Mr Wiggy

Yes, Audio. He was one of my favourites/Hero's when I was a young SPROG very many years ago!!!

I believe that the time duration is down to the fact that you can only get your eye’s tested with a referral from your doctor. If you go to a hospital and book an appointment then yes, you will need to wait for six months. The reason I assume is because the ophthalmologist’s are performing a succession the necessary operations for several hours in the early mornings, 06:00am and then dealing with patient waiting eye tests from around 09:00am. This is based purely on what I have experienced at my local hospital. I have to go every 6 months for a precautionary check up as I am at risk of further Cataracts. As has been mentioned in an earlier thread, 2009 I think, thing are changing throughout the country which will ease the load of the Ophthalmologist / surgeon.

I am sorry to disappoint you Audio, (Not Murphy by any chance?Sorry I couldn't resist it) but, the hospital that treated me was actually here in France and the treatment was top quality. In both cases I had gone for a 6 monthly check up and 3 days later I’m having the operation, this was the same in both instances, had this been the UK I would have had to wait possibly months rather than days.

On the point that Swissie made, I totally agree, you certainly don’t get an eye test as such at a French opticians, the best possible place to go for a thorough eye test has to be your local hospital.  Especially for those like myself being over the age of 50.  I was very lucky as both my Cataracts were detected early enough and the operations were done the same week-end. I am now required to have a six monthly check up as a result. As was also stated, Glaucoma is another terrible disease that has a harmful effect if not checked on a regular basis. So it is very important to have a regular check up.

On the point of the Skyfreeview card, I believe that this card is no longer required as my card expired in November last year and I’m still watching the same channels as before without any card at all. It was announced by Sky that this card would no longer be required to watch the free view channels. Obviously a card is still required for the film, sports, and the unmentionable programmes.   I did this year purchase a HD free sat box, and like so many others I too am unable to utilise the teletext facility (red button) at present. I do have both boxes connected to the TV at the moment so that I still have the use of the teletext facility.                   I believe that this may be down to the area where you live, or lived in the UK. Some areas have completed the change over while other areas are still in the process. I expect that come September when the change over is completed I will then be able to view the teletext pages with the HD box which will then render the Sky box obsolete.

Quillan, I have decided to follow your lead with regards to mobile phones. To save all the hassle of trying to get my phone unlocked, I too have purchased a new unlocked phone off eBay and also a new Bouygue card with number for a little less than 30€. I will see how this combination performs then maybe try out a Leclerc card at a later stage.   With regards to signal strength, I am sitting at this desk which is behind a metre thick wall and the strength of the signal is incredibly strong, 3-4 bars. Thank goodness for that, as I’m getting too old for climbing on roofs!!!

I think that a mobile phone is the only way to go, I do have a French phone that I bought back in 2004 while house hunting here. Once I returned to the UK it was confined to a draw and never go used again but I am now thinking of getting a new card for it but think that I may need to get it  unlocked from SFR first.

I stated quite clearly (Deafening Static) an extremely loud distortion of a crackling noise which made it completely impossible to converse with anyone. So how is it possible to have a conversation while this is going on? I did manage to contact the online technical assistance but all I got was, "The problem is at your end, it's your phones that are causing the problem." Bull-Sh*t* The operator did phone me, after a concerned friend phoned them to report the problem but all the operator heard was the same as myself, deafening static. All I heard was the operator literally shouting OK OK, I mean she was indeed shouting.

Quillan, I must disagree with your statement concerning prompt action by orange.   For three weeks I suffered with line problems, no phone, only deafening static and only an occasional internet connection. It was only as a result of a friend contacting the operator to report the problem, in turn the operator then tried to phone me that actually resolved the problem, she could clearly hear how bad the static was, and it was for that, that spurred them into action. Two days later they arrived to lay a new cable from the junction box in the road to my house. I still had to pay the full monthly bill, which I have since wrote to complain about, as always it seems to fall on deaf ears.  

