dessiedog

Thanks for your suggestion re a 'man with a machine'. This had occurred to us but we were unsure whether the transmission had been moved again. Last year we tried to get a quote from the local Pro & Cie shop but they declined, saying that UK TV reception was no longer possible. Hence we did it ourselves, successfully until the signal disappearance a week or so ago. We will be back later this month and will try with another shop if the signal hasn't moved. Thanks again for your reply.

We are in Bearn, 64, and installed a 1200mm dish late last summer and enjoyed good reception during our visit in October. Returning for the first time at the beginning of March, the reception of all free to air channels was again good. The signal did, however, disappear over a 10-15 minute period every night at around 10.30-10.45 (French time), which at that time of night was just an inconvenience. Just before Easter the signal started to disappear earlier until at the beginning of last week, before we left, there was none at all. It may be that the dish has moved slightly although it is in a well protected but accessible position, and needs adjusting, or is it a further 'refinement' of the satellite signal transmission? Has anyone else encountered a similar problem? Advice appreciated.

Sounds like a simple solution and cheap! The last thing we want is to have a slippery surface around a pool which will naturally get wet, particularly when the grand-daughters arrive in a couple of weeks. Thanks for the suggestion. Dessiedog

We are in 64, Bearn, and the dish is 1.2m. Friends who live approximately 5 miles away have this size dish and get very good reception, so fingers crossed it will work for us, providing I can tune it in! I suspect that getting a man in will be the best solution. Dessiedog

One of the jobs to be done during our next visit is the installation of a new satellite dish and try to tune it in. There are various satellite meters advertised to achieve this, but the question is which one would be best? Any advice - make / model, cost, pros / cons - would be appreciated. An alternative is to spend the money getting a local expert to tune it in once it's installed? Looking forward to your replies. Dessiedog

It has been suggested that we seal the paving around our pool for easier maintenance, and bearing in mind the cost of products in France to source one from the UK. I found a sealant by Thompsons, but when I asked them whether it was suitable around a swimming pool the answer was no because it could be slippery. Has anyone used a sealant that they could recommend - make, cost, pros and cons etc. The alternative is to just power wash as necessary, which is what we have chosen to do at the moment. Regards Dessiedog

Thanks for everyone's prompt responses. I have something to work on now re dish / LNB makes etc., but as we don't live there full time, only visiting 3 - 4 times per year, cost has to be born in mind. It's difficult to justify spending a fortune just to watch UK TV? Delivery shouldn't be a problem as we have friends who are returning with their van at the beginning of next month, I'll have to check prices etc asap. Thanks again for your replies - Dessidog

Since last year's change in the UK TV transmissions via satellite, we have survived(?) with the Sky News channel etc during our visits to the Bearn, 64. We now understand that UK TV reception is possible with a larger dish, 1.3 or better still 1.5m, and are consequently considering buying one in the UK to install on our next visit in June. Any recommendations /advice on the make / model of dish and LNB to buy, or not buy, would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. Dessiedog

We are looking at the pros / cons of getting UK TV via the internet following the recent changes. Our house is south of Pau and we visit 4-5 times per year. To date we have survived without a fixed phone, and even the internet! Looking at the French Telecom / Orange website we note that you can suspend the phone service to 2nd homes to avoid the monthly standing charge. We recall you could do the same with their internet service but cannot see any reference, unless we have missed it - which is definitely possible. Is it possible to suspend both? Any advice regarding other phone / internet providers, including costs, problems etc would be appreciated.

Thanks for replies so far - we are in 64. From the amount of shrubbery etc deposited at the decheterie, a lot of people don't have garden fires, whilst I quite enjoyed having one once in a while. Certainly quicker than having to take it all to the tip, using fuel in the process? 

During a conversation with a neighbour last week I was informed that garden fires were no longer allowed and if caught by the fire brigade a fine would be issued. The conversation could not be misunderstood as it was in English as his language skills were / are unfortunately somewhat better than mine! The justification is apparently environmental, to prevent the burning of old engine oil etc.? I had been on the point of burning an accumulation of garden debris, but took it to the decheterie instead. A couple of days later, however, I noticed that someone else had definitely had such a fire. Can anyone confirm what the current situation is, are fires allowed or not? Dessiedog

First of all thanks for the replies and apologies for my very late response! The plant was bought at Gamm Vert in Oloron Sainte Marie in July. As mentioned before we have left it in place and will see what it's like when we return, probably in Feb / March. We don't have the receipt but do have the plant's tag / pot and if it's dead we will approach Gamm for a refund or replacement. Will let you know how we get on. Regards Dessiedog

We were given an albizia tree this summer which was planted as advised and watered daily until we left for the UK. Unfortunately when we returned last month it seemed to have died. A friend has told us that it has a 12 month guarantee and will be replaced free of charge. We have left it in place for now and will see how it is when we return next year, but can anyone confirm whether it does in fact have a 12 month guarantee?

Not the answer I wanted but probably what I expected! Pity as the Pyrry Knees was where I had in mind. He'll just have to stay at home, lying on the bed of course. Thanks for the very prompt replies

I have heard, 2nd / 3rd hand, that dogs are not allowed in French National Parks, even on a lead. Can anyone confirm whether this is correct? If access is allowed, is a lead necessary at all times?