NickP

[quote user="Dog"][quote user="NickP"]"Yes big accountancy firms only employ people with triple barreled names - they are all crooks and its all a conspiracy with the banks" Sounds about par for the course to me. Accountants , financial "misinformers", estate agents & dodgy second hand car dealers, don't they all belong to that silly club with the rolled up trouser legs [/quote] Is this the first time you have lost money in this situation? Why didn't you go to the creditors meeting it's a black comedy run 'strictly legally' in the interests of the administrator and his client. Certainly estate agents, bank employees and insolvency firms profit nicely in a down turn - they are also exactly the people that have time to socialize at the local lodge. The reason they get away with it is few people have the time and energy to pursue these corrupt practices and it's not the British way to upset the applecart. [/quote] I never lost any money at all in this "situation" We only used the Speed ferry once, and it had all the hallmarks of a failure about to happen.So we went back to the Tunnel , which we think is the best, most comfortable and economical way to travel between France and the UK. My written  thoughts are just my opinions of the old school clubs that run the the above "services", Charlatans to a man/woman.

[quote user="Albert the InfoGipsy"]Cheers. I'll have another try. The instructions seem to say that you have up to 10 minutes to position the pieces and then you press down hard for 10 seconds. How long after that do you have a reasonably sturdy joint? I'm gluing 4" strips of 3/4" pine to a sheet of ply.[/quote] Albert, I wouldn't trust the ten second bit too much, when you place the wooden strips onto the ply, slide them around a little in the area you are gluing them onto, this will give you an even coverage of glue, also remember if the glue is too thick; it will not set very quickly. Although it's not always possible, the best method of is to clamp the pieces in place, if you can't, then glue the strips onto the ply and put a couple of small pins into the wood to hold the strips in place. Before it sets wipe off any excess glue with a damp cloth. After the glue is set set you pull the pins out or use a nail punch to bury them. Depending on air temperature glue should set in an hour or so. Good luck

"Yes big accountancy firms only employ people with triple barreled names - they are all crooks and its all a conspiracy with the banks" Sounds about par for the course to me. Accountants , financial "misinformers", estate agents & dodgy second hand car dealers, don't they all belong to that silly club with the rolled up trouser legs

[quote user="Théière"][quote user="NickP"][quote user="AnOther"]Good tip but even if you can't keep it in a fridge ALWAYS make sure you clear the hole (blowing is usually effective - no don't put your lips on it ! - or use a paper clip or a pin) and store it upright. You could leave a pin in it but as long as the hole is clear in the first place it's not necessary. [/quote] Good advice mate, but what about spray foam and Gripfill type products what's the secret of keeping the application tubes on these things clean [/quote] Foam, wash the tube in acetone before it sets. Gripfill, put a piece of plastic bag on the end of the tube under the nozle thread. Simples [:)] [/quote] Cheers Tell.

"Final notice apparently, Nothing to the unsecured creditors, but £887,731 to us the Adminstrators," This statement says it all about the financial and business institutions of any country you like to mention. Parasites

[quote user="AnOther"]Good tip but even if you can't keep it in a fridge ALWAYS make sure you clear the hole (blowing is usually effective - no don't put your lips on it ! - or use a paper clip or a pin) and store it upright. You could leave a pin in it but as long as the hole is clear in the first place it's not necessary. [/quote] Good advice mate, but what about spray foam and Gripfill type products what's the secret of keeping the application tubes on these things clean

Golfer Tiger Woods, fighting to fend off intense media scrutiny over allegations he cheated on his wife, has won a court order banning publication in Britain of any photos or video showing him nude or having sex.  Law firm Schillings, which specialises in protecting the reputations of celebrities, obtained the injunction on Woods' behalf on Thursday at the High Court in London, A letter from the lawyers accompanying the injunction contains a statement that "this Order is not to be taken as an admission that any such photographs exist".              Excuse me If they don't exist why would you take out an order to stop them? Hmmmmmm, dear oh  dear it gets stranger and stranger.

[quote user="Dog"]Couldn't you buy the wife a torch - she can get out of the car and guide you backwards. This is what wives are for. The more wives the merrier and better illumination. [/quote] Don't know if I will get away with this ? but I will risk it.     You could kill two birds with one stone

[quote user="Dog"][quote user="hakunamatata"]Maybe the old saying is right then, Money is the root of all evil. The sooner the truth comes out the better for all concerned, people are left guessing too long.[/quote]   Too much money may lead to bad behaviour but the full quote is " The love of money is the root of all evil". [/quote] No No chaps, you can never have too much money, as the man said life is like a **** sandwich the more bread you have the better it tastes. Also remember the George Best storey?                 George, drunk, laying in a Hotel bed with Miss World, empty champagne bottles all over the room,  pound notes scattered everywere, in comes the waiter( huge football fan) and says "were did it all go wrong George?"

