Sydney and Huggy

[quote user="BJSLIV"]Ryanair are currently blocking all bookings to or from Tours after the end of August. [/quote] looks like the ransom has been paid

[quote user="Llantony"]That sort of unpleasant sarcasm reminds me why I seldom bother with this forum these days. Ryanair used to fly this route regularly and the planes were always full when I or my visitors used them. I simply remarked that it would be helpful if Ryanair published their schedules - especially if they have decided to only fly this route in August![/quote] Llantony We had the same experience having used their Edinburgh/Limoges service last summer - it appeared on the list of destinations yet it was always 'there are no flights' around the time the spring/summer services were appearing. And then without warning just disappeared as a destination from Edinburgh.  They introduce new destinations with much publicity yet don't even have the decency to announce the withdrawal/termination of a service.  Its a pity because it suited us - just a couple of hours to the house but what we have spent this year on flights has gone in to easyJet's coffers on the service to Lyon.

[:@][:(]Just announced yesterday that as of 15 December they are pulling the plug on passenger carriage between Rosyth and Zeebrugge. Yet they are putting 2 ships on for freight. We are booked to go on the service mid September on a reasonable deal and knowing that it is less than an hour from Rosyth to home can put up with the later arrivals (around 1400 at each end). Being so close makes it worth while to go in to work and leave early, saves a day's leave. So it will be back to Hull/Zeebrugge and a 4-5 hour drive home from Hull, an extra day's leave as well as time and fuel.  Looked doing North Shields/Amsterdam but the return would mean leaving at bedtime to drive to Amsterdam. Got to wonder - is it just co-incidence that this happens so soon after the intervention of DFDS?  Is there a subsidy from the Scottish Parliament that has run out? Either way its a complete pain although it was predicted from the start that they would price themselves out of the market, just as Superfast did. [:@][:(]

Seen these on several autoroutes and particularly noticed it coming north on the A77 on Thursday.  A green painted line that runs up the hard shoulder, always equidistant from the edge of the carriageway until you are passing an emergency phone when it deviates in to the bottom of the phone box and then resumes on the other side. Have had it suggested that it marks the line of the phone cable, yet on (think it was) the A6 the line is blue and only appears in the area of the emergency phone boxes. Can anyone say with certainty what the lines are for????? [8-)]

[quote user="Sydney and Huggy"]Robert, I have pm'd you [/quote] Robert - you asked the question - people have offered help, including us (haven't had any acknowledgement of the pm) - if you don't want answers, why ask in the first place????

Robert, I have pm'd you

Haven't been in the Paris area around that time, we are usually quite a bit later.  We don't blindly follow the sat nav now - it wants to take us right in to Paris.  Heading in on the A1 we turn off just after CDG towards Meaux and pick up La Francilienne (A104).  The sat nav picks up that route and takes us round the east side of Paris towards Evry where it joins the A6.  We have seen it quite busy but (perhaps luckily [blink]) never been held up.

Derek, don't know what the French regs are but in the UK they are as below. I'm pretty certain our electrician fitted a socket adjacent the handbasin to comply with the French regs although the trip has a very low rating that copes with an electric razor.  I would suggest, but don't take it as gospel, that if you follow the UK examples your installation will be safe. Bathroom Lighting Zones Explained. Zone 0 refers to the interior of a bath or shower tray. Bathroom Lighting in this area must be suitable for submersion therefore carry a rating of IP67 (Immersion to 1m) or IP68 (Pressurised Immersion). In addition to this rating they must be a maximum of 12 volts and used in conjunction with a SELV transformer. Zone 1 is the area directly above the bath or shower tray to a height of 2.25m such as the inside of a shower cubicle. Fittings in this area must be splash proof therefore carry a minimum rating of IP44. If the fitting is subject to direct contact with water a higher rating of IP65 (Jet Proof) is required. An example of this type of light would be shower lights. If 240V shower lights are used they must be protected by a 30MA RCD. Zone 2 is any area in the bathroom within 60cm of the perimeter of the shower cubicle, bath or sink. Fittings in this area must be splash proof therefore carry a minimum rating of IP44. As in Zone 1 if water jets are likely to come in to contact with the fitting (i.e. cleaning purposes) IP65 should be used.  Zone 3 refers to all other areas of the bathroom. Although no specific IP rating is required for this area many developers and contractors choose to install bathroom lights with a minimum rating of IP44. Legislation states bathroom lighting in this area should be fit for purpose in compliance with BS7671. The above bathroom lighting zones information is intended as a guide only. The information is based on the UK I.E.E Wiring regulations (BS7671: 2001 Section 601) which may be subject to change

