Charly

Maybe ask your Doctor for some Clarityn or Piriton - not sure whether you can get Clarityn directly from the pharmacie without a prescription but this will work really well and is non soporific, though taking Piriton at bedtime might ensure that you get a good night's sleep as well as relief from the itching. Piriton definitely not the same as Prednisilone! An After Bite "pen" for topical use and immediate relief is brilliant. Not expensive and lasts a long time. Bought ours from Amazon, but easy to find on the net and from English pharmacies. Until then, maybe an ice pack wrapped in a teatowel (to avoid freezer burn) and applied to the offending area will take the heat out of it and reduce the inflammation, same applies to a pack of peas, or crushed ice in polythene bag or even very cold wet flannel. Hope you find the solution soon.

The odd bite is bearable if you live in the countryside or are outside a lot, but when it comes to aoutats/harvest mites/chiggers, that's when I get hysterical. No one wants to look like they have some terrible skin condition and be scratching like a monkey for weeks on end! Next year I aim to find something which will keep them away and when I do, I shall post on here. In the meantime, for mozzie bites, stings, biting flies etc., (as long as the skin isn't broken) we swear by After Bite in our house. It's a pen which dispenses smelly ammonia-type fluid and if you use it immediately on a bite it lessens the impact and stops the urge to scratch. It also works on nettle stings, wasps etc. Stings a bit when first applied but worth it for the relief. You can buy it on the Net or from English pharmacies. Not seen it on sale in France, but maybe? For a painful swollen bite, good idea to take an anti-histamine before bedtime. This reduces the swelling really well. Anything that doesn't respond probably needs medical treatment or assessment.

Think that's definitely game,set and match to Pachapappa. Just a thought .....don't think I've seen a simple "elle etait si peureuse" anywhere in these posts, or "elle avait une peur bleue (de)" She was SO afraid/fearful or "She was scared stiff (of)" something or other

And there I was thinking that I had made some very clear comments about the style of the programme - specifically the narrator - whose slightly bored, slightly "let's make a jokey comment about this" Grumpy voice made me feel uneasy as to where this might be leading. He's great doing his Grumpy Old series, particularly when we can all recognise and laugh at life's annoyances. I'd rather not watch any tv which aims to make fools out of individuals, whatever their nationalities. It makes me feel both sad and uncomfortable. Not attempting to explain any of this to Idun, who has totally failed to understand what I have written and whose attitude I freely admit baffles me completely. I am completely at a loss to understand why my posting the odd comment here should attract such animosity. It is well documented that I am not the only target of her missiles but they don't make sense to me. What is her criticism, given my post ? Some of you are simply being told what to eat, but I am instructed to read the papers and watch French t.v. - well yes, I do, and the point here is....? I consider myself well read, well educated and informed. I also know where my allegiances lie. I would no more post the following here than fly to the moon but Idun feels it's acceptable: "If I had had the need fo (sic) brits, or to be near brits, I would have stayed at home in the first place" "I couldn't imagine living abroad amoungst (sic) my own" "It starts in about 10 minutes and I am cringing already" "But there are so many brits there, how can you avoid them....?" And, apparently she lives in England now. So, now I'm even more confused. I can be lambasted for something I never said, however, she is able to say what she likes, whenever. Thank you anyway, Cooperlola, Will, Riff-Raff E., and Jay. Bless you, you understand English and it's a big relief to know that I am not, after all, going mad !

Before you comment and make wild guesses why not READ THE POST AGAIN? Your post blindly followed someone who either never read it properly or totally failed to understand what I said !

[quote user="idun"]Charly, give us a break, quit the sinking ship and all that poppy rot. Dear me, give me a penny for all the bitter expats who say that and I'd be considerably richer than I am now. Just start reading french newspapers and watching french tv and listening to what is happening in the cités in France, the banilieus and for working people and then would could have a proper conversation about sadly the bad things that happen in BOTH countries, instead of one liners that just leave me with thoughts I would not write on here. [/quote] "Give us a break Charly?!!!!!" Do try reading my post again Idun and maybe more carefully....believe it or not there are people other than yourself who are entitled to an opinion on some of these threads; and mine was hardly an opinion, more of an observation. Yours was based on what exactly? Wasn't it 10 minutes or so of t.v. overheard from another room and a failure to explain on here why you were flabbergasted? If you had read my post a little more carefully before your rant, you might have been able to see what I was saying after the word "unless"...and it was conjecture - about the possible slant of the programme and NOT my opinion on life in England, here, or anywhere else. Yet again - maybe due to the hazy view from your high horse, you missed the point completely. So, another total (and rude) overreaction to something you failed to understand !

