Gluestick
-
Posts
4,996 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
15
Posts posted by Gluestick
-
-
And of course, when you return to the UK, unless you have taken French citizenship, you will have to pay for your health treatment if you have been out of the country for more than six months................. in theory.[:)]
-
A power washer will only remove surface grime. Sandblasting actually abrades the top layer of wood.
Too much water, in any case will "Raise" the grain.
Any old wood is stained by various types of material, which acts like woodstain and actually sinks into the wood's fibres.
Some people just leave them black as they prefer the old appearance. Always an option.
-
I would agree strongly with Dick on this: even if the stuff doesn't catch fire, it can melt and injure you quite severely. I still have the scars on the back of my neck, thanks to a burning pastic sheet dripping...............
Easiest way would be to find which liquid solves the hard adhesive. At the end of the day, there aren't many different solvents for synthetic material. Try nail polish remover and if this works, then obtain some commercial acetate. Use carefully in confined space and ventilate well!
Or try a good steamer and scraper. You only have to plasticise the stuff to remove it: not melt it.
-
Thanks for that Patf.
I did carry out a quick search: unfortunately, as you say, the archives stop at 2003.
Therefore perhaps a dedicated thread acting as the collected wisdom of TU, debunking Urban Myths, would be a good idea.
I'm sure that many others would join in, too.
-
Not a lot!
If you think of the examples of Peter Mandelson and David Blunkett, after a short time in the wilderness, then all will be forgiven and the same faces will be brought back again.
Interesting point of view, Quillan. Many Middle Englanders I have spoken to recently are attracted to the BNP, as they seem to offer some certain change to the perpetual seesaw effect of Tory: Labour.
But that's the big problem with electoral platforms: most voters fail to read between the lines: or feel very strongly once their fond expectations are disabused by reality!
And that's precisely how Blair learned from Thatcher and sucessfully highjacked what passed for democracy.
-
There's always been "Bull" in the UK about the UK, TU: it's mainly spread by politicans, their so-called Spin Doctors and media sources with particular political agendas and axes to grind![Www]
Anyone can write a book: the problem, currently, is finding an agent and then a publisher: unless you are Wayne Roony of course, then suddenly overnight, you are magically transformed from monosyllabic grunts into a new wave Shakespeare. Ummmm...........
Well, in this case, why not start a new thread entitled "Urban Myths About France" or similar?
Of course, to an extent, I must agree, that with all fresh fields, Rose Coloured Specs Syndrome comes into play, however (the big however![:D]), I am presently in the happy situation of researching the fact and facets about France which would impact on me, if and when I decide to relocate.
Having spent nearly 30 professional years, in which analysis of political economics, micro and macro economies, fiscal realities, overseas business investment et al, have been significant in earning my daily bread, I believe that I enjoy something of a head start. I am most kindly aided in my researches, by some good French friends and in particular, an English friend who has lived and worked in France for many years and is now retired, but is still very much politically active, is intellectually a polymath and a writer, too.
I have to agree, also, that quite obviously, France (as with all G7 states, incidentally) has problems with fiscal balance. One main causal factor is accepted as ever-increasing longevity creating increasing fiscal drain on healthcare and social security costs. Short of operating a closet policy of fiscal euthanasia (as is happening in the UK with geriatric medicine), all modern industrialised states face identical problems: which are set to worsen as people live longer.
I would posit, however, that the rate of decline of quality and standards in the French health system will be far slower than the NHS. One only has to compare, for example, the present patient to Qualified staff ratios.
Go on! Take the bull (sorry freudian slip?[;-)]) by the horns. Debunk these urban myths!
-
Now, the last thing I wanted this thread to be, is it to degenerate into a sort of "British politicans are worse than French-German-American etc politicans" !! type thing.
However, breaking my own rule, ( Poetic License? [;-)]), TU, do you really believe that the French would allow Nicholas Sarkozy, or any other pol, for that matter, to ruin the health service in the same way that Thatcher-Major-Blair have ruined the NHS?
Just last week, my local authority announced that it was "Leaving it to residents to cut the council grass verges outside their properties in future!" Oh yeah! When the council has been paid - in advance - to maintain the roads and pavements and parks etc.
At least on this occasion, they were absolutely inundated with angry 'phone calls from irate Council Tax payers! And did a rapid Volte Face.
