The sun has come to Lavausseau

 

At last we have a touch of Spring already. The greenness is beginning to show, and will be in full growth within weeks.

The French number plate

 One other thing worth mentioning about the system of French number plates. The Departement number was incorporated in the registration number itself. So my number used to have the 86 within it. Now it is excluded. But it is still there, as the number plate manufacturers in each Departement display it on the far right of the plate, together with a Map! Previously, people had a new number plate if they moved to another Departement. I needed a new plate as the car was registered previously in the UK.

New car registration

It took a few weeks, and a lot of money, but I finally managed to register my car in France. It required a number of documents:

1. A Certificate of Conformity. This is produced by the car manufacturer to vouch that the car was made in accordance with European standards. As MG Rover is now defunct, I bought it through a Company based in Slovakia. The operation seems to be perfectly legal, but it cost 262.80 Euros - a not totally dissimilar amount that I paid to MG Rover itself for my previous car. Why it is necessary, when a blanket assurance that all its cars meet the EU requirements, thereby making individual certificates unnecessary, I do not know.
2. A Controle Technique. This is similar to the UK's MOT certificate, and a thoroughly good thing. It cost me 60 Euros.
3. A VAT approval. This is given by the French Tax Authorities, after examining the VAT invoice from the Vendor. This costs nothing!

After approving these documents at the Prefecture, I paid 262.50 Euros for the Carte Grise. This is the Vehicle Document, and certifies me as the owner.

I then bought the Number Plates at a Shoe Repair shop for 25 Euros, plus a riveting kit for 2.40 Euros. And I was ready for the installation, which was kindly done by my friend Robin.



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Restoration Complete

My old MG TF has now been restored to a fully working condition. Robin has been working on it for a month, and has been installing a K series engine from a wrecked MGF which he'd inherited from a friend. He had the MGF transported over from the UK, and it took about 3 weeks to complete the transfer. It is 120 bhp, rather than the 135bhp of the original, but that will suffice. He is due to have the CT inspection (the French equivalent of the British MOT) on Wednesday, and, if successful we will be able to complete the full legal transfer of the car's ownership. In France an individual is not allowed to scrap a car.


So here is a photo of the old and new cars side by side. We will be able to open a branch of the MG Owners' Club in Lavausseau. Robin also has a MGB, so we'll be able to get it started in style.

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Location:Lavausseau, France

MG TF Reborn

Last week I finally replaced my MG TF with another. I found it on the Exchange & Mart website, and quickly arranged for an AA inspection and Data Check. The AA only found partly corroded water pipes that run along the length of the underside of the car. They recommended replacing them with stainless steel versions that have a much longer and durable life. The car was registered in March 2005, and had done 59,000 miles. Its Cam Belt and Head Gasket had been changed (major bugbears of the MG) and had brand new tyres, and looked in good condition.
I flew over to Stansted by Ryanair last Tuesday, and took a coach to Stevenage, and spent the night in a Holiday Inn. The next morning I went to the car dealer in Welwyn Garden City, and purchased the car. I then took it to a MG TF repair specialist (having arranged this the previous week) in Baldock, which is about 10 miles away, called Brown & Gammons. They replaced the water pipes, as well as repairing a number of other items they discovered, and pronounced the car as a "good buy". I drove on to Dover, staying in a Premier Inn, and travelled over the Channel on Norfolk Ferries the next morning, Thursday. The drive down to Lavausseau was uneventful, fortunately, and I arrived home at 9.00pm.

I had previously come across another car via my friend Dennis (mentioned in my Blog of the 1st January) that I had originally planned to buy. However, the AA inspection threw up a number of problems that the dealer was not prepared to remedy, so I called off the purchase.

The old and the new

It was confirmed that my MG TF's engine was seized. Apparently, the water pipes running under the body from the radiator to the engine (in the middle) had pinhole-sized points from where the water has leaked. I hadn't noticed the rise in temperature at the time, and the engine seized. Here is a photo of the head area.


Fortunately, I have an English friend who lives nearby who is a very keen MG enthusiast. He has bought the MG from me, and will bring over from England a wrecked MGF that he already owns. that MGF was involved in an accident, and was a write-off. However, its engine is in fine shape, and is the same type as in my MG TF. Being an engineer, and very practical, he'll transplant the engine into my old one, creating an MG TF in excellent condition.

I've already found a replacement MG TF through my friend Dennis Hallas. He lives in Chepstow, Wales. He found a 2004 MG TF Sunstorm. The "Sunstorm" name indicates that it has a hard top, as well as a soft top. Here is a photo:


It is due to be checked by the AA, which I joined last week. It has already had a Data Check, which it passed. Next Tuesday it will have a comprehensive inspection. If all is well, I hope to travel back with Dennis on the 14th January, when he returns from a fleeting visit to France, and take delivery of the car on the next day.
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Location:Lavausseau, France

Bated breath

My MG TF has finally been delivered to my local garage in Lavausseau. I am now waiting to hear their verdict on what is wrong with the car, and how much the repair will cost. I've no idea whether it will be 50€ or 3,000€.


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Location:Lavausseau, France

an Owl's misfortune

It's been snowing today in Lavausseau. And raining Owls. Well, an Owl fell down our chimney today, and here is a photo of it. I'm not sure how we'll set about getting it free.






