bigglesworth

But it is exciting when they do melt isn't it?

Tweedpipe

Do you have any American purchased appliances? Generally they are all 110-120v DC so would not function in Europe without a step-up transformer; not worth bothering with. Bring your UK appliances which are 220-240v DC so no problem in France.

Ah pianos! One of my pet subjects! (Now just tell me you are a shooting enthusiast too and we'll be amis pour la vie)...
Often with many upright and ancient grand pianos, the cost of shipping them - even within Europe - is greater than their actual value. Also, pianos can get badly damaged during shipment, simply because they need specialist attention which the general shipping companies do not know about, and don't have.
I'd be interested to know what make and model of grand you have, it's age, and does it tune with ease to 440Hz (concert pitch)? It's difficult to generalise, but I'd say that if you have a 'no-name' stencil piano that you are attached to due to sentimental reasons, it may be wise to sell before you move. On the other hand if you have a S&S, Sauter, Grotrian-Steinweg or the likes, I'd say bring it and I could advise you of a specialist shipper if required.
If you did sell up before moving to France, there are some splendid French Erard's and Pleyel pianos available here, but I can tell you from years of experience that there are probably as many 'bent' piano salesmen than there are used car salesmen, so prudence is the word.
I'm an active member on several specialised piano forums, so any further info you require on the subject, just ask away - preferably by PM.

And this topic reminds me of a quote from Benny Hill; "Girls are like pianos. When they're not upright, they're grand!"

Peabrain

Interesting. Somewhat off topic, but still interesting. Alas, TP I'm not a shooting enthusiast and much prefer the music of the piano to the racket made by hunters with their twelve-bores; fortunately it doesn't last that long but there are times out here in the sticks when one could be excused for thinking Syria has somehow moved a little closer.
However, I've just bought a 1920 Gaveau, quart de queue, that was lovingly and thoroughly (I trust) restored by a small firm in Villeurbanne, in the suburbs of Lyon. A beautiful object and a delight to play. Having spent quite a while searching for exactly what I wanted I found out quite a bit about the piano trade, and its links with places such as Poland, where lots of pianos are shipped to be reconditioned, on the cheap and not very well. I was also told not to touch English pianos with a bargepole. There are quite a few facteurs de piano still around, and the place I bought mine from employs four young men who are clearly passionately keen on their jobs. It was something of an eye-opener to discover a workshop doing work that the Chinese can't possibly do, and wouldn't want to anyway. A reason to be cheerful.
I would agree that if your piano is old, in need of a lot of TLC, it wouldn't be worth the hassle and expense of having it shipped over here. There are indeed some splendid restored instruments to be had, at a price.

tugrin

Peabrain - wonderful news - this is exactly why I have fallen out of love with the UK - no-one here cares anymore about anything really. Your piano sounds a dream. It is fabulous to know that there is a thriving, interesting and obviously intelligent ex-pat community out there as well as the indigenous culturally superior.

Novocastrian

I plays the drums innit? I hits it wif me stick.

But back to things electrical (while appreciating the intellectual), UK small appliances work perfectly well with either a change of plug or a travel adapter.

It's over 38 years since I lived in the UK but my FIL (who does) has a habit of buying things for our french house. We have a kettle, a toaster, a slow cooker, a blender and and and. I agree though that anything like an oven or space heaters etc. would perhaps be problematic.

tugrin

Thanks Novocastrian- I'm intrigued by that fact that you say it is 38 years since you lived in the UK but appear to located in Richmond Hill - an amazing feat of creating your own independent country/ living in a dream/ split personality????? I am saying this as a joke/banter - please don't take offence, it is really good to know that things work there - it was obviously just those whacky US people! 38 years is along time to be away from the UK - wish I had had the foresight to do it that long ago....

cyrian

Richmond Hill in Canada
I had to fit a plug to an appliance in France.
Have you any idea how many years it has been since I have had to fit a plug in the UK?
I had to work out how to open the french plug and then work out where the wires were connected.
Silly really because they are connected to the same places as in the UK plugs.
I picked up a leaflet in Leroy Merlin on "how to wire a plug".
It is just little things like that which are perhaps automatic in the UK but you have to stop and think in France.

Novocastrian

Ah, Richmond Hill Ontario. Part time (at the moment) in Normandy. I'll be back there in 3 weeks for the summer.

grannybunz

Good grief chaps. What is so difficult about changing a UK plug to a continental one??

If you tried to do it on an American appliance however BIG PROBLEMS - wrong voltage.

As a 70 year-old granny I can tell you I have always been able to change a plug, a fuse, a light bulb and put up a shelf. The things I can't do is programme the TV or text (never seen the need!)

EuroTrash

Isn't the cat supposed to be able to do those things - seem to remember seeing it on an advert once...

cyrian