tracteurtom

[quote user="Cat"]Pcwhizz, if you sent Sunshine an email through the forum it doesn't actually show your email address, but if she replies it will go to your email address as "normal" email, and not forum related.   [/quote] Hah, thanks for that.  Its a bit like a black hole sending an email via Forums.  You just click send and you get words to the effect its been sent, but thats it, no copy confirmation and no copy of what was written.  Best way I suppose, keeps us all secure in our private little internet worlds  [:D]

Does anyone know the history - or can point me to a link / book etc - on French Bread Ovens?  We have one and its huge.  It would be good to know a bit more about it.  For example, is it possible to put an approx age on the oven by its style, or when did the French start and stop building them on the farms in the country?  That sort of thing.  Thanks editted speling og hugh corected  [:P]

[quote user="Bugbear"]Mature Walnut is a very valuable wood and there is a ready market for large pieces.[/quote] I understand that because of its value, Walnut trees should be dug up and not felled in the normal manner.  I guess thats a JCB job!

Sunshine, drop me an email, I could be interested.  Tried sending you an email, not sure if it was sent and if it did, does it include my email address?

Just had a similar experience with Leylandii (why the hell people plant these awful things beats me), approx 40 trees 15m++ tall and 10m ++ wide, eating the telephone and electricity cables.  Cut them down myself and had a lot of fun separating them from the cables.  When I mentioned this to a frenchman he replied: Attention!  EDF and France Telecom will charge you around 2000 euro if you break a cable. So, bear that in mind re the felling quotes you receive.  I hasten to add that the cables are very strong, and resist alot of tugging and supporting of hanging boughs!

[quote user="Ron Avery"]"I thought that the manufacturer of the vehicle was the only source of the certificate? " Mmmmm obviously PC whizz has not seen the cost of a used van in France. [:-))] [/quote] Sorry I didn't make myself very clear (whats new!!)  I meant swap the van in the UK for something a bit more french.  But, it would appear that the LDV was an amazing deal so whats to loose?  OP - If you do go ahead and bring the LDV to France, please make it legal and don't fall into the scumbag group - see other threads on this subject. and yes I do know the price of occasion vehicles in France  [+o(][+o(]  I'm currently looking for a 4wd work horse and its very tempting to import one from the UK and just put up with the RHD issue.  The choice is just so limited in France, and the price, well I'm lost for words!

JR, suggest you read the thread and countless others in closer detail. British insurance is invalid without MOT and RFL, no arguments.  In the event of an accident, the insurance company will try every possible excuse not to pay out.  Assuming that they will "always pay out on third party liability" is a very dodgy and scumbag attitude. Ron,  totally agree with your post and would support any action to remove the illegal UK cars from the airports etc.  Scumbags is polite term for these people who are dodging the law just so that they can have a vehicle to use whilst they are in France.

I thought that the manufacturer of the vehicle was the only source of the certificate?  I'd be looking to dump the LDV for say a Renault, at least then you will be able to register it and get parts without problem.

Londoneye, Not sure of how your bit of land relates to your property and others but have you considered a couple of pigs?  AKA natures ploughs.  The pigs would start by clearing the grass/weeds before setting too proper and digging out the roots and bugs.  As they dig, they will flatten the land with their trotters and also manure it - magic eh!  By Christmas with extra feeding you will also have the benefit of a full freezer, hows that for saving a bit of cash?  Obviously they are other things to consider like a shelter and fencing, but its worth thinking about.  I'm was hoping to get some pigs this year and have been reading lots  - the Limousin Cul Noir (black bum!) seem ideal but I've not had chance to sort the fencing yet so I'll have to wait until next spring.  A word of warning though, that 1000 m 2 of land may never be a green garden once you get the pig keeping bug!!!!!!!!!!

Just read through this and would support the diagnosis that the HDD is stuffed.  You have backed up all your data so its not a problem, is it?  HDD failure is quiet common.  Avoid the PC shop mentioned like the plaque, bunch of kids, who don't know what they are talking about and charging a fortune for inferior gear.  Get a personally built PC from someone who does know what they are doing and you will also get the original XP or Vista install disk, not something labelled recovery and useless IMHO.

