Jill<br><br>Jill (99)

I just wondered if anyone who lives in Mayenne or has a home there could tell me more about the region. The reason for this is that we had a few days there a couple of weeks ago, but somehow, I didn't really feel I was in France. Don't get me wrong, I liked the area, but it seemed Swiss-clean, which is a rarity in France. All the houses seemed immaculate on the outside and so did the towns and villages. There also seemed to be a lot of new houses around smaller places compared to in other areas. The roads, are great - so smooth - so straight. But I suppose I'm attracted to places with more rusticity - and possibly decay. Did I miss something? Just to give you some idea, we were camping at Villiers Charlemagne, but from there went to Jublains, Ste Suzanne, Mayenne and Laval. For me the countryside was too flat in the south of the Departement, and more attractive in the north. I realise we weren't there for very long, but usually I get more feeling of Frenchness when passing through. Jill (99)

Last week, we did a two night camping stopover in the Mayenne and I had chosen the campsite because of apart from being one of the few open during April, it had a private bathroom for each emplacement. This saved us putting up an awning and using the chemical loo which would be too much hassle for just 2 nights. I wondered if anyone else had come across campsites like this. It wasn't even expensive - 20euros per night for 4 adults. It was a fishing camping village. Not only did it have an immaculate shower room with loo, sink and loads of space for shoes, bathrobes etc, but it also had a separate room with sink, drainer, fridge and a table de montage. I was rather dubious about it, expecting it to smell fishy, but it was lovely. I believe that there was a little pier by the lake allocated to each emplacement. There were also chalets for fishermen with a terrace/pier over the lake. I think they could fish from their beds if they wanted to. So, if you are into fishing, it could be an ideal place. Anyway, I wondered if anyone knew of other campsites with such facilities! I don't mean the fishing, actually - we don't fish. Jill (99)

>who could replace the incomparable >Fanny Ardent!!!!!!! Which one was she? How about Miranda Richardson for the Isabelle Huppert role? Can't think of anyone glamorous enough to take Catherine Deneuves role. I'd have to watch it again to come up with any other ideas. Jill (99)

We have a wealth of excellent literature for children and young adults in Britain. What are French speaking 12 to 18 year olds reading in France? I don't mean of the Buffy/Point Horror/Sweet Valley High/Babysitter variety - I mean are there any Philippe Poulmains or Malorie Noirhommes in France or do teenagers just read either trash or translations from English? Or possibly just BDs. The books my daughters 17 year old penfriend have read appear to be British books in translation. Jill (99)

As Margaret was saying, Pucette had recommended a book and various others have recommended books, but this sort of information gets lost in discussion. I thought I would just try out a more simple posting to create a book list. So here is my contribution. I was just thinking of a simple list rather than things getting lost in discussion - we could discuss them on a separate posting. Just an idea. Christian Signol - Bonheurs D'Enfance Les Vignes de St Colombe/ La Lumiere des Collines Annie Ernaux - Une Femme (very easy read) Jill (99)

I've never really been sure about these and other related verbs. Yesterday, I decided to ask my daughter's French teacher who is French, but has taught in England for many years. She started to explain, and the more she explained, the more confused she became! In the end, she said she would get out her books and look it up! Has anyone got it sussed? Jill (99)

You could try reading books by Christian Signol (yes, this has been my answer on a few occasions - I wonder if anyone has tried it yet?) Les Bonheurs d'Enfance is a sort of autobiography, but as you said you like Joanne Harris, it may suit you. In this particular book, he describes his childhood, growing up at the time when there were still "Les Vieux Metiers" and you can smell the hay and everything just the way you can taste things in Joanne Harris's books. It has a feeling of the old France - possibly what some people experience still in rural areas. I'm taking his "Les Noel's blancs" to France with me next week as well as "La Gloire de Mon Pere" - Pagnol. You said you like whodunnits too. This may be complete trash, I'm no authority - but you could see if you could get Le Crime de combe jadouille by Brigitte leVarlet. Of course there is always Simenon but I never got into it. Neither of these are heavy going, so if it's a while since you read in French they may be a good starting point Hope you find something you like. It may be an idea to ask in a second hand book shop. Sometimes people in those shops are more interested in what they are selling than in places like FNAC - and in a supermarket, I doubt if anyone would know. Jill (99)

