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[quote user="Sunday Driver"] • Excessive speed was the most often recorded contributory factor for fatal accidents, being cited in 28 per cent of fatal accidents between 1999 and 2002. Among the most striking findings is the way excessive speed contributes to a much higher proportion of severe and fatal accidents. This close relationship with accident severity is not observed for any other major contributory factor except alcohol impairment. This would confirm previous research indicating that as well as actually contributing to the occurrence of an accident, excessive speed may be a major factor determining the severity of injuries and likelihood of death. [/quote] Another thing about excessive speed is that it is not something that can be attributed as a contributing factor in accidents unless it can be proven (by speed camera, witness statement or driver's own admission). So, if the 28% of fatal accidents in the UK that could be proven were as a result of speeding, how many more end up being put down to some other cause?  We are never likely to know the true figures. Unlike alcohol, it is not something that can be tested for afterwards. A driver who has killed or fatally injured someone in an accident is hardly going to volunteer the information that he or she was breaking the speed limit at the time, are they? Between 1999 and 2002, 14,000 people were killed or fatally injured in road accidents in the UK *, so the 28% that were killed by accidents in which excessive speed was a factor add up to around 4,000, or 1,000 each year. Something to think about, isn't it, for those in the "speed doesn't kill" brigade? * http://ec.europa.eu/transport/care/statistics/series/fatal1991_actual/index_en.htm  

Did you mean like this Suzanah? You just typeyour mail as usual, then use the mouse to select and highlight the word you want to use as a hyperlink (I used the word "this") then hit the little "Create Link" icon (just above the window where you enter your text, last-but-one on the right hand side, looks like a globe and chain). Then type or paste in the full link address Now you have a link, you can change the font or colour of the link to make it more obvious.      

[quote user="Christine Animal"] You are scratching your head Mark, but so am I.  Have I missed something? Cathy, who is Mr. Vanderstramp? [/quote] I think he's better known as one half of the couple, Dr & Mrs Vandertramp?  The mnemonic for the verbs that use être rather than avoir in the passé composé. Devenir Revenir Monter Rester Sortir Venir Aller Naître Descendre Entrer Retourner Tomber Rentrer Arriver Mourir Partir    

Maybe not Christine, but I bet you knew about Mr Vanderstramp before I did [:)] Actually, when I asked my French fella about the positioning of nouns and adjectives, he wasn't able to describe the rule either.  I guess it must be something that a lot of French people just know, but without knowing why.    

I always wondered about that too, until my french teacher explained the rules. If an adjective denotes * beauty (but only "positive" beauty, not degree of ugliness) * size * age then it goes before the noun, otherwise it follows the noun. So, une belle dame, but une dame moche Une petite maison, but une maison blanche Un vieil chien, but un chien sauvage. The only real exception to this (that I know of) is when using language to extoll the virtues of something, as in advertising, when the adjectives are often put before the noun for emphasis. Not sure where that leaves your hot bunny though [:$]    

Hi Rosebud Others have had this problem too, see http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/658799/ShowPost.aspx If you email the lovely James (Admin) I'm sure he'll be able to help.    

[quote user="Sunshine"] Hi My husband and I have just made our permanent move 20 kms north west of Cahors and would be interested in lessons too.  In January I  had a very expensive 4 week course in Bordeaux which left me feeling I would never get to grip with the language, I need all the help I can get.   [/quote] Sunshine, if you're 20 miles NW of Cahors it sounds as if you might not be too far from me.  If you're anywhere near Salviac I know of two people who run French classes in the area.  PM me if you'd like more details.        

I bought my fire-engine red Kitchen Aid mixer about 4 years ago, I went for the professional model as it was bigger and not too much more expensive.  I use it nearly every day and think it's the best bit of kitchen kit I own. I also bought a Kitchen Aid Liquidiser, although I tend to use this less often.  As others have said, a hand held blender is better for small quantitiies, and needs less washing up. Kitchen Aid stuff is fantastic quality, if a little on the expensive side, and also so attractive that I don't feel I need to hide it away when not in use (which is just as well, as it weighs a ton).      

Preparing and cooking way too many tapas dishes for tonight, getting frazzled in the kitchen. (By the way, quail's eggs are the invention of the devil, just how do you crack the blighters without getting crunchy bits of shell everywhere)? Listening to Zero 7 and Astrud Gilberto to lower the temperature, and sampling the sangria... I'm sure it tastes fine, but I think I might check just one more time [Www]  

[quote user="louweezel"]Just finished it!!! Delicious!!! No i didn't say the 'pour faire da la limonade', will have to try again i think. What is citric acid/ vinegar supposed to do?? Because it tastes lovely without! I was quite generous with the lemon though! [/quote] I made elderflower cordial last year, using lemon juice rather than citric acid, as you say, it was delicious. Two problems though, mine started to ferment (even in my cool cellar, and "popped" several corks).  It didn't keep to well either, and started to grow a strange stringy thing in each bottle. So... this year I will be making it the same way, but pouring it into plastic bottles and freezing it [:)]  

I've just finished reading John Peel's autobiography, and in it he was saying how sad it was that many people remember Lonnie Donegan only for My Old Man's a Dustman and Does Your Chewiing Gum Lose its Flavour.  

