Toucan

Cafe owners have told us that you have to pay different rates according to the size of your speakers/output/amount of speakers. There is a way round it though - use the radio from a satalite and you only have to pay for the TV license. Jane

We went up to Cherburg on Sat (200 mile round trip), got there about 12.30 and left about 1.30. Couldnt find you or the fleet, saw the banner at the town hall. Made a change to get out of Calvados for a few hours though and went to a couple of Vide greniers so all was not lost! Jane

Coco, Id be more than happy to take any extra bookings, one night or more, that you cant fit in. We are not far from you, near Vire. Jane

La Graverie, at the bar tonight Friday a French band playing rock/regge. Come a mix with English and French customers (Im one of them), listen to the music and get your fish and chips. Id love to meet some others from the forum, like Coco who I think lives nearby. Sorry I didnt give more notice. Jane

I too find the new format SO SLOW. If only everyone would remember that most of France does not have broadband, and out in the middle of nowhere, where I live, we will never get it. Do we really need all these yellow circle things that also take forever to set up? I have been looking at the forum less and less recently and am beginning to agree that Ive better things to do with my time, which is a shame as it has been a life saver over the depths of winter. Lets simplyfy things.   Jane

And can someone tell me why Im suddenly a junior member? Its a long time since I was one of them! And its sooooooooo slow now.   Jane

Im in the Vire area and would be interested. Ive done lots of different jams which Im taking back to a farmers market in England over November. Anyone with other home made produce theyd like me to take?   Jane

Ive seen a French carpet fitter in action - they GLUE the underlay down, then glue the carpet on top. It takes forever. Jane

A guy ran over a deer, which was popped in a freezer and the committee des fetes (we are on it!) had a lovely christmas dinner after putting up the street decorations - the guy was invited as guest of honour, but his car was a right off. Jane

Its one of the first questions we get asked too. Mind you we had a narrow boat for quite a few years and people would catch us at locks and ask - is it yours? Do you live on it? How much was it? Jane

Our friends the Ska group Owterzeds are appearing for two nights in Vire, prior to their annual tour in Bordeaux. The venues and dates are Friday 16th. July at the Bar de la Poste, La Graverie (Just outside Vire on the St. Lo road), and Saturday 17th. at Bar La Capsule, (centre of Vire, just off the roundabout towards Mortain). La Graverie is an Anglo/French owned family bar, where English Fish & Chips are available, La Capsule is more a 'town centre' kind of place, and Saturday is also the climax of the Virevolte festival. http://www.owterzeds.com

I just cant believe what happened to me last night. A gentleman, who has been intouch by email for the past few months, decided to book our gite. I phoned him (by arrangement) to give our bank details so he could pay over the next few days for his chosen week in August. After taking all my bank details he said he only wanted to put down a small deposit and pay the balance AFTER HIS HOLIDAY! His reasoning - he wouldnt know until the end of the week if his wife, daughter and himself would have had a good holiday. He then said we might just take his money and not exist when he got here. What do you think? Jane

Be careful. We have only had 4 bookings this year and nothing over the peak weeks booked as yet. Jane

Just to let you know - the chickens have been caught! Apart from two of the chicks that dissappeared altogether. It took half a bottle of pastis and boiled rice so they couldnt get up the tree. At the moment they are in the barn awaiting clipping. This is a new venture for us and I can see hours of fun and heartace ahead. But the next few eggs should be tasty! Jane

Thanks for all the suggestions. We went to the house this evening hoping to catch them as they settled down for the night. The mother with the chicks was well hidden and no one could find her. The cock and the other hen were up in the tree - three stories up! He just laughed at us from up there. After four days of driving over to the house we have given up, it will be cheaper to get some from the market! What I didnt realise when we started all this, is that they have been fending for themselves for quite a few months already. Will let everyone know when we do get some market hens, if your interested. Jane

A friend is leaving France for a while and has given us his chickens, a cock and two adult females, one with four little ones. The run is ready and a small fox proof barn. Our French neighbours are all coming round for a drink to welcome the flock and check them out. BUT our friend cannot catch them! We are going round tomorrow evening to try and help him. They end up in a tree at night. They were even given rice soaked in pastis this afternoon (not my idea) to make things easier. Any hints from the experts out there? This posting isnt a joke, we have to catch them soon. Jane

My husband is also a drummer looking for someone to make music with. He last played with a 21 piece blues band. The kit is now in one of the barns looking very sad. We are based near Vire. Maybe you could get together for a moan and give me a breather! Jane

We are near Vassy if you want to get intouch. The chip van does have mushy peas too! Just been there for tea tonight and the place was packed. Jane