Just Katie

Karen [:-))]

What your name is not actually 'Clair'? [blink]

Hi Val I have pm'd you.  

[quote user="joidevie"]I've now been told by several people here (I've only just started to try and find out what these blighters are) that they are fleas (puces).. Yet I have not pets at all.. I can only guess that there are a lot of them around as there are a lot of feral cats.. ? Some spray next time me thinks..[/quote] As I said earlier, if you had pets they probably would not bother you, only felix and bruno would get bitten.  It is probable that because the pets have left the house, they are feeding on you.

[quote user="Anton Redman"]The British obsession with DPCs dates from the time when brick build houses were going up in cities whose streets were little better than running sewers. Seen a fair number of French huses with wooden lambris up to waist height because the wall is always slightly damp behind.[/quote] I have seen loads of these in UK too but in different forms from t & g to boarded tiles.  Dressing over the problem usually worsens it and that is when more sinister things occur.  Good air circulation is imperative.  

[quote user="tracteurtom"]Same here, block construction houses going up all opver the place.  Another angle to consider is the climate.  In Angleterre, the damp drizzly rain must be a major reason why brick / cavity walls are used, whereas in France yes it rains (boy can it rain !) but then it dries up very quickly.  Just a thought. The French new builds dont seem to have DPCs as normal practice I've noticed, just from from a casual look mind.  Any builders / Surveyors / Structural Engineers  like to comment  ? [/quote] I really dont understand why no DPC or DPM is laid in these houses but then, I have never worked on residential construction in France and would not really like to comment.  Then again, how many stone properties in UK have these?  We have only started to see problems with damp since the introduction of  UPVC double glazing and radiators.  My stone house in UK has never even been injected.  It doesnt need it.  A draughty house is a healthy house. [:)]

[quote user="tracteurtom"]Lets face it, 2 countries separated by a strip of water that neither can agree a common name for , there are bound to be differnces in building techniques.  Just'cos its done like that in Angleterre, doesnt mean its better.  Taking advice from an English "expert" on "foreign" building techniques is like asking a Frenchman does he drink Austrailian wine or drive a german car ! [/quote] Of course UK construction techniques are the best [;-)]. Actually, one of the harshest climates to buildings is the UK climate, especially on the unsheltered western edge.  Buildings like to breath and move with the seasons however, in the UK, you could say they dont know wheather they are coming or going.  

I don't think these properties you are looking at are actually breeze blocks, rather concrete blocks and are traditionally laid in a simple stretcher bond.  The main advantages over common brickwork are that they are labour saving with higher thermal properties.  However, they are less resistance to rain penetration which maybe fine in some areas.  These are commonly used for bungalows because they have a lower load bearing strength than a brick cavity or a solid brick construction. One point of caution is that you should find out the density level of the block used.  The greater the density, the stronger the block and the greater the aucoustic and thermal properties.  You can then do a bit of research to ensure that the density of the block suits the type of build and the location.  

[quote user="cooperlola"][quote user="krusty"]if you are like us some of those boxes will be unpacked months latter. [B][/quote]Make that years.[:-))][/quote] [:D] I have moved so often, I seem to have lived out of boxes all my life.  Just done a bit more unpacking today. Best of luck Nectarine.  Although it is exciting, I found it very weepy too but it only lasted about 2 days.  Then came "Oh shit, I hope I have made the right descision"[:'(].  Now I feel I could never look back.  But they say never say never.

[quote user="Georgina"]When I was in England, it was all the scroates and pimps too that had flashy cars [/quote] What a nasty and ridiculous assuption [:@]

I never stop to think which way a nut and bolt turns.  My husband does things like that for me. [:)]

[quote user="andyh4"] Avon - skin so soft - I kid you not. Works for the boys out in Iraq and Afganistan, but AFAIIA not even Avon knows why. [/quote] Avon what? I have been told that Savon D'Alep is good.  Though I have not tried it. This could be a flea infestation.  If an animal has previously lived in the house then these little critters are patiently waiting for their next meal.  They are likely to be living under the skirting boards.  I am not sure how long the actual flea lives, the the egg will last up to twelve years and hatch anytime within. So you may think your problem has gone the lo and behold........... Many homes where animals are present now have fleas.  The owners are often unaware of this because as long as they have the animal to feed off they pose little problem for the owner.

