mazandcol

Hi all, I bought my first car in France last year and a couple of months ago started to receive demands from the Eurodatacar company who I hadn't realise I'd even signed up to. I' m still not convinced I actually signed anything. I know I should have read the original letter more carefully, but I was in 'english' mode mentally and assumed if I didn't pay the contract simply wasn't renewed. Now they're saying I should have actively cancelled or it's renewed automatically (article L113-15-1). Is this true? Do I have a legal obligation to pay their 95 euros? Can I demand to see a copy of the signed contract? Anybody else been through this and what happens if I simply ignore the demands?

Thanks to both of you - you've been very helpful. Coincidentally nomoss, the link you gave is one of the sites I'd been looking at and thought sounded good - you've confirmed it for me. Judith, do the olives have to be black/ripened using your method?

Thanks Nomoss for such a detailed and helpful mailing. I've seen some fly damage, but there does appear to be plenty of 'clean' ones. This is the first year we've had the trees so I'll follow your advice/links and see what happens...

Hi everyone, I'm not sure if this query should be in Gardening or Food so I'll post it twice. We have two olive trees which are full of olives and I'd like to try processing some myself. I've found several techniques on-line but just can't decide which to use. Has anyone here ever done their own olives with success, and if so, what did you do?

Hi everyone, I'm not sure if this query should be in Gardening or Food so I'll post it twice. We have two olive trees in containers in our courtyard which are full of olives - some now black. I'd like to try processing some myself, and I've found several techniques on-line but just can't decide which to use. Has anyone here ever done their own olives with success, and if so, what did you do?

OK I'll bite... the only surprise to me is that anybody is surprised. It's the only logical way I could see it going - especially with the current lot of clueless politicians.

Sorry mint, I forgot to say before that although you can post forms and photos from France, you do have to have internet to complete the form and pay on-line, and then print, sign and post. Check with the website as they have a 'tool' to advise how to apply depending on which country you are a resident. Of course, if you're resident in the UK you just collect from, and take forms to, a post office.

Thanks mint that's interesting. I don't know of a photographer round us (near Fumel), but I will enquire with neighbours - maybe there's one in Villeneuve. I must say your price sounds very reasonable - even a booth is 5 euros - and we could take the UK guidelines with us. Of course the 'annoying' thing about passport photos is that they must be flat lighting, no smile, straight on etc. Never very flattering

Sorry if I gave the impression you MUST apply on-line, it's just that they want you to. My main point rely is that the pics from a booth here in France (which are approved here) clearly do not show shoulders and top of body - which the UK guidelines require. That's why we're trying digitally - at least we know immediately if the pics are rejected. If I'd simply posted off our booth photos with forms, we wouldn't have found out for weeks. I'm going to try ringing for advice as maybe the shoulders/body requirements are only if you upload a pic. Who know? That why I asked if anyone had done it recently.

We're currently trying to renew our UK passports from France. The UK website indicates we have to apply on-line and upload a digital photo. Has anyone else used this method because we're having trouble getting an acceptable photo. The ones we had taken at a booth (suitable for France) are no good as UK now wants to see shoulders and top half of your body. Ones we've tried so far at home (the website gives instructions) have also failed because "We cannot define your head outline" - which can be tricky as I have very frizzy hair... Anyway, we'll try again, but wondered if anyone else has done this process.

New info... Roberts have replied saying they are aware of issues, but the problem is at BBC, who are trying to resolve it. see link: http://iplayerhelp.external.bbc.co.uk/radio/Internet_Radio_Failing

Bizarre update... BBC is working perfectly on our several years old Roberts Stream83i, which I resurected to try. So the 83i works, but the 93i doesn't. I've e-mailed Roberts so will see if I get a reply.

Does anyone use a Roberts internet radio? We've used one for several years very successfully, but today we lost ALL BBC radio - it says they're playing, but we hear nothing. They play fine on the laptop. Every other station seems to be fine. I've even listened to obscure UK stations in case it was a UK issue. Maybe the Beeb has changed codecs or something and Roberts haven't caught up. I don't know, but wondered if anyone else has had the same problem!