It’s no good doing half a job by putting all these bolt on go faster goodies with skimmed head, then doing nothing about both inlet and exhaust valves and ports, polished and bigger ports & valves, the next step would then be a bigger carb for the new larger manifold. Many years ago a friend of mine change the cylinder head on his Morris 1100 for a stage 2 tuned head, the kit included a skimmed head which raised the compression ratio to 9-1, bigger and polished ports and valves, bigger manifold plus carb and exhaust, all this plus Boyer electronic ignition. It went like the proverbial lump of whatsit off a shovel. All you really need for the ignition timing is a strobe light, or even just a test bulb for static timing, you can also get a carb tuning kit too. I certainly wouldn’t waste money on a rolling road.

Hi Clair. I suffered a similar fate myself a couple of years ago, believe me it wasn't a very good experience, the treatment I got was completely opposite to the way you were treated.   I received a letter from my local bank, Credit Mutuel asking me to go and see them. Unfortunate for me, I was treated as though I was 100% guilty by the jumped up young manager who was an extremely arrogant person. My interview with this individual was more of an interrogation, I was asked to relinquish my card and had to sign an agreement to that effect.   He then showed me an extended statement with my dealings and all the fraudulent purchases which were, as long as your arm. Whoever had done this had quite a field day at my expense which by this time had run into several thousands euros. When the fraudulent amounts were filtered from my statement, I was amazed and angry to see the amount defrauded; over 2500€ I just looked at him and demanded, “Why didn’t you just stop the card instead of letting it continue?” No answer.   Then a good friend of ours (S.D.) who came to my aid and also didn’t agree with this guys attitude and mannerisms, we went to report this incident to the local Gendarmerie who thankfully managed to clear my name and I believe the bank did recover most if not all of the monies. I never received any apolgy from the TWERP at the bank so!! Shortly after I wrote a letter of disgust to the head office to complain of this manager’s grossly bad attitude and explained my reasons for this. He was shortly after removed to a lesser bank.  

J.J I couldn’t agree more with you. The biggest problem with most three wheelers is the fact that the layout is completely wrong. It would be far more stable if the single wheel was at the rear of the machine and not at the front. As you saw Mr G. Clarkson demonstrate on Top Gear with the Reliant Regal Roll Over, because that is all they ever did if you went around a corner too quickly. But then again, if the layout was as the Morgan is or even as the Owen Greenwood Special, which was originally designed by Mr F Hanks, then that, lay out is well proven at being by far more stable. If you look at a modern road race outfit the sidecar wheel is well forward of the rear wheel thus increasing the stability, and meaning less work for the passenger.

There are several translated DIY books going around, the book I refered to was recomended on this very topic in a previous posting, I never implied that it was the same book, I just pointed out a FACT!!

This book is available from Amazon Fr, the title is "Electricty in your french house." Rules and techniques explained in English, by Thomas Malcom!! EYROLLES. 14.90€

  One for St Patrick's day!! Paddy had long heard the stories of an amazing family tradition. It seems that his father, grandfather and great-grandfather had all been able to walk on water on their 18th birthday. On that special day, they'd each walked across the lake to the pub on the far side for their first legal drink. So when Paddy's, 18th birthday came 'round, he and his pal Mick, took a boat out to the middle of the lake, Paddy, stepped out of the boat ...and nearly drowned! Mick just barely managed to pull him to safety. Furious and confused, Paddy, went to see his grandmother. 'Grandma,' he asked, "Tis me 18th birthday, so why can't I walk 'cross the lake like me father, his father, and his father before him?" Granny looked deeply into Paddy's, troubled brown eyes and said, "Because yer father, yer grandfather and yer great-grandfather were all born in December, when the lake is frozen, and you were born in August, ya  eejit!"

