[Animal Cruelty]

Does anyone know where I can report some animals being treated badly.

[Gimel les Cascades and Beaulieu sur Dordogne]

Thanks Clair

I always thought Beaulieu was so far away from us, but really it's not, so will definately make the effort to get to the Strawberry Fayre next year.

We've got the Fete de la Framboise coming up on 11th July in Conceze where they make the world's largest raspberry tart.  It's fascinating to watch and even tastier to eat.  Usually stalls and sales of anything to do with Raspberry's.

Jan

[Gimel les Cascades and Beaulieu sur Dordogne]

For a great day out, Gimel les Cascades is refreshing on a hot day, standing in the spray of the waterfalls.  You will need to time it right.   Best time to go is the day after a heavy rainfall.

Not good for those with wobbly legs or who have walking difficulties, especially on uneven surfaces, but if you can make it down the steps to the bottom waterfall, it's well worth it.  The steps are either concrete, stone, soil or tree trunk, with some man made wooden steps and either metal or wooden handrails.

We then had a 15€ menu at the Relais St Jacques and for my starter I had iced melon which was just what was needed on a roasting hot day.  A bit weird that the melon came on a plate with a couple of lettuce leaves, but  it was very refreshing.

We then decided to go the extra 35km to Beaulieu sur Dordogne, had a pleasant stroll across the weir, sat on a bench on the grassy banks of the river under a shady tree, then had a stroll around the town, before heading home.

So just in case you are interested.  I've put together a little slide show which you can see on  http://jan19230.phanfare.com

Enjoy and please feel free to leave comments on the website.

Jan

[WiMax]

OK - I'm getting there.  Seems my husband has the brain cell today.  I used to be pretty good at this kind of thing, but since having a brain haemorrhage, my memory and thought processes are c**p.

€30 is about what I'm paying Orange at the moment for unlimited access, so that's OK.  Will definately look at those websites though. 

Many thanks.

Jan

[WiMax]

Looked at that - must be a complete idiot.  Still not sure I understand.

So you need an aerial approx 10 miles away max to get it to work on a WiMax enabled PC?  The area we are looking at to move to has no aerial, but if enough people in the village sign up for it, they may consider erecting one.  Being as there are only half a dozen houses in the village mainly consisting of the 60+ age group who seem to still use grand pere's  old scythe rather than a strimmer, I don't think there would be much chance of them erecting an aerial any time soon.  My PC is WiFi enabled, but not WiMax.

Still, more house hunting to go, so maybe we'll find something that actually has ADSL, unless anyone has another high speed solution.

Many thanks.

Jan

[WiMax]

Can anyone give me an idiots guide to WiMax please.

Thinking of buying a new house, but the one we like doesn't have ADSL, and as I use my PC frequently for my family history and my family history programme directly links to the internet, I need fast download speeds.

Got no idea about WiMax, so if you have it, can you let me know exactly how it works and how you get on with it.

Many thanks.

Jan

[French Driving License]

Change is because OH's photo ID  License runs out at the beginning of July (they only last ten years and then rip-off britain wants money for a new one).  He's got the form D1 from the Post Office in England, but it clearly states that if you don't live permanently in England and you declare false info its 6 months in prison and a £2,000 fine.  Unless you know otherwise !!!!

[French Driving License]

Does anyone know how to go about changing your English driving license to a French one?

Jan

xx

[Grey smooth looking blister]

http://www.tickinfo.com/

Down the left hand side after "contact us" is a list of tick species.

[Tick]

Well done for getting the tick out complete.   Please, please, please, buy one of the little tools and remember to use it anti-clockwise.  As for lighting a match and burning it off, this is not a hugely sensible idea.  1), you could seriously damage the cat with a naked flame, 2) the bacteria and germs in a tick will just drift around for a while in the smoke, and you don't want to be inhaling that.

However, sounds to me that if the tick was a monster, it was full and about to drop off anyway.

This time of year, my cats get a comb whenever they come in from a day outside.  That way, 9 out of 10 times, I can catch the little critters before they burrow in, so get yourself a cat comb as well.  When you are stroking your cats, stroke them all over and if you feel the slightest bump, investigate, it could just be a tiddler tick just getting started.  Don't wait until they reach monster proportions.  If you find them, get them out.

[burnt tops on quiches]

Old recipes are best in some respects, especially this time of year with casseroles and stews.  My 27 year old Slo Cooker Book recipe for liver and bacon casserole is rich and yummy.  I have two Good House Keeping cook books.  One printed in 1968, the other in 1989.  The Devil's Food Cake recipe in the 1968 version is far superior to the 1989 version.  OK, calorie wise, maybe not so good, but I can't tear myself away from the old recipe.  As for Marguerite Patten, well, all sorts of lovely recipes using easy to obtain ingredients   The 1968 version has a section in the middle on different coloured pages with dishes from around the world, but the 1989 version doesn't have this.  The christmas cake recipe in the 1968 version is also spot on.  However, the chutney recipes in the 1989 version are good, especially the apple chutney and green tomato chutney.  Also the Indian Apple Chutney - same recipe with a few extra spicy bits.  Great with a curry.

