DavyH

[quote user="confused of chalus"]Thanks guys. Theire (sorry - n <br> o accents!) it looks a bit expensive  and we dont have a compressor. But we'll keep looking for a cheaper alternative. Dandaz,  I respect your view, but with a whole house to do I dont think we can face doing it the long way - estimate it will take about three years! [/quote] Is this the kind of thing you are thinking of?  http://www.drywall-emporium.com/Durgun45_webpage.htm You may need to cut and paste that link

Halldfandid, Please can you confirm that you only pay for the actual time the broadband internet is "switched on" i.e. If it is "switched on" say from 22 March until 5 April that you are charged for 15 days use and not a full month (or even two)? I already have a "residence secondaire" line that I switch on and off for 2/3 weeks at a time about 6 times a year (via the orange web site) and that works very well with as you say only the actual days used  rental charged for plus a small fee of around 5 euros for suspension. To have broadband when I am France would be great, especially given the time it takes to update things like AVG.

[quote user="tegwini"]Since our house in France is a maison secondaire I intended to switch the  phone off between visits and I think we pay extra for this service. Trouble is,  it is so difficult to get through to FT to ask them to do this, and also to get it switched on again.   Last week I phoned FT 5 times on one day, only to be told to call again - too busy.    And, on one visit it took days to get it switched on again,  so now we seem to leave it on. Does anyone know the difference in cost ?   I am almost convinced that we are saving little, what with calls to FT from here to get it off, and then on again - quite apart from the frustration ! Any ideas very welcome. Thanks in advance Tegwini[/quote] Try registering on this France telecom site then you can stop/start the service on line.  http://www.espaceclient.francetelecom.com/ecare/servlets/an_AccueilServlet I switch on my phone from the UK a day or 2 before leaving and the same way when I return.  Done this 5/6 times a year for maybe 4 years and never have any problems.  Costs me about 5 euros for reactivation each time so I reckon i save a few £££ each year. (looks like you may have to copy and paste the link)

[quote user="ErnieY"] Shame its wrong. First thing which caught my eye - Bergerac to Edinburgh - and guess what........................yep, no such service [:(] [/quote] but there is Ernie - http://www.flybe.com/ Think it is summer only though and Flybe are rarely cheap enough to be classed as a low-cost carrier.

Yep, I've carried the doofer in hand luggage on several flights, with several carriers - no problems so far.

[quote user="trevour"]Hi Does anyone have an update or access to detail on the industrial action program planned for the rail system around France during the next 7 days? In particular to Paris from Brive. Thanks [/quote] This link should help with the trains - http://www.infolignes.com/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=4

Hi Alan, I stayed at the Etap at Calais about 2 weeks ago and it was fine with a helpful receptionist.  The point about the desk being manned all night is important -  we used the B&B in Boulogne and were kept waken most of the night by local youngsters who seem to book rooms to party in!  I don't think thhis happens at the "manned" hotels like Etap.

[quote user="CatherineS2"]This may seem like a really dumb question, given the previous comments about them not being very bright, but do they cause any light polution? We are in a very isolated position, and sometimes we turn off all the lights at the house and lie on the sunloungers gazing at the stars, looking out for satellites and shooting stars. If we installed solar lights, would they affect the ability to see the stars at night? [/quote] They do slightly catherine, but we just move to the top of the garden with a bottle of wine and a travel rug ;)

Sorry Paul, I was referring to Anton's route below [quote user="Anton Redman"]Has anybody tried ( Going North) : From A28 joinn A13 in the Caen direction Immediately leave at Junction 25 signpost Yvetot over Pont de Brontonne Join A29 at Yerville and then North Via Michelin says it is about 10 minutes longer but it avoids the grim dual carriage way round Rouen [/quote]

I use this route regularly if Rouen is likely to be busy, in fact I used it on Friday around 4.30pm to avoid Rouen.  I would say it is less stressful than Rouen, much the same time/distance aswell.

I have been using Moneybookers for about 1 year, never any problem - as expected it takes longer for my Bank to send them the money than it does for moneybookers to send it to France. - Usually 3/4 days from First Direct to Moneyybookers then 2/3 days to credit Agricole - costs me about £2 for £1500 transfer, bank would want £21

[quote user="krusty"]my solution so I know what day it is [Www] [IMG]http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p119/macthespud/cal.jpg[/IMG] [/quote] I tried that Krusty, but the calendar kept falling off my wrist!

Maybe if it show's the Month as well i would buy one ;)  the year would be handy too

When I was over In June I swear I could see the level of the central heating oil falling at the same rate as the grass was growing :(

Maybe the trauma comes about when you don't know if the garage is only failing your car because they have a quiet week?  They tried that one on me this year when my wife took the car in.

[quote user="marc62"]Thank you - All sorted & transferred now   Another question if I may, we have an account with Britline which we had to pay 32.80 Euros for the bankcard. As the card was for two years we thought it would be a one off payment but we have been charged again this year. Does anyone know if it is an annual fee?   Many thanks   Marc [/quote] Fraid so Marc

It is because of Easyjet and Ryanair that i am flying from Edinburgh to Paris this Saturday for a week at a cost of £96 return,  I use Ryanair sometimes too, but normally go for the best deal. Can you confirm that if Ryanair were costing you 50 euros and BA 300 you would travel with BA? I think most people welcome the competitive prices whish are now available due to the competition from "budget airlines"

[quote user="Brilec"]You haven't changed your car in that time perhaps? They won't work with the new athermic windscreens, unless you put them at the top, close to the rear-view mirror, on the bit covered with black dots. [/quote] I think this would be the most likely reason.  my doofah (or doofer? ;))  is newish and it didn't appear to work in our hire car in November.  So  following my usual procedure of only reading instuctions if something doesn't work, I read about using it near the mirror in the dotted area, worked fine after that :)

Try here http://www.insurance4carhire.com/ £49 for a year to insure an excess - Don't know how good they are because I have never claimed, but as I hire at least 4 times a year when in France, it seems a great deal.

I have a five year old C5 which has shown numerous problems especially in the early years of ownereship. I agree with the poster who suggested disconnecting the battery for 30 minutes - It does work 90% of the time - hope you are one of the lucky 90%! I currently (bad pun!) have intermitent problems with a passenger door not working on central locking, fan blower and a brake warning light - time for another disconnection I think.

[quote user="Fay"]I'm getting a bit nervous - I'll be using my doofer for the first time on Friday afternoon on the A16, heading down from Calais. Just me and the cat. What if it doesn't work - I'll feel such a fool! Reassurance needed please![/quote] I felt the same last month using mine for the first time - just mind and point it the right way - if it doesn't work, turn it round and you will get the reassuring beep!