Why just one Agony Aunt - I thought there were already lots on the site!? Jill (99)

Thank you for all your postings. I've printed off Belinda's cartoons for my son! Yes Margaret - it would be nice to think he was unfussy - but whilst he loves weird things, he won't touch anything as dull as Shepherd's Pie (which he made last week in school given the choice of that, bolognese and chilli - as he doesn't like those either). Nor does he eat much in the way of veg - but getting better. One of his friend's Mum's said when he was about 9 that he was weird because he eats "grown-up food" such as Olives, Houmous, Taramaslata, Feta, Curry etc. He also eats offal - something many good eaters steer clear of. But, yes, I am proud that he will give strange things a go! Yes, Opas - I think the teacher has already raised an eyebrow at the suggestion! As regards the other halves - Yuk Saligo Bay - you have put me off a bit, but then we eat Oysters when they are still alive. Mind you, you'd think that the people doing the job would put them out of their misery. I remember someone I knew going to Japan and apparently the Piece de Resistance was some jellified looking stuff which was frogs. She was pretty repulsified by it, but it could be what happens to the other halves. I was describing eating Frogs legs to a friend and she said something about eating their genitals. Well, I suppose you must do! As regards horsemeat - there was a discussion on this a few weeks ago. Whilst it's not available in Britain, someone said that some of the horsemeat on sale in France comes from Scotland. Oh, go on Gay, live dangerously - the Frogs legs I had in Boulogne in a creamy garlic sauce were delicious. Still looking for a recipe for that if anyone knows one. Just think, everyone - what goes into sausage and salami - what about cervalatwurst - cerva.....many of us eat it and we ignore the ingredients. Do any of you eat Frogs legs or Snails by the way? Jill (99)

My son has to choose a foreign recipe to cook in his Technology lesson after Easter, and has found a recipe for Frogs Legs which he wants to make - just to aggravate the other kids, actually! The teacher was a little surprised too! Anyway, we are in France over Easter, but have only ever seen them frozen previously, and that will be a problem as we will have to buy them Wednesday morning, so I expect they will be off by the time he uses them on the following Monday, even if we keep them in a fridge most of the time. So, I wondered if you had seen them in tins and if you had noticed that specific supermarket chains sell particular brands of them. Incidentally, the recipe he has chosen is a la Provencale, but I had them in a restaurant in Boulogne in a garlicky cream sauce and wonder if anyone has a recipe for doing it that way. Unfortunately, that particular restaurant had closed down the next time we were in Boulogne! If he doesn't cook Frogs legs, he wants to do Escargots, which should be easy enough as they do at least come in tins. Failing this, he wants to do horse steak but I've not come across specific recipes for that - has anyone else? We just fry or barbecue it when we are camping in France. None of us are actually keen on Snails, so I'm suggesting he might do something with Scallops as an alternative to Frogs Legs! Jill (99)

Our toaster is lousy! You get a well done bit then you have to turn it round to get the other side cooked - even though the whole slice fits in OK. It's not bad for crumpets, muffins, pitta bread and mini naan though - although I've taken to doing my naan on the panini grill. I won't be replacing the toaster when it dies. Jill (99)

>I like them warm. I like >them dunked into my hot >drink, usually good hot chocolate. What is it about French hot chocolate? I love it in France, but would never drink it in England - even though we bring back Super Poulain with us. I've heard people say French milk is awful, so could it be that French milk just makes better hot chocolate? Personally, I don't like milk, so if I were to make hot chocolate here, it would be with a substantial amount of water. Anything chocolate does taste more chocolatey in France anyway - mousse for example. Jill (99)