[quote user="aliyah62"][quote user="sclarke2208"]There are many company available in market and they give us the van rental service Los angeles and san franscisco but I want to budget travel for 10-12 passenger So Dear Friends can you help me for this travel hire.[/quote][/quote] Think maybe the answer to this query is to contact confused.com  [8-)]

Gyn_Paul Did you mean chocbox or terminal blocks. Our sparky asked us to send him a supply of chocbox (http://www.screwfix.com/prods/46538/Electrical-Supplies/Cable-Accessories/Connectors-Blocks/Chocbox) and all the connections were done with them.

Sally If you gave us a clue to your location (though maybe you don't want to), perhaps somebody will 'know someone' who does a good job at a good price. Though from what's been said your devis seems reasonable.

[quote user="Pierre ZFP"]Not knowingly but I'm intrigued. Wotza engineered floorboard? T&G perhaps?   [/quote] Stuff like blockboard, MDF and plywood fall in to the category (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineered_wood)

[quote user="Tia"] I am english and my husband are interested in renting   [/quote] Several people have highlighted scams about renting and a bit of a warning bell rang with the way it started with "I am english and my husband are interested in renting".  Just doesn't read right.  I put the name in google and on 'the other forum' found this "Posted by: marian sheibani | 06/03/2010 at 18:06. I am looking for a long term rental on a castle or big farm for only myself and my 4 year ..." It may be that its all above board but be careful.

When Norfolkline resurrected the Rosyth - Zeebrugge route following Superfast's withdrawal, a single fare to Zeebrugge was slightly less than a return with P & O in to Hull so for the sake of an extra few hours drive it was worth going to Hull (particularly when you get in some 5-6 hours earlier than Norfolkline).  However have just booked our September return trip with Norfolkline - its only £30 more than going from Hull and that more than covers the extra fuel.  Can live with not getting down in to the Auvergne until later in the day as its less than an hour from home to ferry, a huge bonus after driving back up to Zeebrugge. Has anyone used this service lately as we are wondering what the food is like.  P & O buffet dinner was always quite good.[:P]

Chancer My understanding is that they don't charge anything on your card unless you take the car back damaged or it is stolen. What you are doing is agreeing that in the event of damage/theft then yes, your card will be charged. They are not taking thousands of £/€/$ out of your account 'in case' something happens, only if it does unfortunately happen. We have hired cars from the major international companies in various airports in Europe, USA and Canada with no charge made on the Visa or Mastercard  and the only time anything was charged on the card was for paying for an extra driver or prepaying fuel. We don't use a carte bleu so don't know how they are affected by any outstanding balance.

We used http://www.arguscarhire.com/cartrawler.php to hire at Lyon a month ago and got a better deal with them than anywhere else. No, they don't automatically charge a 'large excess' on your card.  The details of the card are taken and held as a security deposit and would only make a charge (other than for the hire, fuel, sat nav rental etc) in the event of the car being stolen or damaged.  The amounts that apply were all explained at the hire desk and you can purchase insurance at the desk to avoid paying the excesses if you are unfortunate.  Alternatively there are companies that offer an annual policy to cover car hire excesses if you intend to hire on a regular basis and that is much more economical.

We put a shower-room in what was the hay loft and our builder covered the floor with exterior grade ply, about 3/4" thick.  The added benefit was a level surface to tile on.  Its only a year since the tiles (with plasticiser in the waterproof grout) were done so its too soon to say if there will be movement but can't really think why there might be.

