liveboxes.  

I've used Luxens Peinture Sol (Leroy-Merlin), it's satin and is not slippery. It's on our front steps and porch, get's all weathers; been down just 12 months now (funny, it must have been dry at this time last year, but that's another story) and looks fine. It took 2 coats to cover properly. Available in a wide range of 3 or 4 colours! [:D]

It looks as though there are two separate issues going on here. Mine is the same as mentioned by Nomoss except that we didn't get any warning. SEOLIS are not saying that there has been a miscalculation, ie a mathematical error, simply that they didn't charge enough because they were limited by a government "arrête". The amount demanded on my bill is even less than Nomoss's, but it's the principle that's annoyed me. So what do I do? Pay up of course (and shrug). [Www]  

I can't find this mentioned anywhere else, so has anyone else had an electricity invoice recently? My latest one arrived today and enclosed a letter explaining that my supplier (SEOLIS) hadn't charged enough in 2012/2013 so they have recalculated and added an amount on this and the next 2 bills to make up for it. [8-)] Now then, I sold a car in 2012, and I realise now that didn't put a high enough price on it, so I think I'll write to the buyer and demand a further payment. Obviously I'll quote the example of the electricity bill just to show that it's all above board. [8-|]  

[quote user="mint"]..... as a man of some substance...., [:)] [/quote] Well, at least that made me laugh! [:D]  

Congratulations, Mint. I received a letter today telling me that my application was unsuccessful due to not having supplied the requested proof. My money has been refunded directly to my UK bank account. So that's £5k for 2 months, lost interest. There is supposedly an investigation into my complaint which is still on-going, but no news on that, and I've lost interest (literally!) in what happens now anyway. The words "left hand" and "right hand" spring to mind.  Also, no news on my Premium Bonds encashment. As I said in my letter to them, I have been an investor for 60 years and I think the way they have handled this application and subsequent correspondence is really shabby. Customer service? I don't think so.  End of story for me.  

Sounds promising, Mint! Nothing here though.  

Mint, at least you have done as they asked, so I would think you're in with a good chance. I refused to go down the "documented proof" route, and instead I complained, listing all of the grievances that you've seen on here. At the end I asked them to send my money back and, while they're at it, to cash all my Premium Bonds. So here we are several weeks later, no refund of my 65+ money which they cashed 6 weeks ago, no PB refund, and only this week a letter to say that it's been raised to a "complaint" to be investigated. I thought customer service in France was poor, but this beats it! Just slightly better than a shrug of the shoulders. Good luck with yours.