Pun

As promised Im letting you know the results of 3 traps I tried throughout this last 12 weeks.   (A) the solar trap, this one has a buzz sound every 15 seconds or so and to be honest inspite of a lot of folk saying thet found them u.s. Ive found them  to be really good, It has done all it said on the label, it's kept going, no problems, and the moles are not in this part of the garden from day one of using it. points out of 10=10.  NOTE you must wear gloves when putting the spike part into the ground and ensure the device can see the sun/for charging the battery.   (B) the gun trap, this is a device made in the U.K. (HULL) but purchased in france , it's a metal device and loaded with a brass bullet shell containing a chemicle that when fired by the mole digging close to the device gives off a bang and a chemicle, this chemicle kills the mold a.s.p. Ive found this method only went off twice and Ive not found any sign of the mold so Im not sure if the mold went  and died further away or he's still alive living in Spain,  or he's wearing a gas mask,   but again Ive no signs of any mole in this area of the very large garden 1-1/2 acres Points out of 10-10 it again did what it said it would do "Ive no moles here".   (C) the copper wire device, this device is a hole shape that is fixed within its own wire claw type idea, its the cheaper of all the devices and is put into the mole run and the idea is the mole gets stuck in the hole area and you should be able to dig up the trap and find a mole dead or alive. Ive found this trap didnt produce any    results, maybe the fact that it was in the ground put the moles off and theyre holidaying in some ones garden down the road, Im not sure this device has worked as Ive found no dead or alive moles and Ive had no post cards from them. results out of 10-??????? I'll try this method again. well folks hope this has helped, my money will be going on the solar as it worked, its clean to use and I can't see any moles in this area But remember when trying any traps you must make sure you dont leave any of your human smells on the trap (wear gloves) Ive heard these moles now have sky t.v. and they are all into these D.N.A. test (the little people down the garden told me) so wear gloves dont leave your d.n.a. behind.[Www]   Good gardening all.

Well you can feel the change in the weather now, Ive been planting tulip bulbs in the large bed area in the court yard, I did this last year "all the same colour" yellow, and the look was well worth the money app £60-00, I bought the bulbs in the u.k. (bridgemere garden centre) Ive managed to cut all the hedges and Im pulling all the verious annual stuff out so the border's can rest.   The garden is starting to look empty just now but it's bird feeding time soon and time to make some new bird houses.   I do all my fruit tree prune work in january/feb time but nows the time to take note of the trees you want to work on. After the prune works over I like spray to keep the pest away, make sure all the tools are in good working order....   Winters a good time to read up on your spring/summer projects. Happy gardening all.

Hi,  Ian, Sorry Ive only just got back to you, Im in the middle of doing the Gite up and its one job after an other, but Im really pleased the log cutting is going so well, and you r  happy with the machine, As you say you'll only use it once or twice a year but it will do the job quick and last for years.   I'LL think of you when the weathers freezing and I LIKE YOU WILL BE VERY WARM. Good gardening, regards Pun.

Ive just (yesterday saturday) finished trimming the last of the leylandi hedges around the complete garden borders, Its a  job I would normaly have finished 4 weeks ago but due to work on a Gite project Im behind my little routine, While clipping away I managed to blunt my electric shears and so reverted back to the old hand operated shears to finish the last 40feet of hedge when a french friend called me over to say the hand operated way will not only look better but the hedge will grow slower,   Its a much slower way of cutting the hedge but I must admit Im wondering if he's correct, anyone have any thoughts on electric, vers, hand operated shears??

Im going back to the U.K. for a few weeks and decided to take my trailer and this will be pulled by nissen x trail 4x4. the trailer is a twin axle 9feet long (inc towing connection) and 7feet high. now Ive been using this trailer for some 7 years on and off with no problems but when I was booking the crossing today with sea france I was asked would I have anything on the car roof rack.   The car is a lot lower than the trailer so why this question ? S.F. said they must ask  and as Im not using the roof rack I didnt think much of it until after I'd put the phone down. anyone been asked this one??

Hi  Dave You'll need to say your dept ect, ie I know lots of places in our dept (23) but not other ones, good gardening.  

