Catalpa

[quote user="Chancer"]I have the same pull down rails that I got from Leroy Merlin, I thought they were a rip off but hey this is France, I should have been counting my blessings, they were half the price of the ones in the links.[/quote] The cost variance may (only may!) at least be partly due to the length of the rail and also the weight that the rail will take when loaded. And how good - robust - the swing down mechanism is.

I live in a very dusty house but the dust doesn't seem to get as far as the walk in closet. Which is good. I've just had a look at a couple of Puffa-type coats that haven't been out since last winter and there is some dust but very little considering they've been sitting up there for the past 10 months. However, good quality coats and jackets stored in Ikea's clothes covers and other things have home-made cotton fabric covers that come half-way down the back of the garments.

For some years it has been standard practice for companies to pay for coaching for staff that are exposed to the media in any form. It's perverse to suggest that such money is ill-spent when the population pay such (and frequently illogical) attention to visual presentation. Yes, Cameron spent more than the average company does on its staff but on the other hand if British Petroleum's ( [;-)] ) Tony Hayward had been better coached in presenting himself and his views to the American press at least some of the subsequent personal attacks and red herring discussions would have been prevented. According to the article, Labour spent a similar amount on "presenting" Gordon Brown... so, to go back to the title of this topic, it would appear that the coaching purchased by the Conservative party was, indeed, money well (or at least "better") spent. [:D]

[quote user="sweet 17"]Is it best just to have rails, shelves, etc or actually fit in wardrobes with doors and all the bits and bobs?[/quote] I've got a walk in le dressing which only has an entrance door. Everything else is open and I've not found dust or mites to be a problem. For floor to ceiling storage, I don't see the point of having shelving for rarely used stuff close to the ceiling because if "wotsits" are that difficult to reach, I won't bother... and if I won't bother, I don't need them. However, the out of reach space is too useful to ignore so I've got hanging rails that I pull down with a rod which hold shirts, jackets, trousers folded over padded hangers, etc. I've a second, normal rail underneath. It is very good use of the available space. This is the sort of thing I've got... http://www.sdslondon.co.uk/pull-down-wardrobe-rails.html?gclid=CMWupdrE0qUCFc0g3wodRT1Jjw http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Reval-32-inch-Pull-down-Wardrobe-Lift/3987005/product.html

[quote user="Frenchie"] Just to please you all ......http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqFrPjoG9iE [/quote] I am so not going to click on that link...

Just remain oblivious to most advertising. Works for me. Although... does Carglass count? I always see that before the weather on TF1 at about 13h50... and that flipping little ditty goes through my head for the next hour... Carglass répare, Carglass remplace [6]

As Sweets said, at least that's the operation over and am really pleased you're back home and comfortable. Don't forget that anaesthetics can make you feel a bit crap for a few days after the op so take it easy and look after yourself. Or better, get friends and family to do that. [:D]

Oh Cathy, what a shock for you. And for friends and family. Now you're on the road to getting it sorted, remember you need to put yourself first and when people volunteer their help, take them up on it. It will help you (providing you don't then spend free time brooding!) and people really appreciate being able to help in a tangible way. Cancer isn't the horror that it once was, you sound as if you've been diagnosed early and you're in a very good country for efficient and effective cancer care. And the more you talk about it, the more you discover people have had it and recovered and the more "cancer - the word" loses it's power to scare you. Take care of yourself. [:)]

There are plenty of people on here running B&Bs and gîtes so you will get good advice but another forum you might find useful is... http://www.laymyhat.com/ It's a forum for holiday rental home owners to exchange experience, information and the occasional horror story, is international but predominantly Europe.

Well said, SD.

