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Rob Roy

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Everything posted by Rob Roy

  1. Thanks everyone and my apologies for the delay in replying. What with the new forum layout, trying to log on, then compatibility issues I rather lost the will to live the other night! I don't think I explained things very well before - we used to watch French TV with an indoor aeriel and booster box in the gite we rented when we first lived here (10 years ago), then when we bought our first house we needed a satallite dish in order to get a decent picture (still French TV).  Then our son sent us a Sky box he didn't need any more so my husband could watch U.K. TV (same dish) whilst I returned to U.K. to work; the Sky box died, we've since moved house and we have now got just a cheap freesat box with the same satellite dish and receive just U.K. TV. As I understand it, if I get a new French HD TV with built in TNT, that's connected to our present satellite dish, I can receive French TV(TF1/2/3) and by using a new HD  freesat box and (second?) scart lead I can get U.K. TV?  
  2. My husband doesn't do any cooking Coops; but then I don't do plasterboard jointing, rubbing down, plumbing, laying electrics or cutting wood for the fire! Our three sons, on the other hand, are all better cooks than their girlfriends - because I made sure of it [:D]
  3. [quote user="Jako"]More and more TV's are equipped with DVB-T/C and DVB-S2 tuners. So they are capable of receiving both the (French-) terrestrial channels and any satellite channels. Check the manual carefully and you might even be able to tell the TV that the terrestrial tuner is located in France while at the same time the satellite tuner is located in the UK ( thus acting like a freesat box) But you will allways be able to use your old freesat box if you wish, even when it is just SD. [/quote] Thanks - what's "just SD"? (Told you I know nothing!)
  4. [quote user="Martin963"][quote user="Rob Roy"] We used to watch just French TV then got given a cheap freesat box (Fourtec Fourstar) so OH could see UK programmes (mainly sport!) whilst I was back working in the UK. I'm ashamed to say we have continued with this viewing arrangement for several years now. However, at last we are going to update our old TV to a flat screen HD model. Some time ago I think there was something on here about being able to watch both U.K. and French TV; I have done a search but can't find anything so hoping for some easy to understand, non-technical (as far as possible) advice. I would like to have access to at least some French TV, national and local news, weather, some entertainment etc, but I know most of our viewing will be U.K. programmes. If we bought a TV with built-in French TNT what else do we need (another dish for instance)? Is this the best option?   [/quote] I don't think you'll find a TV now that doesn't have TNT integrated into it.    And if it's an HD TV it will get the four free to air TNT HD channels,   provided you are using a transmitter that is transmitting them (transmitting MUX R5 to be exact). You will need to make sure you have an aerial connected for French TNT,   but if you were getting a good picture before the chances are that what you were using will work for TNT too.   Do you know which transmitter you are on? We are tuned in to the Astra satellite,is that what you mean?   Have you entirely lost French TV since digital switchover last year,  or have you got a separate TNT box to go with the old TV? No sorry, I should have explained, the French TV was some years ago and just from a normal ariel, no boxes or dishes involved. You don't need to upgrade your sat box at the moment,  see below. [quote user="Rob Roy"] Can we somehow easily switch between watching French-English channels?  Sorry if these questions seem rather obvious but my husband is a luddite when it comes to this kind of thing; however give him a car to rebuild and watch a craftsman at work![:D] [/quote] Yes,   with your existing satellite box connected via SCART (peritel) you can switch easily between the two sources,   the satellite will probably be called "AV1" or similar on the new TV. If you were to get an HD satellite box you would get a limited number of HD channnels from Britain (BBC 1,  BBC HD,   ITV 1,   ch 4) but unfortunately Sky have got most of the other HD channels in the bag and well sewn up. We would like to get BBC HD so will need a new Freesat box too; we might be able to pick up BBC 4 then as well, which we can't do at present. Obviously the neatest solution is the one outlined above (TV with sat and TNT all in one) but bear in mind that if it goes wrong you might have nothing.......and it might be cheaper to carry on as you are with the satellite if you're basically satisfied  (although it has to be said that flatscreen TVs tend to show up the woefully poor standard definition pictures being put out by most British broadcasters,  including - shamefully - the BBC.   And have a look at channel 5 now - I'm told it's so awful that it's barely watchable.....) We can't get Channel 5 at all anyway, and I'm fed up only seeing half a person sometimes on the edge of the screen! So a new flatscreen is overdue. Thank you for you explanations. [/quote]
  5. We used to watch just French TV then got given a cheap freesat box (Fourtec Fourstar) so OH could see UK programmes (mainly sport!) whilst I was back working in the UK. I'm ashamed to say we have continued with this viewing arrangement for several years now. However, at last we are going to update our old TV to a flat screen HD model. Some time ago I think there was something on here about being able to watch both U.K. and French TV; I have done a search but can't find anything so hoping for some easy to understand, non-technical (as far as possible) advice. I would like to have access to at least some French TV, national and local news, weather, some entertainment etc, but I know most of our viewing will be U.K. programmes. If we update to HD do we need to get a new freesat box i.e. does it also need to be HD compatible? If we bought a TV with built-in French TNT what else do we need (another dish for instance)? Is this the best option? Can we somehow easily switch between watching French-English channels?  Sorry if these questions seem rather obvious but my husband is a luddite when it comes to this kind of thing; however give him a car to rebuild and watch a craftsman at work![:D]
  6. [IMG]http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i312/Bouillaguet/Virtual%20Donkey%20Show/puzzle02.jpg[/IMG]   [IMG]http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i312/Bouillaguet/Virtual%20Donkey%20Show/puzzle.jpg[/IMG]
  7. My brother is going to start a self-build later this year; I'd be interested to know which materials you found to be of a poorer quality. Thanks.
  8. I have e-mailed you MBK, I'd be happy to post for you. I don't know how accurate it is but have read that donkeys can hear up to 11 miles! As desert animals they need to know what's coming from some way away, those long ears are useful for that!
  9. [:D][:D][:D] We are in France ( Correze, in the Limousin). We also saw a coypu crossing the field when the snow was around about three weeks ago; I don't know if it was lost but the next day it was still around, but one field over, and my 18 mth old dog found it and didn't know what to make of it! She barked at it, ran round it but eventually left it alone and the next day it had disappeared.
  10. We had about a dozen red kite flying around a week or so ago, it was a lovely sight. There is also a hen harrier who regularly skimes the field opposite our living room window as well as the usual buzzards. It's better than sitting in a bird hide, and more comfortable!
  11. Luckily all our cats sleep outside, but the younger of our two dogs can tell the time and starts whining at the bottom of the stairs at 8.15 am. If the donkeys don't hear the door open (said dog and I going for a walk) by 8.40 am they start - three braying donkeys just can't be ignored[:-))] They are then content to wait until we get back, just as long as they know I'm up!
  12. Congratulations! What a wonderful suprise, and what a time waster you'll find little Puzzle [:D] My donkey had a foal nearly 3 years ago and it is so much fun having your own baby to enjoy and train from the word go. If you have a Gamm Vert or Point Vert near you they both keep horse feed. When you get the vet out to check mother and baby they should know what paperwork you need. Good luck and looking forward to photos.
  13. Danny has got a beautiful head. Are they British or French bred?
  14. And he was the baby! I'll have to confess that this picture was taken a few years ago; Billy, the one in the chair, died soon after this picture from a twisted gut at the age of 12 months, which was an awful shock, whilst the black one, Jet, had to be put to sleep due to arthritis in his back end (he was 14). We still have Teddy (on the left) who's been joined by Freya, a very lively young lady now 18 months, who's half black lab and half Gordon setter.  
  15. During the recent snow my donkeys had a visitor every morning when I gave them breakfast - [IMG]http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i312/Bouillaguet/The%20Donkeys/DSCF4448.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i312/Bouillaguet/The%20Donkeys/DSCF4447-1.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i312/Bouillaguet/The%20Donkeys/DSCF4439.jpg[/IMG]  
  16. Whilst they are both lovely, I'm afraid you are both wrong [;-)] [IMG]http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i312/Bouillaguet/2007_09150001.jpg[/IMG]
  17. Thanks for that link Racerbear02, it looks an interesting site.[:)]
  18. Rob Roy

