Araucaria

I was a little surprised to find that our house insurance (from Allianz), and which has a specific extension for the swimming pool, covers damage to the pool only where it is caused by a specified list of events. The list is fairly long and includes fire, floods, lightning, hail and snow, and the possibility of a car - other than our own - entering the pool. No doubt this must be reassuring for the local drivers. But what's not included is damage caused by any kind of animal, whether it's a pet, a wild animal, or sheep or cattle. As our pool has a security cover with bars, rather than a fence, the opportunities for this kind of damage are obviously increased. Particularly since we are surrounded by fields with cattle in them (and sometimes out of them), and woods with boar and deer. Our agent says that this is normal, and we wouldn't get cover for animal damage from a different insurer. Have other pool owners looked at their policy to see what's covered? I'd be interested to know if a change of company might give us more peace of mind.

Unless you get a cat I think the only realistic option is poison, which is effective but not instant - it takes a couple of weeks. Makes sure the droppings are not from bats (which are not a problem at all, and anyway they are, quite rightly, protected). Mouse and bat droppings are the same size and shape, but if you pick up a bit of bat poo it is completely dry and crumbles away between your fingers - it's the remains of the outer shells of the insects they eat. Mouse poo sticks to your fingers.

[quote user="Alan Zoff"] .... But as for your problem, Q, whoever issued the rubber cheque is surely liable, regardless of who stayed in your abode, and can be traced through your bank... [/quote] Unless the cheque was stolen, of course: or is this yet another trap for the unwary? well, for the wary too, I suppose.

I hope they didn't leave with anything belonging to you, Q, as it sounds a bit like a stolen chequebook. Couldn't you work out which guest it was by eliminating the other three who left at the same time? Or did they pay cash? Bad luck, and a warning to us all.

Yes, ANO, I think your set-up is a simpler one than mine. Except, curiously, with "No security" set and MAC filtering ticked, some devices actually do log on automatically, and some require the MAC number to be pushed into the Livebox. There doesn't seem to be any logic as to which do and which don't - it might even have something to do with the WiFi extender we are using. Now we know what to do it isn't that much trouble, and it also gives us the opportunity - or at least, it does sometimes - to ask visitors not to do any illegal downloading while they are staying. I may try the alternative settings you suggest (with an easy password) someday, when there aren't any visitors who have to have constant internet access!

[quote user="Quillan"]When somebody comes to visit let them 'find the network' then simply press the button to the right of the lights on your Livebox and they will get connected. Unless of course you have the old Livebox that is wedge shape and reminds you of semi open book. With the Livebox 2 (oblong one with the corner cut off) you should not need to enter the Livebox to give them Internet access.[/quote] Q - we've found that pressing that button never helps. I know it's there, and I know that's what it is for, but just the same we have tried it repeatedly without effect. Either our visitors' bit of technology really does log on to our WiFi automatically, or we have to enter their MAC address. It may be the way we've set up the new-style Livebox 2 (though we did that under advice from the Orange helpline), but believe me, it's the only thing that works. For anyone else with this problem, after logging onto the Livebox address, it's Settings/Livebox/WiFi Settings/Paired Devices, then "Add" the device at the bottom of the list. You can only enter the MAC address: the other fields fill themselves in when the device is accepted. And I rather assume that Orange must have contemplated customers doing this, or otherwise there would be no need for this useful screen. Finally, I also discovered that the Livebox will only pair with a limited number of devices (it's about 20 - I forgot to count), and that devices that pair automatically can knock a previously paired device off the list. Then if the list is full, the "Add" button becomes greyed out, and you'll need to delete a device before you can add a new one.

[quote user="andyh4"]If you want a new fosse underground, the fact that the old one is above might suggest that the costs will be rather high - in other words the ground is not easily excavated[/quote] For the OP's sake let's hope not. We have an old farmhouse with the septic tank above-ground in the cellar (the tank is an old-fashioned concrete cylinder), and a newly converted barn with a plastic septic tank underground. Although the ground was stony (schist) the digger had no problem at all making a suitably large hole. The pool went in easily enough too. And in case you're wondering how a cellar is "above-ground", the house is built on a steep slope, so the cellar has a door at ground level at one end. I'd guess that back then if you could put the septic tank above ground you did, as it is that much less work. No-one likes digging.

Gorblimey it was persistent. I got rid of Orange Assistance but the problem with Firefox remained. I then discovered that Orange had obligingly installed a small suite of programmes that I hadn't asked for, so after uninstalling a further three bits of unwanted software, and cleaning up Firefox yet again, I was back to where I was before. And my nine sample tabs have now re-appeared too. I've still got an unwanted "Orange" search application in the drop-down box at the top right hand corner of the screen, and I can't find any way to kill that, but at least if I don't use it it keeps out of the way. There's a lesson there somewhere. Something about Greeks bearing gifts?

