trees 2

The really depressing side to all this is that it won't matter WHO gets in at the next election, for two very big reasons: Firstly, the present economy built on sand, which will take some sorting, especially after Labour's scorched earth policy that they seem to be into at the moment. And secondly, WHO ELSE IS THERE? It's a fact of life that all politicians these days seem to be in it for what it can do for them, their families, their friends and NOT what THEY can do for us. Even local councillors are becoming rich men on the back of more and more council tax increases; they have allowances that make the electors' hair curl, and more allowances for so-called "cabinet" posts. Can someone explain to me when these local guys who we used to elect to SERVE us became our masters?

That's the blighter, a sort of buff coloured abdomen, and the ones I've seen are flatter across the abdomen, maybe not gorged? They certainly bite MY lower legs, when I wear shorts. Could be something to do with living near a farm with cows.

[quote user="Cat"]Taons or horseflies http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/1387184/ShowPost.aspx ? http://images.google.fr/images?hl=fr&q=taon&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi [/quote] Doesn't look like any of those pics, they are a little smaller than a large housefly, (NOT a bluebottle), and as mentioned by Poppy, they settle, then there is a REALLY sharp pain, but no mark, no resulting itch, pain, raised area, nothing. The pain is enough to make you jump, and exclaim, but leaves no lasting pain.

Well probably NOT houseflies then, but certainly look just like them.[:@] We seemed to have LOADS this year. South 87. They land on you just like a fly does, and as you are preparing to swat them, you get a pain like someone touched you with a white hot needle! I've also killed them on the windows inside with a fly swatter, to find a HUGE smear of what appears to be blood[+o(] What are they? They don't look like any species of horsefly I've come across either. Someone suggested "Bot-flies" but I don't know........

I have to say that I'm unsure of the "horsefly" angle: I've had a few bites from these beasties, and they settle before biting, which if you see them is the time to whack them, not waft them away, as they just come back. I've seen none of the darting behaviour from them, and certainly can't imagine one darting in for a mouthfull of blood and away. I still reckon it's a type of wasp.

I've fitted on to work an extractor fan above my shower. Will it comply?

I assume you have their agreement to do it the way you initially described in writing? If so, my first port of call would be the Mairie, with that, and photos of the finished  installation, and ask for advice. If you DON'T have it in writing, I'd say you are on thin ice: they will deny ever having agreed to it, point to the fact that you went away, have no memory of your letter etc. If that's the case, then you will need to ask the Mairie how to get them to come back and put their installation into some proper state of repair. Knowing French companies, I'll wish you the very best of luck.

Thanks for that, Anton. I do find it a a pain having to wire doubles, and wish they were hard-wired, but I suppose then they'd all face the same way. I've started, so I'll finish..............using Legrand stuff.

I'm in south 87, almost 24, close to 16. Where would be the cheapest outlet for electrical stuff, (sockets, switches etc), and for the metal framed walling stuff? Anywhere cheaper than Brico Depot. My local Bricomarche sells double sockets, Legrand for €14.90, with different prices for horizontal or vertical, (which is ridiculous since the actual sockets can be changed to face any which way), and I've found them on t'internet at Brico Depot at Angouleme for €9.90. They have also started charging a MINIMUM of €30 to deliver ANYTHING. When it was Briconautes, it was €10. Thanks.

Sigh.............yes, hundreds. I've spent hours grubbing them out, hence the description of the "sofa-with-a-button-missing" effect. Trouble is, they grow like weeds[:(], and you just CAN NOT get every one, as some are about the size of a €0.50 piece, so get missed. Within a fortnight, they are like triffids, believe me. Since we aren't there full time, grubbing them out every 7 days or so is not an option, plus we have 2000 sq m, so rather a chore....... I'll have to give the salt a go next visit. I was certain I heard them laughing when I sprayed the weedkiller[:(]

Tried WASHING the interior with anti-bacterial, or even a/b wipes? Some of our older furniture smelled a little, and it turned out to be a thin patina of mould. Wife did the insides with a/b wipes and it's gone.

Thanks for the info, I hadn't realised it was quite as common as it obviously is. But I suppose that when you think of the number of sailings, the different sea/wind/tide conditions, and the cramped nature of some berths, it's not a surprise. Everyone on Calais dock rushed to photograph it, and the Police were quite laid back............UNTIL the P&O guy arrived. He had a word with their officer, and we were promptly moved back to our cars on threat of arrest. Waste of time really, as we then had to drive to our ferry's NEW berth, RIGHT PAST the Endeavour!

Fast? Listen, when I see a snake, I can go faster than sound[:P]

Salt? As in sodium chloride? But if it rains, won't it just poison the ground?

Try the camping Municipal du Lac at St Mathieu.