David

Help please, I am trying to help my French neighbours to connect to the internet.  They are now connected, but are having problems with French Norton. I use AVG Free for my antivirus, and I wondered if there is a free French equivalent that I can recommend to my neighbours. Thanks, David

Very true Hoddy, I have been unfortunate enough to make good use of A&E departments of both small and large hospitals in both UK and France, mostly broken bones, but also with one broken tendon which has involved several visits to A&E (long story).  In my own experience all the UK A&E involved long waits for treatment, more long waits for x-rays, etc., even notably a six hour wait on a quiet Sunday morning arriving at 0900 hours in Durham.  It was almost as if they were trying to discourage people from using the service, even though in each case I was found to have a broken bone, or in one case much later the break was discovered.  However, a triage system was in place and cases deemed urgent went straight through.  In France A&E I have never been kept waiting for more than 30 minutes for initial assessment, usually less, and after that follow up such as x-rays was rapid. However, in my particular experience, I have found that the orthopedic surgery required was excellent in UK (apart from one surgeon), but in my case the surgery in France was terrible.  I have had three bungled operations in France, such that I am now going back to UK for private treatment to try to at least partially rectify the damage done in France. It is my personal view that basic health care, and follow up care from eg Infirmiers in France is excellent.  However, when it comes to complicated surgery forget France and go to UK. David  

Ditto WJT. David

Thanks very much J.R. Simple and clear advice, and even I understand it. I had wondered whether it might be possible to unplug the appliance, take it apart, and check the wiring with a continuity tester. However, from your explanation this seems to be unnecessary. Many thanks, David.

Thanks for that Dick, I read the thread quickly, but I think I will have to study it tomorrow. David

Hi Dick, They were both three pin plugs.  I am a liittle concerned as I am not sure if the adaptors can manage the power. David

Are there any dangers in changing plugs for appliances bought in France to use in UK?  e.g. we have bought a raclette and a tajine here in France for our children in the UK.  When trying to change the plugs I found that the French wires were not colour coded.  I could tell which was the earth wire, but I could not differentiate between the live and neutral wires.  I copped out, left the plugs on, and bought adaptors for French to UK. Thanks in advance, David

Miss Babs, Quote So far most of the comunication right from the start of the buying process was by email (which I've saved) or conversations which had follow up emails to cover pertinant points that were discussed so we're hoping this is evidence enough of our intentions and I intend to use that as our chosen method of comunication. Unquote. I may be wrong, but it is my understanding that e-mails have no force at all in French law.  I understand that all communications which you intend to rely on in future for possible legal action MUST be sent by special post called avis de reception.  This is where the recepient has to sign for receipt.  You have been told this by posters earlier in this thread, but perhaps the importance has not been emphasised. In French law e-mails useless, recorded delivery letters essential. Hope this helps, David

Weedon (or others please), Part quote from 02/11/2006. Second one is a Jonsered side eject with a mulching kit but has a crap seat with a low back rest.  Side eject is great for shooting the verge grass, in the lane, across the ditch into the fields.  In the garden if you lift the plastic deflector up high it enables the grass clippings to be sprayed around so as not to notice it much but when the wind blows against you you end up getting covered in grass. Unquote I have a side eject ride on mower.  For the first cut of the season in very thick grass, would it be safe to fully remove the plastic deflector?  I ask because I cannot find a suitable place to tie the plastic deflector up to with string, and I am not keeping too well and cannot face all the raking needed after cutting with the deflector in place.  I have about one acre of thick grass. David

We have started making our own British style sausages, with very impressive first results. However, we really need to find some mace.  Can anybody recommend a supply of mace in North Deux Sevres?  We would also like to find some sausage skins, as presently we fry the meat without skins. Thanks, David

We have made pizzas with the help of the breadmaker, let it rise, etc.  But every time the dough under the filling is far too thick for my taste. I like a thin and crispy pizza, but wife insists that the dough has to rise after rolling, ending up with a thick base. Any tips anyone please? David

Tresco, From the photos I would guess the wind to be about force 9.  I have been in such weather, and worse, many times, but unfortunately I cannot lay claim to these excellent photos. I was not on that particular ship, and the photos were sent to me by my son who works in the marine insurance industry in London. I asked Gay to post them as I thought that they may be of interest. David

Coops, Eurostar is a good idea, thanks.  I have some concerns about getting from Cambridge to Waterloo though, and Poitiers to Bressuire is a very long taxi ride. David