[quote user="Quillan"]You can remove the Orange software if you want, it won't destroy the settings in your Livebox. [Thanks, I knew that - this is something new, an offer that arrived yesterday with a moody picture of a rocky shore and lighthouse, and the words "Assistance Livebox pour vous faciliter".] Many people just don't bother with the Orange software as, not to put to fine a word on it, junk. [Agreed] To remove the software first look in the Orange folder (if there is one) via 'Windows Start button' bottom left then 'All Programs' and 'Orange', there may be a de-installation or remove option. If not go to the 'Control Panel' + 'Programs and Features' then highlight the Orange program and click on 'Unistall' at the top of the window. This should not in anyway upset your Orange box configuration. [I should have thought of that myself - it's now uninstalled] To get to your Orange box configuration manually open your browser and type in 192.168.1.1 and you should get the screen from the Livebox. The user name is Admin and the default password is Admin. You can also change the interface language to English once your logged in to the box. If you don't understand routers then don't 'fiddle' with any of the settings. [Sensible advice, except that when visitors come and wish to use our WiFi, we usually have to go into the Livebox - and the simplest way to do that is just to type "Livebox" into the browser - and then add the MAC address of their computer/iPhone/iPad etc. One of the mixed blessings of the updated Livebox is its baffling security settings. Regrettably, fiddling is essential even if I don't understand routers] The only thing I would suggest you change is the password as 'admin' is the one they put on all Liveboxs. [If I do that I'll never remember the new password!] [/quote] Thanks to everyone. I'll let you know if uninstalling the Assistance program cures the issues. But my own suggestion to others is not to download the free offered software in the first place.

Thanks Norman, that has helped - I found that the Portail Orange had been added as a home page to the two that I normally have. I've now deleted it. On my version of Firefox (15.0) it's tools/options/general/startup, btw. But I don't seem to be able to get back to the nine preview tabs that I used to get when I selected a new tab.  There's presumably a setting for it somewhere but I can't find it! I'd guess Orange managed to overwrite it somehow.

I stupidly accepted Orange's offer of a download to help resolve problems with my Livebox (which certainly happen from time to time). I now have an icon on my desktop that says "Assistance Orange". Having tried it, it doesn't seem to work very well (for example, it refused to believe what my Livebox password was, but eventually accepted it after several tries - and I hadn't mistyped it). That's not the problem though. Since downloading it, whenever I open a new tab in my browser (Mozilla Firefox) it opens in the "Portail Orange" (ie at this page: http://www.orange.fr/portail). I don't want that at all - previously Firefox would offer me a selection of previously opened windows, which I found quite helpful. Has anyone had the same experience, and have they got rid of it?

[quote user="Loiseau"]Arrrrrrrrrrghhhhhhh! Can't stand it!  Not a fan of the programme at all, though I did once go out with somebody who did the "spot effects" in the studio (walk on gravel, ring door/telephone bell, operate various latches, chink teacups, etc). It ALWAYS seems to start up when I'm in the car, and I gnash my teeth before turning the radio off. Angela [/quote] It's that automated rude-word-filter again - what is wrong with chink-ing a teacup? The mind truly boggles.

Ice House - like this: http://www.kingswoodmuseum.org.uk/ice_house.shtml

Thanks Jako, the sockets do indeed have the filter built in, and it all now works - to my very considerable surprise! We can now watch both French and UK digital television. Amongst the oddities in doing this fairly simple task was the fact that the little coupler, to link together the satellite and aerial signals before sending them up the single cable to the room, was marked "coupleur" on the packing but "separateur" on the gadget itself. And also on the gadget there were little graphics showing one place where the signal comes in and two places where the satellite/aerial signal left: and all of these had arrows on them showing that it worked as a signal separator. So maybe one device does both jobs?

[quote user="Aly"] It is not my intention to spread alarm amogst the 20 or so contributors to this site. I was more interested in a general debate on the implications of new taxes on all groups of expats. But fine you obviously know more then me and  I  really do not wish to upset anyone  - We will see what the future brings. [/quote] I think there are more than 20 contributors to this site. More made-up figures?

Our electrician installed a couple of the three-way Legrand room sockets: both of them have an outlet for a screw-in satellite receiver, a push-in TV aerial, and an FM radio. I think they are these ones: http://www.materielelectrique.com/prise-tvrsat-ceacuteliane-p-7840.html At present we are only using the satellite outlet and we don't have an aerial. I'd like to install an aerial now: the wiring is already in place up by the chimney and there's a cable down to the TV/Telephone distribution box. The electrician only installed a single cable to each of the wall outlets. I understand that is OK, as a separator will split the signals. But does anyone know whether these modern Legrand sockets are pre-installed with a separator? Or will I have to prise them off the wall and fit the separators myself behind the outlets? I know I will have to fit the signal-combining gadget down in the distribution box, to join together the aerial and the satellite dish wires. What I can't do is add another cable from the distribution box to the wall outlet: it would have to be pushed through about 25 meters of conduit, and I know it just wouldn't get there!