We watched it - not impressed so far. Hopefully over 12 or so programmes we will be treated to more detail and interesting facts and topics relating to each "family" and how they came to settle there and see whether they have any misgivings, as well as seeing some part of their normal everyday lives. Having a few paltry facts - names, dates of arrival, what they do now, a few shots of the landscape and then moving on - is not my idea of entertainment, more of a survey or shopping list. And Geoffrey Palmer? Why him? The Grumpy Old voiceover doesn't work here because we are waiting for sarcasm, irony, p$*s-taking or just plain irritation to pop up. This doesn't sit well with the programme content in my view, unless of course it's wanting to aim a spiteful dig at those of us who seem to have deserted a fast- sinking ship and fled to pastures new. Maybe it will end with some drama and tears :as a salutary lesson to those currently fed up with England and living there in less picturesque areas with iffy weather - A "see what can happen if you decide not to stick it out in good old Blighty?" sort of thing! The Dordogne area is beautiful and we have many friends there, so even watching just to enjoy the scenery is tempting, but I hope that the voiceover doesn't make us switch it off in frustration. Not a great start, I feel.

[quote user="Val_2"]No. Will not watch as these cheap programmes just make me moan and cringe about how the french must perceive SOME of us, no wonder they get a bit funny at times. I've tried to understand why some of these brits bother to move to France and then try to export their previous life over too, what is the point of moving in the first place? My daughter has bought a lot of new DVD's over for us to watch and we will have the four episodes of Strike Back to catch up on as well, no contest really[/quote] Thanks for that hilarious comment, really made me laugh !

No actually, that describes the staff at the News of the World

Go for the scenery, the lovely beaches and the SMELL. The perfume which comes from all the wild mountainous herbs, plants and flowers in the scrubby maquis is the most wonderful I have ever experienced. It should be bottled and sold - it's better than the lemony piney smell in some of the Greek islands. I've been twice, liked it all but found the roads quite difficult especially in high season and did get quite fed up with the hot and gale force winds in the south west. Went from Nice both times with Corsica Ferries on a really good boat directly to Bastia. Unfortunately the second time because of quite strong winds (and Nice being a relatively small port) it was too difficult for the ferry to dock so within sight of the French the ferry changed direction and sailed towards Italy. It was a long time before anyone mentioned it to the passengers and we had a longer journey back through southern France from Italy to our hotel and we also missed our dinner !!

Our dogs have our names and address on their engraved tags - not their names. They are all chipped but we prefer to have something that's visible just in case. The telephone number on the tag states that it is the number for our Vet and we would prefer that to someone phoning us in an emergency and not being able to get hold of us. As we've just adopted another dog,a runner!!!! we're suddenly very aware that a tag with details might prove invaluable.

Well it couldn't have been Bugsy as you can see he lives in Vienne- THE NICE BIT! But speaking of vandalised windows and life's annoyances, is it you two who scream down our valley once a week masquerading as France's defence force - known in our house as "Air" & "Force" ? Last week we only saw "Force", but he was still enough to make the sheep rattle and shake up the fillings in our teeth. So, of you're the guilty party, please put those planes back where you found them and stick to rescuing damsels in distress !!!

Well, that explains it. If your Maire is called Strangley, his Wife would have to be awful.......

