whitey

thanks nick, i will go to the office tomorrow. regards mel.

Hi, hope someone can help with a bit of information. we bought our house (87) in july 2005, paid the half year due of both taxes up until jan 2006 via our notaire on the day of completion. We didn't move into the house until may 2006 but as yet have had no demands for either bill.the notaires said that if it wasn't classed as lived in from jan 2006 no bill would be received until 2007..............does anyone know if this is right as i am confused. I don't want be in debt to the tax people so am hoping we receive them this october........anyone had a similar experience and if so how did you go about resolving it. p.s. we have visited the maire who said not to worry as "they" would find us !!!!!!!

Thank goodness there have been some replies from "happy" B&B owners. I read the initial thread and the old saying "if you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen" came to mind. It's great to here some of the more positive thoughts from B&B owners and from some of their travelling guests. We have stayed in many a guest house in france and have always found our hosts friendly and positive very welcoming. Pity we don't know the web site for the initial posting...............I would make sure to actively avoid staying with them. To all other guest house owners, keep up the good work !!!!

hi, hope someone can help, we may need some work done on our 1.2 renault clio, think radiator or pipes may need attention. does anyone know of a decent garage near to rancon (87290). preference would be around the area..........bellac, chatauponsac, etc and if possible with a little english because as yet my french is a little ropey. if anyone has had a good experience then could you let me know. thanks in advance. mel.

Thanks SD will be off out to buy some today. mel .

hi, just a quick query to see if anyone know's what antifreeze/car coolant is in french. we have a 1.2 renault clio that we need to top up. thanks for any help. regards mel .

hi, don't know if you want an "of the peg" window, which you can buy from brico-depot, mr bricolarge, castorama, etc or if you need a specific size made? we had our made to measure's from lapeyre and bought the others from brico-depot. hope that helps. regards mel .

hi, we have just been doing the same thing and found kitchens at very competitive rates in france, quite a few to choose from at brico-depot, leroy merlin, lapyre. but we eventually bought a very nice free standing kitchen from IKEA in bordoux, as other posties have said bathroom fittings are available from all the above at good rates, you just have to choose your price bracket. have fun, mel.

thanks for all the re-replies, started the work yesterday and it has all worked really well and looking GOOD !!!!! regards mel .

hi, just a note to let you know we have used the 'Cuisines/Salles de bain-satine' from brico-depot at about 14 euros for 2.5 litres (in a limited range of colours) and it has worked really well and does give a nice satine finish.......so far it has been hardwaring and wipeable. we have also used exterior brillant from brico and found it very durable and protective (with sous-couch for preparation).........i think if you are living in france you have to take the plunge and buy the paint here at some point.......give it a go it may surprise you. mel.

i've posted this before but have "lost" the replies in an email "clean up" anyone willing to explain what to do again..........SORRY. hi, we are currently in the process of renovating/decorating our house and have got to replace old skirting boards in an upstairs bedroom. we have taken all the old boards off and now have to attach the new boards............sounds easy enough, apart from the fact that the old floors pitch, roll and fall away all around the room which means there will be big gaps underneath some parts of the skirting. I would like some suggestions on getting the best results. 1. should I just attach the new ones and put up with the gaps (the old ones where like this), not a result I really want. 2. some way try and template the floor and cut sand and plane the new ones......if so any suggestions how to do this would be really gratefully received. 3. attach the new skirting and infill all the gaps.......if so, any suggestions of what would be the best filler. 4 any other suggestions welcome as it's the first time we have done this !!!!! thanks for any input. mel

thanks for the info, i must be a bit thick, as now i have read the replies it makes perfect sense. as for skirting board supplies............found that  brico-depot, leroy merlin and mr bricolarge have a wide range of different moulded and plain woods that do the job. hope that helps. mel .

hi, we are currently in the process of renovating/decorating our house and have got to replace old skirting boards in an upstairs bedroom. we have taken all the old boards off and now have to attach the new boards............sounds easy enough, apart from the fact that the old floors pitch, roll and fall away all around the room which means there will be big gaps underneath some parts of the skirting. i would like some suggestions on getting the best results. 1. should i just attach the new ones and put up with the gaps (the old ones where like this), not a result i really want. 2. some way try and template the floor and cut sand and plane the new ones......if so any suggestions how to do this would be really gratefully received. 3. attach the new skirting and infill all the gaps.......if so, any suggestions of what would be the best filler. 4 any other suggestions welcome as it's the first time we have done this !!!!! thanks for any input. mel

thanks for the reply's, have found all the details on www.ballons.enlimousin.fr if anyone needs it. mel.

hi, just an enquiry about a balloon fete we have seen advertised at st yrieix la perche(87) from the 11th-15th aug. we didn't manage to get details of times venue etc. if anyone has any details it would be greatly appreciated.thanks. mel.

hi, thanks for all the info, we are in the haute vienne, limousin. i will drop into the local tourist office for more deatils. but the information and links are very useful. ta. mel.[:)]

Or even "PUBLIC FOOTPATHS"  i must check my typing!!!. mel . I've changed it for you! Clair (Mod)

hi, just getting used to spotting the red blue yellow markings identifying footpaths, but not quite sure what they all mean. seen some straight yellow blue and red ones, some of the same colours at a 90 degree angle, some double yellow ones, some yellow crosses. i'm a bit confused !! does anyone know what they all mean or where i can get a guide to them? thanks for any information. mel .

loiseau, just read your brambles reply and although i don't have any problems with these in the garden i was interested in your comment about bonfires, and not being able to light them until november. is this true of france as a whole? i was unaware if this "rule" and would be interested in knowing a little more if you or anyone has any further information on this. thanks. mel.

hi, we cleaned all the stone with a soft brush and a little detergent, then rinsed it, let it all dry and applied the stone varnish..........not tried the p.v.a as suggested but i've also heard it's a cheaper option. mel.

thanks for the information, i will have a good look around at some of the garden centres. mel.

hi. we have done the same thing with two of our internal stone walls. we used "syntilor" vernis pierres (special stone varnish). it's very easy to apply and leaves a very slight sheen on the surface (which dust does not stick to and is easily brushed down). it's not cheap (about 45 euro's a tin) but it goes along way. the only place we could find it was castorama with all the other varnishy type stuff. good luck. mel.

hi, hoping someone can help with a query about fushia's, i'd like to buy some hardy bush fushia's to edge the lawn area but am having difficulty finding information on names and types in french. does anyone know what i should be looking out for. thanks for any help. mel.

hi thanks for the advice, we have decided to go for the "natural" look after peoples thoughts and advice. keep up the good work!! mel.

Thanks everyone for all the good advice.... Take care .....