I just like them plain with a cup of black coffee. I don't dunk because I don't like all the stuff at the bottom. Mind you, if I get baguette and honey - I dunk. The contrast from the unsweetened black coffee and honey is delicious. My husband made croissants once - very time consuming - he didn't do it again, although they were delicious. As we are in England, we buy the prepared dough in tins of croissants and pain au chocolat and stick them in the overn when we get up on Christmas Day - but they don't taste the same as in France - but we have had some bad ones there. I always associate Dole with bad ones - just bad choice of bakery on the way through! What about soup - dare you dunk in that? I wouldn't do it in company, but I do like to when alone having soup for a complete meal - and in a stew. Who said "slob"!?!?!? Jill (99)

Sorry, I know others have read this one here before - I went onto a website about St Omer for my sister who was going there and has no French. It said that a certain park was "hardly worth a visit" (fortement) and something about the tour de France and cycling across this particular area and screwing him! (the last two words translated were Le Boulonnais!) I wrote to the website to tell them and they said it was an electronic translator!) The town of Arques was translated as Curves - do you have Crystal de Curves glasses? Jill (99)

Sorry if I've posted this before - I can't remember doing, but know I keep intending to. Didn't there used to be bar mirrors with Lautrec type poster pictures on them? If so, was it for Dubonnet, or what? Have you seen any lately, and if so, where? I just have it in my mind that I've seen a mirror with Can Can dancers on it somewhere, and I've been looking for one for years. Thanks. Jill (99)

How about making your stew into a Cobbler? Just make up plain scones and put your stew in the oven with the scones arranged round the edge. Bake until the scones are cooked. You could also add herbs to the scones. Mmmm! Must put that onto our menu plan! Jill (99)

Thank you. Jill (99)

Thanks for this - I'll look out for it. I bought a very simple summary of the history of French Royalty at a tourist site last year in France, but it was very lacking. Watched my DVD of La Reine Margot a couple of weeks ago and it didn't seem to tie in very well with the Jean Plaidy books I read years ago, so I'd certainly like to know more about that era. Jill (99)

LAST EDITED ON 01-Mar-04 AT 01:03 AM (GMT) Thanks Susie It does sound delicious. Hope I can squeeze in a couple of extra tins when we go over to France in April! I don't think we have any at the moment! Just one thing though - did the recipe say anything about parboiling the potatoes? I think I will do, because it doesn't sound long to get them cooked. What do you think? If anyone makes this recipe before I do, please could you let me know. Merci d'avance! Jill (99)

Those of you who can receive BBC2 may have seen this evenings programme "What the World thinks about God". Apparently 46% of British believe in a God (I missed the beginning so wasn't sure whether this was the Christian only, or others too). In Nigerial 98% believe. But the survey only covered 10 countries and none of the others were European. I wondered if anyone knew what the percentage was in France, given that there is no religious education in schools. My daughter was saying that a Frenchman who posts on a site she uses was asking about the bible because he knows so little about Christianity himself - he lives in America and he is unable to join in discussions because he knows so little. Yet, many have always looked on France as a catholic country. So, I just wondered what the French percentage of believers actually is. Not a very serious survey really though - one question was whether David Beckham or God influenced peoples most!!! I ask you!!!! Well I think it was 23% who said Beckham! Jill (99)

In a hotel last year, we were served a fruit compote for breakfast. This wasn't the sort of compote which is familiar in France, but it was made with dried fruit, poached in whisky, honey and bergamot. It was served with Greek Yoghurt. Normally, I'm not into fruit at all, but I had this one every day - it was delicious. I remembered I'd seen a similar recipe in Supercook and dug it out recently. This recipe is dried fruit (soaked), then red wine and water boiled with cinammon and sugar, then the fruit added and simmered for 15 minutes. Then you drain the fruit and reduce the syrup and then put them together again. I have considerably reduced the amount of sugar as I feel there is plenty of sugar in the fruit and I don't like things to be overly sweetened. So far, we have only made enough to last my daughter and myself about 3 or 4 breakfasts. IF YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE OF PRESERVING FRUIT, HOW LONG SHOULD I BE ABLE TO STORE THIS IF I WERE TO PUT IT IN JARS IN A CUPBOARD AS OPPOSED TO IN THE FRIDGE? I mean, will the sugar or red wine see to it (or only if I add the correct amount of sugar)? If I were to add a drop of rum or whisky, would that increase its life expectancy. It really does make a delicious breakfast with yoghurt. I used figs, prunes, apricots and apples and also threw in a few pumpkin and sunflower seeds as the hotel also added those. It's surprisingly filling and much better than my usual meusli and yoghurt! Jill (99)