This storey from today's on-line Telegraph., courtesy of Andrew Gilligan [copyright content removed by the forum moderators]  This bit from me. So, back to reality, they want to tax "me" to save the planet, they want "me" to pay extra money to off set my carbon footprint when I go on holiday. Forgive me for being a little cynical but what's going on? is someone taking the proverbial? I keep reading this information over and over,  the statistics  are mind boggling.

[quote user="Frederick"]There does not seem to be so many "deals " on hotel rooms in the big hotel chains in France like the UK ones seem to do all the time .. I have found a Travel Lodge double room for trip I intend to make in February for £9 ........I am yet to see any 10 euro rooms offered in France ...or perhaps I am not looking in the right places ?[/quote] Might just be that the French Hotels are not as desperate as the UK ones for custom. I think because France is such a big country, French people often travel large distances to visit friends and relatives, so tend to use hotels more often, specially as lots of "normal"  French houses are not that large. So maybe UK hotels rely more on commercial custom and possibly at the moment because of the crunch; business  is not so good. I have used Travel lodge in the UK when necessary, and yes they do have good deals if you catch them at the right time. Interestingly I've noticed the the Etap/Ibis chain are expanding in England big time, and their basic prices are very competitive. But from my experience apart from Travel lodge not many of the others are offering much discount. Maybe Travel lodge is feeling the competition and looking for cash flow. Last summer I was working near Slough, so looked at staying at the Travel lodge, the price was good; but they don't have a car park, alas the local council  wanted £14 a night, Sunbury on Thames charges £3 car park fee, although the traffic noise from the A316/M3 is free, but so bad you need ear plugs.  Travel lodge in Leeds the car park charge was £12. So Frederick check your car park facility .

Sue asked a question about a restaurant in Trôo. Sorry to add to this posting so late but I have just stumbled upon it. Any way Sue, we have a small house in St Jacques Des Guerets, the village over the river to Trôo. Yes the restaurant used to be the Petit Relais, it was pretty grim but the new owners have transformed the place.  Make the most of the price's as everybody feels that the prices are low to attract customers, the Relais's reputation will take some time to live down,  but I'm sure that the new ownership will be successful. By the way there is a new restaurant in Montoire sur Loir called Cuisine de Fai, super Chef, French cooking with a hint of Chinese influence. Go to Vendome for a very special occasion at Sous Les Arbres, Rue des Tours, great menu for about 35 Euro plus wine and coffee. Last but not least, try Les Tournesols in Danzé, good honest French lunch, starter, main,cheese and dessert, bottle of wine on every table, 11.5 Euros.  As one of the earlier posters said "if it's full of workman you can't go wrong" and this one is.

What's the difference between a car and a golf ball? Tiger can drive a ball 300 yards. Tiger Woods wasn't seriously injured in the crash, but he's still below par. What were Tiger Woods and his wife doing out at 2.30 in the morning? They went clubbing

You can keep the wood outside as long as it has a tarp over the top, it is not necessary to have an expensive wood store.  Let the air circulate around the wood  and remember it's as bad to let it get too dry, as it is to use it wet.You can buy a  humidity tester for around 30 Euros. A good target is around 14/15%. By the way Ash is probably one of the only woods that you can burn green.

[quote user="Iceni"]I had never imagined that I would apply the words "common sense" to actions by the UK courts. But the Supreme Court yesterday overturned rulings by lower courts over the matter of "excessive" bank charges. Had this not happened the rest of us who can manage our affairs would end up paying more and effectively subsidising those who cannot or perhaps choose not to. John[/quote] John I agree with you,  having been freelance all my working life I was always terrified of borrowing money; as I never knew when |I could pay it back. So apart from the mortgage which was essential I never borrowed, I waited till I could afford something, and I think there a lot of people out there who did the same. I was worried about this case; as if the banks had lost, people like me would have had to pay to compensate for the reckless who do not keep good financial order in their lives. OK I also agree that there is a huge amount of greed by the Banks, as suggested by the lady who suggested their charges were exorbitant. But that argument is to be addressed by the affected not the unaffected.

[quote user="buelligan"][quote user="Scooby"][quote user="sweet 17"] Why don't you just not reply to any of her posts?  No need to let all your feelings hang out like that!  Goodness, let's just preserve a semblance of civility on open Forum, shall we? In my day (yes, I know that makes me sound ancient), we were never brought up to making rude remarks like those.  You could think what you liked but you didn't say it in such a loud, common fashion, dear me..........[:$] [/quote] I've ignored and deleted her pm's, made subtle suggestions that I find her posts offensive, even reported her to the mods to no avail.  So maybe a blunt and public statement will work?? [/quote] Just to be absolutely clear on this Scooby (you probably know what a stickler I can be when it comes to being economical with the actualité), I do keep my PMs and so I can say - with absolute certainty that I have only ever sent you one.  This was to ask you, in polite terms, not to attack me personally on the public forum and to suggest, should you feel the need to have a go at me,  you do so via PM.  The only other PM between us was initiated by you.  I'm sure you have a vague memory of what you said and of how I replied.  If not, I am quite willing to let you have a copy.  I am not really sure what you imagine making a "blunt and public statement" will achieve.  It appears from your post that you think that insulting me will intimidate me into - what?  Keeping quiet!?![:D][:D][:D] [/quote] Are you two going to argue for ever, come on ladies time to concentrate on the matter in hand, how to conserve our pennies in the face of global financial belt tightening? Also Scooby I promise if I get offered any more mint cake I'll not let it escape again.