Re rotavating the patch.  Pro gardeners always say never use a rotavator as it ruins the soil structure.  Also rotavators chop up the weeds and this is bad news.  The perennial weeds will shoot from the tiniest bit of root.  One bit of twitch or bind weed becomes 20 the following year, the only sure way to get these out is by hand.  You need to analyse the problem, will weed and  feed suffice or do you want to weed  kill it all and start again.  Depends on the quality of finish you want.  If you ask the local farmer, he will probably just turn up with the appropriate kit and it'll be sorted in an hour to his way of thinking, all for a whiskey or 5!  But this may not be what you want?  One more thing, don't let is go to seed, keep on top of the mowing, one year's seed equals seven years' weed, so they say!

We have just had a litter of 4 Parson Russell Terriors, 2 males, 1 female left, ready mid May.  Pedigree, chipped, and vaccinated.  Father French Champion of travail, Mother CAC winner.   Not big dogs I know, but big personalities.  Email me if interested.  We're in 19 Correze.

Don't forget the catches, handles etc.  Take them off and save them for the next car boot you do or maybe try to reuse them somewhere, assuming they are of the old french ornate style.  Check out the prices of copy ones at Lapeyres, and be ready for a shock..............

[quote user="Bob T"]I saw a Uk reg Range Rover in Montignac the other day. Just happened to look at the tax disc - it was dated 2005! Talk about bucking the system. If I see it again I'll take a couple of photos and send them to the DVLA, not that they will do anything. [/quote] and check out the small airport car parks that serve the UK.  They are full of  UK cars, RFLs expired and no CT / French  insurance papers on the screen. Left there I guess by numb skulls who have a holiday home in  France.  Its disgusting and I'd fully support the French authorities in disposing of these cars.   Gives the Brits a bad name I think. 

The car should pass the CT with UK headlamps.  The Tester will just note that they are not LHD type.  I know, I've done it.  You will be expected to have them replaced before the next CT, but you get 2 years to do it. If you were in Limousin, I'd take the car off your hands for 200 €.  The diesel engine alone is worth more than that. Have you seen the price of 2nd hand cars in France?  Occasion is the term used and boy, do they have inflated ideas of what they are worth.  I'm trying to locate a good 15yr old 4x4 (Nissan Patrol or Toyota Landcruiser), the UK  is awash with them, and many bargains to be had.  In France, no, nothing worth looking at under 5000 € !!

I've also seen them on the mobile vans (Outiror and the like).  Make sure you're happy with the quality though before you buy.  Bought a bit of stuff from Outiror (I'm now a gold client - wow. I think you get this status when you buy 1 item!!!) and the stuff is mostly mediocre, but useful for the 1 off jobs.

[quote user="Misty1"]I'm not a French electrician and this situation does not normally exist in UK but I'll chuck in my 10 pence worth... The OP may have meant 2 or 3 WIRE installation. This, with your comments about 120 volts still existing in parts of France, may suggest the installation is either a 2 or 3 phase 240 Volt installation with no neutral. In this case, a third phase would help to bring more power into the house with no increased risk. All lights and appliances would work correctly, but the installation, or at least the consumer unit, would need to be adapted. The risks associated with this arrangement are not as  severe as 380V Three phase (and neutral), but in any event, if the wiring is installed, and used correctly, to standard, these and other risks will be minimised to a "satisfactory" level.  [/quote] umm!!!!!! Voltage between any line and neutral 230V  Single phase and 3 phase. Voltage between phases 400V.  3 phase delivery only.  Note the 3 ph is delivered with 3 lines (phases) and a neutral. I have never heard of a 2 phase delivery (but that doesn't mean there is no such thing!).    There are certain devices available that are 400V eg certain welders and heaters and these devices are connected across 2 phases, but they are rare.  I think you would still have a 3 phase delivery to use such devices. Does any one know of 110V in France or indeed a 2 phase delivery?

