sid

Pickles, your post (ha ha, no pun intended) arrived while I was typing. Do ParcelForce packages get delivered by LaPoste here? I get a white van quite often, and I think it's just an independent courier, in our case usually from Poitiers or Niort. Yours sounds like bone-idleness at the far end!

Well, would you believe it! I post about it on here and an hour later the bl**dy thing turns up! I had a long conversation with the postman which ended with, guess what, a helpful shrug! [:D] Actually he's a decent enough guy, and he obviously couldn't explain my previous missing packages. There is a Customs point at Roissy apparently, so I've no idea if it's them or La Poste.  Also, for the first time in years, he came to the door for me to sign for this one! Amazon I find much more reliable, which goes against your experience Q. I've had several packages in the last few weeks all of which arrived earlier than their predicted delivery date, but I notice that these all originated in France even though I ordered from the UK site. It looks as though they're now streamlining their logistics so that stuff is sent from the depot in the destination country where practical. Panic over ... until the next time. [blink]

We've done this with our car, too. I think that in the event of the death of one of the parties there will still need to be an updating of the certificat d'immatriculation (to remove the deceased's name, perhaps someone will confirm this?), but the important thing is that the surviving person has full claim to the vehicle without having to wait for the estate to be sorted out. Being denied access to the vehicle could be VERY inconvenient in the weeks/months following. Similarly with bank accounts, where it should, for preference, say M. ou Mme Wotsit.  (not "et").  

I wasn't sure where to put this, so I hope I've got the right category! Has anyone else had problems waiting for parcels to arrive from UK? It's getting to be serious problem for me, so much so that I'm beginning to think my name must be on a blacklist!  In recent months I've lost (not received) 3 parcels. When they are sent by Royal Mail ISF with tracking numbers, I can see them arrive in France at ROISSY CTCI IMP RAP . Then there is nothing else, no further progress. The sender has to make a claim from Royal Mail, which takes weeks as there is a waiting period to see whether it eventually turns up, and they're not always able to reclaim the full value. In the meantime some vendors are reluctant to send a replacement item; I think there's a suspicion that we might be pulling a fast one! Whenever possible I now use courier services; it's more expensive, but it's a lot faster and reliable. I've never failed to receive a package or parcel this way. So, what happens at this place in Roissy ? I know it's at or near CDG airport, but is it a postal hub or is it some kind of Customs place? Incidentally "Signed For" isn't all it's cracked up to be; you can't get a copy of the signature for evidence if your package is delivered to someone else, and here in our village it's the postman who signs for it! La Poste isn't worried about Royal Mail formalities, once it's delivered, that's it, job done. Meanwhile I sit and wait for the latest missing package which is currently at Roissy. I hate to say this, but I wonder if it's one of the perks of the job there, rather like it used to be when working on the docks years ago!! [:-))]  

[quote user="KathyF"]I found the need for compatibility view very annoying , since my preferred browser is Chrome and I don't like adding plug-ins unless I really must. Without compatibility view nothing works properly - formatting options, quotes, links and smilies are all unusable. This is the only forum I use which has these problems, so I really do think it is up to the IT staff to ensure their software works properly with modern browsers.[/quote] I agree... irritating. I can't tell whether "compatibility view" is on or off! The little icon doesn't appear to change, but some things definitely don't work without it. I'm on IE10 and W7. As for the software which runs the forum, it is VERY old and is not being developed now. If you've used other sites running forums under VBulletin for example you'll know how much better they are. Over the years many of us have suggested improvements but the site owners are not about to spend money on something which doesn't at the end of the day pay them back financially; it's just a free service.  

I'm very surprised that FFVE have issued a certificate, but hey, does it matter now? I suggest that for older caravans (pre-1998-ish) that you start with the manufacturer in UK. As I've said repeatedly on here, the process is not complicated, but it is tedious. You just need to follow all the steps. A visit to your local DREAL (DRIRE as was), before you start spending any money on certificates and tests, usually gives you a good idea of what documentation is required and what modifications, if any, will be requires to the caravan. I've just registered a 1970 UK motorcycle. It was an absolute breeze!! FFVE wasn't involved and the bike has a full "normale" registration. A bit of homework beforehand makes the job a lot easier.  