Hi julia, Nice to hear your as keen as me, It's been rain most of yesterday and all day to day, but like you I'll get the rest of these bulbs in if it kills me,

The times fast coming here in this part of France (dept 23) for getting the spring flower beds ready, Last year I planted a large bed 15feet by 7feet of just box edging and filled the complete inside area with  miniture tulips red and yellow, they really started the spring off with a bash of colour,   Now's the time to clear the bed and let it rest for a few weeks, let the air get into the soil   by turning it over   and add any manure on top now.[:)] in about 3 weeks time plant all the bulbs twice the depth of the bulb size and level the ground, in the spring you,ll have one hell of a carpet of tulips, well worth the effort now.

The times fast coming here in this part of France (dept 23) for getting the spring flower beds ready, Last year I planted a large bed 15feet by 7feet of just box edging and filled the complete inside area with  miniture tulips red and yellow, they really started the spring off with a bash of colour,   Now's the time to clear the bed and let it rest for a few weeks, let the air get into the soil   by turning it over   and add any manure on top now.[:)] in about 3 weeks time plant all the bulbs twice the depth of the bulb size and level the ground, in the spring you,ll have one hell of a carpet of tulips, well worth the effort now.

Jon  you really are being silly, But as your in to daft sayings try this one and then tell me Im wrong, "what the U.S.A. is doing today the rest of the western world will do tomorrow, ie everyone is sueing everyone. for christ sake Jon wake up, you cant even live in your own caravan on your own land here without permission, (while doing up a ruin thats not livable in) what makes you think or know this wont turn sour, like the letting people use your land for a year or so to help keep the grass down and then it becomes a right or again do you  know   the law on this one jon?   Take it from me this person owning the land needs to make sure he,s not backing himself into a corner he may well regret.   I,ll   repeat what Ive said , check and know ALL the French do,s and dont,s befor you say yes or no, and then get it in writing as to whys and whens, word of mouth will not stand up in any court should things go wrong..

What if the person parking has more than one vehicle and these vehicles are not Insured by the owners, who pays for what if damage is done ????

Hi   Julietruly, No is the reply, ask your insurance company for advice on this, if you say yes and he has an accident  etc  or damages your house/property who pays? we had bad storms a few years ago now and the damage was wide spread, people claimed for every thing, old wrecks that had no chance of being used, the Insurance companies got stung and now look for just what your being asked as a favour as a get out clause for them, Ask your insurance how they feel ref this request.  

Hi Melon, Just a very good word of advice here without trying to be rude in any way, Make sure you know what your doing, ie the cut will depend on the fall, also if this tree is large it may have acted as a wind duct for your house chimmney So if you do remove the tree and when you lite the fire and have smoke not leaving the pot on very windy day,s you,ll know why, just a word of warning .you may need a cowel if one isnt fitted now. regards .

Hi Sue, this sound to me as already said "that since the workmen have arrived to errect the frame work, its upset the next folk, if I was in your shoes I would first try to have a nice and calm word with them, and if it is sorted get the work done and sell, you,ll not have any peace  trying to gite now this has happend., buy a place on its own,

Hi one and all, Im away sunday but just thought I,d leave you with this info "now"almost 6pm french time we,ve had 122 replies to this question Should I charge for cleaning, this shows we still have a lot of interest in the subject and a topic I feel has called some new views on how or why things are done the way they are, thanks for all the taking part speak to you soon. regards Pun.

