Electricity

The main switch is just inside the door, this should be turned on when you arrive and off when you leave unless someone else will be there within a day or two.  The fuse box is just inside the garage.  All switches should be on.  The switch for the immersion heater is leftmost but one.  It has three positions, Off, Auto and On. After switching it on from cold you should have hot water within about an hour.  Leave it on when you are there but switch it to off for short gaps between uses if the fridge is left running. There is a UK socket extension lead if you have brought equipment with you. In the winter you will need to use the heating. There is a small fan heater that can be plugged in upstairs which is useful for extra heat on cold days and in the bedroom. Downstairs in the hallway there is a wall-mounted convection radiator. This should be set to operate between 1.30 and 7.30am and again between 12.00 and 14.00 which is the period for cheap-rate electricity. There is a timer switch on the right hand side at the bottom, pins towards the centre set the heater on and pulled to the outside turn it off. The heater is operated by setting the heating level with the top (red) dial and the desired temperature with the lower dial. The normal setting will be for III on the upper and about the third setting on the lower one. If the weather is particularly cold you will need to run this heater outside the cheap-rate period.

Water

The water should be turned off when you leave unless someone is shortly to arrive (within a few days).  The stop tap is in the low level box on the outside of the house at kerb level on the right of the garage door.  Turn off the tap to the left of the water meter when you leave.  Do not touch the tap to the right of the meter as this drains the system.

Kitchen Equipment

Fridge the fridge should be defrosted every couple of weeks, scrape the excess ice off the freezer compartment using the plastic scraper.  If you are leaving and no one else is due then fully defrost the fridge by turning the fridge to 0 and removing the plug at the front left of the freezer compartment, placing a drain bowl underneath and leaving the fridge door ajar.  For summer use the setting should be near the top end.  There is a thermometer in the fridge which shows up as OK if the temperature is low enough.  This only shows the right value after the door has been closed for a while i.e. an hour or more.

The hob uses bottled gas.  If the gas runs out the cylinder can be refilled at most garages.&nbs; Before you take it there remove the valve by switching off at the value and on the hob, then pressing the on/off switch inwards pull upwards on the valve.  Refit on a new bottle by pushing the valve downwards onto the connection on the bottle and turn the switch to the on position.  If the gas does not work it may be the regulator needs to be reset - press the button opposite the The switch should be vertical (pointing to the flame sign) for on.

Please notify us of any broken crockery so we can bring out replacements.

A mini-oven is kept in the hall. If you use this then do not place it on a wooden surface. Keep it on the tile floor when is use. It should self clean as it has a catalytic liner but do wipe the front door if it gets splashed.

Waste disposal

Please separate into two categories - re-cycle able and food waste. All plastic bottles, glass, cartons and tins as well as paper should be placed in the bins just down the road by the old village gate. Before putting things in there wash them out thoroughly. Any containers which contained any form of grease are not recycled. When full take sort the box and take the items to the relevent recycling bins, plastic, cardboard and tins can be put in a yellow top bin just down the street. Glass and paper needs to be taken to recycling facilities near the post office.

Other waste should be taken frequently to the green waste bins by the Mairie. Use plastic waste bags and disposes of them daily.

Bedroom

The bed supports can be adjusted to provide a firmer of softer feel. To do this lift the mattress and slide the plastic clips of the sommiere in the lumbar region outwards for softer feel and inwards for a firmer bed. The mosquito net should be tied up to the rails on the bed if you need it - the area is free of mosquitoes for the most part. If they are present it is advisable to pull it down in early evening to ensure that mosquitoes are excluded from the bed. If you do not bring you own sheets then please change them on leaving and make sure you have washed, aired and ironed any linen you found on arrival.

Bathroom

Please ensure you do not dispose of any sanitary towels or contraceptives down the toilet, these must be wrapped up and disposed of with the kitchen waste. All toilet tissue and cleaning chemicals used must be purchased locally - do not take any from England as these are manufactured for a different sewerage system.

Garage

The washing machine is a top loader.  You need to open the top door then press to open the inner door on the drum. Please use locally purchased powder to wash with. Instructions on how to use the machine are provided in English and are placed next to the machine.

Stocks of standard items are kept in the garage, feel free to use these but replace any that are running low. In any case do ensure that at least two toilet rolls, one carton of milk and some bottled water are left when you leave.

Local shops

There are two bakers, a tabacs, butchers, greengrocers and chemists, and supermarket and several cafes. Just on the outskirts are two garages. On the main road there is a bank (Credit Agricole). Every Friday morning a market is held in the main square with a wide range of vegetable, meat, cheese and clothes stalls. Within walking distance there are a few winegrowers offering tasting. The nearest large supermarket is in Capestang about 5 miles away. There is a sheet with driving directions both there and back. Larger supermarkets are found on the south-east side of Beziers

Local Information

There is a file of places to visit and things to do - please add any you find to this. Laminated maps of nearby swimming facilities are provided; please do not take them away when you leave.

Cleaning

Please ensure you leave the place clean and tidy. On the day you leave make sure all crockery etc is washed and placed in the cupboards.  If appropriate the fridge should be defrosted. Also the floor should be swept and mopped throughout the house including down the stairs and in the hallway on the day before or of departure. If you are there for more than a week please clean the windows at some point during your stay. Put cleaner in all drains and the toilet and close any plugs and the toilet seat.

If you have used the linen then please strip and remake the bed leaving the linen for the next person to wash. If you have time then please wash it before you leave - however the washing machine takes 2 hours to complete a wash so if you have an early departure then you won't be able to finish it.

On Leaving

• Turn off the gas cylinder
• Defrost the fridge
• Turn off the electricity
• Turn off the water
• Secure the garage door with chains and lock it if you have opened it.
• Close the shutters and the windows.
• Lock the front door.

Emergency and contact information

The phone number for emergencies in France is 15 which connect you to the Fire Brigade in the first instance who will route all calls.

There is a doctor in the village near the old Cave Cooperative.