Swissie

Ouch - but it could have been soooooo much worse. About 15 years ago, we went to spend a week-end in Surrey with sil and bil, and left 17 year old youngest daughter at home. He boyfriend James, a likable rogue son of a local Headmaster,  decided to borrow my 2 CV (just 17, no licence, no insurance) to go and visit a friend and take him for a 'spin' in my Odile'mobile' - he parked on the steep drive of his mate's by the A47 East of Leics and rang the bell 'I Rob, fancy a drive to the pub?' 'well- yes, said Rob, how are we going to get .....' interrupted by hooting a a crunching noise. My 2 CV had slipped down the drive, right across the A47 between a couple of cars, and was lying on its back in the ditch. They got it all sorted out, including bodywork - and I only found out a few years later. KIDS!  It could also have been a lot worse!

Ouch - but it could have been soooooo much worse. About 18 years ago, we went to spend a week-end in Surrey with sil and bil, and left 17 year old youngest daughter at home. He boyfriend James, a likable rogue son of a local Headmaster,  decided to borrow my 2 CV (just 17, no licence, no insurance) to go and visit a friend and take him for a 'spin' in my Odile'mobile' - he parked on the steep drive of his mate's by the A47 East of Leics and rang the bell 'I Rob, fancy a drive to the pub?' 'well- yes, said Rob, how are we going to get .....' interrupted by hooting a a crunching noise. My 2 CV had slipped down the drive, right across the A47 between a couple of cars, and was lying on its back in the ditch. They got it all sorted out, including bodywork - and I only found out a few years later. KIDS!  It could also have been a lot worse!

Apparently snowing heavily in the Pyrennees!

In the Jura, at 950m, we have escaped snow so far today. What about you all?

dièze    if I remember correctly.  (or   dièse)

J'ai parlé avec ma cousine aujourd'hui. Elle me recommande de lire 'Dis-moi où tu as mal, et je te dirai pourquoi'. Elle pense que mon mal de gorge est typique de stress et frustration non exprimmées - et il y a peut etre du vrai - puisque ça m'arrive à chaque retour de UK.  Comme certaine d'entre-vous le savent - c'est peut etre lié à une situation de famille difficile en UK. Intéressant!? Il ne pleut plus ici, mais le temps est exécrable - pas vraiment génial pour remonter le physique et le moral. MRD (pas MDR)!

PHEEEEW - what a lucky escape- even if it is very painful now. My very best wishes.

Allez Frenchie - trouve-lui sa maison de reves - et assure-toi qu'il y ait une jolie chambre pour les visites! MDR - ce serait génial si ta vocation d'Agence Immo trouve 'la perle'.  Du thé ?  non, non - pour l'occasion j'apporterai du champagne! Ici il fait un temps de cochon - froid 8C et une bise (east wind) vraiment désagréable. J'ai tellement enviede ravailler au jardin et d'aller faire des ballades- car j'ai le moral à plat et un gros rhume depuis notre rentrée d'Angleterre. Un peu de soleil ferait tant de bien.

Interesting - never heard that. Makes no difference to me now - but do you have any documentation/links?

Sounds like a brilliant idea - I know somebody who does this in Tuscany. See   www.ilpoggio.net             She also organises riding courses at all levels, with their own or your horse. Have a great manège, riding-instructor, stables, etc- and set in superb Tuscany countryside. Accom is in apartments or suites, and the restau is superb. We own a timeshare week there and go every year, but we don't ride. Can't wait for our mid-June week.

There are some really nice and friendly people here - I'd suggest you ignore those who get up your nose- it is very easy. Domainedes...  I wish you all the very best for the season about to start - please tell us how you get on. Bonne chance  Swissie Your place looks beautiful - would you accept a dog (that sleeps on its own clean bed and with owners who clear up and are responsible- off season)?

Isn't (Swiss) Romanche also a descendant of Eastern Roman? When in UK I went to have my eyes checked - I was looked after by a very bright young woman, with almost perfect English. She was so friendly and knowledgeable - and I explained I was Swiss and wondered where she came from. She was Roumanian- so we chatted about the mountains, etc, and how beautiful I heard a country is. When I picked up my new glasses a few days later, she seemed genuinely pleased to see me - and we hat a chat as the shop wasn't busy. I plucked up the courage to ask her whether she had encountered discrimination and she immediately explained how sad and frustrated she was to be constantly mistaken for a Roma. I told her about this thread on the forum, and she was delighted that I was 'sticking up' for her people. She agreed Romas are persecuted in her country for Centuries - but of course could not condone the maiming of kids for begging, and the thieving that goes on- she agreed that they were pushed into a corner. Hope to meet her again on our next visit to Market Harborough.

Why don't you bring them a conch - and tell them only the one holding it can speak but must pass on after 2 minutes! Now, that was a good book!

Arrrggghhh non, zut alors! Quel dommage. Bonne nuit et bisous

It's not cherry or plum time yet, surely? I'll keep this great recipe for when those gorgeous dark cherries are around late Summer. My marraine used to make it - gorgeous, and so simple.

Alors les filles, Sweet et Frenchie - racontez-nous tout - est-ce que vous vous ètes enfin rencontrées?

I know, I know ... but one can dream!

I had been in the UK for about 8 years, working as a tri-lingual secretary and translator - when I was asked to teach some local kids and neighbours 'holiday' French - when I realised that I hadn't got a clue (French being my mother tongue).  Worked voluntarily for a local 6th Form to get some experience - enjoyed it but quickly realised that I had to train and enrolled on a 4Year B.Ed Honours course. Being a good skier does not make you a ski instructor, nor does being a genius in physics make you a good teacher!! (as most of us are so painfully aware!).

Wouldn't it be wonderful if for a change, we had a leader of Support instead of Opposition - this eternal see-sawing is so 'passé' and damaging.

Dans l'c...     is his version of Thank you very much, in fact. Anyway, no great literature - but still the best test of anybody's fluency in popular French. The author is Frédéric Dard. I'll challenge you to try - MDR.

Have you ever tried a San Antonio? If you think you are fluent, and that your French vernacular is quite good - try it. You'll find 10000s on book stalls - bonne chance. Slang,  invented and distorted words and expressions (especially English style. Can you guess what 'dans l'cul Paris Match' = ?  Or proverbs like 'vieux motard que j'aimais' for ' mieux vaut tard que jamais'). Not for the faint hearted or beginners.

Coglioni

and very similar in sound to the French or Italian equivalent!

Rowan my heart goes to you and you have my sincere admiration for doing what you do - I am not sure I could as my emotions would take over. I am thinking of you and the dogs- and hope your hard work will hugely help. xx Swissie

Jura - welcome back - seeing your avatar always bring a smile, as the Jura is where I live and where I was born and bred.