Poppy

[quote user="TWINKLE"] Bucket of water - way cheaper than double glazing! [I wooly has given me an idea[I] Why not try making an even louder racket than them?  I'm thinking Meg Ryan in 'When Harry met Sally' [:P] http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=RDADTMqDDL8 [/quote] Good idea [I] but it will have more effect if I play the video [:D]

When I was at school from what I can remember [blink] I got up at 6, most of my working life I was up at 6 and now unfortunately it seems I want to get up after 8. The parents don't work and have two cars so no problem transporting the children. I think the new pickup point has just started because they have finally persuaded the driver to stop here.To stop at the other end of the chemin nearer their house would mean the bus has to change route. I am a bit concerned that the children are not met off the bus at night even though all the family see them off in the morning. Only pleased they don't bring the cockerel.  Gengulphus I too enjoyed your post. We are already acquainted with the family [:D] OH also thinks it is too energetic to do anything and then complains that he is too tired and can't possibly do any chores. Perhaps I am missing something [8-)] Thanks for the suggestions Twinkle, trouble is there are no other places where the bus can pull off the road. If earplugs don't work might try the bucket of water.  

Good to hear other people's reactions to the situation, just wondered what others would do. Will have to have a good think. [blink] I know the children have to go to school but their house is a kilometre away from us. We have no immediate neighbours and bought the house for that reason.

Many thanks for the replies, it is good to have others thoughts. We would change bedrooms but unfortunately nothing to change to and we have been trying to get up earlier. We are positioned where a disused chemin crosses a one track road, the children live about a kl up the chemin, the school bus pulls into the chemin presumably for security. Previously they were taken by car to the nearest village as are all the children in area to pick the bus up.One evening a friends car was parked on the land at other side of chemin and neighbour banged on door demanding he move it as bus wouldn't stop if it couldn't pull off the road. I have a feeling that if we take any action mairie etc slashed tyres or broken windows come to mind. It is a situation we never thought about and while most of me thinks live with it and get up earlier another little part thinks 'this is my life'. We do feel it is an intrusion into our privacy. Perhaps we are just grumpy old people [:D]

The school bus has just started stopping outside our house at 07.45 every school day just to pick our neighbours 4 children up. I have a feeling it is not a proper designated pickup point. The whole family (4 kids, baby , mum, and dog with nice loud bell) arrive at about 07.30  and it sounds like the school playground/nursery until the bus arrives full breaks on doors banging and everything revving for take off. We are retired and normally get up at 08.30 ish [:D] but this is shattering our lives, we have started waking at 07.15 waiting for the onslaught. Due to the age of the children plus baby this could go on for the next ten years. [:'(]

Ask at the Mairie. They will advise and supply forms [:D]

JSA it would be great if you can find out the costs. Missed the BBC2 prog but wish I had seen it. Both OH and myself feel that donation is by far the best thing to do.I know my parents would turn in their graves at the thought but I am very interested in what others think.

[quote user="Jazzer"] There is a long reply to a letter in French News March  2008.Website address http://www.aphp.fr/site/actualitie/mag_donducorps.htm. The click on telecharger le brochure de l'AP/HP. From this site ou can choose a estblishment you wish to give your body to from a list o faculties of Medicine all over France who handle this service. You haveto pay a contibution towards transport and cremation costs. In Toulouse for example the fee is €458. [/quote] Many thanks Jazzer for the link to the aphp site. Just had a quick look, quite tickled that the authorisation letter has to be hand written.Toulouse would be ideal for us and I guess costs are much cheaper than a funeral etc.

[quote user="Russethouse"] [quote user="Poppy"]Just heard that a friend in UK instead of having funeral/burial is donating body to medical science. I think it's a great idea does anyone know if it's possible to do the same in France.[/quote] If you do this I suggest you leave instructions for a Plan B, two people I knew  had left their bodies to medical science but when the time came medical science didn't want them ! [/quote] Oh dear thanks for the info RH. Will certainly make a Plan B, not much interest in my body now so anything could happen [:D]

 Cathy, many thanks for the link.

Just heard that a friend in UK instead of having funeral/burial is donating body to medical science. I think it's a great idea does anyone know if it's possible to do the same in France.

