Ysatis

   Just out of interest, is EDF the only supplier of electricity in the Vienne/Charente/Deux-Sèvres area.

   Yes of course, 'maire' and 'mairie'. I knew that [:$], just a lapse in concentration. I assume I see the maire nearest to me (geographically).

Yes of course, 'maire' and 'mairie'. I knew that, just a lapse in concentration

Has anybody met the Mairie in Savigné, near Civray. We bought a plot of land near there back in September and I'm plucking up the courage to meet him when we go to France in June. I'm petrified!! Regards,

Talk about 'making a rod for your own back'...parents of toddler I mean, and try not to make one of your own with guest's. I've got four children of my own and they have been brought up to be flexible. Whilst I believe in routine (and do have one) there are times when that goes by the by, like on holiday, work, unexpected trips out etc. Like you, we have a pub/restaurant with letting rooms, late night's are a certainty, early morning are nearly always and it's damn hard work especially with children.They probably think you are there to provide a service, which of course you/we are, but limits of service do need a 'cut off point'.Different people have different requirements, you'd be dead on your feet running around like a blue arse fly,(some will thank you and some won't) there's only so long you can keep it up for. We were really accommodating in the first few years but you simply get knackered and you have to take stock.On most occassions, if it's a request that would be hard for us to meet,us and the guest's meet each other half way so everyone is happy. I think you were right to say 'no'. It can quite often lead to more request's.A few might even begin to take advantage of you 'Don't work harder, work smarter. Regards,

Sorry Gluestick, I didn't make my account very clear.    It was our initial idea when we first started looking for somewhere in France was with a ten year plan. Half the kids left home, other half doing their own thing, bit more money in bank and not too old or worn out!!Hopefully.    But that seems to be changing by the week with the more info I'm gathering, so our 10 year plan is reducing, more like to a 2/3 or maybe 4 year plan. It's become obvious with CU and Planning expiry dates one has to keep within. Our house build will be brought forward. Not sure how we're going to pay for it!! Already living on a building site in UK.    The static was always a temporary thing. Have got a touring caravan but it starting to show it's age, it's almost but not quite, as old as me. So plumpt for a static. And today have decided to go down the generator path, less hassle.

Thank you Apero and Andrew for your replies.    I will PM you both quite soon when I have more time and when my husband is here. (owns a pub so not here much!!), he has plenty of questions to ask. Regards,

Hello all, I'm just re-reading this post and you said layne: We are just making the most of the power while it lasts and will have to get a generator if EDF cut us off I suppose. My worry is that after the temporary supply 'runs out' how do you/we stand with getting electricity in the future. We are in a slightly different situation. We bought a building plot with the intention of not doing anything for at least 10yrs, but reading posts on this forum that's not how it works. We have 4 pigs sheds and a small barn in a hamlet.We bought a static caravan and put it on the land (got Mairie's permission) and thought have the electric connected 'très bon'.But that's not so simple, well it is having a supply connected, it's the long term outlook for maybe 3/4/5/ years. Thinking about having a generator from the start and not committing to EDF until house is built.The caravan is all electric, didn't concern me when we bought it as I didn't think about the electric being a problem.It's my own fault, should have done a bit more homework beforehand. Has anybody an answer to what happens.

Thank you Will. And how do they assist people, I see it crop up alot but not sure of their 'role'. EMH is quite simply my initials.

What does DDE stand for?

We are considering installing a swimming pool ourselves (husband is a carpenter/builder) and would value anybody's comments...positive or negative. Any pitfalls with installing a pool into the ground (not raised/above ground). How strong is a fibreglass pool ( our big fear would be to crack it).  Is a fibreglass pool the most cost effective and after installed does it have a good and trouble free life. Would somebody of reasonable capability be able to do themselves or is it a mammoth job and not begin to undertake themselves.

Thanks to you all, La Guerriere, Gluestick, Jerac and Layne for your advice and information. I'm reasonably 'genned up' up now on the temporary supply installation of electricity and I look forward to my supply. Hpoefully won't be too long now. Regards,

Thanks everyone for your help. Shed is already padlocked. I'm less worried now.I had a better nights sleep last night, took your advice Gluestick and had a couple of red sherbets!!  It's a pain not being there more often to sort things out. I will play it 'by ear' after 12 months. We haven't even drawn plans up for the house yet so goodness how long it will take before we get to telephone and aerial points.

That's what I thought, you have to have qualified people for that job. What happens after 12 months.

I have now heard back from my estate agent (who is French but speaks quite good English) and he's says, quote:  " It is a temporary connection to the nearest electric post. This post is situated to the other side of the road opposite your stone wall. So you need to find somebody can connect the shed to the post and install a supply tableaux de chantier. I am asking for you the authorisation to pass on the road with an electric cable. " I'm now a little confused. What will the EDF do exactly. Surely we don't have to connect a cable to the post opposite. Suppling the tabeaux de chantier and installing it in the shed is one thing, but shimmying up a post...not sure!! But that's how it sounds. Also, how long does a ' temporary ' supply last for and then what are the options after it ' runs out '. A friend of mine said 12 months. Advice gratefully received, I've had 2 sleepless nights thinking about this.

Thank you Gluestick.   I think I will ask my estate agent if he has organised EDF to install the consumer unit as I don't know. I'm very 'green' to all of this. Can I assume that it won't be a problem connecting the static caravan to the supply as a temporary measure until the house is built.  

What is the French for  ' consumer unit ' (for an electricity supply).

Will we have to supply the consumer unit ourselves or do EDF supply it. Also I read earlier in one of your posts ( I think it was you ) that you don't see many/any electric showers in France. Now I'm worried because we have just sited a static caravan ( from England )on the land, which is all electric and wanted to run the caravan from this supply installed in the shed. I 'm assuming this is possible. Our estate agent has visited the site with somebody from EDF and I told estate agent of our plans to run 'van from this supply ( 'van had probably not arrive then!! ) I know that we  will have to connect the 'van to the consumer unit ourselves.Hope you can throw some light on this. Hoping caravan will be usable as nagged husband to buy one!! 

Thank you Baz

Can anyone tell me when the cheapest time is when to phone France from the UK both being land lines.

Can anyone give me any information on the proceedure in having an electricity supply installed. We have bought a building plot near Civray (86) and asked our estate agent to organise the water to be connected ( this after-sale service was included in his fee) which was done without any hiccups and quite swiftly. We have asked him to arrange the connection of the electricity (just across the road, the pole is about 10-15ft away ) to be connected to/in our pig shed next to the road. First to get a price and some info and then, assuming no surprises, to go ahead. We've heard nothing from him in 6 weeks, apart from he is waiting to hear from the electric company. This may have been a wee excuse as he might have overlooked our request. Does anybody know roughly how long it takes to get it done and how much. This might be asking ' how long is a piece of string?'. Will the electric company want any information off us etc. etc.Where is the nearest office and is it the EDF that supply that area as I'm quite 'green' to all of this. Any advice gratefully received. 

Thank you Angela and Bigjimbishop for your replies and will pass them on. Please continue to send info it will be appreciated. EMH

Two good friends of mine are moving to the Poitou Charente area and he is a keen cornet player and will miss his weekly participation in his band (in England). Does anybody know of any Brass Bands, French or English, in this region. Or where he might find some information. Regards.

What is a 'huissier', I can't find it in my dictionary.

Hi,    We also have bought a plot of land to build a house on, 5km from Civray. Have done nothing to it yet apart from connect the water. Intending, hopefully in the next few weeks to put a static caravan there, but would love any information on builders, house plans etc, well anything to do with new build at all.    EMH