Simon

And BBC England isn't?

Don't you mean...the pound is less than one euro?

[quote user="woody234"]a fosse septique is a "stand alone" system that houses in the countryside will use, ie the sewage goes in 1 end and is broken down into bacteria and then blends back into the land after 6 weeks so I dont no what the local authourities have to do with it[/quote] I thought this was a lot of c**p too.

Confirming the responses you have got so far, I have also bought and fitted doors, windows and french windows from Bricodepot and never had a problem.

Hi,   My wife also has a 2cv which has also been kept unused in our garage for the last six years and is generally in a good condition for it's age with just one previous owner. We have often thought of putting it (or should I say 'her') back on the road and taking it over to our house in France. We would really like to know who the afficionade is, as our house is in Le Cher and we may consider having the restoration done in France.    Simon

Hi, I had three quotes for two oak framed dormer windows as per the photo, two of the quotes came in at 6,500 euros and the third was 10,000 euros. One of the firms quoted that it would take three men one week to complete one window. These quotes did not include finishing the interior, i.e. insulation and plasterboarding. Cost of materials for both windows came to about 1500 euros and I took two weeks to complete one window including the interior work, but I wasn't working at it all day everyday as I was on 'holiday'! Simon

Thanks for the comments. I should point out that I forgot to mention that I was helped by my wife and as per usual won't have managed without her. Next is the the other dormer, then the kitchen extension, then the terrace...you know what's it's like...the list just seems to be endless

[IMG]http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo86/simonmaclellan/French%20house/dormerwindow007-1.jpg[/IMG]   Has this worked?

Opps, didn't work. Not sure what I've done wrong perhaps someone can advise?

[IMG]http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo86/simonmaclellan/French%20house/dormerwindow007-1.jpg[/IMG] Hi, I thought I would follow my question of a couple of months ago, with a photo of the dormer window which I successfully built in September. Now I have to see if I can successfully post a photo! image link repaired by a moderator

Thanks for your replies and advice.   Simon

I have been granted planning permission to replace two velux windows with dormer windows. I'm planning to do the conversation myself in September. The dormers will have a pitched roof, an oak frame, petit tuiles on the top and crepi on the sides. Can anyone point me towards any sites on the net with advice on with working with oak ? Also I haven't worked with zinc before, anyone know of any alternative materials or suppliers of preformed valleys either in France or UK that they can recommend?  i.e. http://www.screwfix.com/prods/49205/Building/Roofing-Insulation/Valley-Trough-2-4m-Pack-of-5#  

Having worked with both, I would choose the metal batons over wood everytime.

You'll need foundations.  Dig a trench 600mm wide down to the hard, ie remove all soil and vegetation, and then pour a concrete foundation of at least 200mm deep. Don't scrimp on foundations, they'll be the cheapest and most important part of your building.

In my area, ragondins have been protected against hunting or poisoning for the last few years.

Hi Lesley, Yes, I do have a house in Le Rhimbe, Bannegon. Even after 15 years my holidays still involve tools and building materials and journeys to builders merchants, etc. My French neighbours always laugh when I use the word holidays. Since buying the house, we haven't holidayed anywhere else, despite each year vowing to go somewhere else. The draw is just too great. The idea of a package holiday lying on a beach just doesn't hold much appeal. Just got planning permission to build two dormer windows, so that's this years holidays sorted! Simon  

Hi Scotslassie, I've been travelling about fours times a year from Loch Ness to Bannegon (15 miles west of St Amand) for the last 15 years and always travel Dover-Calais. The reason being is that if you miss your boat there's always another one within an hour or two and you generally don't have to pay any extra. On the longer crossings, if you miss your boat you've had it. Cost for return crossing with Seafrance last month was £52. I have used the ferry from Rosyth to Zeebrugge on three occasions when travelling by motorbike, it's great to get off at Rosyth and be home in two and a half hours. However it was over £400 for two plus bike and cabin. Travelling south from Calais, I always keep to the east of Paris, using either A104, A86 or le Peripherique depending on the time of day. As most people have said Paris isn't that bad, but remember that motorbikes have their own lane,it is between the middle and outside lanes!

I believe that Madeline's case recieved so much initial coverage, was because the parents were having dinner with a group of friends at a nearby restaurant while their three young chidren were left unsupervised back at the holiday appartment, and this despite the parents being a professional couple who would have been expected to know better.

I tend to agree with Cathy, provided you can drain off all the pipes and don't forget to flush the toilet and then empty the pan, a mop is a good idea for this.

Jon wrote: By the way I too can spend time in UK  ......I am sure that I will visit  at some point in the near furture. Maybe we will meet...without knowing it!     I rather think that the chip will give you away![:D]

The other side of the coin is that you go on holiday more often because you do have a holiday home. We have had our holiday home for fifteen years and haven't been anywhere else since we bought it, and yet every year we'll say "let's go somewhere different this year" but we never do. We have been to the house perhaps 50 times, would we have had 50 holidays in 15 years otherwise? Doubt it.  

Distance between homes 1072 miles each way. Normally takes 24 hours driving straight through including the ferry crossing, although the record stands at 20 and a half hours door to door. Usually get over three times per year, although this year it will be twice, three weeks in March and a whole five weeks in September which will be the longest time we've spent at the house in one go. Can't wait! Interested to learn about FT ligne secondaire scheme, I'll have to look into it to save some money on line rental, especially as we are not at the house for long periods at a time.  

Hi, I bought a piece of land last year and the fees and taxes were 1300 euros.  I would reconsider your valuation of 500 euros for the land, as your neighbour may find it a bit insulting and that you are trying to take advantage of an elder widow. You could also find yourselves no longer on good terms with your nearest neighbour.

Hi, My eldery French neighbour catches rats in a trap and then drops the trap with the rat inside into the river, drowning the rat. Much easier and cleaner than bashing it against a tree!  

Hi Yvonne, People often ask me about retiring to France, and I reply that you need three things: a decent budget, an income and to be able to speak French. You've got all three! I've owned a house in the Cher in central France for 15 years but can't move over yet as I'm still working on the second requirement, an income (a decent pension). I've often heard it said that to be sure of a decent climite, you have to be south of the Loire, although it can get quite cold in the winter in the Cher. It is rural and with your budget, you would have a good choice of property with land. It is not too touristy either and although there are more Brits than 15 years ago, there are still quite sparse. Regards and a Happy New Year