Ooooooh sob sob sob, but how sad and true.

Possibly a change for good or bad all depends on her character and background. Friend's daughter changed at exactly the same age and did have a very very good command of French, having previously lived in France but she is very shy and retiring. Result is she hasn't any GCE's and did get her BAC but 2 years later than normal. She is now doing part time waitress work but does live in a very rural area where jobs for the french are hard to obtain and she doesn't want to leave home! On the other hand I know someone who changed to French education at aged 13 with no previous knowledge of French and is now in University at Toulouse. She is very happy and dare I say it the parents are perhaps more academic than the first case.  Perhaps you need to chat to Katie [:D] Seriously I do wish you all the best  in your decisions and in your new life. 

Computer didn't crash but from 9ish last night until now couldn't access LF. The message was that Internet Explorer could not access the site.

In 18 years in the Lot have found majority of Febs and March have been mild and pleasant, night temps do seem very high this year though and can't remember the stars being soooo bright. Daffs and other plants seem to be at least a month ahead. For some reason most Easters have been bad. Can remember one Easter monday when it snowed and that was in April [:(]

Hello Joy, well done on staying the same weight with all the goodies available in UK. OOOOPS didn't realise weigh in was wednesday [geek] Gives me an extra day to get on track before next wednesday [:D] The Other Jan

Oh dear where is everyone. Are you all doing as badly as me [6] Haven't got a clue what got into me this week, well physically it was chocolate, alcohol and anything fattening. Managed to almost get control over the weekend and also started exercising again. Going to a party on Easter monday so must get into the party dress. The other Jan Still slimming & smiling [:D]

Sorry didn't read previous posts properly.

I'm still here [:D] Just got back home and haven't plucked up the courage to get on the scales. Going to try extra hard this week lots of exercise and back on the low fat diet. Have tried to stick to low fat while away and clothes are not toooo tight. Now back on own computer will have a look at the FITDAY site. The Other Jan Still slimming and smiling [:D]

We live in the Lot and get good radio 4 reception most of the time on a 20 year old Morphy Richards clock radio. I say most of the time because late at night it starts competing with an arabic station.  A few years ago we did buy an all singing etc very expensive worldwide reception Roberts radio but can't get any radio except local french. The alarm has died on the MR radio so we bought a new clock radio it doesn't have LW but reception for other stations is excellent wherever we are. Don't know why or how [I] but cheap clock radios seem to work for us [:D]

Scooby do hope you have had some time off work 12 lbs is a HUGE weight loss. Hope docs visit went well Joy. Just had a thought [I] when I was on low fat diet inners were very slow. Still in Spain so no diet, have been exercising every day and it is helping but thighs are getting bigger and it doesn't feel good. Back home next week so back on track and looking forward to looking  soooo good in the shorts and t -shirts in a couple of months.I  know I can  and will lose half a stone before end of April. I'm sure everyone else can and believe me it is a great feeling [:D] trying on clothes becomes a pleasure. The Other Jan Still smiling and soon slimming [:D]

Well done Jan, a pound loss every couple of weeks means nearly 2STONE lighter by next Christmas. Shouldn't mention it here but the lemon drizzle cake on another thread sounded delicious. The other Jan [:D]

[quote user="Joy1"]Am I the only one left? Have you all given up, or just had a bad week!? Only another few months of hiding under jumpers before we have to get the t-shirts out!!! Come on folks! Joy [/quote] I'm still here Joy, if only in spirit not the flesh. there will be a lot more flesh when I get back from Spain though. Back home in a couple of weeks and definitely back to dieting. Keep picturing myself in 12 months time 2 stone lighter feeling fit; healthy and confident [blink] Lets hope we are not the only two who will look good in our shorts and t-shirts this summer. The other Jan Still smiling and soon slimming [:D]

There is one in the main street of Fumel. Happy washing [:D]

Just wondered whether for UK residents with income in France the first tax return has to be obtained from office for non residents or local tax office. Also if resident in UK can French Gite income, under certain amount, just be entered in corrct box on tax form or is it necessary/possible to register the business.