Ian

The situation is simple, but I'm not sure what rights I have. In January this year, I was persuaded by my bank (CA) to change my health insurance to their company (Pacifica). To make the process easier for me, they promised to handle the cancellation (resiliation) of my existing contract with Swiss Life. I signed a "mandat de delegation" authorising them to do this. So far, so good. In late Feb they sent a letter of resiliation to Swiss Life, and a week later, Swiss Life replied to Pacifica, declining to accept the resiliation. (Apparently, health insurance can only be cancelled by the assuree, and not by an agent). Pacifica didn't bother to tell me. In fact, they did nothing. So, come the 1st June (renewal date), the new Pacifica contract kicks in, and so does the un-cancelled Swiss Life contract. I am now paying twice for health insurance. I am not happy. My view is that as Pacifica didn't keep their side of the contract (ie they failed to resile the old contract), the contract is null and void. If this was the UK, I'm fairly happy I could argue this position successfully, but this is France. I'd prefer to stay with Swiss Life now. Apart from the fact they've reduced their premium so it's closer to that of Pacifica, I've lost all confidence in Pacifica. So, do I have enough reason to walk away from Pacifica, and if so, how do I go about it? I can't see them letting go of me willingly, so I'm thinking I may have to ask our Notaire for advice/help. ?? Cheers

Thanks, all, for the responses. @AnOther, thanks for the info on tank sizes. It is possible my mother misunderstood - maybe he WAS talking about a bigger tank. Regarding the new requirements, as far as I can read, she doesn't NEED bunding (but would be well advised to have it, I agree). Also, the current location seems to suit a replacement installation without any change (they are surrounded by fields, so no neighbours..) @bill, when I follow your link to Titan Tanks, it seems the price for a new, full-spec tank of the same size, ex fitting, is around £1200. Which makes the verbal quote seem more reasonable. I've suggested she seek other quotes (and, to be fair, the man suggested she do this) and see what happens. Thanks, everybody, for your help - valued, as always. Cheers

Maybe someone can help me here. My mother in the UK has a 2000l metal oil tank, which is badly corroded. She has been advised by the engineer who services the boiler to have it replaced sooner rather than later. So far so good. He then verbally quoted a price of £1500 - 2000, for a replacement plastic tank of 850l - the biggest available, he said. A big part of the cost is removal of the old tank ("...4-5 men needed, Missus...") plus the need to decant the existing oil temporarily into a holding tank. Hmmmm Maybe I'm out of touch with current prices, but this seems a touch high? Any comments welcome Thanks

Just logged on and found this. Still crying with laughter! Thank you!

FWIW I had a towbar fitted to my Mondeo in 2007, in the UK. Dedicated towbar fitting company, known make of towbar (can't remember who). Price was around £200-250

How did you do that? I wasn't given the option of inserting a link!

I've just bought these clamps, from Rutlands https://www.rutlands.co.uk/cgi-bin/psPromotions.cgi?promo=105 (If the link doesn't work, it's 6 off bar clamps, 54", for £60, plus £12 postage) They look reasonable, and at that price well worth the gamble, I think. Cheers

Yup, we shouldn't forget these. Nowadays, though, I prefer ratchet straps. They're so cheap, I have several. Cheers

Nick, my existing (french) clamps aren't wide enough for the door, which is why I need new ones. Yes, I could make up wedged jigs on the workbench, but it's a lot of work for a once-off situation, while clamps are re-usable And yes, I'll be using ratchet straps to keep everything tight. At €3 each from Brico-Depot, they're magic, but I want to use at least two rigid clamps to start with. Cheers

[quote user="Alex H"]I think if I wanted a longer length, I'd go for a clamp head set, like this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Faithfull-Clamp-Heads/dp/B0001P05J0 which fit on a length or two of wood (available anywhere :-) ) [/quote] Yeah, I think you're probably right. Axminster do these as well, so I can get them deliverd to France with my next order. Cheers

I need to buy at least two sash clamps with a range of 48" or so, as I'm going to make a two-piece door (like a stable door) for the kitchen. I have several of the cheap (for France) Revex clamps from Leroy Merlin, and they're not very good, so this time I'm going to buy the clamps in the UK. I'm undecided between traditional bar clamps, and the american-style pipe clamps. I like the flexibility of the pipe clamps, though, how you can use them with a variety of lengths of pipe. Has anybody used these? Specifically, Axminster's own (cheap) version? Could I get additional piping anywhere in France? Thanks

Dave21478, Perfect Pitch - the ability to throw an accordion into a skip from 20 yards.

Alan, I've used Solent Tools in the UK, for obscure drive belts. They were very helpful. [email protected] Bonne chance

Beautiful work, John, as usual What wood did you use for the pot-pourries? It looks like 2 x olive/yew and 1 x spalted beech? Cheers

I have a garden wall - usual construction of mud between stone outer skins. Water got in and half has fallen down. I can't salvage enough stones to rebuild it the same way, so I'm building the back half in beton cellulaire blocks, and then facing it with the remaining stones set in lime mortar. While BC blocks are acceptable outside, I think the back face will need some protection from the weather (front and top are OK - stone and coping tiles). A coat of enduit isn't possible, as access is difficult - it's my neighbour's garden and she might not like the mess I'd make. Would breathable masonry paint be enough? I could do that fairly easily/cleanly. Thanks

Gardian, how about coarse builders sand - 0-4, I think it's called? It's a bit like grit as I remember it.

According to the figures I have, a second layer of 12.5mm placo each side is supposed to cut sound by 7-8 decibels. Not insignificant. That, plus a better fitting door, should give you best results for least effort/money/intrusion. Good luck

What I've seen recommended in the past is A. Double layers of placo each side, with the joins offset OR B. Each wall of placo on its own rail system, with the two systems not touching. Might be a problem with rigidity, though - the method was originally designed for use with a wooden stud wall. In both cases, fill the gap between with insulation. Cheers

Shame about the result. I suppose now's not a good time to mention the cricket.....?

I knew Nadal, but Federer as well? Wow! As you say, his best chance ever (which is usually when we scots blow it - we prefer being the underdogs...)

Still in there, I believe....

What a comprehensive response! @Martin963/Jane and Danny, thanks for the pointers - I've tuned in the french digi-box and LOML is now happily watching it. The german commentary is unimportant, it's sport after all. (Many's the time I've wished for NO commentary....) @Quillan/Pachapapa, they seem to be broadcasting tennis on ordinary Eurosport. Whether Andy will be shown, we shall see. Thanks for the link to the schedule, it helps. Thanks for all your assistance, gained me some brownie points

My dear lady wife would like to watch Andy Murray next week when he plays at the Australian Open. It's being broadcast on Eurosport, but not having a subscription to S**, we can't watch it. Quel dommage. However, we have access to french digital broadcasting, via the Astra satellite and a french digi-box, and I have noticed assorted european channels are also available. I wonder if the eurosport channel is perhaps available among these? Can anyone help? Regards

Followed your link, cooperlola, and bought SWMBO a jigsaw map centred round our Edinburgh flat. She was impressed by my thoughtfulness and initiative. Thanks

FWIW, I get my planer blades sharpened at the local Brico-Pro - they send them away, and it takes "une quinzaine"..... For two 210mm blades, it costs E12. Don't know what they charge for saw blades, but with a new Freud at around £30-40, it might be a better deal. Cheers