mike.m

Thanks Lachouette ; thats what I'd hoped to have confirmed . Makes me now wonder where the journalist got her information and how many CdH owners have been misinformed by an authoritative source . I'm going to email the Connexion and ask for a correction .

Thanks Clair and BJSLIV ; 18% is the rate for Prof. Liberales so that suggests it has been incorrectly classified ; interestingly, if you click on BJSLIV's link and go to the left sidebar , under "exemples d'activities" it lists chambres d'hotes . Go to the page and scroll to the bottom and it quotes comments by Nevelli that the rate applicable is 12 % . I was rather hoping that someone affiliated to GdeF had received official clarification from them ( its been in existence since January ). Anyone heard anything formally ?

Bonsoir , I've just read a feature article in the latest Connexion which quotes a cotisation rate of 21.3% for Chambres d"hotes. All the previous information I've seen , from Novelli's meetings with GdeF in December to various comments on this and other forums (a!) support a rate of 12% . Is this a case of sloppy journalism or has something changed ? Any thoughts ?

Hi ,Dave & Olive ; Thanks very much for the information . Sounds like the Belkin route is preferable . Does anyone have any favorable experience with the free card ?

Hi , Have been lucky with my freebox and had a solid stable performance for two years. But had big problems setting up the system and I'm wary about fiddling with it unnecessarily. When I bought it I added a wifi card but didnt want to risk installing it after the gremlins were sorted out .I'd now like friends and visitors to have internet access so I'm planning to install it but would first like to ask ( sorry for the really basic ignorance !) 1 Is it easy to install - risk free ? 2 Will that be enough for others to have access or will I need some form of router ? Merci en avance

Many thanks for your thoughts ; I love the rose idea but may not have enough time . But a different plant or painting may be just the ticket . Merci bien !

Hi , We have French acquaintances who have invited us to a soiree for their 50th Anniversary . They are from a nearby village and have a rather grand house so I suspect it will be a large affair . Our problem is deciding the right level/type of gift to offer . I assume its a golden anniversary in France too but they are not close friends ? Any bright ideas suggestions or insights gratefully received .

Hi Maricopa ,                         Many thanks for the recieved wisdom ! Does this mean that the pump size has no relationship to the filter cycle time ? I'm just wondering how long it takes for a  one hp pump to process 40 cubic metres ?                                                              Best regards

Hi Macker ,                         Thanks a lot for the advice ; sounds like the voice of experience ! OK I,ll hunt out a frisbee and give it a go !

Hi ,         Having just posted below it ocurred to me that I have been meaning to seek advice on how long I need to run the filter pump . The pool is 40 cu. metrs , theres a single skimmer and the pump is one hp. Any thoughts on how long ( and in how many cycles ) is optimal .?                                                            Many thanks

Hi ,          A leak has developed in the valve which brings the water from the pool base into the filter pump (bonde de fond ) . It seems to be a crack running along the body of the valve - when I open or close the valve the water sprays out ; when its left opened or closed there is a heavy dripping . I can attempt to seal the leak but would prefer to replace the valve . However I cant get my head round which combination of valve settings and position on the vanne 6 voies might allow the valve to be isolated .                                     Can anyone lighten my darkness ?                                                                                Many thanks

Thanks for the suggestions chaps ; I've located an epoxy resin that may be worth trying . I'll post back if its successful .

Hi ,         On re-opening for the season I've discovered a leak caused by a crack in the base of the pump ( which I unwisely did not disconnect over the winter ! ) . Its a 1hp Culligan model . Its located under the panier and runs around 50% of the perimeter of a cicular plastic (?)  floor section . The remaider of the perimeter is sound and solid so I"m wondering if I can seal the crack with something strong enough to provide a lasting repair . I saw rigid plastic jointing glue mentioned on an earlier post but I suspect the crack may be too large . Thanks for any thoughts or its a new pump !  

We have a largeish area of terrace which has been left unfinished . The surface is a good quarter metre of mixed stone which has been well compacted . I'm now planning to lay a final layer of limestone ( 10 mil  diametre ) and am wondering : 1. How thick should this coat be ? 2 Is it too late at this stage to insert a geotextile layer ? If not any thoughts about the best / cheapest material and who might supply it ? Would it be suitable for sections where there is vehicle passage .                                             Many thanks                                                   

Thanks all for a great set of  practical replies .[:)]  Luckily we are not on a fosse so can apparently avoid some of the riskier options.  Will commence with coca-cola then move up the richter scale !