HI  JON D, No I dont think your prying , not one bit, We sold a property in the U,K and decided for what Interest was being offered (without taking big chances) we,d be better off in the property market, We,ve never lost in the passed as far as property went in the U.K. and this area has shot up in the last 6 years also both of us enjoy doing property up anyway and the prices in france are much better buy than a lot of places in the U.K.. The gite (as going to be has 3 very large bedrooms and a large bathroom fully fitted, twin sinks, bath, shower, loo. as far as sleeping, the bedrooms have one kingsize slay bed in 2 of the rooms and what we,re calling the childrens room has a good quality bunk bed this sleeps 2 bottom 1top or could be used for an adult sized person if needed, and also a larger cot and if needed a cradle, all rooms have furniture ie lockers hanging space etc.    the childreens room is as big as the other 2 and allbedrooms have windows and all have countryside views The ground floor has a large lounge and the dine/area seats 6 adults, around the table. the kitchen is again large fully fitted also a breakfast bar sits 6 and has been made in a safe area away from cooker etc, ideal for children. the ground floor also has a loo, and a seperate utility room again fully fitted washing machine etc, and the heating is all new oil centrial, and glass doored log fire, and all double glazed throughtout, Outside is one and a half acre, compr/orchard 15 fruit trees, veg are, hen house, hot tub, (and we are waiting for a pool to be fitted 10mtrx5mtr, all the grounds are secured by fencing and the entrance has new metal gates (lockable if needed) and the drive in court yard has gravel to reduce speed. the patio looks over the large garden and has a 12 seater table and a awning for shade, the bar,b,q area again is large with conctrete table and verious seating the bar b.q is   charcole heated. We are here to enjoy retirement and the gite when complete will be an investement (hobby) Well  Jon d hope this has helped, regards Pun.

NISSEN X TRAIL, WIFE DRIVES VW GOLF. Top gear favourit program,

Hi Eslier, Many thanks for your reply, to reply to your questions its a time scale we,re looking to allow for the proplems we are at the mercy of other people, ie T.V. breakes down  or the pool PACKS UP, to get these thing sorted  and if we dont know of these sort of problems until the change over, and we didnt get the said problems at least started to be put in order the next paying guest isnt getting the package we have said is here to be enjoyed, Lets face it we all enjoy the layed back french life style until we have a problem and then we seem to remember the british rat race thing about why isnt this or that what we are paying for. Ive seen so many threads in the last couple of months that make me think ie fluff on the brush,electic wires hanging out of walls (they re only the a phone charging device)  we couldnt use the pool because the owners use it between such and such hour, and  so on and so on. We got a warning of this or that on arrival (no welcome smile) Ref the staff, we will have 2 people and the work is both in/outside work, everything checked and a fresh welcome pack for all guest and child pack, REF times if people arrive after the time we expect, thats no problem, we are ready, we,re not letting anyone down and these people will be made welcome as will the people who want to leave early in the morning befor the 9or 10 am period, if needed      we will be available.(we,re not operating from the U.K. or outerspace, or our friend who cleans for us(just pay the fee and stop moaning sort of set up, We are here 3kms away within 15mins or a phone call.  As Ive said at the start of this whole thread, we are not by any means new to the world of public service, but I hope a breath of much needed fresh air, time will tell. Once again thanks for your advice ref this matter,

Hello Croixblanches Thats one hell of a name you,ve got. But welcome and thank you for that truly interesting intro, Its funny you saying about fords and the dog story, Try this one I can vouch this is true, When I had the cleaning company a few years ago now I was asked to go to vauxhall,s factory in Ellsmereport on the wirral, While I was there the person showing me the canteen area that was tobe cleaned throughout the night shift noticed I was driving a ford and asked me why, I replied no reason really, so he said let me show you around the works and you,ll see one of our cars being made from start to end, as we walked around I noticed these letter type box,s with the words suggestion,s, I asked what this was all about, He opened the box and a pile of Mars bar used paper fell out, He said it was them upstairs who thought by having these all over the factory floor soneone would come up with a million  pound company saving idea. And did they I asked, Yes he replied, we use to have a lot of waste ref chrome changing colour if it was completed, so one chap said via the suggestion box why not leave the chrome work in distilled water over the weekend and it will be ready to continue tobe worked at the start of the next shift! Well he saved the company thousands if not millions over the years, they had a big get together in this very canteen to present him with his reward,   How much I asked??? £1000, and a lot of overtime was never worked in that area of the factory again, So now all we gat in these box,s is this "waste paper. I can assure you Im not falling into any trap, if you want to have a holiday and be looked after with your interest first middle and last??? and a owner who is on hand but not in your face and has the forsight not tobe asking daft questions  after the event. give us a try.