I think Chancer is confusing the job of 'Politician' with that of 'Civil Servant'. It's a Politician's job to have ideas, beliefs and scruples which they stand by, then people either vote for or against. It's a 'Civil Servant' who's job is to simply(?) implements the will of others regardless of personal beliefs. May has proved she has no scruples and is willing to do/say anything to be elected - just as Cameron did! Not what I want from a politician - especially one who constantly claims to be 'Strong and Stable'

Just to put a fox among the henhouse - if we can have a second vote on foxhunting (which was decisively voted against) - WHY can't we have a second Brexit vote? Just saying

Update...  we went out for about an hour yesterday afternoon (5:00-6:00pm) and on our return the package was in our letterbox (you know, the one we didn't have when they "tried to deliver" Monday) so at least we now have it.  By the way, we don't even live in a remote rural hamlet, we're in the centre of a village which earlier this year was 'updated' - we all have house numbers and street names now! From your replies it's obvious that Chronopost have a real issue and as you've suggested I will still be contacting the supplier about NOT using them (luckily the supplier sent a 'give us your feedback' e-mail this morning) Best of luck today EmilyA, but it's crazy having to travel that distance to collect something when delivery's been paid for.

I'm sure I recently read a posting about problems with Chronopost, but can't find it so I'm having my moan here...  anyone else had issues? I was/still am expecting a package via Chronopost.  Yesterday tracking stated it had left Brive for delivery (we're near Fumel).  We waited in all day - nothing.  This morning I found an e-mail from them saying they had tried but no-one was in and there was nowhere to post a card (absolute rubbish - we live in the centre of the village and have a clearly labelled postbox) however I could 'click here' to arrange re-delivery.  I clicked and got to a page stating that I could NOT arrange delivery of this parcel and anyway the driver was close by but uncontactable (err, no mobile etc????).  I was stuck so did a Google search for the BRIVE contact details and also found loads of people who had complaints about them (French and English), most having received exactly the same 'tried to deliver, no postbox etc' message.  All of them ended up having to collect their packages, usually from about 12-20 kms away, but one had a three hour drive! A couple of hours later the phone rang.  I answered and got a recorded message from Chronopost in fast (normal) French.  Unfortunately my French isn't up to catching it all and I was given a number (not sure if a telephone or reference) but all very fast and unexpected so no pen handy etc.  So now I'm stuck as I couldn't talk to a recorded message and I can't replay it.  Tracking info hasn't changed since this morning and I haven't received any more e-mails. So tomorrow I will try ringing BRIVE, but don't hold out much hope of a simple solution.  However, once I finally get the package I will inform the supplier I ordered from and say that until they change courriers I will not be shopping there.. Rant over!

I'm ashamed to say I didn't know Jack Bruce had died - but as I was going out of the house this afternoon I had the urge to hunt out 'Disreali Gears' to play in the car (hadn't heard it for a quite a while)... so glad I did.  He was such an influence.  RIP Jack.

Thanks very much Loiseau.  I must admit I like the bit about removing the 8" suckers - mine are well over 24" now... maybe I should have done it sooner, but I'm going to try and re-plant some soon

Cheers basquesteve... the way the shoots are growing (now over 2 feet) it'll take a frost to knock them back.  My main question was if they should be split/transplanted in autumn or spring.  Sounds like it may be best to wait till next spring thanks again

I don't think you can pay by card - the avis doesn't appear to give that option of payment, simply by cheque (at counter or by post) or 'on-line' (direct from bank account) - or in cash if under 300 euros!  Maybe someone can correct me.

Thanks everybody, but just to clarify (I know I can be a pedant - sorry)... I have no trouble using my french address registered card on either French or UK Amazon - however the bank is UK (HSBC).  My friend only has a French address and a French bank account with a French bank.  My question is:  will he be able to register his Kindle with UK and buy from UK Amazon?

Thank jonzjob, that helps.  I wonder if the UK bank account makes any difference? Again, on behalf of my friend - has anyone out there managed to register a Kindle and buy books from Amazon UK using a French address AND a French bank account?

As is often the case, not everyone seems to have the problems with buying e-books from Amazon UK.  Can I ask a couple of questions - especially to jonzjob... When re-registering your Kindle to Amazon UK, did it accept your french address or did you use a UK address (I had to use my son's)? Do you pay for books via a UK bank card or a french bank card?  I use my UK bank account. I ask really because a friend of mine is thinking of getting a Kindle, but he does not have any links with UK at all and my experience required a UK address (and I assume therefore a UK bank account, which is why I used it).

Thanks basquesteve but I didn't make it clear... The plants flowered, we harvested and then the stems died - the 'shoots' are what have sprouted since (ie last month or two) with two-three to each 'old' plant