[quote user="Judith"][quote user="BJSLIV"] Instead they are putting pressure on the authorities to increase the level of support. [/quote] But, of course, that is the way he does it, be it in France or the UK (or wherever).  If he doesn't get what he wants, he gets out, and tries another place.  As long as you accept that (whether you agree or not), you will then not be "disappointed" (for that read angry etc) when he pulls out of a place. It's still one of the reasons why I prefer the train (or car if needs must) in spite of the cost. [/quote] Judith Since the end of season last year and until a couple of days ago, Limoges was shown as a destination served by Ryanair from Edinburgh when it has now become patently obvious there was never any intention of restarting it for this summer. The sudden removal of it from their schedules without any mention anywhere is where the anger/disappointment arises.

This may well have raised its head before but I can't see anything recent, other than references to police checkpoints. I, like many others, used to use black insulating tape. It was comparatively easy when headlamps were made of glass with lines and prisms on them but plastic, smooth lens make it more difficult to get them in the right place and its often quite difficult to get the sticky residue off. Found this on a website that explains WHY its difficult to use tape, and the dangers of doing so. So there!  [geek] Warning Black Masking Tape Advances in headlamp technology over the past few years, and the advent of Projector, Ellipsoidal and Clear Lens headlamps, has resulted in making the adaptation of headlamps to eliminate dazzle a complex matter.The use therefore of Black Masking Tape is a dangerous 'hit and miss' affair, and in any event it is unlikely that the vehicle would be deemed to be road worthy. Black masking tape absorbs some of the headlamp light beam, and converts it into heat energy, which will not only cause a dangerous reduction in night vision but also generate a 'hot spot' on the lens. This in turn can cause cracking in glass lenses or a browning burnt effect on a plastic lens.

Well, Mr O'Whatsit has done the dirty on us [:@]  Up until yesterday the website showed Limoges as a destination from Edinburgh so we hoped it was just a case of waiting for the schedules to be posted.  Today it doesn't figure at all [:@]. You go to their news page and read of all these new exciting routes that are being opened up, but never a mention of pulling the plug on one.  [:'(] It's easy to understand why you have to phone at extortionate rates or write as you can't email them.  They'd have to employ more folk to reply to the emails of complaint than they have cabin crew. If you have a Ryanair service that's good for you, don't expect it to be there next week and don't expect to see it shown anywhere if its being withdrawn.

We used the Ryanair service between Edinburgh and Limoges a lot last year and on most occasions the flight was full or nearly full but so far there's no sign of it in their schedules for this summer. Looks like its going to have to be EasyJet in to Lyon.

[quote user="allanb"][quote user="AnOther"][quote user="Dog"]They are not for seeing by they are to warn the world you are in reverse.[/quote]I think you're barking...[/quote] I didn't want to put it quite so strongly. But it seems to me that if you're about to reverse in the dark, it's useful to be able to see if there's someone behind you, not just to issue a warning and hope for the best. By the way, thanks to Google, I now know that in the UK you can have not more than 2 reversing lights with a maximum of 24 watts each (The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989).  I haven't found the French equivalent but I think I'll just assume that it's the same. [/quote] Think you will find that the domestic regulations are formulated on the back of EC directives, consequently there SHOULD be a common standard throughout Europe on all lights, including reversing lamps.  Also found this in the 1989 Lighting Regulations as it applies in the UK:        An e within a rectangle indicates a device which has been approved to an EEC Directive. (European Economic Community, based in Brussels.)       The number within the circle or rectangle beside the E or e is the distinguishing number of the country that issued the approval. 11 stands for the United Kingdom.

We have just received our fonciere form -  I suspect it is for the current year or is it for 2010?  We didn't 'occupy' the house until mid May this year - it was totally empty until then and we've been told by a neighbour that no 'habitation' is payable for 2009 so if a habitation demand arrives, will it be for 2010 or will I have to argue with the authorities?[:(]

We have travelled many times from Zeebrugge to Allier and tried several routes.  Our preferred option now is to come off the A1 just south of Charles de Gaulle towards Meaux on to the A104 (La Francelienne) towards Evry then the A6 and down to the A77.  Its about 15 miles longer but moves much quicker and easier than continuing on the A1 and using the Peripherique. [:D]

Can't imagine that the ferry company would accept any responsibility - its probably buried in the small print somewhere that they are not to blame for any damage (especially from little (and grown up) brats that throw the car door open and dent your door). As far as driving on/off is concerned, if you ignore the frantic waving and proceed at your own pace, not a lot they can do to make you go faster.