Alan Zoff

I developed an egg allergy when I discovered that 7 BILLION male chicks are ground up at birth each year to make pet food, fertiliser, etc as otherwise they have no commercial value. Some are gassed but most are thrown live into grinding machines. I see France of all countries is leading the way to put an end to the practice.

Is it just this part of France (Allier) or do all French newspapers avoid naming criminals, even after they have been convicted? For example, all we are told in La Montagne is that "a man in his 40s" from this village has been jailed for a series of crimes.

A while ago, I mentioned to a French friend that our Maire takes every opportunity to refer to the république and citoyens with great pride. His explanation was, unlike the English, they do not have a king or queen to revere so they need substitutes. It's mainly a socialist area, politically, but the locals do seem surprisingly fond of our royals. I was in fact criticised in the village bar for not being more supportive!

You have taken the words right out of my mouth, Norman. Complete lack of meaningful top brass accountability in UK.

Thanks for the replies. I have ordered 350 euros (from Tesco who were handiest for collection and among the best rates I could find for this sum) and he is delighted with that, so both parties happy. I suspect I was overthinking it.

Not strictly for this forum but I am hoping someone can assist me. I am in England at present, about to be visited by a friend who works in America and who will be passing through here (Cheltenham) on his way to France. He has obtained an item for me in the States for which I have to repay him the $399 purchase price. However, he needs euro notes while he is in France so he has asked me to buy $399 worth of euros. To do that, I will have to walk into a Post Office or similar and hand over UK pounds. Rates quoted on the internet vary between dealers but more importantly are very different as between official rates and paper purchases. Anyone able to advise me how many euros I should buy so as to be fair to both parties? It is probably easier than I am making it sound but solving maths problems has never been among my limited strengths. Indeed, this sort of question would have caused me to dribble down my shorts in a school exam.

The solution is easy to identify but seems impossible to achieve - population control. So says another hypocrite with 3 children and 5 grandchildren

I am not up to date with such things but hopefully this will help: https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/individuals/personal-taxation/treaties-avoidance-double-taxation-concluded-member-states_en

A common reason for rear brake/handbrake inefficiency is over-adjustment of the handbrake cable. Most rear disc brakes rely on the cable being just slack enough to allow the automatic adjustment mechanism to work. Too many "mechanics" try to solve a problem by tightening the cable. If the cable is properly adjusted, the lever should reset to the correct position if the calipers are in good order.

French drivers are doing their best, Théière. This was a recent headline in La Montagne, the regional paper: "Un conducteur âgé de 12 ans intercepté par les gendarmes en Creuse, son père ivre sur le siège passager" It doesn't say what speed the 4x4 was doing when it passed the gendarmes, though. Maybe a safe 80kph.

What's there to criticise? So much safer to overtake round a blind bend at 80kph than at 90kph

You are right of course, Guardian. 10.15am on the 12th October. I switched the hour difference the wrong way! Doh....

England France match will start 8.15am (French time) on 12th October. Anyone listening to Japanese commentary might be confused by references to the hooker, which apparently translates as fu-kka. Although if Brian Moore is commentating, it might come out the same either way.

Ah, the nostalgia from this forum. It takes me back to the school playground

It's OK. Wooly will visit him in pokey.

And we know what happened to Charles I.

More likely orderin' Big Mac for one

I liked the headline following his brother's announcement: "MP resigns to spend less time with his family"

Not really necessary Wooly. The bulldozer he promised to lie in front of over Heathrow can do the job for them. As we know, he always keeps his promises

Boris's brother has ditched him now

Acceptable, provided they don't quack or bark

A nuisance is a nuisance but it emphasises the need to do your research before choosing a new place to live. An area known for its ducks, and where the prospective new neighbours have an established flock, could have been taken into account before purchasing. What I find more of a problem is when a neighbour suddenly acquires a dog that barks incessantly without, it seems, bothering its owner in the slightest.

Corbyn is either as egotistical as Johnson or completely deluded - or both. He still sees himself as the next PM which is more than can be said for the electorate. A General Election will put the Brexit collaborators firmly in control.

Or maybe Sin-by-Odious

Boris is not a puppet. He and Cummings are using each other. Cummings is a Brexit fanatic "fixer" who needs a front man. Boris - who is just in it for himself - is an artful debater but is lazy as regards planning so lets Cummings do the dirty work.