[quote user="PaulT"] I am using IE10 and W8 and no problems. Must be a big headache for programmers when people do not upgrade their systems. It means that to enable all to access they have to write a number of versions to suit all. Otherwise they could spend their energies producing a superb piece of software for the latest systems. [/quote] It certainly doesn't appear to be a problem for the developers at Microsoft; they just leave all the existing code in place and add any new code required; they can test which browser you're using and direct the logic to that path. The downside of this is that the programs grow and grow and there is inevitably loads of redundant code in there. They don't seem to bother about clearing out the very old code. Also many of the program share huge chunks of code, Outlook and Word for example. I've found that there is a peculiar action on this site now when using IE10, when I click on a link (any link on these pages) the screen display "jumps" a fraction, sometimes enough to put the cursor on the next line, so if by chance I double-click, I get the "other" link I didn't want.  

[quote user="PaulT"] Well, no one should work on a Sunday if shop workers should not. That means no: hospitals, electricity, telephone, internet, water, television, radio, police, armed forces, fire brigade, hotels, guest houses, restaurants, sport.... ooh, the list goes on and on. In St Gaudens thers is a Brico Marche that did not close for lunch and was open on a Sunday. New owners now so coses for lunch and does not open on a Sunday. Some of us do DIY on a Sunday. [/quote] Most of those are what we call "essential services". I hardly think that buying a lampshade and a roll of wallpaper on a Sunday falls into that category. you have to remember that a lot of us came here BECAUSE it's how it is here, and if we change to be just like good ole UK we may as well have stayed at home. Sunday here still has strong family conditions; something we lost in UK years ago. Now I've just remembered why I stopped posting on here.  

We live in a country village, 25 minutes from town, which is also where the local A&E is, at a cottage-type hospital. Main hospitals 45/50 minutes away. We've only used A&E once, when my wife fell and broke her foot one evening. A 25-minute drive there, immediate attention, x-ray, painkillers, splint and crutches and we were back home less than 2 hours after the accident. Plus, we got a daily visit from the nurse to administer anti-DVT injections for the next 5 weeks.   Where we lived in UK it was 20 minutes to the A&E, traffic permitting, but then anything up to 5 hours waiting to be seen while all the drink and drug cases pile up. No guess which we prefer.  

The OP has a steep slope driveway; is tarmac suitable for that? Even in the milder UK temperatures there is a tendency for the tarmac to ripple where the car stands or brakes, heaven knows what it would do in regular 30 degree plus summer weather.  

Dead right RR !  I hope full Sunday opening in France doesn't happen in my lifetime! For some of us it doesn't matter anyway, retired, we can shop the other 6 days.  I loved those days as a kid when we put on our "Sunday best" and strolled in the park.  Why do people think they are so busy these days? It's because they waste a lot of time. Social networking! Bah humbug.  

[quote user="idun"]Merçi Professeur is on TV5 Monde and can be found on the internet. An interesting few minute program about the french language, roots, and usage. Worth a watch for those of you who like all the intricacies of the french language. [/quote] How long have they had a cedilla in "merci"?   [Www]  Am I missing something here?    

Loiseau, you got the wrong person, I meant SC in this case, questioning facts, doubting whether the paint I used was actually what I said it was, and then telling me how poor modern car finishes are! The stuff I used wasn't opinion, it was actually what I used 6 years ago!! (7 years ago actually) I can't be any more honest than that. No offence to Wooly, who has never been offensive to me. I don't mind having my opinion questioned.  

[quote user="SC"][quote user="sid"] I only use paints where I can clean the brushes in water. They work fine; 6 years is not good enough? [/quote] I'd surprised if V33 or Syntilor were water based six years ago. The old tins that I have aren't but maybe I bought them before that. Bondex appears to still be oil based.  [quote user="sid"] Hammerite has changed in any case. The old stuff was better but I've found that the old Hammerite brush cleaner and thinners doesn't work with the latest version of their paint. [/quote] It's certainly different to when I first bought it in 1965, only hammered finish and only sold through Exchange and Mart. Never bought the thinners or brush cleaner though, it's just rebadged acetone. [quote user="sid"] Even car finishes are water-based now! [/quote] Yes, aren't they thin, don't they chip easily.... Steve [/quote] I've still got a couple of the original tins (nearly empty) so that I can get the same or similar colours again. Definitely brush clean in water. V33 and Syntilor are microporous too, which is better for exterior wood, provided you ensure that the wood is dry to start with. Car finishes: Going off-topic, but this is where you want a thin coat with as smooth a mirror finish as possible; you don't get that with thick coats. Yes, they do chip if hit by flying stones, but you're hardly likely to be chucking stones at your shutters. I had my last car 8 years and it didn't fade or chip. I think you have to move with the times. French exterior paint definitely has my vote. You did ask, and you've had several recommendations. I find this a lot on here; people ask for advice and then argue about it. I take the shutters down to paint them incidentally; it makes the job easier, I can do it in the workshop, and you get a nicer finish. 2 coats essential.    