Can you imagine any French politician, local, regional or national, even trying such a cheeky stroke, let alone getting away with it?
Can you imagine your local water company charging you to extract water, from your own well?
Personally, I cannot.
Can you imagine how the French farmers might react?
Thus perhaps it isn't actually the British politicans that people were escaping from: it was the futility of their lack of electoral voice and meaning: and the actual effects of British politicans.
-
The last thing I wanted this thread to be is a "What's wrong with the UK" type approach.
Quite obviously, certain specific and glaring factors must act as significant drivers, which have resulted in people carrying out some sort of value analysis and reaching conclusions.
I understand what you are saying, Ty, however, I would suggest that perhaps, whether one spouse or partner remains in France or wherever, once the other is deceased, would depend on a whole set of variables, unique to the couple.
However, just for a tick, let's play suppose....................................................
If the surviving person did return, where would they live? How would they buy a property?
What sort of healthcare might they expect in the UK? We know, that whilst a fiscal problem - apparently: another debate - the French healthcare system is probably the best in the World: unless one is very wealthy.
Yes, a person remaining, would also depend on their language skills: and the level to which they had integrated in the local community: and, of course, where they were located, as all communes are different.
From the direct experience of a dear friend who has lived in France for quite a long time and is totally bi-lingual (spoken and written) and has been very ill with a serious cancer, the treatment he has received and is receiving can only be described as fantastic!
Having some considerable, personal, experience, recently, of the NHS, I refrain from much more comment, except perhaps, "Patrica Hewitt what are you on?"
In fact, when I wrote a recent short article on the Hewitt fiasco, I sent him a copy and his comment was, "From what you tell us and from what our children tell us, we are so grateful that we elected to retire in France!"
Yesterday, I had to assist my neighbours, both in their 80s, as she was very unwell: she told me how her GP had employed a locum, who was Spanish (she thought) and spoke little or no English! Helpful.........
I finished up taking them to the local hospital: and collected them some four and a half hours later: with no diagnosis and just even more pills!
In our commune, the elderly are respected and looked after: people are genuinely concerned for their wellfare. Being old in France does not appear to be a crime, as it is fast becoming in the UK.
So in conclusion, it would seem that language skills and integration would be the key to long-term residence and future wellbeing. Surely, these two are a priority in most sensible people's minds?
-
Have you considered pelleted wood as a fuel?
A number of members are presently investigating this. If you search back, the topic came up a few weeks ago.
Downsides are the capital Front Cost and the need to have quite a large storage area for the fuel.
BTW: above a certain size, a new oil tank would also need to be underground, too. new regs on oil storage came into force a couple of years ago: they are very strict.
-
The old accepted method of dealing with Distemper and/or Whitewash, was to take off flaking areas and loose material and then seal the surface with size, made from bead glue and hot water. A nasty and sticky job!
Many years since I had to deal with this: last time in 1972, with a house bought from a retired naval commander, who obviously wanted his house to look like Plymouth naval station!
The walls were painted in dreadful light green distemper: and then varnished over the top!
Rubbed down well and then sized and this provided a good surface and an excellent bond for lining paper and emulsion.
Nasty job: bonne courage, mon brave!
-
Tres, it could have nothing to do with you believing that B-A-R-B-A-D-O-S is spelt:
F-R-A-N-C-E- could it?[;-)]
-
A basic question, but important for those thinking of relocating, permanently, to la Belle France.
Why did you relocate? What attracted you to the whole concept?
What are you glad to have left behind?
If you could put the clock back, would you take this Quantum Leap step, again?
Very interested in the responses to this one![blink]
-
Fay, all the beaches around us are fantastic. Stella Plage is also excellent and fairly quiet. I do agree about Berck. Apart from one fabulous eatery, the name of which escapes me presently (it's on the NI heading towards Montreuil on the way out) and a great Carrefour, I find Berck a bit Blackpool for my taste.
Merlimont is also quiet: apart from the people in the season, but the beach is so large there is normally loads of space. You can't miss the fish place: right on the beach: turn right as you arrive at the Prom and it's a short way along. Very busy with lots of locals eating Moules frittes so a good idea to book, unless you arrive early.
-
Spent quite a bit of time in your areas, Richard. Rugby seemed much more important.