Surely the amount of French wine consumed by visiting foreigners offsets these figures even more! Do they base this on surveys of asking people how much they drink, or on the basis of how much wine is sold? 58 litres is 77.3 bottles. We've brought back more than 77 bottles from France during the last year. We brought back 66 or so in November, not to mention April and August! 58 litres is only .21 of a bottle per day! I think!!!! Or about one and a half bottles a week. I'm bound to be wrong here - so out of practice with maths! But one and a half bottles a week doesn't really seem a lot to me. I probably average one glass a day - sometimes none, sometimes two or three. Obviously with all the teetotallers, some people are consuming lots more. Is it fears of drink driving that are making the French drink less? Is it that the French are cutting their lunch hours shorter to work more like the English do, so not having time for a demi at lunchtime? Or is it that they are turning more to other drinks to relax - such as whisky etc? What about younger people - are they going in more for alcopops? Or is it just the health thing? Jill (99)

According to France magazine, Camembert and Brie are the most popular French cheeses in Britain whilst in France, Comte is the favourite. I found this rather surprising, as apart from in a fondue, I've never seen Comte in any French homes I've visited, nor served in restaurants. In supermarkets, there isn't much shelf room given to it either. SO, HAVE YOU SEEN MUCH COMTE ABOUT IN FRENCH HOMES OR RESTAURANTS? I mentioned this to a French friend in Normandy with whom we'll be dining in April and she said she didn't even know what Comte was. She said she prefers the Norman cheeses. I suppose it's a question of what you get used to, but I did mention to her that I don't like them at all. If when we go for dinner she decided to offer Camembert croutons or something, it would be very difficult to eat them and pretend we liked them. We were served them in a restaurant once and took one taste and - no thank you. When it comes to French cheese, the only ones I do like are the hard yellow ones such as Beaufort, Comte, Gruyere, Emmenthal, Salers, Cantal Entre Deux and Tomme de Savoie. Do like Boursin/Tartare, can't bear Chevre. Anyway, if my friend in Normandy doesn't even know what Comte is,it is surprising if it is the most popular cheese in France! I'd have thought that Emmenthal was more popular from the cooking point of view as well as the eating point of view. Jill (99)

I've been watching Jean de Florette this afternoon and I really love the accent! Don't know why - I'm not keen on really extreme British accents. I just wondered if anyone knew any films which took place in other parts of France where the accent of the region was really noticeable? A demeng! Jill (99)

When you drive down Route de Boulogne in Calais there seem to be lots of Horse Butchers, yet I haven't found a French person yest who eats it. Although a friend in France did say that's what she was giving us on one occasion, and ever since then, we've bought horse whenever we can find it. But since then, her daughters have said that they would never eat horse in their family - so now I don't know if she was joking. You never could tell with her - I believed it as she used to nip into the garden to kill a couple of rabbits or hens for lunch the next day and we also had small eels from the nearby brook. I watched her husband killing starlings one day - for eating the next (when I fortuneately wasn't there). Perhaps she just didn't tell her kids it was horse. I can't do with this sentimentality about meat. I can't see the difference between eating cow or horse! My sister won't eat duck, but she'll eat chicken - doesn't make sense to me. I think it's a pity if horse butchers go out of business - just as I think it's a pity it is so hard to get veal in England these days. Never mind, in a few weeks I'll be over there, doing my bit to keep horse butcher going!!! Jill (99)