Jirac18

If one takes the programme and project on face value then what the acheived was incredible. They as a couple are not unique but there aren't many around who would succeed as they clearly did. What worries me is that so many people who have not got what it takes will take on similar projects and fail terribly. I have always loved the programme but I thought Kevin McLoud was a bit over the top last night in building up the sense of pressure. He is no doubt very good though and long may he continue. Best of luck to the couple concerned they have a super attitude and with no kids to care for were in an ideal position. The best part of all was Kevin's closing words which were to the effect of reminding us all that life is for living and we should not forget why we all came to France for "the life". Hard work shouldn't be a chore.  

There are too many millions of pounds to be earnt for this to become a long term problem. There is a large market in Brits travelling to and from France. I can't imagine the French Government or businessmen missing out on it all. These things do not happen overnight and I'm sure we will soon hear exactly who will step into P&O's shoes long term. We rely on cross channel travel for our income and I am not worrying yet. May be you think I need to raise my rose coloured specs but I don't think so. As my mum used to say "It will all come out in the wash". Sorry to all those left out of work it is truely tough.

[quote]I think this thread is getting silly, and you should all stop now.[/quote] What is wrong with a little sillyness. I that a real word? Any way, it does us all good to be silly everynow and then, the world is serious place the other 99% of the time. "It's so not me innit" is obviously not a serious title for a post that it makes me wonder why are reading it any way.

Tresco, Indeed a generalisation was made in my comment. I think my point was understood. thanks. Dick - is that really you or is it Gerry Adams 

athene, I have to agree. One of the things I like here in France is that we are not judged. We are just the family that live in the hamlet, like a laugh, a chat, glass of wine and help out at the village fetes and school where our daughter goes. The locals don't care what car we drive or how big our house is or how much money we make or have. We are just us, plain and simple. It is such a breath of fresh air. For the first time in so long we are taken on face value. I love it 

[quote]What irritates me is the question which could be answered in under a second with a Google search.[/quote] Dick, What's Google?

Discipline is one thing and ABUSE is another. Discipline does not have to be physical just the knowing that there is a repercussion to every action positive or negative. It's about teaching self respect and respect for others. By and large when these people resort to physical abuse of their children in public let alone in private they have completely lost control. It is their anger at having no control that leads them to lash out at what they perceive to be the problem. The child is not the problem, their behaviour is symptomatic of their surroundings. If I ever see such abuse of a child or an adult it is my duty and that of every other decent human being to do something about it. Think before acting, but always always act. Otherwise there comes a point when there is no social stigma to anti social and abusive behaviour. I have been assaulted a number of times intervening in fights in the UK, once quite severely, but I could not walk away! I'd do the same again. That said I understand not everyone may be physically capable of immediate intervention. Gladly I am sufficiently able to defend myself and others. A very close friend of mine was murdered at the hands of thugs while he visited a cash point in Plymouth a few years ago - HOW MANY PEOPLE STOOD AND WATCHED. A lot is the answer. Perhaps if they had not then he may still be alive and his then eighteen month old daughter would still have some one to call "daddy". As you can tell I am somewhat emotional on this subject. Abused children grow up to be abusers. So like I said before Discipline is one thing, abuse another. If you think treatment of children is excessive and abusive don't turn a blind eye, you could be next.    

Enough of you have called me for what... or who I am. Yes the wonderful James Dean. Time for a change later I think, but will it be or not? I'm not sure you're ready for the real JIRAC

In winter we pop our croissant on top of the wood burner to warm through. The fresh ones from the bakers as so much better than Supermarket ones - they warm but don't go chewy

"If my answers frighten you then cease to ask me questions" In future perhaps don't offer advice up front but wait for newcomers French or English to come to you. We all have differing opinions although in this case I do agree that it seems nuts in rural France to try to live like suburban England. Sounds a bit like Albert Square Walford - new family moves in and all the locals do a Dot Cotton and want to advise whats best. Let people settle in and if they need help they will come. Perhaps just give them they LF forum address and they can have all the help they want.  

I had never noticed the closeness to J Chirac before. Now that have pointed it out I shan't be able to forget it. As for the avatar - well is it me or not?