[quote user="Pickles"]Just a "heads-up" for people who are tempted by the Alis offer. I noticed today that the Ts and Cs for new contracts for the Alis "Liber-t confort" doofer/badge/tag have changed. The doofer is now delivered free, and there is no monthly fee whether you use it or not - same as before - BUT: If you do not use it on Alis's bit of autoroute (A28 Alencon-Rouen) at least 15 (FIFTEEN) times in the FIRST year (only), then they will charge you a once-off fee of 20€ on the anniversary of the contract. This restriction ends after the first year, and no further fees are charged thereafter (tolls, obviously are still charged). [/quote] That's a bit sneaky! I've just replaced an Alis badge that I have had for the last four years, because the battery was flat. They were very quick: I e-mailed and they sent a new badge immediately. But I don't think I have used their stretch of autoroute even once in the last four years, and I'll be looking to see if they take the extra €20 next year. However, I suspect/hope this charge is "new customers only".

Yes, I do know this section is "Driving in France" ! Has anyone who is resident in France obtained UK insurance for a UK registered (etc) car which is permanently kept in the UK? This is the corresponding question to the one about people with second homes in France who keep a car in France for occasional, if regular, French use. The OH and I go back to the UK from time to time and it would be convenient to keep a small cheap car there (at my daughter's house) for us to use when we visit. I'd only be looking for the most basic insurance cover (what used to be third party, fire and theft?) as the car isn't worth very much .... I'm asking because the last time I tried to put myself as an extra temporary driver onto my daughter's insurance, one of the questions asked by the insurer was whether I was resident in the UK.

[quote user="cooperlola"]I have some UK CPL plugs but they have to go into extension cords so maybe that's my problem?  Even if I got the French ones that would mean that I'd only have one socket left for the computer, printer, external hard drives, tranny scanner,  record deck (for copying albums to disc) etc etc! Araucaria - you can certainly link loads of the ones I've got, you are not limited to 2.  However, they're not doing the job. [/quote] Coops - if you buy the expensive ones that Orange sell in France, the transmitter one (the one plugged into the livebox) goes into a socket, but itself has a socket in its back. So when it is plugged in, you still have the same number of free sockets: there's a picture at the link above. So if you just have one socket, you could plug the Wifi extender into it, and then plug a multisocket extension into the extender for your PC, printer, etc. But I am fairly sure that the earlier Orange ones (equally expensive, but slower) were only sold in pairs, because they only worked as pairs: you couldn't mix and match. Each one would only talk to his partner.

Sid - You say you've got four. Don't these normally come in matched pairs (one transmitter plugged into the modem, one distant receiver)? Is it possible to have two receivers for just one transmitter, or do you have to plug two transmitters into the modem (and into the mains) if you want to have two separate receivers in different parts of your house? We have the same concrete floor problem. Briefly, I'd be interested in hearing how you are using the four you have.

Wood chips can also be completely automated, and they are cheaper than pellets because they are very easily produced. But the initial cost of the boiler might be prohibitive.

[quote user="Val_2"]I can tell you that your property now remains on the list of properties to conform for a max of four years, reviewed yearly by SPANC and your local mairie. If the designated repairs/replacement does not occur during that four years you will be fined. We get a list yearly from SPANC at council listing the properties in our commune that are on this list and those who have not done anything so,beware they will be checking eventually.[/quote] That's coming it a bit strong Val: you could be fined is surely more accurate. Still, let's wait and see.

My experience of trying to second-guess the market - by transferring money when I thought I was getting a good rate - was that I virtually always got it wrong. I now have a regular monthly standing order, and I win some and lose some, but it averages out in the long run. My OH has her state pension paid directly to our French bank and it is a much better rate than I have ever been able to get, and no charges either. But as you say, no-one has posted experience of an NHS pension: but I don't see how their ability to negotiate a rate (and their bargaining position) could be worse than yours.

The Golden Rule, anyone?

It's probably not worth saying that the Court in question has nothing to do with the EU. Speaking just for myself, I would rather that the court upheld the principle that we shouldn't send anyone at all (not even someone who is "a threat to the security of this country!") to be tried in a country that regularly tortures prisoners to extract a confession. It's not very likely that I might one day be on the receiving end, but you never know. Sooner or later, those countries might stop torturing the innocent and guilty alike, if they know that Europe won't extradite suspects there. Suspects who may in fact be more of a threat to their security than to ours.