[quote user="Miki"] I take a more simplistic view at all the problems, I  look at the USA to see how the UK will be and in France, you can smply look the to the UK to see how it may well turn out in the decade or so after. Believe me, France has seen huge changes in social behaviour in the last twenty years and I would say in the last 30-35 years, I  recognise barely anything from the late 60's, bar the tiny communes where time has stood still but I know places in Great Britain I could attribute that to as well. [/quote] How right you are Miki, only today we were talking about this, and how our local auberge is no longer allowed to make its own home made mayonaise, and parents can no longer bring in home made birthday cakes to the school.  Whatever happens in the US follows in the UK, say 10 years later, and in another 10 years it hits France.  

[quote user="Dago"]They have been appearing  on the shelves in the supermarkets for some time now but I think Val2 is right, there isn't the money around for real binges....yet. And here in the biggest town around (Gourdon) there are as yet no bars directed specifically at the youngsters, the only bar that does attract the young still has a large number of young lads and girls just having a coffee late at night, can get a bit more lively around the end of June for the Fete de la St Jean, when the whole town is ringed by a large fun fair, but still a family affair.[:)] [/quote] Would that be Le Divan D a g o, with the waiter with the nicely waxed tash ?    

[quote user="Lori"] The make-up website was odd too.  I'm not sure I got it.  You put the stuff on to create a beard or to 'enhance' a beard???  I'm totally lost now. [/quote] No Lori, the make-up (in fact the whole site) is for men that want to look like ladies. The make-up is supposed to disguise or hide the facial bristles.  

Are you sure those false beards for ladies were for facial use Dick, perhaps they were merkins !  (Don't click on kink... oops sorry, link, if you are easily offended). [Www]    

When I phoned my local tax office in Gourdon, they told me to use 1.3459 as the rate of exchange. I rather like that, I'm not going to argue with them [Www]  

[quote user="chris pp"] Definitely Tamias sibiricus, I couldn't believe it when I flicked on this thread and you are in the Lot, is that where you saw it? I knew that they were around in parts of France in the east but I had no idea that they were that far south west. [/quote] Yes Chris, it was in the Lot.  I spoke to my friends last night, and they say that they have been keeping a watch and now think that there are several of these chipmunks living in their loft, and that the one we saw was a baby. They are undeniably cute, but they don't belong here, or even in Europe, at all.  As no-one around here has ever seen one before I'd say that they are still pretty rare in these parts. I only have to think about plight of red squirrels in the UK to realise the dangers "imported" animals pose for native wildlife.  

Or did you mean to create a georgian style door? Like this perhaps I don't know of anything myself mind.  

Thanks Valerie, that was the photo I found when I searched too [:)] It was taken in a park in Paris I think.  I've looked up Siberian Chipmunk, and it does seem that they have colonised parts of Europe due to escape from captivity.  Apparently they make a loud chirping noise, which is exactly what drew my attention to it in the first place, as I thought their cat had caught a bird.  I think that could well be it, Tamia de Siberie (tamias sibiricus) sometimes called Suisse. Cute little devils aren't they, although it's just possible that they could be on Chris's hit list of unwanted invading critters that compete with native wildlife. They are certainly on DEFRA's http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/hampshire/4464304.stm    

Thanks for the suggestion Christine, I had wondered about that too, but after looking at some photos on google it really did look more chipmunkish. I'm finding it difficult though to find much any reference to chipmunks in France.    

Last night, at a friend's house, we saw a little creature running down the terrace wall.  It was a bit bigger than a mouse, but smaller than a squirrel, with black and white stripes along the side of its face, and a bushy tail ending in a bit of an elongated pom-pom.  It looked as though it was still a baby. I have never seen one before, and my french freinds were equally baffled as to what it might be. They live in the Lot, in a fairly rural location, near to a small wood. I've had search on google, and it does look a little bit like a chipmunk or tamia (see picture below). Has anyone ever seen one of these in France?    

Can I tag on to the end of this thread please? I've just sat down to complete my tax froms here in France, I live here permanently, and rent out my UK home.  The rental from this is my only income, no savings, no pensions.  I have already declared this income on my UK tax form. I have in front of me the French tax form 2047, and understand I need to carry over the figures onto form 2042.  But do I also need to fill in form 2044? Anyone out there in a similar situation and able to advise (please) [:'(]  

[quote user="Tony F Dordogne"] My understanding from local apiarists in 24 is the les pompiers no longer are responsible for clearing bees and thast they will pass you on to a local apiarist to clear the hive. [/quote] The same is true in 46.  

HIFX offer holiday home and permanent residence buildings and contents insurance, through Norwich Union. The benefit of an English worded policy is that the small print is so much easier to understand for anyone with limited french language skills [Www] http://www.hifxinsure.com/index.asp    

You could try the festival of ancient cars and tractors at Montclera in the Lot.  It's a huge 2 day festival covering a site of about 3 acres, with all kinds of displays and vendors of country-type crafts. I can't find the dates for this year, but it's usually the last Saturday and Sunday in July.   Festival des vieilles mecaniques, Bourg de Montclera, face au chateau Exposition de machines anciennes - moteurs fixes - bourse d'echanges Repas champetre. Tourin et chabrot Contact : 05 65 20 29 68