Well, Amanda did manage to free it, though with great trepidation. It was then released in the garden, and it flew away with great gusto.

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Tannery exhibition in Lavausseau

Lavausseau now has a new Museum and Shop to display leather making and products in the village. The Tannery has been extended with considerable building work, resulting in a superb display. It only opened last week, it remains to be seen whether it will transform the visitor numbers to Lavausseau. After all the hard work in designing the new complex, and the effort put into constructing and laying out the exhibits, let us hope it does.











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A development on my car saga

Groupama, my insurance company, has agreed to transport my car back to a local garage near me, from Spain. However, their Spanish expert has seen the car, and said that it will cost 3,000€ to get it back on the road. They have not said what is the problem with the car.

I've waited over a month for Groupama to reach this decision, so I'm fairly aggrieved with their delay.

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Snow arrives in Lavausseau

It had to happen soon, anyway. So today it did. The snowflakes are large, dry and falling steadily. For 2 hours so far. Amanda was going to church this morning by car, but having driven 20 yards on the roadway, and slipping and sliding from side to side, she gave up and returned home. The car is safely parked up till the thaw begins.


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The Gate

Our friend Dennis had a problem with his front gate, as it was scraping on the ground, the frame had become wonky with a broken weld, and the lock was catching. We fully repaired it, put some washers on the risers, and clad it in wood, fowled by painting the metal and wood. Once in place, it worked perfectly. Here is Dennis proudly standing by the "new" gate.



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A calamity in Spain

This picture of my MG was taken in Spain on Saturday, the 30th October. I was returning to France after spending a week with my Aunt in a place called Moraira. The car's engine just died, and I glided to a stop. After waiting an hour I was taken off the motorway to the rescue truck to their depot. I contacted my insurance company, Groupama. As all garages were closed for 3 days (there was a Bank Holiday on the Monday) they told me to leave the car there. They sent a taxi to collect me, took me to Valencia airport 100 kms away, put me on a plane to Paris, collected me at the airport and took me to an hotel. Then the next morning a taxi took me to Montmartre station, with a train to Poitiers with a first class ticket. At Poitiers I was met by another taxi, and taken home to Lavausseau. I was very impressed with the service, and it was all paid for by Groupama.

The intention was that Groupama would send an engineer to examine my car, and report back with the news of the required repairs. So far, 3 weeks later, this has still not been done. However, I do have a rental car from Groupama for the time being. But I am getting very impatient to know if my car is repairable, and what the cost will be.


Shown below is the place where my car currently resides. A very long way from my home in Poitiers.


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A day out in Poitiers

We went into Poitiers with our friends, Joan and Dennis Hallas. Our first stop was in Blossac Park, and then onto a bar for a much needed coffee.






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Lavausseau, France

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More from Blossac Park

This little fellow lives in the park too, together with a number of other friends.


And here they are, as well. The park is very well kept.


This avenue is immaculate.


And here is the same photo taken 400 metres nearer the fountain.


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Location:Lavausseau

Blossac Park, Poitiers

 

 

We visited the park today, and came across this strange construction. It is obviously unfinished, but I just can't guess what it will become. Any ideas?

Another resident of Bas Etang

This young cat arrived at our house off the street (or fields!) a couple of weeks ago. We've named him Jean-Jacques, and are feeding him regularly. As a feral cat he is unused to humans, and runs away as soon as we try to get near him. He looks unerringly similar to our previous cat of 14 years, Thomas. Quite spookily, in fact. He has discovered that he can get into our basement, where the central heating boiler is situated, by entering a half-open window (behind a grill) that is left open for the air circulation. So during the cold nights, that is where he is presumably residing.

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Location:Lavausseau

The crossing is made

The John Deere mower fits perfectly between the guide rails of the bridge, which is as solid as a rock.

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Lavausseau, France

Location:Bas Etang

The Tour of Poitou-Charentes

 

Today, a time trial swept through Lavausseau. It was a stage of the Poitou-Charentes cycle race. I presume there were some famous names in the event, but I could not recognise anyone. They even went straight past our house! And here is a photo of two of the cyclists battling it out.

The Bridge is magnificent

 

 

 

We've been labouring this week to complete the construction of a new bridge that crosses a little rivulet, and joins two sides of a couple of our fields. Our very good friend, Dennis Hallas, has been the guiding light and inspiration on its design and building. We firstly purchased a 3.5 metres galvanised iron frame from the local "Alliance Pastorale", a farming equipment outlet in the neighbouring village of Benassay. This became the foundation of the bridge, and it straddles the gap completely. The wood covers and conceals the frame, giving the impression that the wood is providing all the support. The total cost of the materials was 270 Euros. The main purpose of the bridge is to carry the John Deere tractor over to the next field (which is effectively an island) for mowing. Previously I had to cross over the next door's bridge to the same land, but that was an inconvenience. I would show a picture of the tractor in the midst of crossing the bridge, but unfortunately it is in the process of being repaired in Poitiers.

If it hadn't have been for Dennis's help, together with Amanda's efforts, the bridge would have remained in my imagination. So, I doff my hat to them both!