LaJamerie

Hi Danny Yes, it's the dial up that is the problem. We had problems accessing email from 19/11/09 because they moved email servers without telling us and we stopped getting email until we figured out what was causing it. When we arrived in France last week, we found that our dial up access didn't work.  Looks like they lost some people's login/password details in the migration. Not a big problem, but it would have been nice if they'd kept customers informed! I'll probably sign up with Free. One day it would be lovely to have Broadband, but I'm not holding my breath - it could be a while:) Margaret.

I'm having exactly the same problem - can't log in with my Worldonline account (bought out by Tiscali, bought out by Alice, bought out by Free). Has anyone managed to solve this, or do I need to set up a new dial up account with Free? Margaret

Just to prove that not everyone has defected to another place, does anyone know if there is overnight parking available at the rail station at Bayeux? If so, does it have a height barrier on it? We are planning a trip to Paris this year and would rather leave our geriatric landrover behind this time! Margaret.

Hi Coco, Russethouse, Jon, Will, Punch, SB and a lot of other names I remember from days gone by. I've still got the same identity - just no time to post these days. I look in from time to time and hadn't even noticed that some people had changed their names - I just wondered where they'd gone! Margaret.

Anyone who has an iPod (or even just has iTunes on their PC) might like to know that there is a series of French lessons via Podcast. The associated website is http://frenchpodclass.com/. They are conducted by a Frenchman living in the US, and use conversation, music and literature. I'm going to give it a try - I've just listened to the first part of lesson 28 (it started last July) and it sounds like fun! The Podcasts are free, although there are some added bits that you can pay for via their other website at www.frenchlearningcenter.com. Margaret.

Nic, Sorry about your fire, but I'm sure you'll come to love your Rayburn. Yes, cooking on a Rayburn is different to an ordinary stove. AgaRayburn have a website which has some information on cooking, and they also sell the Rayburn cookery book - although if you have a new Rayburn you might have got one with it. I use a gas Rayburn, and use a variety of pans depending on what I'm doing - but all of them solid and substantial! My most useful pans are some Le Creuset gratin dishes, a big Le Creuset casserole, a couple of heavy bottomed stainless steel for veggies and things and a small copper pan for sauces, butter, melting things. Where you might have fried things on an ordinary cooker, you'll probably find that the bottom of the oven is the best place or at the top of the oven on the grill rack if you want a grilled finish. It takes a little while to learn to cook on one - but it is worth it and once you do you'll never go back. When we finally go to France full time, we will definitely have a Rayburn fitted. The thing with wood burners is to learn to regulate and ameliorate the temperature - be prepared to protect your dishes with the solid trays, other pans over them etc. if the oven happens to be a bit too hot, and to wait a while if it needs to heat up.   Margaret.

I see the Pride of Le Havre and Pride of Cherbourg are going to be leased out to Brittany Ferries. Hmmm...the plot thickens! More services on the Western Channel? Where to? Where from? At least it might mean less crowded ferries than might otherwise be the case.

My first thought is more crowded ferries and higher prices through a lack of competition. Am I right? Or will more of us make the trek to the tunnel?

Thanks for that tip, Margaret, I'll look out for it. ED is often my inspiration in the dark months between Christmas and springtime. Margaret.