Alexis

1966.  World Cup.  Just motoring down after a holiday in Scotland with the Aged Parents and my bother.  We had stopped to look at a salmon leap and it was there we heard the news..... Which means nothing as REAL men (and women - me! me!) support RUGBY.

I will admit to speaking rubbish French in my eyes but I am fluent.  But I speak it 24 hours a day as OH doesn't speak Hingerlish. Miki, all you need to do in these foreign parts is speak SLOWLY and LOUDLY.  As you no doubt already know Oh, waving your hands or pointing helps too.  It will be no problem for me in Poland/Bulgaria.

Same problem here in the sunny North.  My OH has terrible eyesight so needs to visit the ophtham.....one of those.  His regular one retired.  He had a problem and was very lucky to get a RDV with one in Loudeac - who has since retired. However, he phoned the opticians and he was told they could do it.  They decided his glasses were far too strong and he bought some of those new ones - don't ask me what they do - but you have to keep looking straight ahead or turn your head etc to keep on an even balance.    Progressive?  Anyway, he was falling about all over the place!  Laugh?  Moi? He wore them from the opticians to the car.....back to the old ones.  He was told if they didn't suit he could take them back too.  He is as bad as me.

Must admit that I had a twinge of envy too I once had a house like that.  Loo waste pipe just disappeared into a granite wall.  We never did find out where it went!

I don't know anything about these proposals.....  For many years I have had no faith whatsoever in either country being able to keep me in a manner I would very much like to be accustomed to! Because of this, I have tried to guarantee a decent standard of living without having to rely on pensions.  They, hopefully, will be the cherry.  We will see.  Of course, it is absolutely YEARS before I retire!!!!!!

When I read this yesterday I thought at first you were talking about M. Barthez because I had just seen him on the telly but not listened to what they were saying.  Obviously.  Football.  Poor man I thought, he must have tripped up over his guide dog and injured himself.....  

Wasn't it all about Poland the other week in the Sunday Times?  £5000 for a little house.  My memory again .... Must admit, sounds very nice.  Would love a little house by the sea.  Too expensive here.

We had a little mouse in the kitchen for ages.  Loads of fun for the nine cats.  Anyway, much to our (and her's) surprise Lulu caught it. This morning there are mice droppings on the top of the cooker ....

For normal lorries, vans etc you don't need any inventories.  I should phone Custom's and Excise and ask them.

Oh dear!  You don't want to get on the wrong side of the DDE.....  Nothing, and I mean nothing will ever get passed for you.  Ever.

Don't forget that you have to give two months notice to your Assurer that you will be not re-newing your assurance. Avis de reception etc.  If you are not two months from the date of renewal......sorry!  Have to stick with the old one.

Miki is right, especially around this region.  The only work is in the factories and they all seem to be cutting back.  Even Olympig, which was everyones dream place to work is in big, big trouble.  Already got rid of 700 people.  Doux are the same. Even the most well, menial, jobs need a certificate/stage experience.  Bar person is a good example.  How many of us have worked in a bar in our youth?  Here you have to have studied before they will give you a job . . . 

Here in sunny Morbihan I pay twice a year.  1st January and 1st July.

They have been here for three or four years now.  Not seen any of the figures yet but the wheelchair ones are around.  They seem to be put up around now to warn people to drive carefully at Toussant.  Apparently, more people are killed then than at any other time of the year.  They are taken down shortly afterwards.

For French speakers, the call centres are in Africa.  The other day on the news they showed a call centre in Africa and one in...??? for French holiday bookings.  I am not sure, but I think it was Poland.  Anyone else see it? There was a big telly investigation a while ago about the African call centres.  Very interesting it was too.

Thanks for that Peter.  I will write it down.  Will give me endless fun when I retire.  I could tour the whole of France as a squatter . . .

My grandson was born here in France and now lives in the UK.  When we applied for a passport from Paris there was no problem but because the French birth certificate is just a piece of paper which looks like a computer print out - which it is - my daughter had a terrible job in the UK 'regulating' things.  Shame I wasn't there to sort out the pen pushers! I believe he has to renounce French nationality before he is 18 in case he has to go into the army here.  But I could be wrong.

Bit early for me . . . I say stick to your guns.  The bill now is for 2004.  You pay in arrears here.  All you need pay is from the day you buy the house up until 31st December 2004. They are 'avin a laff!  Unless someone knows differently?  In fact, thinking back, when I sold my last house in the middle of December I very magmanimously said they didn't need to pay me the centimes for their few days in the year owning the house! I'll never be rich  . . .

Not just squatters. Years ago some friends went back to the UK to live and they rented out their house to a very respectable couple.  They paid the deposit and the first months rent and that was it for three years.... When you rent out a property you change the utilities into their name.  I rented one of my properties to someone who never paid his EDF bill.  They cut him off and I had to pay to be re-connected but didn't have to pay the bill.  Of course, if they are squatters, the bills are in the name of the Owner.  Knowing this bloody place, if the owner asked to be cut off they wouldn't because of the 'poor' squatters...... You have to be very very carefull.

Ooh!  That seems dear.  I don't think that I paid that much.  I think I worked out that for a bag of flour and a 40g fresh yeast - 35ct. - it cost 1€ a BIG loaf.  That can last us a week!  Stays fresh too. What with a slice of toast, maybe a bit for his cheese....  I used to buy bread and give most of it to the chickens.  If you make a lot though, I see your point!

I thought from the start of the recipe Monika posted that it was going to be a Quart Quart.  (French for Madeira cake) I often make one when I have more than the usual glut of eggs. Often do a Far Breton too. Not at the moment as am on diet!  AGAIN!  Or should that be STILL

Yes, hope all goes well Helen. I was in in no time for my hands - arthritis.  Certainly a change from the UK.

Saturday morning.  It is in the old town.  Difficult to park but I leave the car at the Outlaws.  You could always leave the car at the Jardin de Plants and walk into town. Don't let the old ladies force you to buy a bunch of flowers ..

Still the same story.  No need said the assistant.  My UK licence covers me until I am 70.  The bit of paper stamped by the Prefecture makes me law abiding in France. Even with the wrong adress.  That doesn't matter.  Apparently! Seems a bit fishy to me....

The Prefecture here in Vannes wouldn't change my licence.  Said that I didn't need to change and gave me a piece of paper all stamped and signed.  Had it for years. Must say that if I am stopped, the Police accept it but always query why.  I am going in to Vannes today to change the address on the carte gris so will attempt to get a French licence at the same time.  I will let you know.