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

    .     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 Italian 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

    Comments posted

    Sat, 10/10/2009 - 14:58

    Lash out and pay for a suitcase in the hold - this can carry as much unperfumed 'stuff' as you want.

    Answer to: DPM/Visqueen
    Thu, 10/08/2009 - 04:59

    You could add a waterproofing agent to the concrete

    Answer to: DPM/Visqueen
    Thu, 10/08/2009 - 04:44

    The black plastic on a roll will serve just as well as Visqueen - as long as its not punctured  [in fact any plastic will] . Visqueen is essentially just a thick plastic. To help stop it puncturing, lay it on a thin [2"-3" thick] of compacted sand and don't walk on it unless you really have to.    I'd also suggest that you use it double [or treble] thickness,For any joints - overlap by at least 12" and seal the top edge with any decent wide tape If you want a thicker plastic [it would be preferable] you could try to see if anywhere has the plastic used for large polytunnels - or if its a smallish area - perhaps a tarpaulin would do   [what are you concreting?] Hope this helps   [sorry - was in Italy, chilling out at the house, when you posted]  ["Chilling out " = no phone, no TV and no Internet  =  bliss]

    Tue, 10/06/2009 - 17:29

    If you are driving back in a car [rather than a van] and the wine is in your boot, I'd be amazed if your car would be checked - whenever we drove through Switzerland, all they looked at was the motorway vignette and our passports The 20 litre limit would apply for each adult travelling

    Fri, 09/25/2009 - 08:36

    Commune = Local Council     [in simplistic terms]

    Thu, 09/24/2009 - 07:01

    Have you asked your neighbours if they know/use a local decorator?

    Answer to: kwiks in ancona
    Wed, 09/23/2009 - 05:44

    If you hit the 'Edit' button, you should be able to correct any mistakes

    Tue, 09/22/2009 - 04:58

    Some commune [mine included] do not send out ICI notices at all - I have to go to the office to pick up a form and fill it in [including calculating the tax due (which is very easy to do)] I believe that you are liable for ICI until your residency is confirmed [as long as its your Prima Casa]