Teamedup, When I crossed by Eurotunnel there was one toilet every three carriages, and it was difficult to access by wheelchair.  I could not find one near the car in the stacking area, and anyway that day it was pouring rain.  After a three to four hour drive down from Cambridge, and before driving off in France, I am pretty certain that I will have to visit the loos, even though the crossing is only 30 to 40 minutes. My French GP was not able to find further French surgeons who admitted to being competent enough to try to repair the damage caused by the bungled operations.  I am sure that you are right about your area, but I must trust my GP. As fo tthe UK surgeon, my daughter in law is a doctor and she did the research, plus recommendations from personal contacts.  I saw two of the top three knee surgeons in the UK, and one of those is operating. Thanks for your help. David

Spg & Teamedup, I am in two minds whether to go by the tunnel, or on the Portsmouth to St. Malo ferry.  On the tunnel I would have a three to four hour drive in UK, cross the channel, overnight hotel and then an 8 hour drive home (including lots of stops).  Arrive home early evening too late for infermier on second day out of hospital.  Quite a long journey, and I don't know if I will be able to access the toilets on the train (see posts above). The boat with a cabin is quite appealing, a three hour drive in UK, overnight cabin, then a four hour drive home, arriving about lunch time on the second day for the infermier to come during the afternoon. This will be my fourth operation on this knee after three bungled operations in France, so I do know what to expect.  I understand that I will be in hospital about 5 days, and this may vary depending on my condition.  The hospital know I will be returning to France by car, so they will act accordingly. Should I not feel up to the journey then I will have to stay in an hotel for a while, or break the journey, and that is why I can only book the crossing at the last moment. I have tried sitting across the back seat of the car, but I get very car sick travelling like that for more than about 10 kilometers. I had wondered about taking our estate car which is left hand drive and making a bed in the back, but I discounted this on the basis of difficulty in getting in and out, and also being rolled about on bends and roundabouts.  Also if the bed idea did not work, I could not change my mind and sit in the right hand front passenger seat. I will discuss travel with my surgeon, but I presently favour the idea of an overnight cabin on the boat, where I can keep my leg up, and a shorter drive in France. Thanks for your concern and advice.  All advice welcome.  I am also hoping that this post might help others who may find themselves in a similar situation. David

Suze, You are of course quite correct, and it is a worry.  Unfortunately I seem to have no alternative, as I could not afford, or wish, to stay in an hotel in Cambridge for several weeks. My surgeon does know of the travel plans, and though he is not enthusiastic he accepts it.  It was he who refused to allow me to fly.  My local GP in France is fully aware of the travel arrangements and all is in place ready for my return home. I plan to stop every hour while driving and get out of the car for a few minutes.  Might be difficult in the UK, but very easy on the French autoroutes. I am presently trying to decide the best route home, and it seems that the Portsmouth to St. Malo route with a cabin on board might be best. Thanks for your concern. David

R/H, If the trip to Caen is very short, is there another route you would suggest using an overnight cabin? I e-mailed you to ask if I could e-mail you four photos of a ship in bad weather, which I thought to be quite spectacular, and if you thought them suitable to ask you to post them to a suitable place on the forum.  I asked you because they have nothing to do with France, and I have not mastered the art of posting photos.  I think these photos need to be as large as possible.  Can I send them to you by normal e-mail? David

Thanks Baz, our posts crossed. I will probably have my wheelchair with me.  I have resigned myself to an expensive crossing, and I will count it as part of the operation costs which I am going to have to pay privately. One thought.  Can I book a BF single fare from UK back home to France, and take a cheaper single fare Calais/Dover going from France over to the hospital in UK?  Or do BF only book return fares? David

Many thanks Will and Dick.  Just the sort of lateral thinking I had hoped for.  I will check out the ferries and timetables.  The idea of a cabin sounds good.  Would it be possible to catch an evening ferry from UK, overnight on the ferry, and drive down next day?  I will check it out. Can you advise the practical possibilities of accessing loos and restaurants on the boat? Also thanks to R/H and Coops.  I had thought that it would have to be the train, but I really do not like that option, and from what I remember the loos are difficult to access especially if you are not parked near them.  I also seem to remember that the loos on the train are very small so I could not sit down with my leg extended out in front of me, let alone get up again - no handholds? Also on the train I don't think a wheelchair could access the loos if you are not parked nearby.  I don't mean to go into the loo, but just to get outside the door.  I tend to think that unpleasant practical aspects of loo access may be important after a drive down from Cambridge. R/H - did you receive my recent e-mail? David  

