cameol

Is there anyone localish to us (35klms east of La Rochelle), who can fix our leaking sand filter for our above ground swimming pool? Or if not, some advice would be good. C

Is there anyone localish to us (35klms east of La Rochelle), who can fix our leaking sand filter for our above ground swimming pool? Or if not, some advice would be good. C

Thought I'd better clarify a few points...we do live in France ,have a French debit card and will be filling up with diesel. We will be travelling from Western France via the A28 but leave it to join the road to Le Havre (sorry Hubbie still asleep, he does routes so I'm a bit vaque!)..we need to fill up as near to Le Havre as poss hoping not to 'leave' the main route too much bearing in mind it appears that 8th May is a public holiday... Hope that helps Thanks in advance for all info C    

Can anyone out there tell us where we can get gaz 24/7 on the A28 near to Le Havre before crossing over to Newhaven on the 8th May (and at a reasonable price!) bearing in mind that its a French Holiday. Thanks Cam

Hello I'm a little confused... We've lived permenantly in France since June 2004. I am on long term incapacity benefit and DLA and my wife receives carers allowance (we were allowed to transfer these benefits over here as I have been in receipt of it since 1981). We are on a sufficiently low enough income to pay no tax habitation or TV but do pay full Tax Fonciere....I see from one of your threads that if you are 'Handicape' you may not need to pay all or part of this latter tax...I was led to believe that I had to and that may have been correct information, however, I've never checked it out. Any advice please! S

Would much appreciate any info on roofing grants. We live in dept 17, are on a very low income; my husband is on a longterm disbility pension from the UK and has had MS for 25 years. we own our own 200/300 year old house here and thought we'd covered everything...however this latest heavy rain has made us realise that we can't avoid a new roof. as the drips have sprung to more than that now and in numerous places!..we have some savings for it but it seems not enough, plus he's not physically able to climb up and do repairs/adjust tiles himself.. We try to be as independant as we can and for the most part do very well. This roof situation has just been a bit of a shock as we thought we'd allowed for every eventuality as we've had to do for many years...clearly not now! Any advice as to where or who we contact for any kind of grant/assistance would be much appreciated.

Can someone clarify our situation please? We have a Nokia with an orange sim card...it is NOT BLOCKED...but we do want to 'ditch' the 3 month pay as you go at 30€ a time as we too hardly use it (only for emergencies). We have not heard of NRJ before, would that be the answer and how do we go about obtaining it. Are they; (NRJ) 1) Pay as you go or 2) Contract? In anticipation C

OK, back to the drawing board, I imagine that half of Poitou Charente have seen my bamboo now and will be dropping round for 'cuttings', not sure what that is in French........ C

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/carolskianne/DSCN3225.jpg Thanks for that, hope this works, if so, you shall all see my bamboo tree. C

Thanks for all of that, unfortunately ours is huge,albiet very 'handsome' and greatly admired. I think its a 'clump' type and has probably been there for some years. We bought the house 2 years ago and now realise we will have to do something to stop it spreading its roots as we had the shed and the above ground pool installed since we moved in and the bamboo is in fairly close proximaty. The slab suggestion sounds the nearest to a solution, may have to wait until out sons come over and inform them that they need to work for their board and lodging!!! I have a digital photo of it but not sure that I can include it in this post? Please feel free to contradict me should this not be the case. C

We have a huge bamboo and like it very much however it has a habit of producing new shoots at this time of year and they seem to appear a little too close to the shed and the swimming pool...any suggestions? We have been told that the best way to deal is to dig a trench around it and then what? Help please..nothing too compicated or backbreaking as we're both have dodgy backs!!   C

See post on 'Travelling to France' re Transmanche...interesting A

Just gone on the Speedferries site and actually for the same dates and times  as my Transmanche booking (in my original posting),it works out at £100!! so not as cheap as it used to be. Annie

Surely the big supermarches are open on the Monday after Easter? I didn't think they had bank holidays here?

I find it quite amazing that we live in the richest country in the world for wine and yet  when I come to look for vine leaves (as we adore them stuffed), we seem to hit a wall. The only explanation I get is that they're sprayed with bordelaise and inedable! Surely there must be someone who enjoys them stuffed as we do! If so, please respond and put us out of our misery! C