Hello Kathyc, Thanks for your reply, You know people on these threads can make you sound like Simon cowel (the x factor) fame, no matter what you say or how you say it they are more than willing to twist and turn it into any thing but common sense, Well Kathy I happen to like Simon cowel and judge Judy (sky t.v.) as they are both one offs very good at what they do and we,ve all heard of them "Love them or hate them" I myself do care very much about the customer But to give a good anything you must have a plan and offer that plan in the beginning via the Introduction information ie terms/conditions. Please let me explain, a couple of years ago we went on holiday to the U.S.A.  3 weeks, now on the return trip we had 2 planes to catch, the first left at 6am usa time and the last plane usa time left at 3pm, we had to sit around the air port for 7 hours, we had to get up in the morning of the last day at 4-30 and into a taxi to the air port.  No laying in till 10 or 11am All this was for our own good, we knew this pri booking and on arrival at the usa. ranch everything was as promised and as the terms and condition we ,d signed for. What im trying to say is this, to give a continuing good service the customer comes first every time, But when you have a customer coming in and one going out, you must ensure that you have every thing working together and allowing for any problems that need sorting tobe sorted pri the new arrivals. Its the ones going out that more than not will leave you with any problem rather than the one coming in that you,ve not yet met. I wouldnt like to load a family arriving with any problem left from the people leaving and to give both myself and wife the time to "ensure" we gave it our best shot, we need the time to do the job, We have said all charges will be included, hot tub, pool, childrens purpose built play area bar,b.q. gardens you,d die for, sky t.v. video pool table, security of ground ie gated entrance, home fully smoke alarmed, bikes plus adult att,d childs carrage, and a French home that looks and feels french, window box,s hanging basket,s etc etc, All this isnt a 30 min make over as some Gite owners seem to think or have said on this very thread. Kathy, all this on change over takes time to both clean 100% ie we dont like floors cleaned by mopping, "Why" because we know its cleaner safer to use a wet and dry machine, this machine lifts the scrubed dirty water up "hence" your not spreading dirt around the floor you,ve just lifted it into a machine that will be emptied and the floor will be dried and then buffed, It not only smells clean but is clean, Kathy 2 questions, (1) did you know this method of cleaning? (2) what method would you pre/ used if you was going to select tobe used meth  1 or 2 This is why having run our own company for years want to clean the Gite every time and not want or expect the customer to spend valued holiday time doing any hand over cleaning.. All cleaning materials ie vacuume cleaner (new bag every hand over) cleaning agents will be there for the use of the customer if they feel they,,d like to use during the stay, but thats the only reason Well Kathy I hope this has given you a feel for my feelings ref the customer and why sometimes some conditions are made and it is all for our customers enjoyment, If  they decide no we dont like your conditions, fine, we, do understand and feel no  bad feelings on our part. Now back to my Simon Cowel like feeling some people put me in,  "Can you sing kathy, can you dance???? Do you have the GITE FACTOR????   I DO.   Regards Pun.

HI  Jon D, Ive had a good think ref times since your reply and also had a word with 2 gite owners, and again the leaving times comes up time and time again, some say out by 9am and some 10am Both have said by doing all the cleaning them selves it saves the quest hours off the holiday, so for them to have a full clean done on the day of leaving its not a bad thing to be out early, it was pointed out to me if you say 9am it will be 10am befor they leave if you say 10 it will be 11 ish so taking all this in, and saying the next guest arrive at 4pm not 5pm this leaves 11ish til 4pm= 5hours cleaning /gardening plus any out of the norm damage to sort out, Im still thinking of the time and ensuring the next guest get a full good deal not a problem unsolved due to lack of time. I wouldnt want to upset anyone but this gite will be and all inclusive holiday with all the stops pulled out, Jon D , thanks for your help on this one , keep the advice coming.

Good on you CASSIS, If you have found a sure way of getting your guest out with a broom, who could ask for more well done.

How many gites did you say you run ? Russethouse.

You are 100% correct, I couldnt have put it any better myself  a holiday is time spent holidaying not cleaning. Well said zeb.

HI CASSIS, Again T&G, make sure they know and understand the terms and conditions, if they break them by costing valuable change over time they then pay. But make sure they do know this.