[quote user="nectarine"]For the last fortnight the air has been full of white fluffy seeds, a bit like broken-up dandelion clocks but I know it's not them. Sorry don't have a photo, but crops around here are maize and sunflowers, both not out, and just this year, for the first time, rapeseed. Coincidentally my husband - who suffered with hayfever in the UK - never had it since we came to France until this year ... perhaps the rapeseed. But is anyone else down southwest getting these clouds of floating seeds?[/quote] Oil seed rape fields can give you very bad hayfever. The fluffy white cotton stuff which attaches itself to everything in the garden can be from willows, especially cottonwoods, poplars, or, as is the case in my garden, birch trees. Have seen it before but never drifting like this, so assume that the very early hot weather has encouraged all of the catkins to burst open and disperse at once.

Think you may have struck gold, Rose. Just the right age, a 2-year old is perfect, the breed you want, and a chance to make a poor mistreated dog so very happy. Have had two dogs from Sheelagh and Rick and their team at Phoenix; and they are always tried and tested first so that you shouldn't have any nasty surprises and they are only interested in finding the most suitable dog for you. They are a wonderful Association. Hope you and your addi(c)tion will be extremely happy always. Well done you !!

Here in Calvados we haven't had any rain since the evening of the 13 April. It is getting hotter each day - yesterday driving through Rouen we had 27 degrees which is hot for the north in April. Certainly not used to hornets, wasps, May bugs and flies this early. Not used to watering in the Spring either. but it's so wonderful living mostly outside again.

Perhaps if you re-read your post you will see how very rude it is? Perhaps you know the OP, otherwise I can't see how all this relates to needing to have official documents translated and why all the really unpleasant sniping?

Fantastic!  Top class spelling and grammar - are you a teacher by any chance ?

I had a dream the other night that the Grim Reaper came for me.  I eventually fought him off with my vacuum cleaner. F*** me, talk about Dyson with death !

[quote user="sweet 17"] Charly, spellcheckers are as useful as bicycles to goldfish. It will pass "two" when you want to say "too" and all of that nonsense. [/quote]Sweet 17, FYI spellcheckers are actually run by fish on bicycles who are possibly not given to wasting time telling you how to type "two" and "too". ( For that think you need a calculator anyway!) [;-)]If you ever have a moment and need a really good laugh, try the Babelfish translation site - also run by (less qualified )fish.  Type out something  in English and get it translated into French. So far, so just about understandable. Then translate that translation back into English. Hilarious. Some of the little gems that result could keep me amused for hours.  

..."I would hate to think that anybody would keep their mouths shut, or not put fingers to keyboard, simply because they were afraid of being picked upon about their sentence construction, but I do think it's a shame that some seem to think it's unimportant at least to try.  One person's point of view is just as valid as another's, but it is much easier for the articulate and literate to win an argument.  That is why, imho, making an effort to write clear and understandable English is so important.  Allowing the wrong-headed to win a dispute just because they are better at putting their point of view forward is a tragedy, thus it is in everybody's interest to attempt to express themselves well, whatever the medium...."  Agree absolutely. And also.........as to keeping mouths shut.....   I love accents and the way that this makes us all individuals.   So, long live regional accents since for me it's WHAT you say that counts, not how you say it.  The ancient BBC English when everyone wore formal dress to read the news, even the radio news, and spoke down to the listeners in the strangled tones of a  "Mr Cholmondley-Warner" [8-)]- well, I'm glad to see the back of that.  But every man woman and especially child, should be encouraged to speak and to write decent English whilst not being too anxious about spelling, since that's a knack and in my experience no indicator as to intelligence ! [geek] Isn't this why we have spellcheckers? [I]  With that I am orf to mow the lorns and gitta bitta weedin dun befour the kids rock up fer the wekend, should of dun it earlyer, I reckun ![:D]