[quote user="briwy"]    We have a small chalet within a group of 16 or so in the Pyrenees and the guy who does all the admin etc lives on site and is a plumber. He has a horror story of having mains sockets in a bathroom and tells of how he was working on a bath with some water in and the lead lamp he was using to see by fell in the bath and nearly killed him.  He has the scars and a dicky heart to prove it. He strongly approved when I told him that mains sockets are not allowed in the UK and said he thought it should be the same in France. [/quote] Let this be a warning to all the DIY leckys.  It is not a joke.  The regs/normes are written for a reason, ignore them at your own risk, not your families and friends.

I've got a bush or 2 coming from the UK in August.................I hope!  Cant wait, gooseberry and rhubard crumble served warm with ice cream, or plain gooseberry pie, now I need a lie down!!!!!!!!!!!!

[quote user="Mark"]Will do.  S's new Canon won't work with her old non-Canon lenses.  This is presumably to encourage one to buy Canon lenses - shouldn't that sort of thing be illegal?  What's that phrase for it - restrictive trading or something..?  Anyway, we'll put some St J's Day snaps on the photos bit of the forum regardless of whether they feature Janneau or not, since the house is nearing completion (or rather we're nearing exhaustion and it'll do...), and we're also trying to woo Meg, Mog and Dog as our first guests (agent's fee in the post by the way Mr G), so a few new images wouldn't hurt [:)][/quote] aah, should have bought a Nikon.  Even in the film SLR days Canon were forever changing lens mounts, just to keep the product moving I suspect.  Now Nikon...... sorry wrong forum. Had it confirmed yet again by a French farmer friend last night, do not plant anything tender out until mid May.  Maybe try just a few spuds, just to be ahead of the game, but as soon as they shoot, wrap them up at night.  If the weather does turn next week we will lose all the plum blossum and probably most of the fruit.  In some areas, those that are not as high as us (we are at 400m) I see that the cherries are in blossum, if that lot gets a frost, good bye cherries this year!

[quote user="Deimos"]................ Thus, so much would depend on how its been used (not just how well they looked after it). Ian [/quote] I kinda thought that would have inferred  ????????????

How many hours has it done - normal, domestic use or has it been cutting a golf course full time for the last 2 seasons? Has it been serviced and had regular oil changes?  What condition are the belts?  Are the blades good and run true?  Does it start easy?  Do the tyres still look new? Why are they selling? Lots of questions, but could by a good buy, its your decision, just be cautious.  I'd go in at half new price (2004) and see what happens............

[quote user="Jonzjob"]I do know that you should not have 2 appliances on different phases within reach of each other. If you get a problem with one of them and you can reach another appliance you could get a 380 volt belt and that would be a 'good by cruel world' situation!! [/quote] and that is one very good reason why all the earth bonding must be in top notch order.

[quote user="Cassis"]So are Tecumseh rubbish and should I avoid them?  My immediate thought was that if it is rated at 18hp it should be fairly understressed. I know everyone says Briggs and Stratton are okay - I've got a Mr Bricolage autotractée with a B&G engine - mind, the engine did have to go back under guarantee last year due to a carb fault! Kathie - I have spent today chopping down a massive pampas grass in the wrong place.  I want it out.  I have it down to 30cm high and a metre plus across.  But digging it out is proving impossible.  I have a can of petrol, however. [/quote] Pampas grass, ugh, I think it will come back even if you use the petrol!  They're buggers to get shut of.  Seriously, never ever use petrol to light a bonfire (use diesel) - but you already know that I guess Cass? Avoid Tecumseh engines is the general consensus of opinion whenever I make enquiries like this.  The B&S commercial range is excellent, also Honda is well spoken off, but I dont know if they have domestic / commercial ranges, I guess they must do??  But it will come down to how much you want to use the thing.  No point buying and paying way too much for something that will run all day under full load every day, if all you want to do is cut the grass once a week in the summer in 1 hr sessions. Lawnboy is another name used to market these American made belt drive sit-ons.  I think the main company is something like AYP - American Yard Products, but Electrolux also has a big stake in there somehow.  That said, the basic design is excellent, and the built quality v.good.  I have a Roper, still going strong (just in the process of rebuilding the cutting deck) and it was made in 1989!

Mr Bricolage stocks many fixings for all these types of situations.  Our local branch even as a little block made out showing how each type of fixing works.  Well worth checking out.  But, as with all stuff like this, they aint cheap!