New info regarding Ryanair flights from Dinard

I have just seen on Ryanair's web site that the Dinard - East Midlands flights are starting again on 30th March 2014 
and the Leeds ones on 1st July 2014. 

Good news as we do get bookings for our gite in Brittany from guests who like to fly/drive from East Midlands. 
 

Fête des Remparts 2014!

Dinan Fête des Remparts will be on 19^th and 20^th July 2014.

If you are planning to visit Dinan area next July, book your gite now!

This medieval festival attracts a lot of tourists each time and all types of accommodation in and around Dinan get fully booked very quickly.

Ryanair cuts Dinard

Ryanair have chosen to remove the Dinard  East Midlands route
and Dinard ; Leeds route entirely from their winter schedule.
 
From November 5th 2013 both routes show no flights. They are refunding
bookings they have already taken for November and December.
 
The last remaining route, Dinard > Stansted has been reduced to Monday,
Wednesday and Friday.

New info - December 2013:
I have just seen the Dinard - East Midlands flights are starting again on 30th March 2014 and the Leeds ones on 1st July 2014.

How to render a cob wall

This is what happens when a wall has been badly rendered! The render cracks, the rain penetrates and the house gets damp!

How to re render the wall: remove the old render (enduit). For this wall, it came off in a few pieces!

To make the render ‘enduit à la chaux’ mix some lime, sand and water in a concrete mixer. Apply 3 layers on the wall waiting 1 to 3 weeks between each layer depending on the weather conditions.

This lime render can be used on stone walls (pierre) or cob walls (terre).

You can also buy some ready mix (bags of lime and sand) from local DIY shops in France, all you need is to add water and mix.

A lovely spot for a picnic near Dinan

I love this place: the "Barrage de Rophémel" in Guitté.

How to get to it: from Guitté take direction Plouasne and you will find the lake on your left at the bottom of the hill.  Go to the end of the car park and you will find this picnic area.
You can also walk round the barrage. It is shady, perfect on a hot sunny day! The walk start from the centre of Guitté. See my other posts about "walking in Brittany" for more details.

Why have I not received my Taxe Fonciere yet?

I keep getting asked this question: why have I not received my Taxe Fonciere yet?

Since 2012, if you pay your French taxes (Foncière and Habitation) by direct debits you don’t receive the Taxe Foncière at the end of September or beginning of October. It comes later on in the same envelope as the Taxe d’Habitation.

Don’t panic, the taxman has not forgotten you.. :o)

Problem with paying your French taxes online

Why can’t I pay my taxes Foncière online this year?

I keep getting this question at the moment!

I have just tried to investigate and the reason is simple: they are working on their web site (they might be fixing a bug!) and you won’t be able to pay online until 12th October.

This is the message I got:

En raison de travaux de maintenance, le service de paiement en ligne est
temporairement indisponible jusqu' au vendredi 11 octobre inclus.
Nous vous prions de bien vouloir utiliser une autre modalité de règlement
mentionnée sur votre facture.

Wait till 12th October, send them a cheque or pay by TIP.