Don't you mean prostRate cancer, which was mentioned in a daily newspaper the other day ? [:)]  I had an elderly aunt who used to complain when she had a bad cough that her "bronnicles were playing up".  She was amusing and since she was not writing or reporting for public consumption, it never mattered. Then there are the reporters on tv who constantly refer to the Pleece arresting a suspect.   Then all the people who say that they are "fed up of " something instead of "with".  And what about using "of" in verbs such as "would have, could have, should have"  - it seems that almost every kid on the south coast of England tries to get away with  "would of, could of, should of".  Then there's the often strangled pronunciation of Trevor MacDonald on tv - and even when he used to read the news.  And he belongs to some group which was set up to promote and preserve correctly spoken English !!!  Yeah, right............ One of his crimes is constantly saying "Ware now going over to the studio" instead of "We're or We are".  Just not the best role model for all those listeners and viewers. Then there's the age-old apostrophe problem :  Tomato's (instead of the plural - Tomatoes) Runner Bean's, Cauliflower's, Egg's, All day Breakfast's........on signs the length and breadth of English towns. I was taught that if there's more than one item being described, an "s" or "es" will do. The use of the apostrophe has nothing to do with loads of tomatoes, eggs, runner beans or anything else in the plural. Sadly, I don't believe that grammar is important now and certainly not important in schools as it was when I was a child (at about the same time they invented the wheel, you would think!) Some people can barely spell now and is it any wonder when so many children write like they "txt" and are actually allowed to get away with it, often because they need to be really encouraged to express themselves in writing. Ooh I feel so much better for that little rant, and to find  that so many of us are irritated in exactly the same way.    

Quite right.  Nothing controversial about that.  The figures/research/statistics show that in a country where there are some 6 million Muslims - France - very very low number of women adopt this dress and, apparently, Muslim "rules" do not state that wearing it is mandatory - it is a matter of choice.  Worryingly some of the protests involve women coming to France from other countries - including England - clearly to stir up trouble and make some point or other.  This is always going to happen whatever the so-called protest.  My personal view is that I am uncomfortable in a situation where I cannot see the face of the person that I am trying to communicate with.  But if I was visiting a predominantly Muslim country then I would definitely respect that culture and not need to comment on the way that life was lived there.  Not happy with anyone going to live in another country and then making all sorts of demands so that their own needs took priority over those of the inhabitants.  Imagine moaning about stuff here in France and not expecting at least some of the French to eventually turn around and say "well, if you don't like it why don't you go back to England?"  Perfectly natural response I would think.  Look at a  "preference", (religious or not) for wearing a burkha and apply it to, say, crash helmets and "hoodies" and see how quickly you would be turned out of banks, big stores or shopping malls.  If you want to wear a hoodie because you are a kid and you think it's cool and all your mates are doing it, you aren't necessarily up to no good -but don't expect your dress code to be respected  (on any grounds) by the security staff, whoever you are. We all want to see each other's faces, to see who we are dealing with and not to feel at a disadvantage in normal human interaction.  I'm all for people doing whatever they like in their own churches, mosques, homes etc., but there do need to be some rules left within society, which apply to public places and to which we are all willing to subscribe. Anyway, what about a real bid for integration and some use of the old  saying  "When in Rome?".....   

The two main types on the market seem to be best illustrated on the Pets at Home English website. One is £44.99 and has 96 hr/5-setting timer, rotating feeding compartments, space for ice packs underneath for wet food freshness  - all the bells and whistles  - and with the  mixed reviews it gets, probably highly likely to quickly break down, fail to operate or just break!  The more simple little hopper-type feeder (a bit like one could use for hens) works for dry food or water, costs £11.99 and is dishwasher proof and has rubber non slip feet. It looks cat/idiot proof and just relies on more food dropping down as the bottom biscuits are eaten up.  This sounds ideal to me for short term problems and even if the greedy cats finish it all very quickly in one long eating binge, it doesn't really matter.  But, for as long as a week away, I can't imagine what my cats would get up to and I would worry constantly about them,so this would affect the enjoyment of my holiday.  If your cat is independent and mostly outside, why don't you try to find a child who could make daily or twice daily visits to your garden to check on the food and water situation and make a fuss of the cat. The child is not being asked to do anything very difficult and is able to earn some pocket money and you'll know that the cat is fed, so you won't worry.  Far easier than trusting to batteries or possibly unreliable equipment, I would think. The last owners of our house used a complicated contraption on a timer which closed our little henhouse door at dusk, so that they didn't have to worry .But we soon ditched that when it failed to close properly or, at all !

My Wife has been missing for over a week now - the Police have told me to prepare for the worst, so it looks like I'll have to go down to the Charity shop and get all her clothes back !!