I made a victoria sponge cake using Delia's recipe the other day and it came out like a biscuit, it was so thin.  Although Delia's Bread Pudding recipe is delish.

I also have the Lark Rise to Candleford Cookbook, but I've not done anything from that yet.  Maybe one day.

[burnt tops on quiches]

Trying to think how old this recipe is.  I first cooked it in a cookery lesson at school way back in the 60s, but it still does me proud today.  My mum also adopted the recipe too, as well as many friends, so I hope you enjoy it.

To make one large quiche

Line a large flan dish with one roll of feuilletee pastry.

Ingredients:

4 oz cheese (I use cantal deux) grated

1 295g tin Batchelors Condensed Soup (chicken or mushroom - or any other flavour if you can get them)

2 slices ham (cut into bits)

4 eggs

1 large onion, chopped

(you can add any other ingredients you wish.  I sometimes use leftover chicken instead of, or as well as the ham or leeks, peppers, mushrooms, anything you fancy really)

Separate the eggs and whisk the whites until light and fluffy.

Fold in the egg yolks, soup, ham, cheese, onion (or whatever it is you are using).

Pour into the prepared flan dish.

Bake on 180C for about an hour.  May need a little less or a little longer depending on your oven.  I cook on calor, so it's round about an hour.  Topping should rise nicely but be firm to the touch, then it's ready.

Sometimes, I put a few bits of sliced tomato on top of the mixture before cooking.

Serve with salad, jacket potato, coleslaw, or cold for a picnic with a bit of mayo or brown sauce.  I'm dribbling now, so will defo make one tomorrow with tonight's leftover chicken and a tin of condensed chicken soup.

Hope you all enjoy this.  OK - it's probably stacked full of calories, but then you don't have to eat it all at once.  Cut it into sensible portions and freeze what you don't use.

If you want to make smaller quiches, line 2 x 7 inch flan tins and divide the mixture between them.  Cook for about 40 - 50 minutes on 180C.

Hope you enjoy it.

Love

Jan

xxx

[burnt tops on quiches]

Ever since my cookery classes at school (the theme was store cupboard cooking), I have been making my quiches with Campbell's (now Batchelor's) condensed soups instead of cream or milk.  I usually use Cream of Mushroom or Cream of Chicken Condensed soup.  The recipe doesn't require pre-cooking of the base either and recently, instead of making my own pastry, I cheat and buy the pre-packed french puff pastry.  The eggs are also separated and the whites whisked before adding the other ingredients, including the egg yolks.  The quiches come out light and fluffy, although they do sink when they are cold, but they are nice with a dollop of mayo of even brown sauce.  The pastry or top doesn't burn and the bottoms don't go soggy.

If anyone is interested in the recipe, please feel free to PM me.  I know you can't buy the soup in France, but if you are using Sterling shopping you could always add a couple of tins to your shopping list or ask friends to bring some over for you.

Jan

[Tick]

As Frontline and other preparations don't seem to work on my moggies for ticks, I use the tick tool.  Purchased cheaply from our local vet, two in packet (large and small).  Just hook the forked end under the tick and gently unwind it ANTI-CLOCKWISE.  Do not pull, just unwind.  If the wound looks sore, I use Bettadine on a cotton bud.  Bettadine can be purchased from either your vet or  a pharmacie.

Burning them off is one way, but could damage the cat and the idea is to get the head of the tick out of the skin.  Whatever you do, don't try and pull it out with tweezers or your fingers.  If you leave the head in, you animal could become very ill or worse!!!

[Cranes Heading South]

They've been flying over the last couple of days, but weather been too awful to see them.  However, small group flew over about 2:30pm this afternoon.  spent a bit of time circling, then headed off in a different direction.

Location:  Pompadour, Correze (19)

[What happens after 5 years CONFUSED]

Hi Tony

Thanks for that. 

We have been in France for 5 years as of 1st July 2009, so we would now qualify as "resident".  OH is now 58.  Currently living off what remains of monies from the sale of our house in England which with interest rates being so ridiculously low at the moment is disappearing at a rapid rate.  We are living a pretty simple life here which is our choice, but with the IB being the only income we are, like many others, being stretched.  Anyway, OH had a letter last week saying that he MAY be re-assessed and they would write to him again if that was to be the case.  We don't have a problem with that despite the DWP telling OH that he was on permanent IB 2 years ago.

