Dc

I have just installed an above ground pool and bees keep popping in for drink and then stay for a swim. Any ideas why they are doing this or how can I stop them. regards dc

I have installed an above ground pool and the filter/pump is 10 metres from the pool. The installation manual gives a formula for the run time of the pump based on 3.5 metres from the pool. Does the distance from the pool actually make any difference? Any help greatly appreciated.   regards dc

Does anyone know the best thing to use for soundproofing an ensuite toilet on an internal railed placo wall, its french name and where to get it from please? regards dc

We have to leave our dog in kennels for the first time since we have had her (2 years) We love her to bits as she is very loving  and often naughty. My wife visited the kennels to make sure they were ok and then got all upset. Has anyone any tips to reassure her/us that things will go ok. Any advice greatly appreciated. regards dc

Hi Gabe, sorry bit slow on posting but I drove a 7.5 tonne lorry using the tunnel with all worldly possessions on board. Lorry was x-rayed at Eurotunnel England, a bit unusual as we were taken to one side and the lorry was conveyed through a warehouse where it was x-rayed. (no problems but took 20mins). Lorries travel on the commercial train with other truckers. You do not stay with vehicle but go to a seperate drivers carriage where you are supplied with food etc if required. Only problem I had was that I missed the duty free shop for the fags etc. on the way back it's not like the car side where they herd you into the shop. It cost about £290 2 years ago but I reckon I saved £5000 on the qoute from the removal company. Any more info required just e-mail me. regards dc

I would like to change all our door knobs which are on 6mm rimlocks. Does anybody know of any shops that sell them rather than the local brico who have a very limited range? regards dc

I am afraid its a bit late as I now live in France, I don't recall seeing any of these problems being mentioned on all the English TV programs. It would appear that I will be considerably worse off here in France than the UK, especially if I tell the truth. Surely I am not alone in this situation, what does everybody else do? dc 

Does anyone know if CMU payments from investment income are based on the gross figure or after deduction of  social charges (11%) or what?????? All our income is investment income but not enough to pay tax in the UK but I am worried that with the social charges etc that I will be worse off here in France. Any help greatly appreciated and if anyone knows of any english speaking help lines that would be useful. regards dc

I have an english dect phone and my caller display has stopped working. I must confess I can't remember if it stopped working before our central heating leak or after. The phone now works okay after drying out but does not show a name only "external call" . France telecom tell me all is okay there end. Any ideas greatly appreciated! regards dc

So why are the stickers stuck on the lorry as its the driver who controls the speed??????

Can anyone out there tell me what the white round stickers 60 80 90etc on lorries signifies. dc

2005 is my first year resident in France. In the new year I will have to arrange my income tax declaration. I live off interest on capital now after selling UK house, I stashed the cash in a UK bank, and have a few quid in a cash ISA, and not forgetting £2 in premium bonds and a life insurance policy  . How will this be treated here in France. Can anyone out there help with advice or give me the name of a decent tax expert. best regards dc

Thanks to everyone for replies but does anyone know where I can find the allowances/threshold figures both for for income tax and CMU payments for 2005 and 2006. regards dc

I have received confirmation from Newcastle that our E106 expires on the 31/12/2005. We are off to our local CPAM office tomorrow to organise continuing  with health cover and join the CMU. We have been living in France now for one year and will fill in our first tax return in 2006 for 2005.  We are trying to calculate both our tax liability on interest from our capital (our only source of income) and also the liability for CMU. Can anybody tell us the allowances/thresholds for 2006 so that we know what to expect to pay as income tax and CMU payments and also what info/docs will be required by the CPAM office. Will our CMU payment be based on 2005 income or 2004 income. Any help greatly appreciated. regards dc

I have the following gear which needs to be set up correctly. Can somebody advise in simple terms the ideal necessary connectivity using scart leads and any other stuff I might need to get it right, please! Any advice greatly appreciated. Sony tv with 2 scart options. dvd player sky digibox decoder fta digital decoder video recorder home cinema amplifier   regards dc  

Have just purchased a digital satellite receiver for free to air progs on hotbird & astra 19. When I plug scart lead into a shared 5 block scart box(bloc peritel 5 prises), it interferes with my sky satellite picture if the box is left on standby. If I switch the box off at the rear all is ok. What device do I need for the two to live in harmony. Any help greatly appreciated! regards dc[*-)]

Last week i had 1501 litres from leclerc here in dept 17 for 855.57 0,570 per litre regards dc

I have this evening switched on our new central heating system which I installed (not bad for an ex IT guy) and as I type a warm glow surrounds me ! I would especially like to thank all the fantastic people who write on the forum who have helped me out and given me the confidence to go for it. I would like just a bit more help/advice from you if possible. I have 14 radiators each with thermostatic valves, a 15/60 Grundfos pump and a 33 kw French oil fired boiler, used for the central heating only. I have installed the system the French way with a non-motorised vanne melange and was wondering about the following:- What should the settings be for the boiler/water temp? What should the setting be for the vanne melange? What should the setting be for the soupape pression differencielle? How do I go about balancing the system(where do I start)? All help greatly appreciated! regards dc  

I have a rusty old garden pump and was wondering how to find out if I still have a well underneath it. Water being such a precious commodity here in Department 17 it would be very useful. I will try to get the pump cleaned up but any advice would be greatly appreciated. dc

Can anyone advise how to cure a soldered joint on our central heating system which drips once every 10 minutes. I have not fired the boiler up yet and have the pressure at 2.0 bar. I have drained the system down 3 times to fix other leaks but missed this one.( bloody idiot!) Has anyone any ideas how to fix it or know of a product here in France that would do the business. Any help gratly appreciated. dc  

Can anyone recommend a decent website showing in simple terms how to wire light switches which work one light from 3 different places. I think this is a 4 way switch. Any help greatly appreciated. dc 

Can anyone recommend a decent website showing in simple terms how to wire light switches which work one light from 3 different places. I think this is a 4 way switch. Any help greatly appreciated. dc 

Can anyone recommend a decent website showing in simple terms how to wire light switches which work one light from 3 different places. I think this is a 4 way switch. Any help greatly appreciated. dc 

Our E106 expires at the end of this year. Can anyone explain what we have to do to continue cover without all the emotion posted on other topics. We are both under retirement age with a capital sum in the bank and just happen to like living in France. If anyone out there can explain in simple terms what we need to do, it would be greatly appreciated. regards dc  

Should an oil-fired boiler be powered on a separate circuit from the fusebox and if so what ampage should the disjoncter be. Any help greatly appreciated. dc