alan h's activity

Questions Asked

My place is between Lakes Orta and Maggiore, and I have used Flybe in the past to fly from Birmingham to Milan Malpensa.Looking for flights in Sept/Oct, I was disappointed at the high costs - so went to the Easyjet site to look at the Luton to Tur

Thu, 08/20/2009 - 04:27

I have often advocated swinging up through Belgium when travelling from UK to Italy, on the grounds of the cheap petrol in Luxembourg and toll free motorways. I did this route again a couple of weeks ago, but found the roadworks on the Dunkirk-Lil

Tue, 07/28/2009 - 09:32

 I thought it might help people not break the law [or get caught breaking it] to some info on speed cameras they might come across in driving down to Italy. [This really applies to people like me who don’t have a sat-nav that tells them all the in

Sat, 07/04/2009 - 11:03

When driving to Italy, [Lake Maggiore area], from Calais, I almost always drive up towards Dunkirk and then head East towards Luxembourg.   The reasons for doing so is simple:-

    Fri, 07/03/2009 - 12:52

    If you are driving down to Italy, this regularly updated AA site gives you the latest info on fuel prices across Europe.  Its useful for deciding where to fill up. Note - in Luxembourg, [where I always fill up - its worth the minor detour from Cal

    Thu, 07/02/2009 - 05:32

    Terrible accident in Viareggio. 

    Tue, 06/30/2009 - 04:50

    .     I heard this today on Radio 4.  I take it you already know of tough and bough and cough and dough?Others may stumble, but not you,On hiccough, thorough, lough** and through.Well done!

    Sat, 06/20/2009 - 16:58

    .   I'm considering handing over ownership of my ½ûÂþÌìÌà Holiday Home to my kids. Does anyone know

    • How easy this is to do, and how costly?
    • Whether this can be done in the UK - or do I have to do it in Italy?
    Fri, 06/19/2009 - 04:54

    Egypt 1 - Italy 0  ÌýÌý.

    Thu, 06/18/2009 - 18:08

    Comments posted

    Mon, 05/17/2010 - 05:00

    Why not build you own - to see whether they are effective?

    Sat, 05/15/2010 - 13:43

    There is time to pick up some of the language - I'd suggest the Michel Thomas CDs [you can usually get them on eBay for about £30 on the 'Buy Now' system] Its suprising what you can pick up from the CDs, just listening in the car or at home. Good Luck

    Thu, 05/13/2010 - 04:19

    the 'map of user location' [terrible title] shows some people in your area You could try a PM to them

    Wed, 05/12/2010 - 11:02

    "our contract is for two years and then we will probably return to the UK. " - I wouldn't bother for two years. "My husband would like to buy a car here for work as hire costs are extortionate - is it right that you have to be resident to buy an ½ûÂþÌìÌà car?  Is there any way around this?  I have a UK car which we bought over.  Unless I become resident and nationlise my car here, I think I have to bring it back to the UK before the end of the year for it's MOT?" - just buy a newish car next time your in UK - then no MOT required until you return to UK - and as you have a UK address , you can get uk based car insurance that covers being abroad all the time

    Mon, 05/10/2010 - 18:35

    "This has always been the case. The notary will not permit a non-½ûÂþÌìÌà speaking person to sign a contract in ½ûÂþÌìÌÃ." Not when I bought mine about 8 years ago - at least, not for my purchase [perhaps its one of those ½ûÂþÌìÌà laws that's ignored more than adhered to]

    Mon, 05/10/2010 - 04:24

    Sun, 05/09/2010 - 18:16

    Unfortunately it is American - but some good info anyway  

    Thu, 05/06/2010 - 04:10

    Wed, 05/05/2010 - 10:21

    I've had good experiences with geometras, picking them by local recommendation.  They are good 'hands-on' people, who [in my opinion] know what they are talking about I trained as a Civil Engineer, [back in the last Millenium], and I believe what you are looking at is non-structural  [ie - if the render fell of, the building would remain standing and you could just re-render it].  In which case, and experienced local geometra could easily look at it and say the render is OK. If you are worried about what is under the render, then its a different matter - you'd possibly need an Engineer to strip the render off to do a survey - but I don't think that's what you need [you say there isn't any cracking in the wall]  Anyway, I would expect the Geometra to pick up the need for any such intrusive survey.  If he recommends such a survey - I would walk away from the house

    Answer to: election
    Wed, 05/05/2010 - 09:18

    Here in the UK many of us can't wait for it to end!   If World War 3 broke out - it might just make the last 5 minutes of the News programmes   All there is to look forward to [whoever gets in] is cuts and raised taxes - Wonderful !!!!!!!!!!!