Cassini's activity

If you do go that route for even less road traffic avoid Beaune and down to Lyons. Instead, at Dijon take the A39 and A40 past Lons le Saunier and Borge en Bresse  (dir Grenoble) then follow the A42 and A432 past Lyons airport then follow signs to Grenoble. You might enjoy a stop at a service station in the Jura  called the Aire du Jura http://www.airedujura.com which has an interestingly designed button museum. No not at the moment.  The weather was grim in May, rain, rain and cold too -grass high, high high. Although it did warm up just in time for the big ash clouds again on our way back.  Expect to be around from early July for a few months though, perhaps this time we'll meet up?

Have a look at routing via Grenoble and Entrevaux. Lots of empty motorways and the last part is very scenic although slow - but the petrol consumption goes down.   Its a route we often use. http:// www.viamichelin.com will plot it for you - although I don't know where you start from in the Netherlands.

The Excelsior Vittoria is very fine.  Right in the centre, panoramic terrace, private lift to the ferry port and delicious food.  Not sure how expensive it is these days - its quite a while since we stayed there.

Hello there Dolceaqua is very near to us in Perinaldo. Good luck with your house hunting. So many properties, so many choices its difficult to know what will be best sometimes.

It does seem to be very difficult indeed speaking from experience.  Although I regularly see other peoples' trees bearing amazing fruit and being healthy.  I think it may be spraying enough, with the right spray at the recommended intervals and not just one quick winter spray.  

Just to say there seems to be a fundamental confusion here.  A boiler is not the same thing as a stove.  You would never have a pellet central heating boiler in your living accommodation.  You could however have a stufa with some central heating and hot water capacity in it.  It of course depends upon the heating capacity you require. 

I doubt it.  Best to research models yourself.

 Absolutely right.  However the auto cleaning boilers might be two or three times the price of the more simple ones!  You may find it quite difficult to get cleaning routine information out of a supplier before commiting to buy though!

 I believe the Co-op is withdrawing electron cards and issuing Visa debit ones.  So best to look for an alternative well in advance.

If you have a Saga policy do check their January 2009 amendments to the policy, especially for excluding glass in your  car roof.Looking for an alternative to Saga  in addition to the AXA policy offered by Stuart Collins,  I've discovered two worthwhile possibilities  if you want extended European cover.  The Co-operative policy offers an extended use option for individual trips up to 90 days.  Liverpool Victoria offer an addition - no trip to be longer than 180 continuous days. Both these quote online. All of these policies are  broadly similar prices and might suit someone who does not want 365 days european cover in a block. I'm choosing between them now.