[quote user="Iceni"]NickP I think not - in traditional tonsorial fashion he is a friend of Dorothy. At least my post proved that one or two of you are awake. John[/quote] John, I'm sure you are correct and it's nice to know that you have a sense of humour,

[quote user="Théière"][quote user="Iceni"]Di went to the local barber yesterday, cut, colour, wash and blow job, complete restyle for €40. Back in late 2003 this was €38. John[/quote] I think you may mean "blow Dry" Iceni, [;-)] [/quote] Are you sure, maybe that's why the price has stayed low?

[quote user="Cathy"]I see that Tiger Woods has been injured in a car cradh. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1231531/Tigers-Woods-seriously-injured-car-accident-driving-tree-near-home.html [/quote]  Maybe I'm cynical but I find it strange that a mega millionaire is driving himself away from his house at 2.30am,  and his wife just happens to have a golf club in her hands. Apparently she smashed the back window to help him escape.Hmmmm

I must agree with Jonzjob & gardengirl , both make very valid points. I'm lucky in the fact that my wife and I spend as much time as possible in France, when we go to our home in Sussex the car is full, when we return to France, you guessed it, the car is full. There are "jaw dropping prices in both countries, the trick is to get the benefits of the bargains to be had in both countries. The main thing  that annoys me, France is covered in trees  and yet soft wood  is horrendously expensive and of very poor quality. Then you look at Oak and it's really cheap and excellent quality . Unfortunately there is a limit to the amount of wood you can get onto the roof rack of a car, doesn't matter which way you are travelling

[quote user="andyh4"]Oh dear we rely on a site that looks to Defra and UK Customs for the regulations for importing plants to France - not the most reliable sources IMHO.   I don't have time to find it myself for you but use a French web search engine and look for Annex V + phytosanitaire which will give a very, very long list of plants that should not be imported into France.   Most of these are highly exotic plants that you will not have in your garden, but included in the list are things such as Rhodadendron, Azalea and a couple fo other common garden plants.   EDIT: http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000000637300&dateTexte=   A good starting point [/quote] I never consulted "Defra or UK customs" I just said to the removal company" can I put these plants on your lorry" and will you take them with my furniture to France. They said "yes mate, no problems". Now the onus of responsibility is as I understand it, is on the Driver of the vehicle going through the customs. The removal company was happy , the driver was happy, I was happy and when I got them into the ground in their new home the plants were happy. As for reading your link Mr Andy, well life is too short; although I appreciate your good intentions.

[quote user="Clair"][quote user="NickP"] I enquired at the local Mairie and was reliably informed that the spelling of Loir Et Cher is indeed correct. [/quote] Did you get it in writing  [:P]? [/quote]   No! the mayor said he wasn't sure, but as I am English and wouldn't know any better, the spelling would do. You must realise  this is the country ( France),   that  introduced the Non Permis car because a lot of "country folk" couldn't pass the driving test or at least the written part. So his logic is good enough pour moi. I think sometimes they make it up as they go along. I love it,  makes life much more interesting.

[quote user="Scooby"]NickP No idea what's going on in good old blighty (or France for that matter) - busy backpacking around Europe, though there has been a lot of flooding in Galway (where we are atm). Glad to hear you are from the home counties old chap - good egg etc.... Not sure where Loir et cher is though.  You sure you spelled that right?? I take it the mint cake ran out...or you choked on it? [/quote] Mint cake run out all right, it didn't like Surrey or the Loir Et Cher, was seen running up St Jacques "high St" shouting get me back to the lake district. Unfortunately local French farmer saw it, panicked; and shot it, not a happy end! I enquired at the local Mairie and was reliably informed that the spelling of Loir Et Cher is indeed correct. Enjoy  Galway.

[quote user="BIG MAC"]If they are inline then I would look about the house for the length of pipe that used to join them together .......without the meter![/quote] Both sets of taps are on the" user" side of the meter . I rather think that the "drain down" idea seems the most logical explanation.

[quote user="Chancer"]I knew it was inevitable that this would degenerate into a much cheaper in England discussion, if anyone knows where to get better deals on these things in France please post. For me at least I would gain the time and expense of ever more frequent UK shopping trips and the money could be spent in the French economy. [/quote] We bought some wine glasses yesterday  4.5 Euro a dozen, and 6 Euro a dozen for flutes. Funny  thing that, they are sold in dozens,Hmmmm