1.What do I ride now?  I ride a BMW K75s & own 2 more.   2. What do you think was the best bike you have owned? A Velocette Thruxton engine & Gearbox, mounted in a wide-line feather bed frame. It took me every week-end for 18 months to build. On a par with a Goldie.   3. What was the most disappointing bike ever owned? A Matchless G9 500cc, oil circulation with the three bearing crank.   4. What would be the new bike of my choice? BMW R800.   5. Which is the bike I regret not owning? A, BSA Gold Star.   6. Most memorable biking experience? Crossing the Pyrénées Mountains for the first time, it was an incredible journey.   7. Previously owned. James 98cc Cadet. Francis Barnett Fulmar. BSA George Todd engined 150cc Swing Arm Bantam. Honda 50cc. Honda 90cc. BSA C15. Matchless G9 500cc Triumph Tiger 100cc Norton Domminator WL Frame with 500cc Thruxton Velo Eng/G-B. Moto Guzzi T3 850cc 1976 Royal Enfield GP 250cc R/racer Rolling chassis purchased from Sir Len Onslow,with another purchase from Les Williams, a tuned Suzuki 500cc & Yamaha forks & twin 4 leading shoe front brakes & twin L/shoe Rear wheel. TZ 350 E Yam. BMW R90/6 1978. BMW R100Rs 1980 MZ 250cc BMW K75s 1990 BMW K75s 1991 BMW K75 Rt 1994     .

The Prime Minister, David Cameron, has announced that he intends to make it more difficult to claim benefits. From next week, all the forms will be printed in English. On holiday recently in Spain I saw a sign that said ‘English speaking Doctor’ - I thought, 'What a good idea, why don’t we have them in our country?' A Scottish paedophile has raised a dispute with eBay. He claims that the Wii GameBoy he received isn't what he was expecting. I was driving this morning when I saw an RAC van parked up. The driver was sobbing uncontrollably and looked very miserable. I thought to myself ‘that guy’s heading for a breakdown’. Just heard there was an explosion at a pie factory in Huddersfield. 3.1415927 dead A new middle east crisis erupted last night as Dubai Television was refused permission to broadcast 'The Flintstones'. A spokesman for the channel said.... 'A claim was made that people in Dubai would not understand the humour, but we know for a fact that people in Abu Dhabi Do.'

                   Two Muslim Mothers Chatting.   Two Muslim mothers are sitting in a café chatting over a plate of sheep’s eyes and a pint of goat’s milk. The older of the two mothers pulls out a small book from her purse and starts flipping through the photos and start reminiscing. “This is my oldest son Mohammad,” she tells her friend, “he would be 21 years old now.” “Yes, I remember him as a baby.” Says the other mother quite cheerfully. “He’s a martyr now though,” the mother confides. “Oh it’s so sad says the other. “And this is my second son, Khalid. He would have been 18.” “Oh, I remember him,” says the other happily. “He had such curly hair when he was born.” “He’s a martyr too,” says the mother quietly. “Oh gracious me,”…..said the other. “And this is my third son, my baby, my beautiful Ahmed.” “He would have been 16,” she whispered. “Yes,” said the friend enthusiastically, “I remember when he first started school.” “He’s a martyr too” says the mother with tears in her eyes. After a long pause and a deep sigh, the second muslim mother looks wistfully at the photograph and, searching for the right words, say,       “They blow up so fast nowadays, don’t they?”                      

I did enjoy that one Cathy. What about this one. Jesus and the Robber.   One Night, a robber broke into a house, while searching through the down stairs rooms he found a desk and started rummaging in the desk. While doing so, he heard a voice saying to him, “Jesus is watching you.” His first reaction to this was to say, “Who is there?” And again he heard the same voice, “Jesus is watching you.” The robber looked around the room only to see a parrot sitting on his perch. He asked the parrot, ”What’s your name?” The parrot replied, “Cornelius.” The robber chuckled to himself then said, “What kind of name is that, and who on Earth would be daft enough give a parrot a name like that?” The parrot replied, “The very same person who would be daft enough to name that Rottweiler behind you, Jesus!!”                                      

On the subject of HMR&C, I received a letter from the Cardiff office (TynWally) yesterday telling me that they had been going through my records and discovered that I owed £969.29 back tax from the year 8008-09. Wait until they find that I haven’t paid tax since I was refunded all of my back taxes from 06-07 onwards, what will they do then?  These people are so damn stupid that they had to be informed twice by the tax office in Nottingham that I was exempt from any further income tax payments as I no longer lived in the UK. I also read out the letter that I had received from the Nottingham office informing me that I am exempt from any further taxation, plus all the reference numbers. Now It now looks as though they are doing the same thing all over again, wasting tax payer’s money on a fruitless exercise. I thing this lot of morons are on a job saving exercise, if this is the case I assume that I’m not going to be the only one being investigated, as this was indeed implied by the guy I spoke to yesterday afternoon. So Be Warned!!  

