alan h's activity

Questions Asked

I'm planning my route down for a months visit in July.

Mon, 06/04/2012 - 08:13

I logged on this morning to my local webcam, to look at the snow on the ski slopes.

Thu, 01/05/2012 - 04:47

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14995588Loved the note about changing the locks!

Wed, 09/21/2011 - 09:20

I have just got back from my latest trip to Italy, and thought some of you might be interested to hear about a Swiss hotel that we stayed in on the way down.It is the Hotel Engel in Stans [near to Lake Lucerne, a few minutes from the motorway

Mon, 07/25/2011 - 05:21

For many years now I have used the likes of 'mappy', 'via michelin' etc for calculating different routes down to Italy - for us its a part of our holiday, so we don't always want to take the quickest/shortest route down.  We prefer to vary the rou

Wed, 06/01/2011 - 09:25

Today I received an email from the Swiss Travel Centre.  The relevant portion is;- "The GBP price for a Vignette will increase from 01 June 2011 and we wanted to give you the opportunity to purchase this years’ Vignette before the pric

Mon, 05/23/2011 - 09:45

I've just driven down and back for a [much too] short holiday, and feel that an update on how fuel prices look on the way down would be useful to fellow travellers The following is a good site for seeing what prices have been like  

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 05:02

P&O have introduced a new ferry on the Dover - Calais route - its called the Spirit of Britain. They seem to have a special offer on at the moment [on this ship only] I've just booked a return crossing [car + 2] for £60 - significantly less th

Sat, 01/29/2011 - 06:08

Does Tomato soup exist in Italy? We were feeling a bit under the weather when we went out to Italy 2 weeks ago.  As part of the R&R process, I fancied some soup, and looked around the supermarket.  There were lots of different soups, but I rea

Mon, 01/24/2011 - 08:29

The route/timings for next years Giro d'Italia have been posted http://www.steephill.tv/giro-d-italia/   My son rang me up to inform me that the route passes about 100m away from

Sat, 11/06/2010 - 07:04

Comments posted

Sat, 06/20/2020 - 04:01

One thing that could be well worth doing whilst you are over there next time.

You can buy a product, by a company called WC Net in most large supermarkets that is a fosse re-activator.  Doesn't cost a lot, and you mix it with water and flush it down the loo.  It refreshes the bacteria that work in the soakaway pit  to digest solids etc.  These bacteria tend to die off when the pit isn't used [holiday home/covid restrictions], and should make it last longer without needing emptying [difficult with rocks in].

Also use fosse friendly cleaners, etc., as things like bleach really mess up the workings of a pit

Fri, 06/19/2020 - 10:55

Its a bit odd about it being full f rocks - not something I'd expect.

2 possible reasons spring to mind:-

  • Its the way they do it in that area -ask about or talk to a local geometra, who would know how things were done 'in the old days'

or

  • at some stage the pit was no longer required [building not used some time after the pit was built?] and it was filled in to stop people falling in, and subsequently the fill [rocks] settled.

Either way, I'd see how it goes with the existing pit for while, as it won't get a lot of usage if its a holiday home just for you, and you don't let it out.

 

One thing, if you do have to go for a tank at some time in the future, remember it needs good access for installing it and for emptying it.

Wed, 06/17/2020 - 05:29

I agree with Conor (Ronco) about not getting a mascerator.  Too risky with power cuts, (not unusual in the countryside), leaks and breakdowns etc.  If you need to fit a new system go for one that relies on gravity.

If the pit isn't giving you problems, idvjust live with it for now  and probably get a local farmer to pump it out.  That should extend its life considerably.  You don't say if the house is lived in permanently, or just used for holidays.  The amount of occupation, and number of occupants an really affect how effective a pit is.

One tip - make sure you use 'Eco' cleaning materials in the house, so as not to kill off the bacteria in the pit.

 

Mon, 06/15/2020 - 09:54

Unfortunately, in UK at present - would normally be in my place in Piemonte [near Lake Orta] at this time of year.

Dont expect to get over again this year, as I wouldn't want to fly over.  May drive down at end of year if all is OK by then.

[I'm Shielding at present]

Fri, 06/12/2020 - 11:38

Whst have other properties on the area not in terms of sewage management?  

Hsve you tried getting the pit emptied? Before we went on mains drainage, our tank discharged so called clean water, and when the tank was full it discharged sewage, into the village drain that drained into a stream.  Every house in the hamlet did the same.  The local farmer would pump out the tank when this happened into a browser and spread it on the fields his cattle grazed on.  (Delicious farm cheese produced).

I'd have a quiet chat with your neighbours to see what they do.

Thu, 06/11/2020 - 13:06

Couple of questions.

1.  What part of Piemonte?

2.  Why do you think you need to get rid of the pit?

3.  Have you consulted a Geometra?

 

Thu, 05/28/2020 - 10:32

Thanks for that.   Makes sense I suppose. Comune has told me (by email) to pay same as last year in June, but they aren't sending out an F24 for it - hopefully my Italian friend can sort out with my bank how to pay it

Thu, 05/28/2020 - 09:24

Interesting - but how is holiday home defined? 

My place is used by myself and also my chidren with their partners and children  No money changes hands.  Is this a holiday home?

Wed, 05/27/2020 - 06:43

Taxes

Just a reminder to holiday home owners that the IMU etc is due mid june.  Normally my Comune sends out the completed F24 form, but they are not sending the June one out, as they haven't set the rate yet.  I have to pay the same amount as I did in June 2019, and they will correct any difference on the December F24 when they send that one out.

If you haven't heard from the Comune, try their website or contact a local.

Good luck

Wed, 04/01/2020 - 16:22

The woman at the commune is correct. 

The house tax (IMU) is easily calculated (see stevemonkseatons reply below on where to do it)

If the house is jointly owned then the cost is split between the two people - so technically your agent was also correct.

So IMU is E440, and your share is E220

(Luckily, I insisted that only I bought my holiday place in Italy- the Notary was gobsmacked, as my wife was present at the purchase signing, and he made her counter sign to confirm she wasn't buying)

 

God luck.