Sundry Notes

Revision 25.02.06

• Some emergency numbers:
  • The Royan General Hospital is on the south side of Vaux-sur-Mer at 20 ave Saint Sordelin, Tel 05 46 39 52 52 (emergencies 05 46 39 52 18).
  • There is a doctor's surgery (Cabinet Seigneurin) not far from the pharmacie at 34 ave République in St Palais, Tel 05 46 23 20 79
  • and a dentist (Mestre) at 11 rue Henri Neaud, Tel 05 46 23 12 55.
  There is a more complete list of emergency numbers in the Visitors' Folder.
• The washing machine instructions (+ all other appliance instructions) are in a maroon folder in the pine cupboard. If you need to wash the white seat covers, please do not do this on a hot wash above 50°C.
• The radio of the Hi-Fi has been preset as has the TV (see separate sheet in Visitors' Folder). Please do not change these presets (even if you have small children to do it for you!). To gain access to the cassette recorder, the bottom front panel pulls down (where it says "DIGITAL"). You can't get a decent BBC Radio 4 long wave (198 kHZ) signal on this radio - reception is best with a suitable portable on the breakfast bar. To get decent FM reception you will need to arrange the position of the aerial wire. The TV will not pick up Canal+ or any other pay stations. Instructions (TV only in French) are in the maroon folder. Please keep noise from these appliances down, especially if there are neighbours above or to the sides. Also, please do not leave these electrical appliances on with the cupboard doors closed (especially in very hot weather).
• The answering machine has a pre-recorded message saying that we are not there in French and English. By all means make use of the machine to receive messages, but please do not re-record the answering message. To hear messages (the light will be flashing), just press the large "MESSAGES" button. Please do not erase, we will clear messages periodically by remote control. If necessary, there are instructions (in French only) in the maroon folder.
• A small printer (Olivetti JP192) has been left in the pine cupboard (which we use as an office when we are here), together with a printer cable. If you carry a laptop around with you (most fit neatly on the sliding shelf of the cupboard) you are welcome to use the printer with it, but please replace the cartridge if you do a lot of printing.
• There is a large "wheely-bin" on the road outside of Résidence Horizon for disposing of rubbish, etc. This is emptied frequently.

• Cleaning materials are in the cupboard under the sink. Please leave the apartment in the state that you found it (or if this was not wonderful, in the state you would like to have found it!)

• The use of barbecues or camping gas appliances is forbidden by the Residents Association of Résidence Horizon.
  
  
• The roller-shutter blinds should not be closed too tightly and should not be operated at too great an angle to the vertical. If they become difficult to use, please report to M.Allias.

• When you arrive, the hardwood parasol should be dismantled inside together with the patio furniture. To avoid the risk of damage, please do not leave apartment or retire for the night without first letting down the parasol and covering with plastic sleeve. The same applies in windy weather. At the end of your stay, please dismantle, place in plastic sleeve and bring inside. Please also bring inside if there is a storm or strong winds. If it is raining, please do not leave the pole in the base - the wood swells and it gets stuck.
  
  
• Terrace Awning: This provides shade for the terrace in hot midsummer weather. The terrace faces southwest and is in direct sun most of the day. If the awning is let out before the sun heats up the terrace, it should remain relatively cool during the heat of midday and early afternoon. Furthermore, the awning traps in heat so that, should the evening get cool, it will still be comfortable to use the terrace for evening meals, drinks or just sitting watching the world go by. However, this is on the coast and, even in mid summer, there is always the possibility of a sudden change in the weather. Therefore, the awning must always be left in the closed position at night, at any time when there is a risk of strong winds or whenever you leave the apartment. To leave the awning out in strong winds would not only result in damage to the awning but could also pose a risk to other people and property. Turn the handle ant-clockwise to wind it out and clockwise to rewind it.

• To convert the Sofa-bed, first unzip and remove the cover and then just lift up and pull out the front. To convert back, lift up the front until it clicks and then simply push back, making sure the bar underneath locks. If you can't get it, just go into any furniture store and ask a salesman to demonstrate a "BZ".
  
• The internal walls are hollow and so make fixings difficult, please therefore avoid excessive pressure, especially to the towel rail which we suspect people have used to haul themselves out of the bath!
• The Tide Clock on the corner shelf in the lounge is only accurate full moon to full moon. At other phases it can be out for up to 1½ hours but is still a useful indicator. Please do not attempt to adjust it.
• There is a simple irrigation system to keep the terrace plants going if the flat is empty. Please feel free to remove the unsightly converted plastic water bottles when you arrive but put them back on and top them up before you leave.
• The polystyrene block in the boot bench if for use with the beach umbrella - put the pole through the block and bury the block in the sand to stop in falling down.
• There is coloured tape at child height on the glass terrace sliding doors to help prevent accidents. If you wish, you may remove this but please put some more back in the same position before you go. There is a spare reel in the draw opposite the fridge.
• A locked case above boiler contains paints and other substances, which might be dangerous for children. Please do not touch this.
• A small species of wasp (Fr. Guêpe) seems to like either nesting in or just visiting the tiles of the roof of the flat below. These seem to be entirely harmless, but if you have a problem please let M. Allias know.
• Normal postage within France and to the UK is €0.55 (letters or postcards, 2005). The nearest postbox is towards Plage de la Grande Côte, just past L'Escale. There is a Post Office in St. Palais, opposite the Tourist Office and the beach.
• You can contact us if you have any queries on 00 44 1291 641594, fax 641550 and email: .