JSA Aude

Unfortunately not having had much sun recently (raining as I type) I now have loads of green tomatoes - does anyone have a good recette for a chutney or anything else to do with them. Can't see any hope of them ripening now.  Thanks.

Many years ago when hubby and I first met in Doha (think late 70/early 80 aaargh) we used to go to a place called Al Shats underneath a motorway bridge (say no more, there were no others!) that did a cracking curry and pud.  Brilliant curry and a pud that I thought was a creme caramel sort of thing with currants - no they were very healthy flies, some still alive - yuk.  Not to mention the cockraoaches for entertainment on the window ledges.

We moved here when our son was 9, into the local primaire which was superb and no looking back.  Now in 3 eme college,he had a cracking night watching the rugby with some mates yesterday evening, their parents were out (live opposite us!) and raided the fridge !! (not many in there) whereby one was walked home and the others made their own way back.  That's as much laaary behaviour as we have had in the five years here ( which includes the older ones out from uni and jobs!). Pretty impressive compared with other places I think.!!

When we arrived and went to see the relevant tax officer here, he advised us to pay the taxes for the first year in the UK and then move over to the French system.  Sorry, what have we done wrong?

Sorry but trying to catch up here.  Does 'resident' mean one has paid taxes for five years or has been resident  (occupying a property for 12 months of the year) for five years?  Am sure many are in the same boat having paid UK tax for the first year then moved over onto the French tax system.  Thanks. 

During the summer the lads always put up the net and play volleyball.  I just buy loads of the cheapest flour and they mark the pitch out - usually stays for a while and of course disappears at the first rain.

Theatre, different and interesting cinema and a cracking hot, good, authentic curry with all the bits. x

Many thanks for the replies - am visiting the relevant offices tomorrow so will hopefully sort it out.

For the past five years of living here our two older boys have been covered, while studying in London at uni, under our carte vitale and top up scheme.  We did all correctly and informed the relevant departments when our older one left, but for some unknown reason the other, still at uni, has been wiped off the carte vitale.  Have been to see the office who are now saying he should not have been on our healthcare regime at all but have a European Health Card from England. We put forward the point that this is his main residence when not studying and that he is still dependant on us financially.  Have things changed recently for students not in France/over 18?  Any help gratefully received!

We were in the same situation having been married in Doha, Qatar.  Went along to the notaire and sorted out the contract with no problems.

Am not sure if they will be open but the Jardin de la Tour is a very good restaurant in La Cite, normally only open in the evenings - would be worth giving them a ring.  

I have seen them in the animal section of the store Tridome, universal fitting.

Little bit of a mars bar if available, if not lardons - works each time

Have just done the Leclerc run in jeans and a jumper, holiday Brits still in shorts and t shirts - bbbrrrrrhhhh

Many thanks for the replies.  I have all confidence in our vet as we also have an old lady who has been backwards and forwards for the past 6 years.  He did give me the option of before or after but said if it was his personal decision he would wait.  Fortunately we are very well (says I!!!!) fenced in and hopefully won't attract too many admirers to the gate!!  Just hope she doesn't leave it too long to 'get going' so we can have her done relatively young.

I've had too numerous pets including goats, horses, etc to count in the UK but slightly baffled now.  Went to the vets Friday to ask about our Braque Allemand being spayed as she is six months old and keen to get in before the necessary starts!!! All the young bitches in the UK were spayed before their first season as I was told it was a preventative measure against breast cancer. The vet here is adamant to have the op done after as there has been proven an incontinence link by spaying before the first season, therefore leaving them on tablets for the rest of their days.  Just wondered if anyone had heard about this or experienced it in their own bitches. Many thanks.

Richard the turd (as in HH)!!!

Flashman the second shurely

The lake with the chateau and jungle jim is definitely Lac Cavayere, just up from the Industrial Area and not far from La Cite - access driving with La Cite on the left, past the turn off for the bird display and then right off the main road and past the turn for the Australian park. Signed from there on.  Cannot think of another one nearer to La Cite.

I disagree with Dick Smith!  Anything that encourages a ten year old to read and acquire knowledge across a huge range of human history cannot be all bad.  If only all history teachers used the same formula to diseminate facts, an irreverant mixture of toilet humour and gore as employed by HH, a perfect counterpoint to the Boys Own fairy tales of  British derring-do contained in the "Our Island Story" a book which inspired generation of historians including Antonia Fraser.  Get the kids interested in history so that they learn the facts then when they have some maturity and life experience they can interpret the facts as they see fit.  Factually, I have been unable to find fault in any of the 80 editions of the Horrible Histories which I have read with my son other than a mispelling of "Palatinate" in a Habsburg family tree which is pinned to the wall of my study for ready reference.  

If back copies are available the series of 'Horrible Histories' comics/magazines were absolutely brilliant - great fun but also very informative.  When we moved here five years ago we just moved the subscription from the UK but, unfortunately, they have now finished.  The paperback books covering all of the subjects (anything from cannibals to the wars - you name it!) are available - a good adult read too!  Suffice to say our 14 yr old lad (not a boffin!!) now knows more history than his older brother who has just completed a history degree! Another cracking book is Our Island Story by H E Marshall.  

Leclerc also have a small section at the end of the 'human' meat counter with fresh/packaged dog meat.

Have just been out on a superb randonnee for 2 hours, back to hosts for lunch and drinks - beautiful blue skies, stunning scenery and hot!!!  Sorry!  ps. now going for a dip

Have always used washing up liquid and a soft toothbrush - make sure the plug is in or over a bowl (that's from a very near disaster!!!).

Sorry, forgot to add he has the very latest, up to date equipment and is also a lecturer at Toulouse Uni.