But certainly more fun Cassis, wot wot? [:D]

I have often shared a dessert with my husband after a meal, also picked on his pizza while out for a pint.  However; I think the line has got to be drawn somewhere.  I would never have the cheek to share a complete meal with him, and to even take a peanut off his plate on a buffet deal is a bare faced insult to the proprietor. However, if I were staying at your place Jura, I would do it purely for a bit of Aussie entertainment [:-))]

[quote user="cassis"]There you go - ams got over it by discovering women instead!  [:D] [/quote] Women more fun and less trouble [6] [:-))]

Hi Val, I would not be too hasty in blaming this on rotten jealousy. When I was around 10 years of age, by brother (one year younger) was acting rather sheepishly one evening.  Then the dreaded knock came on the door.  Two policemen entered our house who were following a complaint that my brother, a car fanatic had been caught unscrewing the badge of a beautiful jaguar.  He had of course given his full name and address when caught by the owner. When the police left, he had the biggest walloping of his life from my father and has never been in trouble since.  Unfortunately, young lads find it difficult to keep their hands in their pockets.  

Wow, I am really surprised by you WJT.  People will be calling us sockpuppets next [:-))]  We actually do have very similar views.  I often keep off the animal threads soley because people draw their lines in different places and I personally think they often get too heated and sometimes very silly where I feel I could get blown to pieces for squishing a caterpillar.[:(]  

[quote user="odile"]how difficult is it to 'integrate' into rural France if you hate hunting? Anecdotes, advice, opinions [/quote] Why are you asking this Odile?  I thought you were originally from the Jura mountains which are rural, arent they?

[quote user="WJT"]Well then, come over to our side, it sounds like we have a lot in common and could be good pals. Think of all the trouble we could make.  [:D][/quote] Thank you WJT [:)].  Don't get me wrong, I love animals, well dogs dolphins and elephants mostly oh, and gorillas, but I eat meat and wear leather.  When I was 15, I was a little punky thing that got into all this kind of stuff.  In those days I banged a big drum to free the smoking beagles and still hate cruelty to animals and would happily spade a badger baitor. However, I would be a hypocrite if I said I did not enjoy the bbq'd sanglier I ate during the last season.  Yes, I know "this beast was shot in the field and what if the bullet missed and caused unnessary suffering" but I agree with Russethouse posting in that it seems more humane that an animal such as this can live freely.  I would NEVER eat veal by the way. So there you have it WJT, I do not think I could whole heartedly serve your cause as I have chosen where to draw my line on the use of animals. By the way, you are very sweet to say we have alot in common.  I don't think many people would readily put their hands uup to that.[:)]

[quote user="WJT"]      I don't think it necessary that some people feel that if a wrong is taking place they must go along with the few and just keep their head down. [/quote] Neither do I.  That is why I get myself into so much trouble.

I want to be a train driver.

  WJT WROTE "Katie you are right,  Jaqui did respond to the original question but I have to say she responded from her point of view only. I do agree with most of it, however, the sentiment of not dissing someones lifestyle I find hard to accept in this instance"   Sorry for sounding a bit dim here but Jacqui gave three options that the OP could adopt   "1) Broadcast your opposing views and take the flack and never 'integrate'. 2) Accept that you wish to live there and shut up! 3) Don't move there in the first place, peace of mind and fitting in are more important."   Is your point of view included in there WJT?  I know that mine is.

It was wonderful Callie. Just for you Twinks.  It was the highlight for me listening to Dowlais Male Voice Choir doing this little number. This however is not Dowlais, but Trelawnyd.  The boys from Dowlais are still recovering from meeting Twinkle and trying to get their blood pressure reduced.  Seriously though, they were great. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIgW7sMIDMU&feature=related  

Great news Helen.  It takes me back to the lovely holiday I had in Pyrenees with my two, aged 13 and 15.  It was such an outdoorsy time and I found myself being pushed into things I normally would not have done.  White water rafting, cable car up to Monge, paragliding off a mountain higher than Ben Nevis, mountain biking.  I did the lot and wont forget any of it.

Go on then Rose,  go and ask them for a bit and whilst munching say,"Je suis anglais et .............." Hurry up, we are waiting [:)]