What sensible chaps! Yet another reason to like France.[:D]
-
I am honour bound to buy and read Patricia's second book, Bryan, since in her last email, she thanked me in advance for buying it! I very much look forward to the book, too, of course.[:)]
-
Liz
I think that I would be a bit careful about leaving the static there for ten years and sometimes staying in it.
This is really a permanent home and could well create problems on planning and with the Mairie.
A genny would solve all your electricity problems: however, without worrying you, I would check how long you can leave the static there and sometimes reside, 'cos what you are really doing, is to change the plot into a sort of camp site, for which you would need permission.
-
Funny that, Dick. One of the first "necessaries" we took over was a great big tin of Colman's mustard powder from the wholesalers!
Love Dijon and whole grain mustard in earthenware pots, but strong English mustard takes some beating: our French friends love it, too.
-
Traditional cold stuff, Bassman? Real Melton Mowbray pork pie? Real Cornish pasties, with meat and carrot one end and jam the other? York Ham? Cold sausage and onion pie?
Off topic, what's the car meet? (Gluestick smacks own wrist** for going off topic![6]).
By Merlimont, is it the place in the Pas de Calais, near us? Great seafood and poisson place there, right on the beach! Yummy! I Can't wait for Summer again.[B]
-
[quote user="Ian Horn"]
Christmas Pud - not served though: we brought a couple of mini ones back for our neighbours after Christmas.
Not loved either: they hated them! Probably tried to cook them saignant.
[/quote]
A matter of taste, Ian? I am not a great lover of traditional Christmas pud: prefer the old mince pies.
My wife makes an excellent old style one, which is left to mature for months and well dosed with brandy and whisky.
One of our French friends has mentioned how he had eaten "Plum Pudding" in England, years ago, so she made one for the family and we gave them recipes for both brandy sauce and brandy butter and instructions on how to cook the pud and serve it flambe.
The loved it and can't wait until next year!
-
Well, from my experience, and I stand to be corrected here, Kathy, is pork, beef steak and chicken: without any prior prep.
We do marinades and pre-cooking (especially chicken!), etc.
Basically, I believe that they are similar, with regional differences.
In the USA they seem to throw huge steaks on the grill and that's about it.
By "British Style" (and Welsh, Irish and Scots members will note that I did not say "English", I trust [;-)]), I mean average reasonable food and not "Up Asdas" greasy burgers and pre-packed Urghh![blink].
-
On a lighter note, this thread: or intending to be!
Let's see how long it takes to go off topic![;-)]
We have cooked the following which they loved.
British style BBQ, with hot American style BBQ sauce. In fact they all liked this so much, I got roped in to cook a BBQ for a local family and friends of 30 people, for a birthday. They asked to borrow my big charcoal BBQ and invited us. When I arrived they all looked and it soon transpired that I was supposed to do all the cooking as well! Great evening as I wasn't driving.
Now I'm expected to BBQ for mobs of 'em![blink]
Chilli Con carne.(Hot!)[6][6]
Devilled sardines and prawns.[6]
Beef cobbler.
Afternoon tea with toasted hot cross buns.
My master butcher mate's pork breakfast sausages.
-
Can that be because things have become so muddled in the UK, catalpa, that people are so used with getting away with murder, that they think they can adopt the same blase attitude in France?
Quite a few years ago since I brought to the local councils attention the fact that developers - and the council! - had moved a public right of way for the developer's benefit, which caused great inconvenience to the public, danger and was likely to become a haven for louts (which it has). No one was at all interested.
In fact they then tried -unsuccessfully - to attack me on a planning matter: all driven by a bent local councillor who was involved with many developers who went away as a guest of her majesty.
Now, I just wouldn't bother, since it is even worse.
-
Aha, Saligo, great minds alike, once more!
Were you also thinking of Mr "Two Hags"?
-
Hope it all goes well, Liz.[:)]
central heating
in House Renovations
Posted
If you refer to the first thread in this section (posted by Opal Fruit) you will find copious advice on this subject.
If you decide on oil-fired heating, all you must do to conform to French regs. is to arrange for an engineer from your chosen oil supplier to commission and set-up the boiler: they will also issue a certificate.
Gas is a wee bit more demanding. I would be careful here and research this thoroughly. In any case, gas is far more expensive than oil in France.
Personally, I would buy a French boiler, since if it goes wrong, you would have warranty and service problems. Since you must have your boiler serviced and set-up once a year (insurance and safety), by a French qualified person, I don't see how you could do this with a UK sourced unit?