    potatoes

    [quote user="NickP"] [quote user="bourrut"]Thanks for link,They look just the job Malcolm.[/quote] So the secret is out, 3P's name is really Malcolm, not very trendy for an Argentinian well wisher is it ? [:D] [/quote] [:D] I think Malcolm is the OP's name, if I'm reading the posts correctly?
  19. I was stroger willed yesterday than you, Sweet, our Super U had some at 4.95€ - I just managed to walk past them! One of my favorite French climbers is Pierre de Ronsard: [IMG]http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i312/Bouillaguet/Garden%20and%20Nature/RosePierredeRonsard.jpg[/IMG] This is hubby's favorite, but I've lost the name. It was planted nearly 3 years ago in quite poor soil and seems to thrive on neglect, although I often throw the coffe grounds down by it and dead head it during the summer so it keeps flowering: [IMG]http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i312/Bouillaguet/Garden%20and%20Nature/RosearchandTeddy.jpg[/IMG]  
  20. [quote user="Alex H"][quote user="Bill"]don't you end up with lines ?  [/quote] No - and even amateurs can do it [IMG]http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu210/alexh01/smile-1-1.jpg[/IMG] [/quote] As long as you rub down the joints really well you shouldn't have any problems. My husband insists on two thinner coats of jointing rubbed down between coats rather than one too thick coat; but then he was a panel beater and can see an uneven surface a mile away! We also found that using the undercoat paint for plasterboard you get over here (the cheapest 10L one you can find) is excellent as a base before your top coat. It's sucked up by the plasterboard and looks rubbish as you apply it but once dry you suddenly find you have a decent base for your top coat.  Re the stone walls - like many others on here we've had exposed stone walls without any adverse effects, so I don't understand why you shouldn't have them; the most important thing is that the chaux is in excellent condition, re-pointing is well worthwhile if you have any doubts about it at all. If the plaster is not letting the stone breath could that be causinng your damp problem?
  21. Donkeys also love brambles, mine can't get enough of them. [:)] If you can't find a goat owner locally you might find a donkey owner who will help you out - with the added bonus of manure for the future![;-)]
  22. Thanks to both of you - I think you are right BM, I should go to the Mairie - it's what I'd probably suggest to someone else as well![Www]
  23. Could someone tell me, or point me in the direction of the necessary information, on the requirements of how far away from your neighbour's land boundary you can build a house. My brother will be building his own place on part of our field; the boundary separates our field and our neighbour's field with no other buildings in the vacinity. We thought the limit was 3 metres fron the boundary but my brother thought that there was a minimum (50%?) relating to the height of the roof. I have tried to find the answer but obviously looking in the wrong place, or Googling the wrong question[8-)]
  24. [quote user="idun"][quote user="Rob Roy"][quote user="sweet 17"] [/quote]   When I can find large tins of corned beef here I still do it,using just one, for the two of us. [/quote]   Corned Beef in France, I have wasted far too much money on the dreadful, nay degueulasse stuff. The food I bought for the cat looked nicer, smelt nicer, wouldn't know about the taste. I just wouldn't if I were you. [/quote] I found Frey Bentos so I was happy with that![:)]
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