Frecossais

This summer I had to see a French doctor and get a prescription from the Pharmacie. I paid both up front, then took the signed forms they both gave me to the Assurance Maladie (think I've got that right.) in our local town. The lady we saw had never seen an EHIC card before, and frankly we weren't too sure what the process entailed, but she phoned up a colleague somewhere else and was given the information she needed, so she duly processed both forms while we waited. I had to show my passport, and we gave her some details off our cheque book so she could pay a cheque into our French bank account. The Assurance Maladie would negotiate with our NHS to recoup the money. We were lucky with our fonctionnaire, she was efficient, charming and very helpful. I have heard that it's better to get the paperwork done before leaving France rather than waiting till you get back home. Don't know if our account has been credited yet, as we're in England now.

As has been said, there are many "canny" Scots as well as those who will vote with their heart only in September. I've heard that a lot of cynical Scots are already quietly moving their money elsewhere just in case. In my view they're right to be cynical, since there are more questions than answers on the table  And of course there are rumblings from Banks and other enterprises.

We too Betty, have friends to dinner or go to their homes for dinner. I've always thought a "dinner party" was an occasion where you weren't inviting friends as such, but trying to impress, say work colleagues or acquaintances who were visiting from far away. I come back to the French distinction between amis and copains. And Idun, the difference in food cooked is the "trying to impress" element IMHO. With friends, the object is for everyone to have a lovely relaxing evening without the hosts either spending loads of time in the kitchen, or too stressed out from three previous days of being in the kitchen.

I'm pleased for you Norman. Long may you continue to "vive la difference" between town and village.

Hi Mogs, Mine is a Lakeland Greek style Yoghurt Maker. I looked up their site afterwards, (don't know if I said: OH bought it for me) and read the comments posted there about it, all positive. There are some recipes too, it's all packed up now in its box ready to go to France, and I can't remember what else you can make with it.

Thanks Clair, sounds as if it's all been said. I'm a latecomer, it seems. Betty, the muslin thing always reminds me of when my mum used to make a jelly type of jam. It sat above a bucket and dripped all day. I second Clair, less fuss with the machine.

Fromage blanc too? I must have a go at that. Do you use a recipe from the manufacturer or your own, Chancer? I've made a mistake though, you don't put the machine in the fridge for 8 hours or whatever. You turn the machine on and leave it, after all, it needs warmth. (Silly me!) It's when the whey is being sieved that you put the container in the fridge. Hope I havven't confused too much.

When we're in France we shop at Aldi or Lidl, both of which sell their Greek-style yoghurt with fruit in. We have just bought an electric Greek yoghurt maker and I tried it for the first time last night.It's lovely and light and creamy, and I'm dead pleased with it if you'll excuse the expression, (sometimes "very" is too tame.) I did have a look at recipes for making Greek -style yoghurt a while back, but it looked like a faff. You have to make normal yoghurt first and then drain out the whey. Okay, you still have to do the same with the machine, but everything comes with it, two bowls and a strainer. So you mix your milk and a bought plain yoghurt, pour in the main bowl, put a lid on and leave overnight in the fridge. I forgot to say that it's best to use UHT milk, because otherwise you have to boil your fresh milk to a high temperature, then cool it down to body temp, (another faff in my opinion.) In the morning you pour the now yoghurt into the second bowl in which is the strainer. Put a lid on and leave for 1-3 hours depending on the strength of yoghurt you want. I left it for two hours. Now I'm living in my head creating flavours I can add to tempt OH who's not a great lover of the stuff. I was recently given ginger-flavoured yoghurt with tiny figs as a dessert - mmmm! Can't wait to have friends over when we come to France next week.

If you write back, be sure to include the French expression for "I'll bet."[:D]

Last week I saw a little patch of bluebells in a wood. It's normally May they're out. Someone has given me poppy and sunflower seeds which I'm thinking of bringing to France to scatter in the hedgerows. Good idea or not?

Candidates for Room 101: Jeremy Clarkson - a buffoon                                               The scriptwriters of Emmerdale - their storylines are see-through and cr*p                                               Kate Winslet - a good actress, but doesn't know what she wants and is a poser I like Bill Nighy too.