Hi Hoddy. Yes! Big faux pas on my part.I should have known better after all I did a Fair bit of bike racing at Oliver's Mount in the late sixties early seventies.

Hi Maude. It just so happens that I know a submariner who is originally from land locked Yorkshire, and now lives in the Vendee, St Hilaire de Voust. He has lived here for quite some time. I would imagine that his years of sevice were on the old diesel subs as he's a few years my senior. I do know that he too has a major hearing problem to the point of possibly down to 30% and he tends to lip read quite a lot, he can hear if you shout loud enough. I don't know if he has any internet, but I can only ask.

Before you can ride a motorcycle on the road you must comply with certain legal requirements which fall into two categories * Those with which YOU must comply * Those with which your MOTORCYCLE must comply The topics covered are * Provisional driving licences * Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) * Types of full licence * Vehicle documents * Insurance * Helmets THE PROVISIONAL DRIVING LICENCE To ride a motorcycle on the road you must * Be at least 17 years old (16 for a moped) * Have a driving licence which allows you to ride motorcycles (category A) That licence can be any of the following * A provisional driving licence with motorcycle entitlement * Full car licence. This automatically provides provisional motorcycle entitlement * Full motorcycle licence * Full moped licence. This provides automatic provisional motorcycle entitlement if you're aged 17 years or over Provisional motorcycle entitlement This entitles learners to ride a motorcycle * Up to 125cc * With a maximum power output of 11kW (14.6bhp)   Learners who wish to ride a side-car outfit can do so with a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0.16kW/kg. If you're not sure about any of this then you can get further advice from your motorcycle dealer or trainer. With provisional motorcycle entitlement you must not * Ride on motorways * Carry a pillion passenger * Ride without L-plates (or D-plates in Wales)   Two year limit Provisional motorcycle licences used to have a life of 2 years. But as from 1st February 2001, motorcycle licensing rules were changed. All new provisional licences showing motorcycle entitlement issued from that date are valid until the holder's 70th birthday. Holders of the old licences can apply to have the licence replaced with one that will include provisional motorcycle entitlement valid to age 70. Replacement licences should be applied for from DVLA using the normal application forms (available from Post Offices). Existing motorcycle provisional licence holders who do not pass a motorcycle test before their provisional licence expires are NOT now subject to the 12 month wait before they can get new entitlement. How to get a licence If you don't already have a licence with provisional motorcycle entitlement then collect a D1 form ( driving licence application ) and a D750 form ( photocard application ) from a Post Office or from DVLA ( 0870 240 0009 ). Complete the forms and send them to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre ( DVLC ) at Swansea. All provisional licences now automatically include motorcycle entitlement but many post offices are still issuing the old application forms on which you had to tick the 'with motorcycles' box to get learner motorcycle entitlement included. If you want to ride a motorcycle you can ignore this section of the application form or you can tick the 'with motorcycles' box just to make sure. Top COMPULSORY BASIC TRAINING (CBT) All learner motorcyclists and moped riders must complete CBT before riding on the road unless they * Passed a full moped test after 1 December 1990 * Live and ride on specified offshore islands * Already hold a Certificate of Completion (DL196) obtained during a previous motorcycle entitlement or when riding a moped * Intend to ride a moped and passed the car tests before 1st Feb 2001   When you've completed CBT you'll be given a DL196. You must produce this before you can take the practical motorcycle test. A DL196 has a 2 year life. If you don't pass both your theory and practical tests in that time then you'll have to take the CBT course again. A DL196 obtained on a moped is valid for a motorcycle when the rider reaches the age of 17. Top TYPES OF FULL LICENCE There are three types of full motorcycle licences to aim for. 1. Category P - moped. 