Sooner or later!

What about 'Better the devil you know'. I've tried it literally and my French friend is convinced there is an equivalent saying but can't think of it! Thanks

These sound like cherry tree blackflies. They are sap sucking little black aphids (MYSUS CERASI), and will target the newer parts of the branch system which is usually at the tips. There is i am afraid no easy cure apart from pinching off the tips but that sounds like a lot of work as i get the impression the tree is very large !. The only other way to deal with these is to spray in the winter to control the eggs prior to hatching. Or as soon as you see any in spring then treat with pirimicarb, malathion or bifenthrin. To treat the tree during fruit production may harm the yield so book early to avoid dissapointment and sort it out in the winter. Good luck Paul Johnson (RHS Cert)

Miranda I would love to help but it is to far from us. We are based in Huelgoat and are fully registered.The big problem is finding people who are 100% reliable. Our staff all reside up here however i will ask around and try to get someone for you. Regards Paul Johnson

I have in my aviaries here in France 2 Hawks and 2 Falcons either of which will catch the chickens !! But i suppose you want them alive so you might well pass on my offer....... Other than that i would not have a clue.....you could always stand at the bottom of the tree and shout PAXO STUFFING it might get them out the tree at the very least. Sorry to make light of the situation ! Good luck Paul

Wellyboot Knotweed known by its proper name as Polygonum aviculare is a problem weed for lawns with usually a high degree of compacted turf. It will flower between July and October and shows minute white or pink flowers. It is an annual plant and can if widespread as i get the impression yours is then you must obtain a selective weedkiller from the local gardening centre and one maybe two treatments at the most should get rid of the problem.Also good lawn maintenance at either end of the growing season will help aerating and the like....... It is important when buying the selective weedkiller that it contains dicamba which the knotweed dislikes. Paul Johnson (RHS Cert)

My wife who is a keen photographer finds developing films in France very very expensive. She went on the net and asked Max Spielman to send her some envelopes so that she could send them back to the UK. Once their developed they will then send back and that is still cheaper than the supermarkets. Good Luck Paul

Does anybody know any good fly fishing for trout or salmon venues in 29/22. It matters not wether its still water or river. Regards Paul

Where is 79 and 85

Sorry i forgot about buying birds....It is best to buy birds in the UK as the French falconers are few and far between (300)as opposed to the UK s 70 000. So they breed very few here in France and what they do tend to get taken by Zoos. If buying from UK make sure you get a health certificate from the vet or alternatively you can apply to DEFRA to get a certificate (under the Bali agreement) to export them. There are rules to this e.g the owner has to travel with them and they must have been in your possession and in solitary for the previous 30 daysand be clear of certain diseases i.e. avian flu and the like. Most reputable breeders can sort out a health certificate and should be licensed from DEFRA. HOPE ALL THIS HELPS. PAUL

Keeping birds of prey is extremely difficult if the species are native to France. Owls seem to be a particular problem. I have around 20 different species and i brought some with me. You have to apply with a cv to the chief vet of the area you live in. In my case i had to submit 6 copies of my cv each containing 5500 words obviously all in French. I also had to attach official copies of certificates showing i had no previous convictions both from UK and France. I have been informed by the forestry police who came to see me that if you have ANY convictions you will not be allowed to keep raptors. Once the powers to be have digested my cv i then have to go for an interview in front of a board of members and in my case thats 10 members. They will then interview me and either allow my application or not. The other problem you will have is that aviaries and flights are by law a lot bigger than the UK. For a Bengal you will be looking at 20m long 3m wide and 3m high.I have a french friend who rehabilitates wild birds of prey and he is checking the sizes for me as he thinks it may be very slightly smaller but only by a metre or two.My friend also rehomes any birds that the police seize and he states it is a particular problem with the British bringing owls over...He also states that if you do not have permission any birds you do bring without permission will automatically be seized with no questions asked. They do have a serious problem with bird trafficking in France.There are a couple of species that are okay harrises redtails etc but you cannot hunt until you get a license. This is taking ages any more questions Email me and i will try and answer them....Paul