I would be grateful for any advice about crossing the channel in the third week of March.  I am due to have major surgery on my right knee in March and I expect to be released from hospital about the 26th March.  My right leg will be in plaster, and all walking and stairs will be very difficult, and perhaps painful. My surgery will be in Cambridge, so I hope to travel to Calais or Boulogne sur Mer on the first day, overnight there, and then travel to Bressuire in North Deux Sevres the next day. I had planned to take SpeedFerries, and then stay at the Boulogne sur Mer B&B Hotel (no stairs, disabled room, car parked right outside the room), but SpeedFerries will not be running then. The surgeon says that he will not certify me fit to fly, so I cannot take Ryanair to Poitiers or Tours. Thus I planned to take our right hand drive car, with my wife driving and me in the left hand front seat. Advance booking will be very difficult as the hospital cannot guarantee a date of departure. I would be very grateful for any suggestions as to the best ferry or train to cross the channel, and a suitable hotel in France. Many thanks in advance. David

Baz, Unfortunately I have not read your other posts about SpeedFerries.  I will look for them now. I do agree that the lack of reciprocal agreements is a drawback, but I sympathise with SpeedFerries being unable to reach such an agreement with the other operators.  I understand that the other operators refuse to co-operate with SpeedFerries precisely because SpeedFerries has cost them a lot of money by forcing fares down, so even more I try to support the little man. However, SpeedFerries has let me down, and I will be seeking advice on another post.  Would be glad to hear your suggestions Baz. David

Baz, Why are you so down on SpeedFerries? I fully agree that there are many people who would not wish to use ferries and especially high speed craft during the winter months.  However, I was referring to the OP, who was using a ferry during the winter months, and who was complaining about delays going into Calais to catch a P&O ferry.  I have edited my post to make this clearer.  Your point about SpeedFerries services being suspended in March is not relevant to this post as that is a planned suspension for annual maintenance.  I was referring to delays of over an hour on the approach to Calais including a queue of over a km, which began on the port approach road, before even freight traffic had turned off. This was for UK passport control.  A further queue of 20 minutes to clear UK security control, and at least 15 minutes queueing for tickets to be cleared, as described by the OP.  None of which I have yet experienced with SpeedFerries at Boulogne sur Mer, but we do arrive one hour before sailing so as to get onto the ramp in a position reserved for disabled people. Sorry if I was not clear in my first post. In my limited experience, in bad weather I have found that highspeed craft can be as reliable as the Dover Calais ferries.  On one crossing we found to our great surprise that SpeedFerries were running when P&O and SeaFrance were stopped due to high winds.  It all depends on wind strength and direction, and wave height and direction. Hope this clarifies my post, as I would still recommend that the OP may wish to consider trying SpeedFerries during school holidays.  He may even find the crossing itself more comfortable and relaxed as SpeedFerries do not carry coaches, but only carry cars.  I have tried all the Kent to Europe crossings, and I now use SpeedFerries as my preferred operator. David

Ford Anglia, You should try SpeedFerries.  We have never had any delays at Boulogne sur Mer, except perhaps for 5 minutes at the ticket check in. David

Many thanks for that, and also your very helpful replies. David Edit - for a family computer, is there really much difference between a 1 Mb connection and a 6 to 8 Mb connection?  I ask this as my 1 Mb connection seems to work very well and I have no complaints.  This has started me wondering if I should upgrade to a 6 to 8 Mb connection.

Many thanks for that.  I have copied the details, but I dont really understand them. Do I have between 6 & 8 Mbps, or 16 & 18 Mbps? My neighbours are on the same line, but their line is about 500 metres shorter. Thanks, David Numéro de téléphone : Code NRA : SAP79 NRA (commutateur local) : SAINT AUBIN DU PLAIN Distance vous séparant du central : 2470 m (détails) Taux d'atténuation : 25.44 dB Débit ADSL (estimation) : Entre 6 Mbps et 8 Mbps Débit ADSL2+ (estimation, si disponible) : Entre 16 Mbps et 18 Mbps Nombre de lignes téléphoniques : 1 000 Type de DSLAM : ECI Edit - the line details were "Cable 1, Calibre 06, Longeur 02470 m".