LeClerc had petrol this morning but were restricting supply to 20 litres (or actually 19.45 litres) per person on the pump. Diesel appeared to be the same.

Chris

One of the things I really like over here is the clarity of the night sky*.

Like many people, I could identify Orion and a couple of other constellations and could hardly miss the milky way - but there's clearly an awful lot going on up there that has been a complete mystery to me.

It turns out that a chap from the UK has moved over here to set up a residential astronomy centre near Confolens. The basic idea is that UK stargazers will come over for holidays.

He is also running one day 'beginner' courses, and I went on the first such in May 2016. Despite torrential rain stopping most practical work, the twelve of us attending the course all seemed to learn a huge amount. One of which is the amount you can learn just by observing with the naked eye and photographing with a simple camera.

If you have the slightest interest in what's happening over your head (and I don't mean French bureaucracy) I suggest you take a look at Astro Farm's beginners' courses.


* unless it's obscured by enormous great thunderclouds

Removes up to 30 litres moisture /day. Full operating manual (in English & French).
As new, cost 320€ Offers around 250€. Photos, spec, viewing on request.

Genuine Ercol dining table and 6 chairs ( 2 carvers) complete with cushions  for sale.
Very good condition. Photos or viewing available on request.
400€ ONO. St Savin.

I understood that an event called "Summer" should be running by now. Does anyone know where it is because it doesn't seem to be anywhere near Montmorillon...

Went through Le Dorat the other day and it looked like Christmas was coming.  

A little bit of research later and I found out all the Christmas Trees are to do with the Ostensions. Apparently it happens every 7 years and I was wondering if anyone had ever been? If you have, do you know when is the best time to go and where would be the best place to experience it without being in the Church.

I did find this website and it looks like the procession is at 11:45 this Sunday 22nd. https://ostensions-le-dorat.e-monsite.com/

I'm not a religious person but it does look like they put a lot of effort into and thought the procession could be worth a look as it's only every 7 years.

So is it worth a look and where can you see it?

Just in case anyone needs to know , when completing this year`s tax forms, Montmorillon Impots are using the sterling/euro exchange rate of 1.32074.
Regards!

Fymo Turbo 400 for sale, only used a 3 or 4 times, complete with instruction manual in English and French.
65 euros or very near offer cost from Mr Bricolage today is 139 euros or from Amazon UK £88 plus postage!!
Telephone 05 49 48 03 68.
Montmorillon

After the death of pacitel where you could opt out of cold calling Opt out of cold calling by phone there is a new service starting on June 01 2016.

Bloctel will be mandatory and abusers risk a fine of €75,000 so this will be better than the old Pacitel which was a voluntary system.

Starting from 01 June 2016 just go to the website below and enter your number of your landline and mobile if you no longer want cold calls, it will however take a month for your number to be removed as companies are obligated to check once per month.

https://bloctel.gouv.fr/

*Note the site isn't live yet so come back and click it on 01 June 2016.

Our fridge (Bosch) has gone on the blink, and I think it may need a new thermostat. We live in Montmorillon and wonder if anyone knows a local firm or individual who would repair it.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Has anyone else had a similar problem with their car remote failing to lock or unlock when parking around the tourist information building in the main square in Montmorillon.
We have owned our car from new for almost 6 years and last September when we were here this problem arose. So when we got back to the UK, we had the battery changed as the garage seemed to think that this was the likely cause. 
We were in Montmorillon last night and the same thing happened,  however we also had our second remote with us which also failed to work.
Has anyone had a similar problem? 
Many thanks
Annette and Andy

If you have any electric cables owned by Sorégies near your land they are responsible for keeping your trees away from the lines. Not You.

We have had a visit from Sorégies informing us that they will be coming around to cut back any of our trees that are within 5mts of a cable free of charge.

So don't panic if you have any trees near to cables it's not your responsibility. And certainly don't fall for the man that knocked on our door last year telling us it was "obligatoire" for us to keep the trees away from the lines and he would do it for a few Euro's. He is fake so don't fall for it, Sorégies will visit every 4 years to make sure you have no trees to near to their cables.

I know this has been asked before and yes, I have read through the replies but thought as things change with telecomms in France (Bonabo and Free) there might be some up to date information so ...............

We would like our own internet connection.  That's the easy bit!  

There was a connected phone line into the house five or so years ago with the previous French owner but this is now just an empty socket on the wall.  I am unsure who this line rental was with.  I have done the degroupage test and it says there is no high sped fibre available locally but that broadband is available = obviously as our next door neighbour has it!

We are not fussed on a French phone but assume that we have to have one to get the internet.  I know there will be horror stories of both SFR and Orange.  Are they both equally good/bad?  I know there are deals with included UK minutes and I need to look at these.  French TV would be a bonus but not if it's a silly price.  I don't think I want to go the route of satellite internet as this looks to be very expensive.

So is there a way of getting internet without a fixed phone line or satellite?  Has anyone used a dongle?  Are they hideously expensive = how long is a piece of string?

Thanks Chris

I'm pleased to announce that Around Montmorillon is now using a Secure Connection. You can find out more here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTTPS

If you use bookmarks to connect to FORUM you will need to change https to https

If you store your password on your browser you will need to save it again.

The old https will now redirect to https

If you are getting stuck remove the s and you may be able to run under the old unsecured connection, but it's not reccomended

Any problems please ask, or if you a really stuck use the "Contact Us" bottom left.

Possibly a long shot but ....

Has anyone any recommendations for a structural engineer please? Ideally we would want an English speaker to avoid any confusion and, as it's roof work we would like to get it right!

I have had a quick trawl of the internet and found a chap called Tim Haw based in the north of the Dordogne who appears to cover the Vienne but wandered if they was someone more local.

Thanks in advance.
Chris

I need to dig over some bits of garden - a total of about 500 square metres. As I need to get it done within a week or two I need some mechanical assistance.
Buying a suitable machine would cost €400 - €500 but at least I'd have it for future use. Leroy Merlin hire them but at €75 per day.

Does anyone know a lower cost place where I could hire one? Ideally €100 per week or less...

Thanks in advance

Brian

Hi all, recently bought a house in Maviaux (last Nov) and had some bad luck so far with the builder we have used.  Any recommendations for a builder/plumber would be gratefully received. thanks in advance x

Good morning all and all

Our oil central heating boiler is ancient but manages to struggle on with a service ever now and again but .... just a thought. How much is a new wood pellet boiler please? I know this is an impossible question but if I say it's for a three/four bedroom house and we currently have five radiators, does this help?

I'm after a ball park figure of boiler and installation cost but if somebody had one, an idea of running costs (how long is that piece of string? ) would be great.

Hopefully!!!
Chris

Hi everyone
Just checking stuff out....

Can anyone advise me if I can roam across farmland ?
I have read conflicting information about the laws inFrance with regard to walking across fields etc... is there a right to roam across a field
without crops and livestock ??? Are there trespass laws ?

Best wishes Cari

Hi all,
I have to get to Limoges airport on Wednesday 23rd March in time to catch a flight at 18:10 - so arriving at 17:00ish.
The trouble is, I won't have access to my car that day. I'm happy to get a taxi, but wondered if anyone here had cause to go to Family Village or Limoges Airport that day and would be able to offer a spare seat in their car? It'll be just me plus a small backpack for luggage.

I'd obviously pay my way by making a contribution towards your costs.
And if Fred responds, yes, the payment could be in cheese and wine  

Thanks in advance,
Brian