alan h's activity

".........  never done is the Basel by-pass, quite simply because Basel is the easiest city to get through - all urban motorway - and I have never ever witnessed any kind of hold-up there. .........." My record hold up was 75 minutes, mainly queuing in the tunnels/covered roadways - so lots of fumes

"(since it is good friday, will i expect the traffic to be heavier)" Its worth remembering that Good Friday is a working day in much of Europe, so traffic will really build up late afternoon - before then it should be pretty normal ------------------- "route planners, the fastest route they suggest is down through france towards geneva, and into italy via the mont blanc tunnel. Is there any reason why this isn't recommended." Cost is a major factor - the Belguim, Luxembourg, France and/or Germany route[s] are toll free until you get to Switzerland,, and the annual Vignette for Switzerland costs 33 Euros .  This can be bought at the German motorway services just before you get to the lorrach turn off [the Basle Bye-Pass], and on line.  The route down to thw Mont Blanc tunnel involves using french toll roads [not cheap] and the tunnel itself costs 34 Euros return ------------- "i understand the Nancy Mulhouse part is not on the motorway, is this correct?" True - but much of it is dual carriageway or good 'single' road [we find it breaks up the Journey].  You could also go via Colmar [possible slightly better roads overall], we've started using this route --------------------------- "I'm only planning one stop over, possibly switzerland, " Switzerland is expensive to stay in - We avoid doing so if possible

"......, if you had previous ownership of a territory and you were expelled in 1833 by an invading force from a country that had previously renounced to it," When does England get Burgundy back then?

"........... In the UK he uses a multi-finsh which he puts over waterproofer that has been laid on the base of sand and cement. They don't seem to sell multi-finish down here ........ " Italian plastering does seem to be a weird process to those from the UK.  My plce looks as though its been 'rendered ' intenally with a cement type compound.  [I quite like the 'rustic' look it gives] Can he get some 'proper pleaster' from the UK? - Does he know anyone drioving down in the near future?

Try the motorway webcams -   http://www.autobahnen.ch/index.php?lg=001&page=017

76 years old - runner up in the last contest - nuff said

You say;- " I need to apply for residency in Italy. " "However, I will not be a ‘full-time’ resident, maybe up to or just over half the year for the time being" "I may require residency because I may stay over the statutory 180 – whatever days per year; I need to avoid having to pay the full 10% tax on my recently purchased property and because I may want to buy an old car to use while I am there" "....... despite my saying that I will not be a permanent resident"   Are you wishing to become a resident? - or is it just some fidddle to avoid paying tax on the house purchase etc etc?   As I understand it - you cannot be resident in two countries at once - so it seems to me that you have to choose which one [and meet the 'time spent there each year' requirement]

You say ".......... We could have our bills paid by direct debit from our post office account (poste italiane) but we have been told that to do this you have to be a resident. ..." - you need to check this with the Post Office, as this would be the best way to manage the problem When I bought my holiday home I opened a bank account, solely for paying the Gas and electric bills by Direct Debit.  I know its an expensive way, because of the phenomenal standing charges that the bank levies, but it does give me peace of mind on the bill paying front. I top the account up whenever I'm over, and it has the added bonus of giving an emergency cash supply.  Also, it is sometimes useful to pay by cheque for some larger items bought in Italy, or if you have work done to the house.

"We have a good vet in Italy who deals a lot with with pet passports so perhaps that is the key to a swift exit to the UK." I think that is a very true statement -- now to find one near Stresa/lake Orta

I emailed the Swiss Embassy yesterday - this is their response;- "Thank you for your query of yesterday afternoon. Please see below further information about importing pets to Switzerland:   Puppies / Kittens less than three months

• “A veterinary certificate declaring that, since their birth, the young animals have been kept at their place of birth and had no contact with wild animals. The certificate is not necessary if the young are accompanied by their mother, on which they are still dependent. Puppies younger than 56 days may only be brought into Switzerland if they are accompanied by a mother or a wet nurse”
• “Microchip (ISO Standard 11784, which only contains digits as identification code)
• Official EU pet passport “

Dogs / Cats over three months

• “Microchip (ISO Standard 11784, which only contains digits as identification code)
• Official EU pet passport “
• Up to date vaccinations (rabies!) Protection against rabies Have your animal vaccinated at least 21 days before entering Switzerland. If a booster vaccination has been given within the validity period of the first vaccination, the waiting period does not apply

If needed you will find further information on the Federal veterinary office (FVO)website: http://www.bvet.admin.ch/themen/01614/index.html?lang=en. If you have further questions please contact the Federal veterinary office (FVO) directly: Tel +41 (0)31 323 30 33 info@bvet.admin.ch   " ....so it looks as if getting back into the Uk will be the worry