Living abroad tips and hints for money savers

droopsnout

What a sneaky person you are, Sue!!!

droopsnout

Further information concerning the above: http://www.french-property.com/news/travel_france/driving_offences_toughened_2012/

I used to like France because there was so little of the Big Brother attitude. Seems that "libert!" is declining fast, and there are always really good reasons!

Edit: I see that we still suffer from the stupid e-acute problem on this board. Well, "libert!" ends in the same letter as "!galit!" and "fraternit!".

Savvy_Sue

droopsnout wrote: »

Further information concerning the above: http://www.french-property.com/news/travel_france/driving_offences_toughened_2012/

Interesting, I thought that it had been illegal to have speed camera detection devices in France for ages and ages! And that the police were quite happy to run them over, even if they were switched off.

So what am I thinking of?

I must admit, as someone who NEVER drinks when driving, and only drinks a tiny amount on VERY high days and holiday, even when I'm NOT driving, I'd be annoyed at having to blow into a tube before ever starting the car engine.

As you say, Big Brother ...

donny-gal

Thanks DS, it is very frustrating regarding the Sat Navs. They really are a true safety measure, and ensure we can keep to the speed limits, in a foreign country, we are from time to time unsure of the actual speed limit, and the sat nav advises us of the speed. We never deliberately abuse the speed limit, and with another one who will not drink and drive, and do not use a mobile phone while driving either.

DG

droopsnout

OK, two points.

Sue, the illegal devices are those which detect radar transmissions (the "waves" that catch you). They are also illegal in the UK, I think. (It may be that it is legal in the UK to own them but illegal to sell them. That happens sometimes, I think).

D-G, satnavs are quite legal! What is illegal is to have the speed camera info functioning on your satnav. I have a fairly basic TomTom, several years old now (TomTom One v3). I had an email from TomTom a while back showing me how to disable the speed camera part (which is way out of date anyway, as I have never paid for a new map or speed camera updates).

I fully agree about the safety benefits of satnavs, although mine doesn't seem to know the speed limits on some less frequented roads, and can be out-of-date on others. For me, they are most valuable when in unknown conurbations, and getting in the right lane can be a nightmare without these devices. They also allow the driver to concentrate on the driving instead of the map-reading and route-planning. And as another bonus, they allow the passenger to nod off (or enjoy the scenery) instead of having to bury their nose in map books!

WhiteHorse

droopsnout wrote: »

Sue, the illegal devices are those which detect radar transmissions (the "waves" that catch you). They are also illegal in the UK, I think. (It may be that it is legal in the UK to own them but illegal to sell them. That happens sometimes, I think).

Detectors are illegal in France, but legal in the UK. The ones that are illegal in the UK are ones that actually interfere with radar or laser detection.*

*And even then, it's a moot point. The law employed in prosecutions has been bent so far out of shape that it's no longer recognisable.

droopsnout

Thanks for the clarification, White Horse. And I like your sig!

donny-gal

I do know how to set the alarms for speed cameras off on our Tom Tom, so will have to start doing that in France, it only shows the static ones though, as you have to download them monthly. With the frequency of travelling I update both the roads and the speed cameras regularly, it costs, but no more than buying a multitude of atlases which are out of date before you buy them, and a speeding fine, while as I say we never deliberately abuse the speed limit, sometimes it without the sat nav in towns it can be a nightmare as they go up and down every few yards. DG

droopsnout

I suspect that switching off the alarm will not be acceptable to the French police. I think the function has to be disabled. I confess that I haven't done mine (yet), so I'm not sure whether whether the function can continue for all other countries, or if, in the event of a change of heart or law, the French bit could be reinstated.

Since we're concerned here with Big Brother, can I remind you of the SOPA and PIPA laws which public demand recently had thrown out in the USA? There is a similar law being debated in the EU, known as ACTA. I'm not going to provide info here as it is way, way off topic, but Google it (or just check out here) and find out what it means. There has even been a brave EU MP resign over its evil transition already. If you then wish to make a point about this, another threat to our freedom, you may like to sign an e-petition at the HMG site.

As you know, I don't normally shout for causes on here, but this is so important ...

seven-day-weekend

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

We have had a telephone interview for the home/petsitting, it is looking very good, the guy says we will be called for a formal interview soon.

Oh to be doing something useful again, it is doing me the world of good! I am also doing some bookkeeping for a small business and am today starting my first stint as Steward at church. (and so is my husband).

There was nothing I could do in Spain that I wanted to do and although I enjoyed my time there, I was beginning to vegetate. I used to say it would be lovely to read all day, but now I've had to do it, I think it can wait until I am in my eighties.

As my friend always says, I need concrete around me.....scenery is to look at on holiday.

We have had an interview this afternoon for one agency and got the job! Should be able to start virtually straight away. Dellighted.

We have an interview for another agency on Tuesday.