I've become aware that I do throw my hands about especially when I'm speaking French. Maybe I'll be more careful after today. Our French friend is on a visit and at lunchtime I was expostulating at the table and knocked over a mug of soup when I inadvertently caught the spoon standing up in it with my flailing hand. Result? Clean tablecloth needed, carpet had to be scrubbed, whilst I had to effect a complete change of clothing. Very embarrassing sneaking past dressed in bra and pants trying not to be seen.[:(]  

Betty, Theiere probably remembers a time when diesel was indeed less expensive than unleaded petrol, as I do (an age thing[;-)]  It was Gordon Brown who first increased the tax on diesel in 1997, Since then the discrepancy between the costs of both has increased. I think it was that you used the word "historically" which caused confusion.

Bob Crow was a socialist, lived in local authority accommodation - and got a lot of stick for it. The problem is that Tony Benn was a socialist in a capitalist country and had a very well-paid job, he did renounce a title in order to practice politics. I don't see anything hypocritical about holding and putting forward socialist ideals, after all he was trying to change the country's ethos.  

Yes, I had a lot of time for Tony Benn, he was a true socialist, verging at times on a communist. Importantly too, he was a really "nice" person, kind and thoughtful, humorous, passionate...... I hope he finds his wife wherever he is.

"The local council wanted to introduce a very high tax rise, but the locals, who depend on the small shops all year round put up a spirited objection. As someone already said, car parking seems to be a problem in both countries." I have always thought of the French as a fairly militant, volatile people, and I have been wondering what it will take before they raise "a spirited objection" to the punitive tax regime of the present government, who seem to have nothing much to offer, but take plenty. As a matter of interest,  (and because I don't live there all the time) are there any folk in France who benefit from M Hollande's policies?

The "u" sound - I was struck watching my grandaughter playing the flute recently, by the way she pursed her lips to produce a sound. Exactly the shape to make the"u". I can make that sound, but don't always manage it in the hurly-burly of conversation.

Or you were sleepwalking....... correction, sleepworking!

I've just read "The Last Runaway", a novel by Tracy Chevalier. It's about a young Quaker girl's experience when she emigrates to America in 1850, and finds herself in conflict with her church and family about hiding runaway slaves passing through from more southern states. I found the book well-researched and interesting. It poses some questions about the nature of lying and exposes both the difficulties and the hypocrisy faced by institutions when making laws and rules. I'd certainly recommend this one, though I couldn't get on with her "Girl with a Pearl Earring." 

Betty, would you mind awfully deleting your account of everything you did yesterday. OH will be off to Tesco's to get me a pack of capsules, and I really don't fancy reorganising the house etc. Thank you.[:D]

Thanks for posting this, Betty. I'll keep 'em peeled.

[quote user="Russethouse"]We just had splashback where it was needed, behind the sink and cooker and 'upstand' elsewhere...glass looks lovely but I suspect behind a cooker it would be a pain and require daily attention, which is above my housework grade, frankly.[/quote] I know exactly what you mean, Russethouse. I was wondering too how easy they'd be to keep clean. Life's too short for daily housework, especially when you're retired.[:)]

Gardian, a bit like the experiences of some people here in the South East, when ground water flooded their drains etc. Glad your one was sorted fairly quickly.

It's good that all these conjectures abound on the subject of  "What happens.....?" The Scots who will have the vote can weigh the consequences of Independance, rather than just voting with their hearts. Everything is not going to be thrashed out by September, but at least the questions are being asked now. It does seem that Salmond has taken a lot for granted, however I don't believe Cameron is doing himself or either country any favours by seeming to shut the door on every expectation that Salmond has. After all, if the majority of Scots do vote for Independence, Salmond will be their representative.

[quote user="You can call me Betty"][quote user="PaulT"]Betty said 'Our three local restaurants are all flooded....' I thought from an earlier thread your area was fine/[/quote] No idea what you're talking about, or referring to.How much earlier? Which area? Have you been away visiting another country?[:D] Here's a photo of our local Italian restaurant trying to generate a bit of publicity for their flooded premises (behind them in the photo) a couple of days ago. Does that look fine to you? [url]http://metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/ad_1270400291-e1392245546755.jpg[/url] [/quote] Venice, eat your heart out!