I only use paints where I can clean the brushes in water. They work fine; 6 years is not good enough? I never got that performance in UK even with the most expensive paint; maybe because the wood had never been seasoned properly? Hammerite has changed in any case. The old stuff was better but I've found that the old Hammerite brush cleaner and thinners doesn't work with the latest version of their paint. The finish soon loses it's shine in the French extremes of temperature. There are good metal paints in France, but the only paints I don't like are the emulsion types and for ceilings I still use UK paint (when I can get it). Even car finishes are water-based now!  

I've only recently "discovered" Elmore Leonard, and like his uncluttered style. I read today that he has passed away.  

I use V33 or Syntilor. Had 6 years out of both of those. Last year I used some of the Leroy-Merlin exterior paint, Luxens, (at least I think it's their brand, no-one else seems to sell it) and it looks good this year, and it was cheaper. I hate painting!

It's a few years since we were driving there, but I remember that the autostradas seemed to have narrower lanes than normal and were poorly surfaced. This was Bologna to Florence in particular, then down to Naples. I wasn't very impressed. Driving through Naples is a nightmare! The worst place I've ever driven!  

Yes, it's bad isn't it! The matting is quite effective. We noticed this about the skies in 79, basically there's a lot of sky! We came from the north od the Peak District with only a fraction of the sky area there. Love the skies here though!  

Thanks for the further tips there and explanation, it's always useful to get more information like this. [8-|]    

This sounds like really poor design, and I suspect that any DIY matting will look exactly that...DIY ! I just Googled "Renault Zoe Forum" and found at least 3 forums/owners websites; I didn't look further, but I know from the other Renault forums Megane) that I've used that you can get some good feedback and sometimes good ideas; why not have a look there? EDIT  Sorry John, I decided to look after all, and I see that you've already been there!!!

Is there really an air lock? If you turn the mains off there is no longer any pressure in the system, so nothing will happen. It's not like the UK where you have a header tank which provides the pressure to the hot water system. Here it all works at mains pressure - turn off the mains and there's nothing to force the hot water out. So, what you have to do is open a drain tap at the lowest part of the hot water system, usually the bottom of the hot water tank, and open another tap higher up, say in the bathroom, to allow air into the pipes and allowing the water to escape at the drain tap. This can be a  l-o-n-g  process! The groupe sécuritée I mentioned previously has a drain on it. Not all tanks are fitted with flexible piping, as another poster mentioned, mine certainly isn't, it's copper pipe all the way. BUT if you have flexibles they could be convenient drain points too. Bear in mind that there will be 200 litres of water (or more) to get rid of, so a hosepipe connected to the drain is a good idea.  

Is there really an air lock? If you turn the mains off there is no longer any pressure in the system, so nothing will happen. It's not like the UK where you have a header tank which provides the pressure to the hot water system. Here it all works at mains pressure - turn off the mains and there's nothing to force the hot water out. So, what you have to do is open a drain tap at the lowest part of the hot water system, usually the bottom of the hot water tank, and open another tap higher up, say in the bathroom, to allow air into the pipes and allowing the water to escape at the drain tap. This can be a  l-o-n-g  process! The groupe sécuritée I mentioned previously has a drain on it. Not all tanks are fitted with flexible piping, as another poster mentioned, mine certainly isn't, it's copper pipe all the way. BUT if you have flexibles they could be convenient drain points too. Bear in mind that there will be 200 litres of water (or more) to get rid of, so a hosepipe connected to the drain is a good idea.  

Do you really want to drain it, or just get rid of the air lock? Perhaps further explanation of the original problem would help. EDIT Although, perhaps I should have said that opening the safety tap on the bottom "groupe de securitée" and leaving a hot water tap open should enable you to drain the tank. some images here: http://tinyurl.com/qhroqjt  which should give you an idea of how that works. doh ! ANOTHER EDIT ..... with the mains water turned off!!

[quote user="woolybanana"]Wear sunglasses?[/quote] There's thought... polarisers perhaps which cut reflected light!  [I]