2. Category A1 - light motorcycle licence - to receive this you must take and pass your test on a motorcycle with * an engine size over 75cc but not more than 125cc * a power output of not more than 11kW (14.6 bph) * a maximum speed of not more than 100 kph (62.5 mph) You will now have full licence entitlement on any motorcycle up to 125cc and with a power output of up to 11kW (14.6 bhp). This licence is intended for riders of C90s and similar who don't intend to ride anything bigger. It will not become an unrestricted category A licence after two years. If you take a test on a C90 or similar then you will have to take another test to ride anything bigger than a 125cc, 11kW bike with a maximum speed of over 100kph (62.5mph). 3. Category A - standard motorcycle licence - (aka A2) - this is what you'll obtain if you pass your test on a motorcycle over 120cc but not over 125cc and is capable of more than 100 kph (62.5mph). With this licence you are entitled to ride a motorcycle up to 25kW (33 bhp) and a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0.16kw/kg. There is no restriction on engine size (cc) so you can now ride a bike bigger than a 125cc. There are plenty of bikes around in the 125cc to 400cc range that produce no more than 25kW (33bhp) - ask your local dealer. You can ride a bike with a power output over 25kW but you'll need a restrictor kit on it to restrict the power output to 25kW. Any good motorcycle mechanic will fit a restrictor for you and give you the necessary documentation. Your insurance will cost more though because insurance companies tend to disregard restrictors. So does this mean that you're going to have to buy a 14.6bhp, 125cc bike to learn and practice and take your test on then sell it and buy a 33bhp, bigger than 125cc bike after passing the test to take full advantage of what you're allowed to ride? Well, some do and some don't. What most people do (the under 21 year olds usually) is one of the following two options 1. Do the CBT, buy a 14.6, 125cc bike (probably 2nd hand for about £500) and get a bit of practice on the roads with L plates, then go back to the training centre to do some pre-test training which is not compulsory but definitely advisable. Then they take and pass (hopefully) the tests and sell or trade in their 125, 14.6 bike and get a 400cc (or any size they want), 33bhp bike or over 33bhp and have a restrictor kit put on it for about £150. After 2 years they can ride a bike over 33bhp. 2. They skip the practising on the roads with L plates bit. They just do CBT, pre-test training and test within a couple of weeks all on the training centre's bike. Then, if they pass the test first time, they buy a 400cc (or any size) bike up to 33bhp or over 33bhp and have a restrictor kit put on it. Most under 21s choose a 400cc rather than a 600cc or more as the insurance is much lower. After two years you may ride any size and power of motorcycle without taking another test. If you're 21 or over, or if you reach 21 within the 2 year period, there are quicker ways of obtaining entitlement to ride a more powerful bike. They are called the Direct Access Scheme (DAS) and the Accelerated Access Scheme (AAS). For information regarding these please go to "Further training". If your practical test is passed on an automatic motorcycle the full licence gained will be restricted to automatic bikes only. Top  

It looks as though you have gone the long winded route to state what I had already said, but in the briefest possible manner without the complications. I was certainly not ridiculing you, but questioning the plausibility of your ridiculous statement!!

Hi Chicken. Personally, I think it would be best to forget the “Flymo” Kymo and concentrate on either a European 125 machine or a Nippon 125 machine,  if parts were required the spares situation would certainly be a lot more accessible than with the KYMO, you would have to pay import duty on a Nippon machine but the spares are I would imagine,  far more plentiful.   I’m a little non-plus about what Mel has said about driving a low capacity machine of (50cc) on a full car licence with a speed restriction of 30mph. That is completely wrong; this is for the 16 year olds only, and who are not permitted to drive a car at that age. I can’t find any mention of that in any of the regulations. It has always permitted to drive anything up to a 125cc with a maximum of 14.6BHP on a full car licence, these machines have a max speed of around 65mph = 100 kph.  So if I were you I would certainly go for a 125cc, less stress on the engine than on a 50cc and therefore more economical than a 50cc.