My dad used to make some excellent wines at home from anything from parsnips to damsons. It really was nice stuff but strong enough to kill a horse! We used to mix it to make a punch with a bit of cider and lemonade. We called it SWINE, a bit of a play on words but it truely was a swine - two glasses and I was anyones!! Does any one have a good recipe for an unusual home made wine.  

Miki, I dare say it will be bl***y hard work but what doesn't kill us will only make us stonger. That said I do already have a nagging back. I'm sure it will be worthwhile. I get on very well with a number of our local viticulteurs, largely because I spend too much time with them for dégustations. I enjoy more than anything the culture of it rather than a get pissed cheap attitude so often prevelent in UK. It is despite being hard work interesting to see how the wine is made. It is a craft and I find my French friends really appreciate our genuine interest. They sell the wine locally at around €2 a litre. This is wine that would cost £5 and £10 a bottle in UK. I do now buy en vrac (new word learned today thank you TU) and I bottle it at home. It's common sense and doesn't taste any different from bottles. Of course the "bag in box" is only for last years vintage. Older wines are all bottled. All round I love it and it is one of the great plus points to living bord de La Loire.  

[quote]The trouble with teaching history is the deafening crash of illusions hitting the ground... (fnah fnah - is that the proper spelling, SB?)And as for Mel Gibson...[/quote] Dick, have you seen Gibson's The Passion? If yes, what did you think. Is it all in Aramic and Hebrew or just the part of JC himself?

We refer to people such as that old **** down the lane as See You Next Tuesdays. I'm sure you'll figure it out. It is completely intolerated by my good wife. Even as a man of many years in rugby clubs and military surrounds it is quite repugnant as a word. Sometimes though it truely does define what one wants to say. 

Apple catchers, boxers, skuds, skiddies, grundgies, thudders, Poo catchers, the rest I know are too bed to air in the post. I guess I spent too long in rugby clubs over the past 20 years 

What wines are you drinking. Our local ANJOU wines are the same price this year. Machines are inevitable I guess but some of the grapes are still hand picked. In fact I'm taking a day out for the vendange this year to help. Can't wait should be very interesting.

Wouldn't dream of buying Californian wine here in ANJOU, one of the finest wine regions on Earth. It wouldn't go down well with the locals plus I just don't think it tastes as good as local produce. There is something very satisfying about consuming the wine I know my friends and neighbours have worked so hard for for generations.

I'd like to make my own sausages as I'd be happier with the low fat and salt content. The butchers do some great mince pork fresh in front of you so you can see its not all the rubbish left overs but does anyone know if you buy rusk here in France. If it is unavailable I'll just use breadcrumbs.   

Of course I meant HEAD not HAED - I must put the Brandy away! If future posts get worse you'll know I didn't

Ah the BIG WHAT IF question. What if an alien plummets from the sky and clonks you on the haed - blah blah blah. Quite simple really, either take the E111 as Dick suggests, which incidentally is what my parents do, or pay a fe w extra pounds for a private policy for the week. It won't cost much and you will have peace of mind 

Yes it probably is easier. If you can find something ready to walk into, furnished and with a network of clients, customers and bookings then you have a ready made income. IT WILL COME AT A GREATER COST however. I am sure that many of the gite and B&b ers on the forum will tell you it is hard to put a value on the blood sweat and tears ploughed into setting up such an affair. I know from my own experience of having arrived and setting up my own business I would not let it go cheaply. If you want to let me know where you are based or looking to be based I may be able to offer some business opportunities. It is best to supply details through my private inbox as it is inappropriate to advertise business over the forum. Look forward to your thoughts.    

Thanks for the interesting history lesson chaps and chapesses, I wish I had paid more attention at school. Back to the thread, down here in 49 (Maine et Loire) there are still many properties under       100 000 Euros. They are much harder to find however and give it another couple of years they will be scarce indeed. It will be interesting to see how the levelling out and dip in places within the UK property market will affect the cost and availability of real bargains here in France.

Having found you at number 1 again, I feel strangely compelled to expand another fairly daft thread to more than one page. I think your fettish with one page threads could back fire on you. We are all out to get you!

Having found you at number 1 again, I feel strangely compelled to expand another fairly daft thread to more than one page. I think your fettish with one page threads could back fire on you. We ar all out to get you!