Yes, I do. She's had a couple of tv programs too - one on Spain I really enjoyed. http://www.thomasinamiers.com/ And though it may not be totally up-to-date... http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8609232.stm

[quote user="Clair"]I did not watch the French program, but if the candidates are not professionals, it seems unfair to compare them to those who took part in the recent UK MasterChef: The Professionals. [/quote] I wasn't. My original comments were made with the amateurs in mind - particularly the amateurs from 2 years ago when the remarkable 19-year-old Emily was runner-up. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-522671/Teenage-Emily-pipped-MasterChef-crown-daring-recipes-steal-show.html I muddied the waters somewhat by posting the link to the edited version of the MC Professional finals from earlier this week but I think you should watch it, Clair, to understand why I did so. [:D]

And this short, edited version of the British MasterChef final from earlier this week brilliantly showcases why I think the British MC cooks excelled in imagination and presentation... http://joannecasey.blogspot.com/2010/11/master-chef-edited.html

[quote user="Pierre ZFP"][quote user="Catalpa"] 5-E, I'd really like to see the Australian version too, to further compare. [/quote] It would be a rather short series wouldn't it? 'Fire up the barbie, throw on some prawns, open another tinny'  [+o(] [/quote] Silly Pierre. Australian women would enter too. [6] Another thing that differentiates MasterChefs France and UK is the UK's "star prize" is a years (unpaid or poorly paid) apprenticeship in a good quality (not necessarily Michelin starred, iirc) kitchen. Anne walked away with 100,000 euros and a book deal. So she'll be able to renovate her ferme auberge. But Marine must be happy too as she's already switched careers - she has left teaching and is working in a professional kitchen. For those that missed it, more clips and info than you can feasibly absorb in one hit available here... http://www.tf1.fr/masterchef/

Sweets, I agree. It was more difficult to judge the comparison earlier in the competition but watching it last night, the standard of the cooks in the British finals looks to be so far ahead of the French version it is remarkable. I know we can't taste the food and I know that the final tasks are different in the two versions but the imagination and presentation of the British cooks seems much higher. 5-E, I'd really like to see the Australian version too, to further compare. I'm not sure Gregg Wallace would get away with the sexual comments that his counterpart / lookalike on French MasterChef did. [blink] I found the interaction between the two finalists interesting as well. And there was none of the hugging and physical supportiveness between the two finalists when the result was (finally!) announced. I wonder if that behaviour would have been different if one had been male and the other female... or if they had both been male. Two countries separated by a small amount of water and a lot of culture. [:P]

This link should be "clickable"... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvxtdnNqL8s What a wonderful achievement. [:D] And he seems such a happy little soul.

And presumably you've read this thread, Anna... http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/2273356/ShowPost.aspx

[quote user="woolybanana"] Seriously, where is she? [/quote] Busy replenishing her knicker drawer? [:D] I'd like to hear that she's back home too, safe and with feet intact.

At least it has arrived and you have your booking. Even if the guest isn't one for attention to detail. [:P]

I wouldn't even hold the booking for a further 7 days. Re-advertise (tell them you are doing so) and if you get a "real" booking before the timewaster gets his cheque to you (should s/he ever do so) take it.

[quote user="Théière"]Don't forget Clair's advice on changing your watch on Sunday or you'll miss the bus [;-)] [/quote] Is that a joke and will S-17 "get it"? The clocks don't change for another 2 weeks. [8-)]

I have loved reading your musings (from both you and Gem) en route. I'll miss them when they stop. Though I suspect you won't mind the "stop". [;-)] Best of luck for the final leg of The Journey. May your feet feel light and sweat free. Your knickers, too. [:D]

Life's like that sometimes and I really feel for you. [:(] As one difficulty gets sorted another arrives. Be strong when you take him to the vet. I always feel I have to be as upbeat as possible in case the animal senses my sadness. It's the downside of loving animals.

Congratulations! What an achievement. [:D]

If they have a farm, for eg, they might be selling under a family SIRET. Or not. [;-)] [quote user="londoneye"]...but things that we can buy inexpensively in bulk and think will appeal to the French market. [/quote] Under AE, you are assessed on a fixed level of "overheads" - about 25% of turnover, iirc. If your expenses (market fees, mileage, purchase of goods, any insurances) is more than 25% of your turnover, AE might not allow you to cover all your expenses against profit.