About 3 years ago (I think) the rules regarding NI contributions were changed to equal amounts for both men and women and I believe the new contributory years is 30 for both.  If this is the case, then we have both made our qualifying contributions, in fact, I have 33 years as I was paying voluntary contributions when I arrived here but was advised to stop when this new rule was passed by government.

All I'm really trying to do is look at our options so that if or when the time comes, we can have measures in place to cover our health.

What is confusing for us is that if OH is on permanent IB, ie, officially retired early on health grounds, then we understand that we pay the normal rate here in France for health and get the percentage back.  However, what the DWP are now implying is that OH is NOT on permanent IB in which case should we not be receiving 100% health cover.

Anyway, the replies I've had so far have been very helpful.  So many thanks.

Jan

[What happens after 5 years CONFUSED]

..... and what if the IB is the only income.  We have savings which are declared to the French authorities, but to be honest the interest on that at the moment is virtually non existent.  So if we do not reach the threshold, what happens to our medical cover then?

Sorry - so many questions.

Jan

[What happens after 5 years CONFUSED]

I was interested to read your comment Coops.  OH is on IB with an E121 to which I am attached as a dependent.  We certainly haven't been receiving 100% cover.

Also, the UK are looking at all those receiving IB (in the UK and abroad) and it seems that those receiving it will have to undergo an assessment (in OH's case with his French doctor) to find out whether he is still eligible to receive the IB.  If it is proved he is not, then we lose the E121.  We have, however, been resident in France for 5 years as from 1st July 2009.  What happens then?

[Your bird observations on line]

Its a shame there isn't one in the Limousin.   The bird population here is varied to say the least.  Saw a pair I've not seen before the other day.  They were either Garden Warblers or Chiff Chaffs.  My Nuthatches are back and the Willow Tits are having a feeding frenzy on the sunflower seeds at the moment.  Not to mention the Great Tits, Blue Tits, Chaffinches, Wrens, etc.  The Nuthatches are my favourites.

[A face only a mother could love]

Here's another view.  In all I retrieved about 20 of them from the bottom of one pot.  Just left them there and planted my pansies in new compost over the top.

[IMG]http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/suninfrance/P1070228.jpg[/IMG]

[A face only a mother could love]

That sounds a bit cruel, but I found these grubs in the bottom of my flower pots when I was getting rid of the dead summer daisies and re-planting with pansies.

They are either the Rose Schafer (I think I may have spelt that wrong), or the stag beetle.  I've looked at Chris P's website, but still not sure which one it is.

Any clues anyone????

[IMG]http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/suninfrance/P1070227.jpg[/IMG]

[Wasps and Cats]

The cat has returned, but still limping.

In the meantime, here are some photos of the wasps nest.

1.  The whole thing

2.  Top chamber

3.  Bottom chamber

Tried to photograph the wasps going in and out as there were loads of them, but none of them showed up in any of the pictures.  No, not to many Pastis, they are just pretty quick.

[IMG]http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/suninfrance/P1070253.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/suninfrance/P1070258.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/suninfrance/P1070268.jpg[/IMG]

[baby hedgehogs]

If you get English telly - Friday nights on BBC is Autumn Watch.  Each week they cover a different topic and last week was hibernation. 

Check out their website at http://www.bbc.co.uk/autumnwatch/  Unfortunately as we are in France we can't take part in any of their surveys as it's UK only, but the same principles apply to the wildlife we have in common.

Here is the link for the programme on hibernation http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/autumnwatch/2009/10/hibernation_and_british_mammal.html

Jan

[Wasps and Cats]

Today I investigated what looked like an animal scraped hole in the

verge close to my house, only to discover lots of small wasps flying in

and out.  At the base of the nest is a pile of soil which the wasps have

obviously excavated.

Problem - a week ago, one of my cats came in limping - there was no

swelling but something was obviously irritating her foot.  She has now

disappeared for two days and I am starting to get worried as she was really out of sorts..  This

evening, one of my other cats came in limping and biting at her foot. 

I am wondering if they tried to use the soil pile for a pee or

something else and have been stung.

I can't see anything on the paw or leg, and again there is no swelling.  Trouble is, they two in question are both semi feral, but the one who is missing usually stays in overnight at this time of year and is usually hanging around the house for food.  I have a horrible feeling I've lost her.  The other cat, is also semi feral.  I would like to keep her in overnight to make sure she is OK, but she hates being shut in.  I would hate to lose her too.

Can anyone tell me what these particular wasps are (they are quite small) and whether they could be a danger to my other cats?   I will try and photograph the nest and wasps (if I'm lucky) tomorrow, but in the meantime, does anyone have any ideas?

[Cranes Heading South]

They have been flying over us in Pompadour for over an hour now.  I just cannot believe how many there are.  One on his own trying to catch up.  Hope he makes it.