Alexis

Sorry Manxie, I got cut off as had to go and help round up some escaped heifers.  Forgot about this until now. I haven't looked at the sites yet but I did wonder this afternoon if you had been told 'c'est l'hiver'.  My OH starts this about the middle of August.  As well as 'je n'aime pas l'hiver'.  One day I will throttle him!  It just means that there has been a drop in the temperature.  Not that it is winter!  C'est pas chaud is another favourite! Don't forget.  Two appero's is the law but don't outstay your welcome.  An hour maximum.  When they start to set the table around you....it is time to go!! ps you will find that the more you drink the better your French becomes.  Strange.

It seems to be interest.  Either you have a loan and that is your interest on it or you have savings and that is the interest on them. Is it plus or minus? Speaking for myself, I have only been charged for drawing money out of the hole in the wall at another bank.

Point P are in Ploermel.  Queguiner are on the by pass in Josselin.

Today is Toussant, All Saints day, 'tous Saint'.  Tomorrow is le fete de le Mort.  St. Défunts. November 11th is the ceremony at le monument de la Mort.  Sadly, there won't be crowds there.  Well, here there isn't. Who told you it was the first day of winter?  Still the 21st December.

Not done it but been tempted.  I believe there is an article in November - the new one - Maison & Travaux.  Honestly, I have no connection to them System D are also excellent for interesting articles.... Stop, can't find it. . .Have found an article in an old M&T but no idea of month.  Sorry.  If you want to know the products used, i can tell you that!

We went up to Dinard than went to St Cast for lunch.  What a glorious day!  Loads of people on the beach or just strolling around.  Anyway, I had forgotten about the new lights thing but I did mention that there seemed to be a lot of cars with their lights on.  Mind, it was a bit hazy in places first thing. It wasn't until I saw the moto men complaining on the news that I remembered.

The cheaper supermarkets have grown so popular that they have prompted the others to offer their own range of cheaper goods.  Not just the promo rubbish which can crop up - I'm thinking of the strangely coloured pasta here - but real, everyday stuff at competative prices.  Carrefour has even started their own budget shops.  Netto is Intermarché.  Super U have brought out the Bien Vu (?) line. I like Lidl for veg  as it always seems fresh.  If you go the right day.  I'm always tempted to buy something and the freezer is growning with home grown stuff . . .  Once a month I go to Carrefour at St Brieuc and their meat is cheaper than anywhere if you buy the promotions and bang it in the freezer. The older French people don't buy a lot of 'stuff' for their cupboards.  Gateau apperitifs, those hard pink biscuits/plain biscuits to offer with a glass of wine.  Long life milk, butter, sugar and a couple of bottles of rouge.  Thats about it in this village.  Oh, perhaps a saucisson if they haven't one curing.  I sometimes wish I was like that too!  Perhaps it is a British thing to hoard?  I can remember the sugar shortage and everyday on the way to work I had to buy a bag of sugar for my Mum.....  She must have had tons!

You two are real stars. Time I got my fat tum into gear and lost it.  You have encouraged me!  Cheers.

Cher Deby, nous preferons chez toi.  Gilles, le mari de Janet!  Janet est bourre!   

Gilles is Normand.  He eats bread unbuttered or slathers it on. Another of these French laws us foreigners know nowt about. I cook with butter if that helps.  No olives in Brittany....

Atkins.  Wonderfull.  Zone.  Allows a few carbohydrates - I do like a bit of toast. Try google and their sites will pop up and you can print out there words of wisdom . . . I will join you when I finish this G&T.  How about a race? Daren't get on the scales but will stretch the tape measure   Lost loads for The Wedding but back to bad habits.  We could be a stone lighter for Chrissie....

Alcoholic!  I will check if the supplement is on line.

The M&T for November has a supplement on chauffage. They give the following figures: Electricity 10.6 centimes kw Wood 1.7 centimes kw Oil 4.69 centimes kw (going up) GPL 8.45 centimes kw Gas 4.06 centimes kw Solaire is marked as free but I believe the installation is more expensive.  There is an article about it. There is a lot of info in the booklet but my computer is on a go slow and it would take until midnight to type it out.  Sorry.

[quote]The bit in the Church is just a blessing type ceremony Not for we Catholics it isn't[/quote] I'm afraid I don't understand you.  It is the Mairie that marries you.   The Church has nothing to do with marriage at all, Catholic or not.  Which we are.

for November.  Only read the supplement 'Chauffage' but now know all about underfloor heating.  Well, more than before, anyway.  One extra light.  One extra thin. There is an advert for the electrical ceramic heaters too.... Will read the rest in bed later.

  Are you sure that she didn't say "that tree needs some lights?" Mind, with rather a lot of kiddlywinks, she probably said "keep your hands to yourself, Buster .." I really want to decorate the outside of the house this year.  Santa, reindeers, flying pigs, flashing blue, red and white lights etc.  Shame I'm not common.

Well, only a yellow alert today and it is much worse than yesterday.  Here anyway.  Absolutely throwing it down with jolly old thunder and lightening.  So dark at my house in Josselin that I came home as couldn't see to work.  The streets there were running in water. Oh!  It seems to be clearing up.  Just like that!

I blame the British. 

A photo on the carte vitale to prevent fraud.  Several people have been caught using the same card and just going to different doctors to obtain prescriptions etc.

Local 'free' paper.  Local paper.  Supermarket board. . . How's Jacques?  Getting big I expect.

Don't forget that it is only the Mairie that is legal for a marriage.  The bit in the Church is just a blessing type ceremony.  This means that there can be a delay of several days, indeed weeks, between the two ceremonies.  I think the limit is a year between the two. As for who pays, well, the same as in the UK I suspect...the one's with the money! We got married at the Mairie and it took about five minutes.  Free too.  Didn't bother about the Church.  Did have the return de mariage on the Sunday though.  Bit hazy there!! My husbands second marriage went on for a week.  He seems to be making less fuss now.

Nearly 3.00pm now and no sign of the rain forcast. Not as windy as expected either.  Did hear that there was a ship in difficulties near Brest though.  Very brave men gone out to assist them.

Fame at last.  By the time you read this Val could have been blown to Jersey ! Good job I'm sturdily built. 

I have been cooking with this oven for the past ten years and I've never had anything burn.  Apart from my fingers because all it's knobs have long gone.  Except for two.  It was given to me. I have asked Father Christmas for a new one but if it doesn't fit down the chimney, I won't really mind. Gas always runs out when the shops are closed.  Usually a Sunday.   It is a French law. Mind, with gas at least you have something when the electricity disappears for a couple of days.  If you don't run out!  

Are they out of date? Perhaps your Mairie has a fortnightly visit from either the CPAM or MSA.  I know they do here.  Perhaps a commune locally if not actually in your commune.