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

I'm hoping for some help here.
We are based in a tiny hamlet,  and most of the parcels of land are owned by us or our French neighbours.

M. Le Voisin knocked at my door earlier to ask if we'd be interested in buying a parcel. It's a bit less than a hectare,  and is bounded by a chemin on one side, our land on 2 sides and land attached to a fishing lake (owned by a remote landowner - they come to fish on 5 or 6 weekends a year) on the fourth side. The field doesn't have any obvious agricultural value but would possibly be good for some fruit trees and it would fit neatly into our existing land. We're 3km away from the nearest village and there is no power or water supply to the land.

The owner has suggested that I make an offer.  Does anyone have any idea of the going rate for land of this type?

Thanks in advance,
Brian

Has anyone got any recommendations for a plumber please? We already have the number for one bloke, who has said he will fix a leak for us. I think he is doing the job for us, but now haven't heard back from him. Just in case, we could do with some other recommendations please.

The other half is venturing over in a couple of weeks and shall be pouring weed killer down on those sticky weeds we have all over the front area of the house. Anybody know the best one to buy over there and who stocks it please? I know we can get it from the garden centres or supermarlets, but just wondered if anyone had any recommendations. Best for him to put it down when the dog isn't around you see and then we can rake up the dead stuff in April. That's the plan anyway, but we all know about the best laid plans of mice and men...

Has anyone got any good top soil going spare?

I want it for vegetable growing so none of the local Clay thank you, I have plenty of that.

Thank you.

I have once been told off for not stopping at a stop sign. You know the sort we have around here, a huge white line against you with a stop sign and no traffic in sight so you just cautiously go across without actually stopping. I was told by Monsieur Plod that it is important to stop the wheels of the car or I could get a fine, but it must have been my lucky day as he let me off with a warning.

But now they are testing cameras on stop signs in France and in one day the first one tested nabbed them 500 naughty drivers that didn't stop. There is no argument as stop means stop so be careful, we don't have the new cameras here yet but you bet your last baguette it won't be long.

Also remember that the Monsieur Plod may not be so forgiving next time as the fine can bring him a nice bit of cash for the policeman's ball.

So next time you see one of those fat white lines against you and a big red stop sign you would be wise to stop your car and count to two before crossing the line. Yes I know there is probably nothing there but you could find three gendarme hidden up just out of sight taking bets on how much they can get before all the other drivers start flashing their lights as a warning.

Oh the cost of the fine by the way is €135 yep you read it right €135 for not stopping your car.

Just thought someone may find this helpful.

I don't usually bother voting in elections, but with the Brexit referendum likely to be taking place soon I thought I should look into how I can vote.

You will need your Passport, National Insurance Number, and answer various other questions about where you last lived, when you left, etc. You will also be asked if you want to vote by post, in person in the UK, or by giving someone permission to vote on your behalf.

I also gave them my Email as they will send you conformation.

You can find the page to fill in here: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Don't delay if your not registered as the referendum could have an impact on you if you either Live here, Work here, Own property or land, Have a holiday home, Purchase from the EU, or even just visit for a weekend break and much more.

You have the right to vote, so use it.

Bonjour All,

Has anyone used the 'hold mail' service of La Poste and, if so, is it best to arrange in person at a bureau or can one do it easily online? Furthermore, if you have used the service, does it 'work'? I seem to be a person of little faith when it comes to these things.

Many thanks for any information...

As you may well know the French banks charge you to have a bank account, it's a damn cheek and extortion but there doesn't seem to be a way around it if you want a French bank account (which you will do if you live here and are in the system) and no sorry I don't have an answer.

But there is a new website where you can go and check out the racketeers prices for holding onto your money. It may help you with your choice of Bank, but my tip would be don't always go by price and check out the service offered.

Here's the website: https://www.tarifs-bancaires.gouv.fr/

Bonjour tout le monde,


Does anyone know someone in our general area who installs fencing? 
Haven't chosen the fencing yet (it will not be electric) but just need to know there is someone who provides this service.
Thanks very much for any info...

An interesting article about the Robuchon college in this month`s Vienne magazine.What difference to Montmorillon do you lot think the Robuchon opening will make?

The bar at Thiat (which used to be run by Paul and Tara), has now re-opened, serving REAL ALE (Bombardier and Directors), and with a decent range of menu choice. Fish/chips are served on Friday and Monday nights (I can vouch for these), and have a Sunday lunch roast offering.Booking is advised......tel 0555 47 34 45

Here's a handy little tool if you ever want to see your place (or anywhere in France) from above and be able to lay the Cadastral Maps on top.

https://www.geoportail.gouv.fr/accueil

Choose the way you want to look at it. Type in your address or town/village. On the left you can see the Cadastral layer, just click and it will add it to the view.

Hi everyone....just a general warning to say there are thieves about. Friends of ours in Bourg Archambault have had several items stolen in the last couple of months from an unsecured garden shed.....but in the middle of the village.Stolen items include a table and 6 chairs, 2 sun-loungers, BBQ and even a coal bunker with coal.
Be aware, and lock items away.

Hello everyone
We are in need of some help, does anyone know of a good experienced architect or planning consultant in the area ?
We need help with our application to the DDE and the CU certificate.
Any ideas will be really appreciated.

Thanks
Cari x